You have no Future

== YOU HAVE NO FUTURE ==
=== By Angeli Nicole Forfieda ===
Published in StoriesStar 2011
My name is Alexia Rose Anderson. My buddies call me Alex for short (Assuming I have that many). I'm sixteen years old and I study at Greenfields Middle School where kids my age never care about learning, as much as the world. So don't even tell me why their parents even enrolled them in the first place.
With my wavy golden blonde hair that goes down to my shoulders, brilliant blue eyes and deep tan features, I almost look like a stereotypical Californian athlete – looking girl. But don’t let my complexions fool you, because one thing for sure is that I’m the exact opposite of what I look. 
Well, anyway, today was the first day of school. Unlike me, everyone was very excited roaming around the new levels and having petty banters with their new chums. And as for me, I was just sitting on the hallway bench reading books, as usual. Don’t accuse for being such a dork, at least someone is interested in learning. 
I was in the middle of a very thrilling chapter when I heard a familiar voice next to me – “Ugh. Still reading books, Alex?” 
It was my friend, Mackenzie, along with Ashley and Sophia. They were really popular here in our school, no doubt. If their stylish designer clothing is not enough evidence, then everyone could notice their perfect and glamorous features along with their flirty postures. 
Mackenzie, Ashley and Sophia were my good friends since grade school, so don’t even ask me if they were in their right minds inviting me to be their friend, which seems to be like a million years ago. Everyone else says that we weren’t supposed to be friends, with them being so popular and me being … well, the opposite. But it’s fine with me, I don’t need their opinions. But sometimes, I don’t even think it’s legal with me being their friend anyway.
I rolled my eyes, “It’s nice seeing you too again, Mackenzie. Anything else is new?” I tried to make it sound sarcastic, but it didn’t work. With all odds, I was really happy seeing them again. 
“What’s new? Nothing’s new! Another year of dullness ahead of us. Not even a date invitation from that cute Dylan Roberts!” Ashley muttered in despair. Whatever she was talking about, I tried hard not to vomit.
“Um … yeah, whatever. So could you like, give me some time alone? I’m kind of in a middle of a story here.” I whined and was about to go back from reading when Sophie grasp my arm.
“All in all, there’s something we want to tell you” she said and her dazzling blue eyes twinkled, “We went to a fortune teller!”
And then, she told me that the three of them went to a fortune teller named Madame Delphina during the summer, and consulted their future to her for a dollar each. She said that Madame Delphina would seek through her crystal ball and scribbles down their fortune in a piece of paper and was not allowed to peek at it until you got home. And after that, each of them told me the fortune they got from the fortune teller. With their excitement, I got the feeling they’re about to do a triple somersault in a matter of seconds. 
“It was very fascinating. You could try consulting your fortune too, Alex.” Mackenzie said the time we were heading to our classes. Ashley and Sophie nodded in unison. 
I never ever believe on Fortune Tellers, as much as those Phony Crystal Balls and Stuffs they use. But hearing this from my own friends, what could possibly go wrong? I assured my friends that I’ll go to Madame Delphina’s place this weekend. Before the school bell rang, they gave me the place’s address and we parted our ways to our own classes.
It was an early Sunday morning. I brushed my teeth as soon as I woke up from my drools and got dressed immediately. I went downstairs with my backpack and joined my parents and my younger twin sisters, Amber and Audrey for breakfast. 
“You looked dressed, Alex.” My Father mused. “Are you going somewhere?”
I told them that I was going to a fortune teller my friends recommended for me. 
My mother frowned, as if she didn’t buy my story. “You should be careful, Alex. Sometimes, Fortune telling can be quite … forbidding.” I got the feeling she was thinking of another word for forbidding. Then again, she said it as if she went to a fortune teller once, and it didn’t go well.
I feel kind of ashamed so I stared down on my food. Suddenly, my Chocolate Cookie Dough Pancake and Bacon Sandwich didn't look much appetizing anymore. 
After the cold tension in the air, I sent my goodbyes to my family and headed to my car as I went to the place Mackenzie, Ashley and Sophie told me. 
The time I went to the place, I parked my Car on the side of the street and went to a fancy spot with a large sign, "Madame Delphina's Psychic Predictions", that sounded right to me.
I opened the door and went inside. Over the entrance was a large purple curtain. 
I swept the curtain aside and my eyes met a young woman sitting on a pillow over a floor. She was very pretty, with long and silky wavy hair and large dangling earrings. Her eyes are as blue as the sky and she smiled sweetly at me. In front of her placed a large crystal ball and a bunch of hard-bound books. 
The place itself was very comfortable yet a bit mysterious. Torches hang on the wall with Purple and Black Accents. There were a few meaningless paintings on the wall, which I won’t pay a nickel to admire. Bookshelves mostly invaded the whole place. On the other side of the room was a large wooden door with a metal knob. Whatever is inside it, I don’t want to know.
“Welcome to Madame Delphina's Psychic Predictions. Do you mind taking a seat?” the lady who must have been Madame Delphina told me.
I tried to act casual, but it didn’t work. I sat on the large pillow in front of her, trying my best not to look like a fool. 
"Hello there! I am Madame Delphina, seeker of the future. What is it you wish for?" she seemed so nice, so the thought make me relax a little.
I looked at her straight in the eye. "I – I wish to see my future."
She nodded. "Very well, then. I will seek my crystal ball."
She took a large book besides her and read something among its pages. She gazed into her crystal ball while reciting something she must have got from the book. 
She frowned and knitted her eyebrows. "That’s funny ... I can't see anything 
..."
I looked at the crystal ball itself and she was right, there was nothing in it except for smoke. Lots of foggy smoke. She took a different book and read something in it.
She peeked at her crystal ball again, looking annoyed and … creepy. 
When she was done, she sighed and shook her head. She took a pen and a small piece of paper underneath the table and scribbled something beyond my view.
“Here is your fortune. You can’t look at it for now, until you got home, that’s the rule.” She told me as she folded the paper. 
I took it from her. The moment I touched it, I might’ve dropped it because it was freezing cold, or was it my imagination? The piece of paper seems to be made from pure ice, but I didn't stick to that thought. I zipped open my backpack and buried my fortune on some page of the book I was reading, just in case I’d be tempted to open it along the way. 
After I paid her, I stood and smiled, “Thanks Madame Delphina. I’ll visit and see you soon!”
I was about to walk away when I heard her whispered something on my back. I turned and ask her if she said something.
“No … I didn’t say anything.” Was the only word she said and I took off for good this time.
I went to my car and headed back home. What just happened over there was very disturbing ... And I'm pretty sure I heard her said, "I'm Sorry, but I’m afraid you cannot …” 
I was in my car driving home, thinking about my fortune. My bag was just besides me, with my fortune somewhere in the book. All of the Sudden, I was tempted to open the small note, to see the fortune for myself. But something held me back. 
'You should be careful, Alex'. I recalled what my mother told me this morning. 'Sometimes, Fortune telling can be quite … forbidding'.
And then, something dreadfully unexpected happened. 
My head was so occupied with random thoughts that I didn't see it coming. 
Everything happened so fast. 
The Sliding Van ... The Spinning ... The Crashing ... The Pain... 
Before my Brain can even make out what just happened, a bright light met my gaze as I stumbled to the peace of my forever.
Tears raced down on my cheeks, beading and falling. I took a deep breath and set the large box I was carrying on the floor. I opened the window and sat on the window seat as I gazed our neighborhood. The air was cool and dry, and the morning sunshine spread all over the houses, making the trees and soil golden rich, but the nice weather just seemed like an insult after losing Alex. 
My sister was gone. The whole world should be black and cold. Nothing should look beautiful.
It’s been three months since the incident. A Van accidentally crashed her Car and she was immediately brought in the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, she didn't make it. I was holding her hand the moment the doctor announced the news. The driver of the Van died as well.
We were packing her things, putting them in the attic because seeing her stuffs just held up more painful memories. 
“Amber?”
I turned and there was my mother on the door. She was staring on the floor, no attempt to look at me straight in the eyes. Her tone, as well as her face was full of hurt although she was great in hiding it. Suddenly, I felt so mad at Alex, making our mother suffer so much pain for losing her. 
“You've been working for hours. Breakfast is ready downstairs. Take a break while you can, dear.”
I nodded slowly even though I’m not certain she saw my approval. I was about to go downstairs to join them when I accidentally tripped into something. 
The moment I glanced which was it, I gasped. It was Alex’s backpack. The one she was carrying with her three months ago. 
With my curiosity, I opened the bag. I peeked inside and saw a folded sweater, a bottle of water, a wallet and a small bag filled with pens. But what stole my attention more was the book. I fished it out and examined it without astonishment. 
The book’s title was Dinosaurs on the Roof, written by an unfamiliar author. I’m not much of a book lover myself, but I rippled the pages to see what the story is about. 
And then suddenly, to my surprise, a piece of paper fell out among its pages. I wasn’t convinced, but I gained the courage to pick it up to see what’s inside it without hesitation. 
Finally, I opened the enigmatic note ... and in there, written in black ink --You have no Future