Personal Narrative: A Day Here In Woodbridge, New Jersey

It was a bright and exciting day here in Woodbridge, New Jersey. My twin brother Reese and I awoke to the smell of chocolate chip waffles being made downstairs. It was the first day of our senior year of high school. Our first last day of school was finally here. As long as these thirteen years of school have been, they’ve also flown by. Thankfully, I picked out my outfit the night before because I was far too exhausted to even think about being fashionable at 6:45 in the morning. Reese did the same, deciding on a light green Polo, some khakis and his new Nikes. I, on the other hand, had chosen a flowy cream blouse, a light pink skirt and silver glitter ballet flats. I decided that senior year was going to be my girly year, even though I say that every school year and I’m over it by the second week. Mom and I went on a huge shopping spree in the city before summer ended and I had to take full advantage of my free clothing opportunity. My goal was to get on homecoming court for the fourth year in a row. Being class president, that shouldn’t be too difficult.

Reese and I sleepily trudged down the stairs and nearly planted our faces in our breakfast.

Dad had already left for work since he had to take multiple means of transportation to get into the city to avoid the traffic. Living right outside one of the biggest cities in the world had its pros and cons, but I couldn’t wait to move to Manhattan the day after graduation. “You two ready for your last year?”, Mom asked us both. “Mom, it’s not the last year. We’ve still got four years of college in front of us. At least I do”, said Reese. I just glared at him and took a sip of my coffee. It was far too early for insults, and retaliations. Done with my waffles, I put my plate in the sink and stumbled back up the stairs to grab my brand new Steve Madden satchel. No one actually used backpacks anymore. “Leighton, you ready?”, my mother called from downstairs. “Coming!” I took my last breath of the

summer.
Arriving at school, I was hugged five times within two minutes. Man, did I miss my friends. Yes, I saw them over the summer but there’s nothing like coming together on the first day of school. Now that we’re all seniors, everything feels different. Who knows where we’ll be this time next year? My best friend Olivia and I plan to live in a loft together on the Upper East Side. With that part of the city being one of the most expensive places to live, I’m praying she doesn’t chicken out because I can’t afford it on my own. I’ve only got a $5,000 limit on the credit card Dad gave me and that’s supposed to be for “emergencies only”. Thankfully, my dad understands that the occasional shopping spree is an emergency. Olivia was waiting for me by the door of our homeroom. We’ve had the same homeroom teacher since the 6th grade so this became tradition shortly after then. From what I can tell, Olivia decided on the “edgy” wardrobe while back to school shopping. She stood in front of me with a black bandeau, light blue crop top, high-waisted shorts, combat boots and a leather jacket. Not to mention, her face was covered in mascara and red lipstick. Olivia is one of the very few people I know that can pull all of this off at once. I complement her and we walk into homeroom for the last/first time arm in arm.
Eight hours and four syllabi later, I throw my bag down on the island in the kitchen and stick my head in the fridge, praying that food I’m actually craving will show up. Britton and I have the same taste in music, so I connect my phone to our Bluetooth speakers and Nirvana is instantly blasting throughout every room in our house. Bobbing my head, I bite into my banana and pull out every form my parents are required to sign. Then, I go upstairs to take my first afterschool nap of the year.
Waking up at 3 AM always throws me off. I can’t go back to sleep so I log onto my computer. I pull up the school year calendar. Three weeks until our first vacation of the year and then the week after is Homecoming. The Homecoming game coincidentally falls on my 18th birthday. How incredible would it be to win Homecoming Queen on my birthday? I’m already crossing my fingers that it happens. I’ve worked my entire high school career for that moment. I saw my favorite senior get crowned last year and got to take pictures for the yearbook. In that moment, I imagined how incredible she must have felt. The entire school voted for her, not anyone else. Everything you’ve worked for and represented those short four years mattered and you got your recognition. That’s all I want. From tutoring, to making straight A’s, to helping decorate the Homecoming halls, floats and Prom every single year, I’m exhausted but grateful I had the opportunity to get as involved in high school as I have been. Winning Homecoming Queen would be closure for me, a way to move on to the next stage of my life knowing that I made a difference in this stage. I drift off to sleep imagining that glistening, shiny crown on the top of my burgundy hair.
I blinked and it was already the week before Homecoming. We were out for fall vacation, which we’ve never been given until this year. I got nominated for Homecoming Court and silently cheered because the first part of my mission was a success. This random week off from school gives me more of an opportunity to bring my grades up…and find a dress. My dad gave me an unlimited budget and I ended up deciding on a $430 aquamarine mermaid dress with a lace corset and the perfect amount of tulle and glitter. I can see myself with that crown being placed on my head in this dress. Reese came with me when I got my dress and was ridiculously helpful. From zipping me up in dresses to running and getting different sizes, he definitely sped up the stressful process of finding the perfect gown. We drove home and I had an enormous grin on my face. Not being able to find a dress would be something I wouldn’t have to stress out over, unlike sophomore year. One step closer to my goal of being queen!
One more day until the Homecoming game meant that it was parade day. I checked out of school at 1:05 so I would technically be “present” for the school day. I went to my hair stylists house, got my hair and makeup done in record time and got to the town square right on time. My date (and hopefully my future boyfriend) Channing linked his arm with mine and we waited for the parade to start. We were the second to last car of the parade because we were seniors. As we anxiously awaited our turn, Channing turned to me and kissed me out of nowhere. I blushed beyond what I thought was possible and our car started moving. Red as a fire truck, I waved to my neighbors and fellow classmates and prayed that they wrote my name on their ballots. Channing let go of my arm and intertwined his fingers into mine unexpectedly. This produced an even bigger smile on my face causing the crowd to smile even bigger back at me. Everything was falling into place. Then, all of the seniors’ parade cars lined up in a row so they could announce the Homecoming King. Of course Channing wins. Reese, being Channing’s best friend, thankfully wasn’t disappointed that he didn’t win. I’m hoping this is a good omen for me considering he was my date. I placed the crown on his head and he kissed my cheek. I giggled and hugged him gently as he waved to the crowd. Now, I just need him to be crowning me tomorrow night.
Today was the day. It was mine and Reese’s eighteenth birthday. We were legal adults. We made it. No jail time, no pregnancies, nothing negative that would send our parents to an early grave occurred. Mom and Dad woke us up with a gigantic cookie cake and presents surrounding our beds. We usually skipped school on our birthday but decided that we should go this year. Plus, we had to be present for half the day to attend the football game. I was checking out early anyway to get my hair and makeup done yet again...boys have it so easy. Reese and I left for school and brought plenty of cookie cake to share at lunch.
Time flies when it’s your birthday. It was already 1 in the afternoon and my mom was at the school to check me out. I went through the process of getting ready just as I did last night and before I knew it, I was on my way back to school. The other senior girls and I all took pictures and talked about how nervous we were. I was mostly sad. I’m a very sentimental person and with it being my birthday, my last Homecoming and the possibility of winning Queen, it was hard not to get emotional.
As my dad walked me down the field one last time and the announcer said my name, tears started to pool in my eyes. I tensed my hand around my dad’s arm and he told me a joke as if he knew I was holding back tears. I smiled and the crowd cheered louder than before. A few minutes later, I lined up with all of my fellow seniors and we anxiously joined hands. I decided that in that moment, I would be okay not winning. Even with all of the time, thought and effort I’ve put into it, I’m just happy I’ve gotten this far. I can proudly say that I can look back on my high school career and not regret a single thing. As I finish my thought, the people in the stands jump to their feet and begin cheering. All of the other girls envelope me in a huge hug. I didn’t realize it until now but I’d been crying. I won. I did it. I was Woodbridge High School’s 2014 Homecoming Queen! I did it! And then there was screaming.
Photographers and teachers turn to the stands and see the horrific scene unfolding. Our mascot was laying on the track, covered in his own blood. At first, everyone thought he had been shot. And then we all simultaneously saw him. Reese was standing above him dripping blood. Blood was covering his hands, his clothes and worst of all, his mouth. He was a unique shade of green and was atrociously foaming at the mouth. Reese realized all eyes were on him and bolted out of the stadium before we could even blink. With my crown halfway on my head, I stood in the middle of the football field in shock. What in the world just happened to my brother?
The rest of the game was canceled and paramedics were called. Ryan, the mascot, was pronounced dead on the scene due to head trauma. Reese had killed him. But why? HOW? Where did he go?!
My parents arrived at the school shortly after. My mother was in shock but my dad was weirdly calm. I described the situation and my mom just shook her head and didn’t say a word. Something I said must’ve triggered a thought in my dad’s head because he took off running into the woods. Automatically, my mom and I chase after him.
Once we catch up to Dad, we see it. My twin brother, hanging from a tree branch with a belt tied around his neck. Dad is crying so loudly that I’m surprised people don’t come back here to see what’s going on. “I told him this would happen and to stay home…I warned him. He knew”, Dad sobs. “Dad, what in the world are you talking about? Is Reese…dead?” “No, honey. Reese isn’t dead. Not all of him is, at least. Reese is a zombie. I never told you two about this but every male in my family turns into a zombie on their 18th birthday. The only way to reverse it is to “kill” yourself when you’re in the zombie state. In a few hours, he’ll be back to normal. But he’ll never be able to show his face again at this school. And he ruined your crowning moment. Literally. I’m so sorry, Leighton. I tried to convince him to stay home. He wouldn’t do it. He wanted to support you. I’m so sorry…”
Hours later as my little family sat in the woods, Reese, who we eventually got down from the tree branch and onto the ground, began to cough and awaken. I instantly hugged my brother. That was such a close call. After everything that had happened, I could care less about my “crowning moment”. My brother and my parents were my world, not this piece of plastic. And once everyone found out that Reese had killed Ryan, everything could change. I want to enjoy my life the way it is. Right now. And I want to appreciate the fact that my brother isn’t a zombie. I’ve always hated zombies.