Coming From the Shadows Series
Beginnings
The air in the high school crackled with pre-Christmas excitement; tinsel draped precariously from light fixtures, carols warbled from a batter cassette player and the scent of cheap pine filled the corridors; it was December 1989, a tapestry of fluorescent shell suits, big hair and even bigger dreams.
Jenna, typically a quiet observer stood by her table alongside a group of her friends; she was watching as one of her friends was trying to work out a puzzle cube, so far her attempts had been rather amusing – the occasional interruption from a group of lads sometimes brought her friend; Sarah relief.
Michelle couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement as Sarah became more and more frustrated with the puzzle in the festive chaos.
A group of lads, that had so far made random interruptions to Jenna and her two friends; led by the perpetually-trying-too-hard; Philip, detached themselves from the throng once again; Philip, his hair carefully gelled back with a faux-leather jacket over the top of his school uniform, exuded an air of manufactured coolness – he’d been cracking jokes with his mates, though they kept glancing towards Jenna and her friends, and now, once again, they were making their way over
Jenna, noticing them eyed them with a guarded suspicion.
“Alright Jenna” Philip drawled; his voice attempting to sound like a seasoned lothoria, a silence hung thick, broken by the distant thump of ‘Last Christmas’ “Fancy going on sometime?”
Jenna raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement danced in her eyes; this was a game she could play, shedding her usual reserve, she turned to face him properly, he was taller than her, but, she leaned forwards and looking up towards him , her arms were crossed as she eyed him, her voice was a low purr that sent a ripple of surprise through the group “Sometime?; Like when?, tomorrow night?, maybe we could hit up the arcades, maybe a few cheeky snogs down the pier?”
Philip was taken aback by her boldness, he swallowed hard – the meticulously constructed façade began to crumble under the weight of her unexpected advance “Uh…, yeah…, tomorrow…, the umm…” he stared “the arcade…” he stammered, the carefully rehearsed lines vanished from his memory
Jenna continued her assault; pushing him further from his comfort zone “And after that?; you thinking my place?” she observed before continuing “My parents will be out; we could listen to some records…, get to know each other; I mean…, really know each other” she let the words hang in the air, a deliberate challenge
Philip’s face flushed crimson; he hadn’t anticipated this – he’d envisioned a demure ‘Yes’ followed by a carefully orchestrated evening of awkward small talk and perhaps a chaste kiss; this though…, this was something else entirely “Right.., your place…, maybe…” he mumbled, his voice cracking
“Maybe?” a sly smile played on Jenna’s lips as she raised her hand up, placing a finger against her lips, an innocent expression now on her face “Oh…, come on Philip; don’t tell me your getting cold feet already; I thought you was the cool guy of the group”
The pressure was building; Philip was acutely aware of his friends snickering behind him, forcing a smile “Nah, no cold feet; just…, thinking about the logistics; you know, parents.., curfews…”
Jenna finally relented as she straightened up – the mischievous glint still in her eyes “Alright, alright; I’m teasing” she told him with a chuckle of amusement “Tomorrow night, the arcades about Seven; don’t be late” then she reverted right back to the usual quiet appearance everyone normally saw; turning to Sarah and Michelle she gave a barely perceptible shrug.
Sarah, now giving up pointed, suggesting they go to the cafeteria; Michelle agreeing, and the three left the group of lads; leaving the flustered Philip in their wake.
As they walked, Sarah whispered as she leans towards Jenna “You destroyed him”
The following evening on the quieter side of the town; the festive cheer seemed much more muted here; the air was thick, but with a different kind of anticipation, a subtle unease that Jenna had grown accustom too.
She slipped into a new dress, then she felt it; the feeling of something unknown started to creep over her skin, she often felt that way but tonight, it felt a little different.
A faint, almost imperceptible whispering echoed from the depths of the house; it was a familiar sound, one that had haunted her all her life; she followed the sound down to the hallway; her bare feet silent on the worn carpet – it led to her father’s study, a room shrouded in shadows and secrets.
The source of the whispering was a small, intricately carved wooden box that sat on the desk; it was a puzzle box of some kind – she knew that much, but one that defied all attempts to open it.
It was impossible to see any joints or indicators that would discern how one would open it – she pressed her ear against its cool wood, trying to decipher the fragmented whispers emanating from it.
Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder starling her “Jenna” the older man questioned, a curious expression present “What are you doing?”
Her father; Ralph was standing behind her, his face etched with a strange mixture of surprise and concern; he was a man of mystery, Ralph, his past a locked vault that he guarded fiercely.
She still to this day did not understand her fathers past, he never spoke of it – never once explained how he and her mother had met, and whenever he disappeared for days, it usually always accompanied a strange reason from her mother – but discussions about it were never raised, it was just an accepted part of their life.
“Just curious” Jenna said pulling away from the box to face her father “What’s with all the secrets anyway?”
Ralph ignored her question; she was use to that, it was automatic at this point regardless of knowing she was get an answer or not – hs gaze though swept over her attire “And where do you think you’re going dressed like that?”
“Out” Jenna replied casually “With Philip”
Ralph’s jaw tightened “Philip?; that boy from school?” he questioned “I don’t like him”
Jenna shrugged “Still going”
Ralph sighed; arguing with his daughter was much like his wife – it was like arguing with a brick wall, he knew better that to try and stop her “Just…, be careful” he told her, his voice was laced with a warning that Jenna didn’t quite understand
A little while late; the town centre was bustling with activity; the neon lights of the seafront lit up with a warm brightness; at the arcades life buzzed with an excitement – the air thrummed with the cacophony of synthesized music and the excited shouts of teenagers – Jenna found Philip waiting for her, he looked even more nervous that he had at school.
As their night progressed, the initial awkwardness faded; the played various games, devoured greasy chips and managed a tentative dance beneath strobe lights – as they sat together sipping lukewarm cola, the conversation turned unexpectedly serious “So…, what do you want to do with your life Jenna?” Philip asked, his voice softer now
Jenna looked towards the swirling crowd a moment with a wistful expression on her face “I want to help people” she told him, her voice was just above a whisper “Like my Great-Grandmother; she use to cook for a shelter in Lancaster, providing them warm meals; I want to open up a shelter to help those that struggle, give them somewhere safe and warm to go”
Philip was surprised by her answer; he just saw her as another pretty face – there was in fact a hidden depth to her that he hadn’t anticipated “Wow” he said, genuinely impressed “That’s…, really cool”
“And what about you?” Jenna shifted her gaze towards him, a curious expression present “What are your dreams, Philip”
Philip hesitated a moment, then a spark ignited in his eyes “I want to be…, like…, an archaeologist” he told her, his voice was filled with passion “I want to travel the world; dig up and cities, uncover lost civilisations, I want to finds things nobody else has seen before”
He went on to describe his passion for history, his fascination with ancient culture; the burning desire to leave his mark on the world – Jenna listened intensely, she found his enthusiasm rather interesting – she couldn’t help but smile.
As the night drew to a close, they walked along the promenade – the cold air now whipping around them, the lights of Blackpool twinkled like fallen stars, reflecting in the dark water.
They stood in a comfortable silence, a connection forged in a shared space between dreams and aspirations.
The date was coming to an end; it was a far cry from the carefully orchestrated scenario Philip had initially envisioned, and yet – it had been so much more, he had seen beneath Jenna’s guarded exterior, discovered a kindness and a passion that resonated with him; Jenna in turn had seen something genuine in Philip, a spark of ambition that belied his clumsy attempts at coolness.
As they said their goodbyes at her doorstep, a sense of quiet contentment settled over them; Perhaps this was the beginning of something special, even with the shadows of Jenna’s father’s past, or the whispers from the darkness she felt from within her home – together they both felt the future might just be a little bit brighter.
Written By: Westley H.
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