Nova
Written by Amber WilliamsonChapter Excerpt from the Novel, Nova By Amber Williamson
Prologue
What defines a person? Maybe it’s our past that defines us, or maybe it’s our future. Maybe that doesn’t matter at all, and instead, we all just fit into a cliché, like in an old 80s movie. I guess then I would be the “basket case.” I don’t believe this though, I think it goes deeper than that. Like the philosopher, Jorge Luis Borges’ quote, “I am not sure that I exist, actually. I am all the writers that I have read, all the people that I have met, all the women that I have loved; all the cities I have visited.”
Would this mean that I’m just like everyone else in this town, or perhaps instead I have the chance to be a legend only envisioned within the ink-filled pages of a storybook. No matter which one is true, one thing is for certain. I am not the protagonist in this story, nor am I the damsel in distress, and I hope I’m not the villain either. What I see myself as is nothing other than the haunting ghost of our sunlit childhood memories. One that for me was once pure and innocent, but now is tainted red with guilt from the buried deadly secrets. One that I’m currently running from.
I listen to the loud horn coming off the train in the far off distance. Its steady rhythm calming my nerves as I await its arrival. It’s only a week into my senior year of high school so the hot summer weather is still present, but the wind has grown stronger, blowing my long dark hair rapidly around. I’m supposed to be in school at this time, eagerly waiting in my seat watching the seconds tick by. I’m not usually the ditching type, especially this early in the year, but I made an exception just this once. I really can’t miss this train.
The ending bell and train arrive at the same time every day and there’s no way I would have gotten here in time if I left after school. I could have waited until my last period to go, but by leaving right after lunch I was able to catch someone just as they were walking to the football field, alone. I’ve planned all of this out perfectly. I went through every scenario, every aspect of my plan to make sure it succeeds. Everything I have done since I woke up today had a purpose, every step I took, every word I said, and every person I saw. Just like clock-work. I just really hope this wasn’t for nothing, I can’t fail… He can’t fail.
I take a deep breath to relax my tensed body. It’s okay. Everything so far has gone according to plan, I have everything I need in my bag, I have stayed out of the sight of cameras since I’ve left the school grounds, everything is in place. Everything is perfectly fine. I look to my left and see the train approaching the stop and stand up. Technically this train isn’t supposed to be carrying passengers anymore, but I bribed one of the few workers to help sneak me in the back.
As the train slows down I walk through the trees hiding from their eyes and carefully head down to the very last cart. I had paid him yesterday so when I get there he’s nowhere in sight, but the sliding door on the last cart was left cracked open for me. These last few carts are always empty so it’s not too hard to get away with catching a ride.
As I put one foot up getting ready to hop on, in the distance I hear it, the slight echo of the ending bell. One that will lead kids to hurry out and get to their homes, to their families. All except for one, and tomorrow, the investigation will start, rumors will be told on what they think happened, secrets will leak through every dark corner, no one is innocent anymore, and every person in Rosewood will know that Nova Winters is Missing.
Chapter One
“Jake, C’mon! You’re going to be late for your first day!” My eyes pop open at my mom’s voice. Groggily sitting up in bed I stretch my arms above my head. I’m about to yell back when I hear the door open and my mom walks in looking annoyed. “I’m awake!” I say exasperated, but all she does is roll her eyes at me. They’re so dark and contact so heavily from the rest of her eyes that you could probably see that eye roll from a mile away. “I know you’re awake but you need to be up and ready. chop, chop.” She says shooing me towards the bathroom.
My mom’s full name is Amanda Blake Jones. We have different last names because I still technically take my dad’s name, Tyler. She’s been promising to switch it one day but never has the time. It’s okay though, I don’t have any profound unsolved grudge against my father to the point where I need my name changed. On top of that, I don’t want to put my mom through the trouble, she’s already working the graveyard shift. She’s a nurse at the local hospital and is still somehow always there for me.
I walk into the bathroom and sloppily brush my teeth because I’m about to pass out from exhaustion. I swear school starts way too early and it just keeps getting worse each and every year. Brushing my hands through my awkwardly chopped brown hair I walk back into my room flopping onto my bed. “I swear to God Jake if I walk upstairs and you’re back in bed I will murder you!” My mom yells from downstairs making my eyes widen and I jump out of bed. Are everyone’s parents this violent? “It’s called a power nap!” I yell back and can practically feel her glare back as soon as I say it. “You just woke up!” She yells back exasperated. “And your point is?” I question but get no answer in return so I instead continue to grab clothes from my dresser. Not really caring to dress nicely for the first day I choose a plain white shirt, some dark jeans, and a dark red jacket.
Walking downstairs I see my mom at the computer with a coffee in hand. Usually, she’s still in bed sleeping but she didn’t have to work last night. I head over to her and kiss the top of her head saying good morning, and she says it back in a mumble. I grab some coffee for myself and my school bag before walking out the door, keys in hand. That’s probably the only good thing about my mom working the night shift, I get the car since she doesn’t need it until tonight. My mom has had her car since her late college days, one day I’m going to buy her a new car but for now, it’s the old 1990 Bronco. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy just to have a car to drive but my mom deserves better, It breaks down probably a few times a month.
Jumping into the driver’s seat I fling my backpack behind me and waste no time in starting the car up. I’ve been driving since the beginning of the junior year but I will never get tired of it, driving is always so relaxing to me. Maybe it’s because I don’t really have to think, maybe It’s the music playing, or maybe it’s something else. Either way, I’m happy to be driving. Ten minutes later I’m pulling up into the school’s parking lot heading straight to the back. I instantly spot Warren Young’s long dark hair, there I find the rest of my friends all hanging around his car. The brand new black BMW. His parents, Hal and Lijuan Young, are one of the wealthiest families in this town. His father Hal is part Korean, although it’s hard to tell if you were to look at him and his mother Lijuan is Chinese. She’s quite beautiful although rarely seen, well, both of them are rarely seen.
Warren has been my best friend since the first day of my sophomore year. He’s considered the “party boy,” “class clown,” or the most cliché “the bad boy,” but I’m pretty sure we’ve only heard it from one girl last year. She was a freshman and was obsessed with a little too many romance movies. That’s more of a joke we’ll say to irritate him now. I swear he goes to a party a week and I know for a fact that he has never done a piece of schoolwork in his entire life. The only reason he passes is because he aces every test. We had met freshman year through football, and although he quit after the first year we ended up having a class together the next. From that point on we were inseparable, even though we are total opposites.
Putting my car into park and taking out my keys I jump from my seat of the car grabbing my bag on the way. The first person to spot me is Maddie Johnson, the groups’ “perfectionist.” She seems to be a part of everything in this school, she has been the class president for the past three years, she volunteers for every school activity, she is amazing on the violin and piano, and on top of all of that, she still maintains a 4.5-grade average. I don’t even take one A.P. class. Maddie was the second addition to the group and ever since she’s been like a sister to me. I always thought that she and Warren would end up together but that ship sank a year ago when she came out to us that she liked girls. She thought it would change the way we looked at her but of course, it didn’t change a thing.
Mads raises her hand waving me over, I notice that her hair is curly today meaning she hasn’t put it in braids yet as she does at the beginning of every school year. She’s wearing her typical outfit with her black vest, black plaid skirt, tights, and her glossy black oxfords. She doesn’t always wear a skirt, but she always wears her oxfords. Her wardrobe usually consists of dark colors, the black outfit today almost blends into her own skin. If it wasn’t for the navy and small pops of white within the plaid it might even be a perfect match. Maddie’s sudden movement collects the attention of the other two. Warren’s small almond eyes meet mine while Charlotte Douglas, my girlfriend, smiles warmly at me. She walks over and gives me a lingering kiss before wrapping her arm around my side. Charlotte and I have been dating for about 6 months now, she was actually the one to ask me out. She’s your typical princess, blonde hair, light eyes, and pink everything. The only difference is that she doesn’t always spend her time shopping, instead, she loves photography and is the captain of the school’s varsity soccer team. I like her but sometimes it feels like our relationship is more for show. It wasn’t at the beginning but I fear that she’s losing interest in me, not that I can really blame her, I don’t have that exciting of a life.
I know that we sound like a bunch of clichés but the truth is, stereotypes don’t exist anymore. There’s no one label that we fit a part of, nowadays you can only find these clichés in a John Hughes’ movie. Really we’re all just your average teenager, our daily schedule consists of coffee, school, occasionally driving around where we then get some more coffee, and then we go home to start it over again. The most exciting thing for us is occasionally someone will throw a party over the weekend. “Hey, babe,” Charlotte says, still smiling up at me. She has shades pushed up on her nose, just above where the small bump sits. “Hey” I mumble back giving her forehead a light peck. I look back and give Warren and Maddie a fistbump in greeting.
Warren sighs loudly before grabbing his bag, “You losers ready for our senior year?” We all sigh or grunt dramatically in reply while Maddie announces that she, in fact, is ready. “We all know you’re prepared, Mads,” I tell her, making the group laugh and Maddie sticks her tongue out at us. The girls go to Charlotte’s car on our way towards the school to grab their things. When they return Charlotte has her purse and camera while Maddie has her bag and water bottle. Just like her Oxfords, you’ll never find Maddie without her water bottle.
We all walk towards the school by each other’s side without a care in the world, just taking in the buzzing of students, old and new. Most of the people here we grew up with, we rarely get people from out of town here. No one really even knows we’re here. Rosewood is a small town crammed between two mountains, there’s only one road in and out of this town. Not many people coming just like there’s not many people going. The only time we’re even visible to outsiders is from 2:30 to midnight every day when the train leaves.
There isn’t anything really special here it’s just your typical suburban small town. The only difference is this, the high school. Although it may look normal, it was built right in the center of Rosewood with an elevation so slight that it gives this subtle power to it. Almost like a trophy the town was trying to show off. The students are the town’s pride and joy, they’ll try to brag about any minuscule accomplishment we make, but the moment we graduate they forget about us.
“Did you guys look online for your schedule?” Charlotte asks, still clinging to my side with my arm draped over her shoulders. “Yep!” Maddie announces, “First is A.P. chem with Mr. Wade, second is A.P. calculus with Mrs. Smith, third is my free period, fourth is anatomy, my fifth is student council, six is A.P. English with Mr. Smith, and seventh is A.P. government.” Maddie was so busy listing off her classes that she didn’t even notice our shocked expressions. The scariest part is she didn’t once look at the list, she just had it memorized…
“Sometimes I forget how much of an overachiever you are,” I tell her still in slight shock. “Oh, whatever! Come on, hurry up!” She yells practically bouncing in excitement. That’s the thing about Maddie she is always energetic, no matter how early it is. “You know it’s weird how excited you are for school,” Warren deadpans as we finally walk through the gates.
Walking further into school we exchange schedules. I ended up having first-period math by myself with Mr. Wilson, second and third with Warren, the second being English and third history. I have fourth with Maddie for anatomy, 5th is with Charlotte and Maddie in student council, six is my free period, and seventh is football. To make it even we have our seventh period every day for only an hour, so on A-days, we have 1, 3, 5, 7 and on B-days, we have 2, 4, 6, 7. Today since it’s the first day we have every class for 40 minutes. I like all period days better, mainly because nothing ever gets done.
“Hey babe, I’ll see you at break, I want to go see some people before class starts,” Charlotte says already reaching up to peck my cheek before walking over to a group of girls who start squealing once they see her. “Come on dude, we’ve got first period close to each other,” Warren says leading us away from Mads and Char. “So, how’s that relationship going?” He asks with something in his voice I couldn’t decipher. “I’m not really sure, sometimes it feels like we’re together because it’s convenient. I can’t remember the last time we actually were hanging out together when you or Mads weren’t there.” I tell him honestly glancing back at Charlotte and Mads one last time. Charlotte was still laughing and talking to her friends but Mads was no longer with her. Where’d she go?
I shake off the question and put my attention back towards my best friend. “You’re so lucky you got Wilson for math, you do like nothing in his class.” “I know right, I was so happy when I found out, I’m so done with school.” Just as I finish my sentence the first bell rings causing everyone around to grunt with irritation. “Alright man, see you later,” Warren said nodding his head as a goodbye before striding off in the opposite direction.
I walk further into school and I catch sight of the morning announcements class, they’re already filming for the day. Natasha, Maddie’s crush talks into the camera. Her hair a fresh bright blue this month. I was in that class handling the behind the scenes and editing a couple of years ago, the tech may look cheap but it’s actually really cool. Each camera has a computer they connect to, it’s almost like you can watch what’s going on live and edit on the spot. Makes things go by quicker.
Making my way through the crowd of people I turn the corner instantly sending someone to the ground. “Oh sorry, I didn’t see you there,” I try explaining going down to help pick up the girl’s books but freeze once I realize who the girl is. “Don’t worry about it,” her voice comes out soft but a little raspy like she’s not used to talking. No matter what, I will always recognize her voice; Nova Winters.
She looks at me with surprise evident in her face, obviously she wasn’t expecting it to be me either. She was still the beautiful girl I knew when we were younger, but now there was something darker in her golden eyes that drew me closer. She always closely resembled an angel to me with her dark hair contrasting her pale skin, making her eyes pop out even more. Everyone knew how beautiful she was but no one actually knew her, she never let them. I was the closest, we grew up as childhood sweethearts but all of that changed freshman year. She stopped talking to me with no warning or reason, every time she saw me she walked the other way.
She just… shut me out. We stare at each other for a while, not sure what to do, and right when I’m about to say something Nova gets up and walks into the crowd. I try to catch up to her, but as quickly as she came she was gone. This was the closest I’ve ever been to talking to Nova in years. I’ve seen her walk past me before but I was never able to reach her. It feels like I’m drowning, trying to pull her up with me but she doesn’t want to come up for air. Or maybe she simply can’t.
So then what’s holding her back? Once I’m positive she’s gone I start to make my way back towards my class, thinking about what had happened the last time I had ever talked to her. “Please open up Nova,” I yelled as I punch the wooden door repeatedly, “I know you’ve been avoiding me!” I wait, resting my head on the cool surface hoping that someone would answer this time, but get no response. I don’t know what happened or what I did wrong. These past months I could tell she was distant but I had thought she was just shaken up over Mira Brown’s accident. Then, at the beginning of this week, I went to go talk to her and she just turned the other way. I didn’t think too much of it but then she kept dodging me every day this week.
I’m about to start knocking again when the door swings open revealing Nova, although she wouldn’t look me in the eyes. In the background, I could see Atus, Nova’s older brother drinking coffee while on his computer. I smile relieved that she’s going to talk to me again, “Do you wanna go somewhere and talk?” Instead of responding she just shook her head no at me still looking downward. “What? But… I thought-” I start but get cut off. “Well, you thought wrong. I just came down to tell you to leave me alone.” She mumbles still not looking up. “Bullshit. Look me in the eyes and tell me that.” I challenge with my heart clenched afraid that she’ll actually do it. I feel my heart thump louder and louder while my stomach drops lower and lower as her eyes make their way towards mine. Her golden eyes flare with an emotion I couldn’t find, but what I do know is that they were a lot harder and lifeless than a few months ago. She’s changed.
“Leave. Me. Alone. I don’t want to be anywhere near you. You are not my friend. You are nothing more than or nothing less… You, Jake, are nothing to me.” I felt like the wind was knocked out of me. With each word dripping from her mouth I felt my heart shatter more and more. Her words carried so much venom in them that I knew she had to be telling the truth. Hearing this be spit at you by your first love is not easy and pain-free, I could already feel the tears prick my eyes. I look one last time into her eyes thinking they may soften but they stay guarded and cruel. Without another word, I turn around making my way around the block, ignoring the icing pain and noxious feeling all over. I feel a single teardrop from my eye and roll down my cheek with one thought in mind. What happened?
My first period passes in a blur since I spent the whole time distracted by what happened earlier today. I was hoping that I would get Nova in a class that I’m by myself in, not because I’m embarrassed or anything. I just think she would be more willing to talk if I was alone rather than a group. But, if she shared my morning class she just decided not to show up. Now I’m sitting by the window in Mr. Winters English class waiting for Warren. Nova’s older brother, Atus Winters has worked here as a teacher for the past 7 years, he first started working here when he was only 20. He and Nova are so far apart in age because their dad left once after Atus was born but then years later he came back only to leave again when Nova was born.
Atus’ full name is actually Hiatus, their mom had a thing for space phenomenons. From what I’ve heard she was an amazing mom and they are both still heartbroken over her death even though it’s been years. She had died when Nova was only 9 and Atus was 18, after her death Atus took custody and they moved to Rosewood where he worked hard to provide for them both. Atus growing up was like an older brother to me and my mom would always help them out in any way she could when they first got here. Like we were constantly eating dinner together where my mom also taught him how to cook. They both were like family to us.
“Something on your mind?” Warren asks breaking me from my thoughts. “Huh? Oh, nothing, just zoned out I guess” I say forcing a chuckle at the end.
“Only the first day and you’re already zoning out in class? That’s a new record I think,” he teases but I simply roll my eyes in response. Just on cue the bell rings signaling the start of class. What I like the most about having Atus as a teacher is he’s one of those teachers that lets kids sit where they want and call him by his first name. The class respects him so when he is trying to teach or lecture everyone actually listens and tries to learn.
“Okay, class I’m going to pass out a syllabus of what we’re going to learn this year and the books you’ll need. You don’t need it signed but I would like for you to go pick up the first book on the list.” He starts talking making his way around the room passing out the piece of paper and saying hello on occasion. When Atus finally makes his way to where Warren and I are sitting he stops. “Warren” he briefly nods his head at him. For some reason Atus never liked Warren, I mean I guess he’s always the class clown but it seems like it’s only Warren he doesn’t like. He’s not even allowed to call him Atus but instead, Mr. Winters. Warren never got offended by it though he always laughed it off with us. “Good morning, Mr. Winters,” Warren says back with a slight nod. Atus then turns towards me with a smile instantly growing on his face. “Hey Jake, how are you doing?” He asks with a bright charming smile. “Oh I’m doin’ good, how about you and,” I stop short not sure if I should ask about her or not.
“I’m doing quite alright. As for Nova, she’s doing okay. Don’t worry I’m sure she’ll be back to the same old smiling Nova soon enough.” He tells me sincerely while giving my shoulder a tight squeeze before walking away. But, that’s also the same thing he tells me every year, I know that Nova’s affecting him too, he hides it well but I can tell he’s upset about it. “I can’t believe that Atus still doesn’t like you,” I say jokingly towards Warren. He turns toward me rolling his eyes, “yeah, whatever that’s old news. As for you, you’re still in love with her, aren’t you?” “What? Who, Nova? Of course not, that would be crazy” I say but you can practically see the lie dripping from my tongue. Warren doesn’t say anything back letting my fib go for now.
Looking down at my paper I notice the first book I have to get is, The Little Prince. “Hey Atus, isn’t this a kid’s book?” “I was waiting for someone to say something, yes it is, but that’s the beauty of it. Once you read the book you’ll understand why it looks like a children’s story. And before anyone asks, yes we are still going to be reading what is required this year. I want you guys to get both The Little Prince and The Great Gatsby, Prince you will be reading on your own first with no work attached to it and Gatsby you’ll be reading in class with work attached to it. The final for this class will be an essay about both books and the connection you see with your own claim.” It’s a children’s book, it can’t be that hard, well at least for people who actually do their work… Maybe I’ll just ask Maddie about it, once you get her talking about a book she can’t stop.
Class ends quickly after passing out the papers and the rest of the classes go pretty quick, soon enough it’s already the end of the day. We all meet up one last time at our cars before going our separate ways, sometimes agreeing to go someplace to hang out for a while. “Hey, do you guys wanna go to Cold Brew today?” Charlotte asks us once we’re all here, Maddie showing up last. “Not today, I’m really tired.” Maddie says yawning in between before continuing, “But, if you want to go then go ahead I can find another ride or walk home.” I look at Maddie and sure enough, she looks exhausted. Her eyes are slightly glossed over and she can barely stand straight, she must still be having sleeping problems. Something had happened to her at a party last year and ever since then, she has had on and off sleeping problems. It gets worse when the school work starts piling in and she’s up all night studying.
“I have some stuff that’ll help you sleep if you want it?” Warren asks Maddie to which she sleepily nods. “So you’re fine walking?” Charlotte asks, already grabbing her keys from her purse. Is she seriously just going to let her walk home like this? I turn towards her and give her an unbelievable look to which she just looks confused as if the problem isn’t obvious. “I can’t believe you’re serious,” I say shaking my head before offering Maddie a ride. “If it’s no trouble,” she says appreciatively. “Of course, it’s no problem,” I say leading her to my car. Just before I jump in Charlotte stops me. “You’re still coming to Cold Brew after, right?” She asks trying to sound cute and innocent but it just irritates me even more. “No,” I tell her shortly before climbing in and closing the door.
It’s quiet as I’m driving through the parking lot, traffic already building. Once I’m on the street Maddie speaks up, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to cause a fight.” “Don’t worry about it and besides that definitely wasn’t your fault.” After that, it’s silent for a while and I look over only to realize that she had fallen asleep. The rest of the ride is peaceful and soon enough we’re pulling up to her apartment. I try to wake her up but just as I expected she doesn’t even budge. That’s the thing about Maddie, when she does fall asleep she does not wake up until she’s good and ready. Going around to the other side of the car I easily pick her up carrying her to the front door. Luckily she lives on the bottom floor. Kicking the door since I can’t use my hands I wait for the door to open.
Growing impatient as she’s slipping slightly I’m about to kick again when the door swings open. Her mom stands there looking irritated until she notices Maddie in my hands. Maddie’s mom, Chloe, looks exactly like her only with lighter skin. Chloe sighs still looking down before opening the door wider for me to enter. “She’s having sleeping problems again?” She asks although it’s rhetorical. Her mom knows about what happened at the party and they had tried to go to the police but there was only so much they could do. Weirdly enough that’s how we got close with Charlotte since she’s the daughter of the sheriff. “You can lay her down on the couch there,” She says pointing to the blue sofa. “Thank you for helping, can I get you anything to drink or eat?”
“No problem, I’m happy to help, and no thanks I gotta get back home,” I say heading toward the door that was left open. “Okay dear, tell your mama I said hi,” She orders with a kind smile leading me out. “Of course, have a good day,” I say back with my typical just for parents smile. Maybe I’m a bit of a suck-up, but whatever I like being nice. I jump in my car ready to go home completely exhausted with the day. I hope the whole year isn’t like this.
She was everything to him, all the moments in the world couldn’t compare to her. He trusted her without needing to, regardless of time spent away from each other. He knew that he would do anything for her, he just didn’t know how much that meant. When Nova Winters; the town’s mystery and Jake Tyler’s childhood sweetheart goes missing she leaves the town in chaos. Especially for Jake who’d been left a cryptic notecard written by Nova herself. This sends him on a spiraling journey, filled with adventure, secrets, and heartbreak. With secrets leaking out of every corner he’s left searching for the truth on his own. In a town like this when there is no one left to trust, who can he look to for help?
