Life as a Whole: Kora's Choices

By JESSICA LAROCHE

Ever wondered how one choice may have changed your life forever? Or how things could have gone differently? Most of every character in this story will have a new life story for every new part to their series. Some will end bad, others good. How do you think life will end up for these teenagers? Will they live to see a better life, a worse life, or better yet . . . will they live at all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Apr 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466920286

JESSICA LAROCHE

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I’ve been writing since third grade, when my teacher suggested I might get published one day. I realized that poetry and creative writing have always been my forte in English classes, and so I started writing a few stories, and I chose to publish the best idea I had—life as a whole.

Book preview

Friday. January 13th. Happy (?)Birthday

‘My name is… Is… Who am I? Wait… Where am I? My memory is hazy. It’s dark. I’m terrified. I wonder… How would things have happened… If things… Didn’t happen? Or if they… Did? Ugh… My head hurts.’ I try to raise my hand to my head. ‘Chains? What exactly happened to me?’

Hello? Is anyone there? I called out. I heard footsteps. Loud and clear. Hello? They stop in front of what looked like a long hallway. Where am I?

Kora. A teenage boys voice . . . But he looks so… grown up. From what I can see.

‘Is that my name . . . ?’

Do you remember me, Kora?

‘I guess it is me.’ I answered back, Who are you? I don’t remember anything, not even my own name.

His only reply was to stand there and stare. He turned around to walk away.

H-hey! Wait a second!

He was already gone.

Friday. January 13th. My life, from beyond this point, was forever changing, and I wondered all day . . . How do we know what else would happen? Do we know? Will that boy come back? Do I know who he is? When will I get out of here?

My stomach started to rumble. Great timing, stomach. As if things couldn’t get bad enough . . . 

Sunday. January 1st. 12 days left.

My name is Kora. Kora Jannings. My parents decided that they didn’t really want a kid. I guess the birth control didn’t work or whatever. I wonder how their lives would change if I wasn’t born. Or how my life would be if they actually wanted a child. They named me so my initials backwards would be ‘JK’. True story. They remind me all the time that I was nothing but a mistake . . . A bad memory to a result of why extra protection should be used. Birth control doesn’t always work, chicks. Remember that.

Anyway, I’m 18 years old. Well… Turning 18. I have to get used to the new transition to such an important age. I get more freedom right when that number hits. Once I turn 18, so many doors will open. I can’t wait for the 13th this month. 18 is just such a great age for me. So much more freedom! Plus, I can finally move out of this god forsaken place I call home. I can’t wait. I can never wait.

Kora!

I jump. My mother’s sudden voice scared the jeepers outta me. It was so silent and peaceful until she yelled my name.

‘Yes mom?"

"Get down here! Your breakfast is ready!’

Alright! Holidays weren’t such a festivity here. Normal families probably would’ve stayed together on New Year’s, having a party, or at least planning one. Us? We do the ‘normal’ thing for my family. We just wake up, say hello, eat, and go along with our business. My mother would always say how if I weren’t born, she’d’ve been planning parties with her friends, drinking all night, and having a great time. But for some reason, she can’t just send me somewhere, like a friend’s house, and do that, instead of making me feel so dang burdensome.

Downstairs, I’m in shock at what I see. A man is here? Who is he?

Kora, this is Liam. He’s a co-worker of mine and he—

Coworker? I interrupted. Mom, don’t lie. You don’t work, except at Hooters or whatever. Jeez . . . 

"Kora!’

I mumble, Sorry . . . 

Liam, I apologize for Kora’s rude behavior! Of course she had to put an emphasis on ‘rude.’ I think that’s a guilt trip of some sort? Whatever.

Liam spoke for once. I haven’t heard his voice from my room, so I figured it was just mom and I. Like usual.

No, Pamela, it’s fine. He looked at me. You’re a teenager right?

I answered, Yea, I’m about to turn 18. What of it?

He smiled… Chuckled a little . . . Then he said It’s always alright to be a little rebellious.

I’m not sure, but I think I blushed. He was a very attractive man. Young, too. With a very smooth and deep voice. So I turned around and saw a cake on the table.

Wh-what’s this?

Liam brought us a cake, for the new year.

O-oh . . . That’s great, actually. Thanks, Liam. I smiled at him. I rarely smile.

No need to thank me. I hope you like chocolate! It was the only one left, actually, and I had to bring something. He grinned at me. Who was this guy? He was great! But… Is mom cheating on dad? Anyway, I really should be going right now. Pam thanks for having me. He gave her a hug. Kora . . .  He stretched out his arm for a handshake . . . a HANDSHAKE? Ugh. Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too. I took his hand, and he pulled me in for a hug, laughing. Of course, since that was really unexpected and I had only woken up around an hour ago or so, I screamed a little. That only made him laugh harder. How embarrassing. He finally let go.

I’ll see you soon, for your birthday! Enjoy the cake, ladies. He left the house, turned around and winked at us, then started towards his car again. What a great guy.

And the day goes on.

Monday. January 2nd. 11 Days left.

Closer and closer to my birthday. Every second of anticipation is killing me. Maybe by the time my birthday comes around, I’d be long gone already. Who really knows? All I know is that mom and dad are arguing downstairs once again. And yes, it’s about me. Time to sneak out . . . 

Ryder. He wouldn’t mind another adventure with me. I should call him first, in case he’s in trouble. Again. Anyway, time to call. Ring Ring. Ring Ring.

"Hello?"

Ryder! Hey—

"Hahaha, I got you! Leave a message." Beep.

God I hate him sometimes . . . Ryder, call me back! Or text me. I’m sneaking out, and I wanna know if you wanna hang again? And while you’re at it, learn to pick up your—

Kora!

Ugh . . . Gotta go now… Call me, soon!

I jump out of my window and grab on to the ledges going down. I have to jump off the last few feet, but a duck and roll is good for fast recovery getting up. It’s hard this time ‘because I’m bringing my bag. I have to go . . . 

Kora Yvonne Jannings, get down here!!!

Now. I jump out my window, grabbing the ledges, but I do the duck and roll early, since dad sounded really mad that time. I stumbled a bit, but I made it. I ran and jumped over our low gate, and continued running on and on and on. I wonder if I’d ever do this if my life was a bit happier. I finally came to a stop at a clothing store. ‘Ryder must be at work . . . ’

Hot Topic is our number one store to be at. We have the ‘emo’ look, apparently. So Ryder thought it’d just make people shut up if we admitted it and hung around places that fit our ‘style’. I told him it’d never work out. Of course, it didn’t. People are stubborn. I walked in, and Ryder wasn’t there.

Hey, Jaimes!

Kora! What’s up, chica?

I laughed at him. Yo, where’s Ryder?

Ry? He didn’t come in today, why do you think I’m here?

Ughh, this kid! Thanks, J! I turn around about to leave, then I see the best thing ever. Gir best friends necklaces. I’d of course get the best part. I grab ’em and turn back to Jaimes. "Hey, J, any discounts for a friend?

Got a HT+ card?

You know I do, so just lemme buy these, come on!

Alright, alright. He types in everything he needs to, scans the necklaces, and gives me my discount of like ten cents.

You people are crazy, hahaha. See ya, Jaimes!

Bye, babe!

I laugh a little as I left the store. A skateboard was conveniently placed right outside the door. Of course, I step on it, and completely break my face. Oww!!! What the H?!

A voice from afar cussed and I heard heavy footsteps running towards me. H-hey, are you alright? A teenage boy. Of course.

"Do I look alright? Jeez . . .  I look up and . . . He’s really cute. I-I’m sorry but, I’m not having a great morning. What inspired you to put your skateboard right in front of a Hot Topic? You could’ve killed me!"

Sorry, lady. It was supposed to be a prank on the guy that works in there. We didn’t know anyone still shopped there. He held out his hand to help me up. Of course I accept. My head hurts like holy goodness . . . 

Of course people still shop here, it’s very popular! Especially for—

Scene people? Haha, I know.

He frustrates me. Anyway. I have to go. Gotta get to my friends place.

What friend?

Are you implying I don’t have friends?

He laughed. His laugh is adorable. No, I’m not implying anything. I’m just asking, what friend?

"My best friend. He lives right around here, actually, so I should get going.

Maybe he’s already hanging with me right now? Not many teens live around this area if you haven’t noticed.

I highly doubt he’d hang around you.

Why not . . . ?

’Cause, I reply, ‘scenes’ don’t chill with skaters. I start to walk towards Ryder’s place. He follows me, like a lost puppy or whatever.

"Hey, what’s your name, by the way?’

Why should I tell you?

I have to know the name of the person whose face I just killed, right?

I couldn’t handle him. My name is Kora. K-o-r-a. Yours?

He grinned a little. Crooked. How cute. My names Levi. Like the jeans.

I smiled a little. Cute intro.

So, who exactly is this friend of yours?

His names Ryder. Ryder Glenn.

"Hey, I do know him!!"

Nuh-uh!!!

He laughed. You’re right, I’ve never even heard of him.

I knew it.

How do you know him then?

Long story. Let’s just say I don’t have a clean record . . . 

Cuties got a record?

I blush. Hard. Wh-who’re you calling ‘cute’?!

You, babe He kisses my cheek real fast and I wanna die. I gotta go. Catch ya later! He gets on his skateboard and skates away. What just happened . . . ?

Kora!

Ryder? I turn around and see him standing by the door. Ryder! Hey! I walk up to him smiling, and I can’t help but notice a look of disgust in his eyes, even when he smiled to me. What’s up?

Who was he?

That guy? Levi. We just met by Hot Topic.

Why’d he give you a kiss if you just met?

How would I know? I laugh a little. He said something ’bout me being cute, gave me a peck on the cheek then ran off. That’s all, really. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you sounded jealous. Hahaha. By the way! I look through my bag to find the necklaces. Ha! Here they are! I bought these today, one for you, one for me! I pass him the one that says ‘Best’ and I hold up the on that says ‘Friends.’ Like it?

He smiled, genuinely. Thanks, Kor. I really like it. But . . .  His smile faded away slowly.

But?

He grinned and pulled something out of his pocket. I got you the same thing, he gave me ‘Best’ and took ‘Friends’ for himself. Surprise . . . !

I was shocked. He’s never been a gift giver. I was really overwhelmed with happiness. In fact, I even gave him a hug. Ugh!! Thanks, Ryder! I never would’ve expected that from you!

He laughed at me, and hugged me back. Today just turned upside down. From waking up to screams, to exchanging gifts with