Obsessed: & Other Short Stories

By Maurice Jackson

Wide-ranged and entertaining, this collection of short stories has something for lovers of diverse genres. You'll find yourself trying to save a zombie apocalypse in the action-packed "Infested" while the more mellow yet still exhilarating "Obsessed" will leave you oblivious to the real pursuant. These four short stories have a little something for everyone to fully enjoy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496913197

Book preview

© 2014 Maurice Jackson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/27/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1320-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1319-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014908887

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Party of the Year

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Epilogue

Obsessed

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Infested

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Epilogue

The Quest for Holly

About the Author

Party of the Year

Chapter 1

And that’s why my party will be the best party this school has ever seen! I exclaimed. My two best friends, Christine and Orlando, clapped their hands in unison as I stood there marveling at my wonderful idea.

Wow, Autumn, that party sounds like it’s going to be off the chain! Orlando said, barely able to contain his own excitement.

Thank you, guys, for your support! Now come on and help me pass out the rest of these invitations to the girls in the bathroom.

I grabbed Christine’s arm and motioned her toward the bathroom, when Orlando said, Can I come?

I turned around, shook my head, and replied: Ya nasty! in my normal, scornful voice. Christine giggled to herself as we walked into the girls’ bathroom. I took off my sparkly red book bag (which just happened to compliment my sparkly red shirt) and pulled out a handful of yellow encased invitations. I handed some to Christine and cleared my throat.

Ahem, ladies? May I have your undivided attention please? A girl with black hair walked out of the stall. Okay, great! So … after you wash your hands, here’s an invitation to my party! Moments later, the girl dried her hands and accepted my invitation. Christine and I walked over to the stalls. I bent down. Hey, girls! I know you all are probably busy at the moment, but when you get a second, here’s an invitation to my party! I slid an invitation underneath a stall.

Girl, I am loving those orange heels! Christine said, sliding a card underneath another stall. I got up off the floor and tossed my dark brown hair out of my face.

This party is going to be so fun! Christine exclaimed with excitement.

I know, right, girl, I replied, laughing. We going to party!

Christine clapped her hands rhythmically, and I danced in sync with the sound.

Go girl! Go girl! Christine chanted while she continued to clap. As I started droppin’ it to the floor, I realized I couldn’t get back up. Just when I thought that nobody saw, I heard snickering behind me.

Need help, Autumn? a familiar, high-pitched, and very annoying voice asked.

Help me, Christine! I snapped. These jeans aren’t helping me right now! Christine pulled me up from my awkward position. Even before I turned around, I knew it was Holly and her hairspray crew. I stared into her unblinking eyes, and we both said nothing.

Should I leave? Christine said, unsure.

Oh, nice shirt! I owned one of ’em, Holly said, putting her hand over her chest.

Oh, really? I said, not giving in.

Yeah, when it was in season, Holly replied. She snapped her fingers, and her hairspray crew covered her eyes and sprayed two cans of hairspray onto her already voluminous ’do.

Wow, Holly, I said, waving my hand over my face and coughing, you sure do use a lot of hairspray to cover up that scaly skin! Christine threw her head back in laughter.

Good one, Autumn! she said. I slapped her a quick high five and then continued staring Holly down.

So I hear that you’re throwing a party next Saturday, Holly said, unimpressed. We slowly walked past each other.

That’s right. I am. And you aren’t invited. I stared straight at her.

Well, that’s unfortunate, because I’m throwing my party next Saturday also, she said. She smirked, rubbing it in. Just then, the girls in the stalls threw their yellow invitations into the air.

Those aren’t mine, I lied and looked at the ground. Come on, Christine! I said, walking out of the bathroom.

Bye! Christine called in her bubbly way to the other girls, and she skipped up to me with her long red hair flowing behind her.

Chapter 2

So, anymore invitations we need to pass out? Christine asked, oblivious to what had just happened.

What’s the point? I said, discouraged. We walked over to my locker, where Orlando was waiting.

I heard that Holly’s throwing her party on the same day as you, he said.

Dang! How do ya’ll hear about things so quickly? I asked. I slid my backpack onto the floor. This was supposed to be my party to prove to my parents that I am grown up and responsible! I crossed my arms, pouting.

Oh yeah! Orlando said, remembering. Aren’t they going to be on vacation for two more weeks?

Yes, but now what’s the point? I said, still upset.

Come on, Autumn! You can’t let her win that easily! said Christine encouragingly.

Yeah, cheer up! Orlando said.

You guys are right, I said, beginning to smile. It’s not like everyone returned their invitations! I laughed as I started opening my locker. But my smile soon disappeared, replaced by an expression of utter shock. A cascade of invitations came pouring out of my locker and down onto the floor. My eye began to twitch as I slowly turned my head toward Christine and Orlando.

You said it, not me! Orlando threw his hands up.

Chapter 3

Orlando, Christine, and I walked into our next class, where I was stopped dead in my tracks.

What’s wrong, Autumn? Christine asked with concern.

"It’s Jason, over there in the corner! I haven’t given him an invitation yet. And if he comes to my party, then everyone will follow!" I explained quickly.

As I started making my way to Jason, Holly appeared in the doorway and yelled, Stop, Autumn! I know what you’re trying to do! She ran toward me.

Not on my watch! I started running, weaving between the desks to try to save time. But I have to hand it to Holly: I could never run as quickly as she was in such high heels. I made it there before her and started talking quickly. Hey, Jason! I was wondering if—

Then, suddenly, Holly pushed me out of the way and attempted to finish my sentence. —you would like to come to—

I grabbed her hair and yanked it forcefully, causing her to squeal. "—my party!" I finished.

We both flashed a toothy smile, trying to look as casual as possible. I let go of Holly’s hair.

My party is going to have music videos playing on my huge TV! Holly said, staring me down.