Lost Future

Lost Future

“ Holly , get down here !”shouted Holly’s father Peter.
Thinking she was in trouble Holly cried out,“ What did I do now” as she walked downstairs to the kitchen. Before taking anymore steps Holly stopped. She looked around the kitchen in disbelief. Dishes and refrigerator broken, drawers wide open and the faucet running. Peter and Holly walked around the room stepping over glass with mouths open in awe. Who could have done such a thing ? Holly proposed such questions in her mind. There, left on the sink while the faucet was running, was a note which read:

“Here Holly we did you a favor and started you on a diet. First step to loosing that tub of lard get rid of your food. I bet your thankful for this.”

Tears ran down her eyes as the droplets fell down the faucet . Her father then comforted her with a hug.

He said with soothing words. “ It will be alright sweetie, don’t let this bother you.”
“ I know , I just want it all to stop. They should stop acting like little kids and grow up. What should we do this time ?”
“ Well…I guess this time we can take it to the police. Besides this isn’t only bothering you it’s also upsetting me. They broke our refrigerator , now I guess I need to take you out to eat.” Peter looked down and smiled at Holly.

Holly was 16 and in her Sophomore year at Dannon High School. The year just began and last year was a complete disaster for Holly. Many students picked on her because of her weight and although there were many other big people, the size of Holly was much more noticeable. Holly promised herself last year that she wouldn’t let it get to her, but this was out of control.

One day last year , the teasing was so awful , she had to leave school and go home. It was at the end of the year at an awards assembly when the announcer began to speak.

“ Attendance Award for never missing a day of school and for never being late goes to the following students …” the speaker announced.
“ Holly Burgos ….” the announcer first said.
Holly slowly walked to the front of the stage climbing down people in order to get through. “Excuse Me.” she said gently tapping the people in front of her. As she was walking down from the last step a junior boy sneakily stepped out his foot.
*Smack! *
Holly fell to the ground in an instant resulting with a bloody nose. She looked up at the faculty and students above her , wiped her depressing eyes and ran off to the restroom leaving a trail of blood behind. Holly looked into the restroom mirror and repeated to herself how ugly she was. Soon after they found her in the restroom and sent her home.
Day after day she would come home crying looking for comfort. Coming home wasn’t a big help because she had to come home to a nagging step mom who would just laugh about the situation. Her mom died 16 years ago and her dad moved on and married. Gilda, her step mom, gave her some rough times and they never got along. Screaming and fighting was all you heard around the house and Holly was always blamed for Gilda’s wrong actions. Holly was dying to move out and shared this with her closest friend Claudia.

“ Two more years and I’m out of this house ” Holly told Claudia while walking to their next class.
“ So where are you planning to move too? ”
“ Away ….I don’t really have an exact place in mind but London always seemed like a great place to go, besides staying here in California is too boring. I like to try new things and go new places, I’ll do just about anything to be as far as I can away from that bitch Gilda. ”
“ What about school?”
“ There are a lot of schools out there but right now school isn’t my main focus. ”
“ Oh, well hopefully we don’t split up because I‘m not planning on moving. Maybe you and I can find an apartment together, so we wouldn’t have to be apart. ”
“Yea… maybe , we still have a couple years to see what we want. Lets wait until senior year to worry about that and have some fun now.”
“ Good plan ! Speaking of fun… there’s a party tonight, did you get invited ?”
“Oh yea that’s right, isn’t Mike Wilson throwing the party ?”
“ Yes ! Oh my God he’s one of the cutest football players at the school. Come on we have to go tonight , ask !”
“I’ll ask and I’ll call you after school to let you know”

This was Holly’s first invitation and she thought if she made a good impression the childish pranks on her would stop. Holly knew her father would never let her go if asked in the presence of Gilda, so she called and asked him while he was at work.

“ Dad, tonight after school there is going to be a party and I was invited , can I go ?”
“ What kind of party ? Who’s going to be there ? How are you getting there and did you ask your mother?”
“ Well…I’m not sure what kind of party it is…but the parents will be there. Just some friends from school are going to be there and Claudia’s mother can take us and no I didn’t ask GILDA .”
“ Well…be home before midnight and don’t forget what I always tell you before you go anywhere. Love You!”
“ Yes….dad! Love You too !”

This was no problem for Holly and she couldn’t wait to get ready for the night . She was dressed just right for the night. She wore a black skirt which ended close to her knee and wore perfect black sandals to match. She wore a low cut top which glistened the color pink. With much time in her hands she curled the tips of her hair and took the time to put on make-up. She couldn’t wait to show everyone how much thinner she looked then last year, especially while dressed up.
Hours passed on and she eagerly waited for the sound of the horn . The honk sounded and Holly left in a flash. Holly and Claudia arrived at the door and Holly was in complete shock.

“ Whoa ! This party is ,um ,”
“ Crazy ! Yea I know , don’t worry just get used to it and have some fun !”
“ Well what is there to do?” Holly asked
“You said you liked to try new things . Here’s a start try a smoke !”

Holly looked at Claudia and was puzzled. She never seen this side of her best friend and thought that if she was ok doing it then why wouldn’t she. Holly took a puff and a beer can to put on a show for others just to show that she was “cool.” Holly didn’t know where to stop and she went from a few little puffs to a few little shots, all to impress others. That night guys took advantage of her and she didn’t even realize it because she was too drunk to care. They went home and surprisingly Holly wasn’t caught , nor Claudia.
By Monday everyone heard the news about Holly and Holly loved the attention . A month went by and something unexpected took place. Signs of pregnancy appeared to Holly and she didn’t know what to do. She waited longer and finally went to the doctor. She was pregnant and had no idea who the father was.

“ What am I going to tell my father ?” Holly asked Claudia
“ Tell him you were raped, and you didn’t want to tell anyone.”
“ I cant do that !”
“Well there’s nothing much I can tell you”
“ You’re supposed to be my best friend!” Holly said with attitude and walked away.

Time passed on and the signs were extremely noticeable. Her father assumed nothing more except that she was gaining all her weight back but Gilda knew something was up. Late one night Gilda slowly approached Holly in her room .
“ I know what your trying to hide , Holly ! Don’t think your getting away with it . Your father will be extremely disappointed and hurt when I tell him. I’m going to make your life a living hell , so watch out.” Gilda scornfully looked at Holly and walked away into her room. Holly stood there in shock and complete anger.

Overwhelmed with rage she headed toward the kitchen. There she picked up a steak knife and stormed towards Gilda’s room. Holly knew what she had planned but never before actually considered acting upon it. She quietly stood at the door and listened to the conversation Gilda was having with Peter on the phone. “ Sorry hunny, I didn’t think she would do something like this either.”
Holly thought, “ That bitch deserves what she is going to get.” She pushed open the door and startled Gilda. Gilda saw the shine of the silver blade and jumped up quickly , saying “ HOLLY” ripping out the phone cord out of the wall. Holly whispered
“ See you in hell bitch” then began to slash Gilda’s throat, not giving her a chance to fight back. Gilda fell to the ground, eyes wide open and blood rushing endlessly.
Holly was completely shocked and had no where to turn. She looked down at the bleeding knife and dropped it. Quickly Holly went into Gilda’s drawers looking for something to clean up the bloody mess. Searching through the drawer she found a gun. Pausing for a moment, Holly picked up the gun and stared into it blankly. Holly prayed to God asking he would forgive her for what she was about to do. She held the gun to her head gripping the handle she slowly put her finger on the trigger. Holly then breathed heavily, closed her eyes, and pulled the trigger. She dropped to the floor and there they lay in a river of blood.
Peter knew from the tone in Gilda’s voice something was terribly wrong so he rushed home. Arriving at the house Peter ran inside. He quickly swung open the door and looked around the living room finding no one shouting, “ HOLLY….GILDA….!!” and then shouting Holly’s name again he began to run upstairs. When he reached Gilda’s room he was in disbelief at what he saw, his wife and daughter on the floor in a river of blood. Sad and scared he ran to the phone and dialed 911.
Minutes later , the ambulance arrived. The paramedics couldn’t do anything to save them. There was nothing to be said Peter now lost his second wife, a daughter, and a grandchild. Peter sat there crying in the ambulance as they were taken away to the hospital. He thought to himself ,how could my once Christian daughter do such things? Why would she hurt others and herself ? Why wouldn’t she let her child have a single chance at a bright future ? Why ? The night ended in silence and quiet tears streaming down Peter’s face.
Written By : Felicia Duarte
June 9 , 2002