Short Story #1

           This is the first edition of the series "Short Stories," where I write a short story about anything. The topics can range from sci-fi to a real story that happened to me. I hope these short stories brighten your day and keep you occupied with a dying form of entertainment, literature. This specific story is a true story, something that happened to me when I was about 12 years old.

          I had awoken to the crash of waves, feeling the cool spray of water. I ate a breakfast, a feast of sorts, with pancakes and bacon. I enjoyed the day down on the beach, riding powerful waves until my face was red as a tomato. I made my way up to our camp, and now changed into clean clothes, got ready to leave for the train station. I was going to take the train down the coast on a hour ride, where my dad would pick me up, and then take me to baseball practice. My mom bought my ticket for me at the train station, and I walk to the train. I pick a good seat, one by a window. The train starts up and the ride flys by while I am lost in the wonder of being on my own in the real world.

          Before I know it, the train reaches my stop. I hop off the train and look for my dad. Being young and naive, I did not stay where I was, like I should have. After looking around desperately and not finding my dad, I walk to the train stop and change a dollar into quarters. I find a call booth, but not knowing how to use one, was not able to call anyone. Worried I would not find my dad, I run to the train which is just getting ready to leave. I dodge a lady and just as the doors start to close, I enter the train. I sit down nervously, worried no one asks me for a ticket, because I do not have one. The train arrives in downtown, and I notice people have on baseball jerseys, because there is a game downtown tonight. I am distressed and worried, because I have nowhere to go and nothing to call my parents with.

          All of a sudden, I have an idea; my aunt lives in one of the high-rise condominiums near where I was. Hoping I could somehow get past two security doors and a elevator, I walk to the side of the building. To my unbelief, the door is open a crack. Happily opening the door, my heart sinks when I realize I have to get past the second door also. I approach the door when a woman walks out. Luckily, she does not close the door all the way, and I am able once again to open the door and move on. I walk inside, rejoicing that I was able to get inside. Now I only need to activate the elevator to get to my aunts floor. I pretend to get a long drink of water while waiting for another person to activate the elevator. Eventually someone comes along who has the key for the elevator, and I follow him into the elevator and push the button for the floor I need.

          I arrive at her floor, and walk to the door where my aunt lives. Hoping she would be home, I knock on the hard wooden door. I wait for her to open the door, and just when I think she may not be home, she opens the door. Exasperated from my journey, I walk into her apartment and collapse on her couch. She asks me what happened and when I try to tell her, I realize I am crying. I wait until I calm down, then tell her what happened. She eventually finds out what happened, and she comforts me by giving me some gatorade. I call my mom, who in turn calls my dad, who comes to pick me up. From this tramuatizing experience I learned more about the real world, and also if I am ever lost, to stay put.