Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Right as we hit large iron gates, announcing the beginning of the Vanderbilt’s estates, an overwhelming feeling of dizziness suddenly washed over me.
Okay. What’s that?
My stomach twisted, and my reality began to spin.
Wait. What’s happening?
I felt as if my body had abandoned me, and I was in a freefall.
The limo approached the gate.
No. No.
My body shook uncontrollably as I clung desperately to the leather seat, like a lone survivor adrift in an ocean of chaos. My stomach roiled and my thoughts flew apart like a raging storm, drenching me in fear and confusion. I felt my sanity slipping away, as reality shattered around me like broken glass, leaving me paralyzed in a hurricane of despair.
“No! Help!” I screamed and shut my eyes, scared of what would happen next.
Somehow. . .I’m dying this time too.
As I sat there, shaking with my eyes closed.
My heart did not stop.
My lungs continued to breathe.
And even more shocking, death never came.
Instead, Michael Jackson’s Remember the Time played around me.
No. . .fucking. . .way. No. No. No.
I kept my eyes closed too terrified to open them and confirm the repeated situation that was surely happening in front of me.
“Yes. I love M.J!” Claire yelled over the music.
Again? This is happening again?
Chapter 6
Weed and Panties
First, I died by some sort of poisonous champagne, and returned to riding in the limo with my friends.
Next, I didn’t go in the party at all. Instead, I demanded the driver take me back home.
And once the limo began to ride through the gates. . .
I returned to the moment of riding in the limo with my friends.
For now, I had my eyes closed, unable to deal with this new reality.
Am I stuck in this moment? No. It can’t be. But. . .
The haunting notes of Michael Jackson’s Remember the Time filled the air like a noose around my neck, making it feel like it was squeezing the life out of me.
Where once this song gave me joy and evoked fond memories of my childhood, now I found it to be a source of terror, paralyzing my limbs with fear.
“Maya?” Claire yelled over the music. “Why are your eyes closed?”
I slowly opened them.
Claire leaned her head to the side. “Are you okay? You look off like something scared you.”
I trembled and took everyone in.
Everything is the same. Everything.
Bernard and Horace swayed.
Ryan bobbed his head.
Shi snapped her fingers.
Did I actually die from the champagne? Is this heaven or hell?
“Earth to Maya.” Claire clapped her hands.
I snapped my view to her.
“Girl, you look terrified. Are you really that nervous to go to a social gathering? I know it’s been a while, but you’ll be fine.”
Maybe, it’s not exactly heaven or hell. This could be some sort of limbo situation.
I thought back to Plato. I’d been intrigued by his idea of life after death.
According to Plato, the soul was immortal and existed before and after physical death. He believed that the soul went through a process of reincarnation, where it was eventually judged based on its actions during life.
If it was judged positively, the soul moved on to a higher realm of existence. If judged negatively, it was sent back to earth to be reincarnated.
Therefore, Plato theorized that the soul never truly experienced a state of limbo, as it was always progressing towards a final state of either reward or punishment.
But, what would Plato say about this situation?
Horace continued to jam to Michael Jackson.
Claire chuckled. “Maya?”
I blinked. “What?”
She pointed to her green purse. “I have a special something in here to—”
“Let’s smoke that joint.” I rose and ducked my head. It was hard to maintain balance since the limo was moving forward, but I held on as much as I could.
“What are you doing?!” Claire widened her eyes. “And how did you know I had a joint in my purse?”
“Pull it out and light it up.” I wobbled over to her.
“But—”
“Now, Claire. Tonight is just. . .too much.” I sat down next to her.
“O-kay.” Claire dug into her purse.
Bernard put his hand in his pocket. “I have your lighter, honey.”
“What?” Horace raised his voice over the music. “Maya and Claire, you two can’t just smoke in here. And I do not want to be smelling like weed right before I hob nob with the elite.”
“Why not?” Claire pulled out the joint. “Half of them will be high off pills or cocaine anyway.”
“I have been around Maya when she is high.” Horace pressed the button to roll the window down two inches. “It is a lot. I want her on her best behavior for Ethan—”
“Ah!” Ryan dropped his glass. Champagne stained the front of his gray pants. The glass tumbled along the floor.
Horace glared at him. “Are you serious right now?”
“Just wow.” Claire muttered and placed the joint between her lips.
It’s all. . .the same. . .everything. . .once again. . .