Breaking The Norm

Clockwork

*Ring, ring, ring* the sound of a seemingly ignored phone call echoes throughout a one bedroom house. *Ring, ring, ring* the phone rings again "Stupid phone." I muttered as I stretched and rolled over to look at the clock on the bedside table "Five O'clock in the morning, they can wait." I muttered to myself as returned to the comfort of my bed. *Knock, Knock, Knock* a jolt runs through my body, my eyes widen and my breathing becomes faster *Knock, Knock, Knock*.

"Get out of bed, come on Shane!" Erin impatiently shouted from outside. My breathing returned to normal as I heard a familiar voice. Erin Bailey, a survivalist working on getting her own TV show and long time best friend. It never failed that she tried to get me to go hiking, or camping with her at all hours of the day. She's 5'3, has black glasses that cover her dark brown eyes, dark brown hair that is more often than not in a pony tail, she's usually dressed in her Khakis, hiking boots, and a short sleeved button up shirt, always in various colors. She flings open the bedroom door.

"Shane, get up we have so much to do on this beautiful Saturday morning." She shouted with far to much excitement for five in the morning.

"This is my day off Erin, the only thing I'm going to be doing is cleaning my house." I yawned turning over in my bed, longing for more sleep.

"You can clean tomorrow, besides your house is always spotless anyway, I insist that you come with us today." Erin said with a smile, she was hardly ever unhappy. I rolled my eyes at her, which was pointless because she couldn't see it. It didn't matter, it made me feel better. I yawned rolling myself from my bed and headed towards the bathroom to shower. Erin was saying something to me as I shut the door, whatever it was it could wait. If she is here I'm certain that the others are.

First, Jennifer Jones, most of us just call her JJ. She is a 21 year old marathon runner with black hair that went to the middle of her back, mesmerizing emerald eyes, and an amazing body. She ran her first 5k marathon at age 14, she is also a black belt in Judo and Muay Thai. She's definitely the calm one of the group, people liked being around her, when she isn't mediating somewhere on a beach somewhere.

Second, Jerry Wexler, a cave diving 24 year old with dark red hair sporting an athletic build. If there was anyone that I would guess to survive the apocalypse in our group it would be him. His entire family is all about living for adventure, his parents travel the world and go cave diving for a TV show they star on. Jerry decided to stay in Texas and teach the great people of Texas how to cave dive and what to expect when you're inside of a cave. He was another people person, just people thought he was strange, he spent a lot of time underground his his parents so the art of conversation is lost on him.

Third, Ashlyn Damico, a 23 year old thrill seeker from upstate with wavy auburn hair that fell to her shoulders, only about 5'2, with icy blue eyes and an attitude to match. She's spunky, outspoken, brave, and a little rash at times. She became friends with Jerry at an expo about the thrills of cave diving. To my knowledge they are only friends, at least that's what I hoped for, I've had a crush on her since she got here a couple weeks ago. No one but Jerry really knows anything about her, other than the fact that her and JJ don't get along.

Fourth, William Scott, a 22 year old blonde hair, blue eyes with specks of gold throughout, military brat born and raised in England. He's about 6'5, his muscular frame makes him look intimidating, in truth he's probably the nicest guy you could meet. He moved here to open a private security operation, started off pretty small just doing private security for events. Now he's been on personal detail for Eric Garcetti, the current mayor of California for about three years. He's always had Jennifer and Ashlyn swooning over his accent.

Lastly, Shane Taylor (Me), a 23 year old black hair, green eyed mail clerk standing at about 5'8, who has no special talents or achievements. I graduated high school and decided college wasn't for me.I got a job at the post office and have been there ever since, I'm now the Post Master for our little town. Unlike the rest of my friends I don't go party, I don't really drink, I don't own any pets, they are too messy and I'm not a very social person outside of work. I like my life to be slow and predictable, I control the variables and the I know all the outcomes. What could be more perfect than that?

A sudden knock on my bathroom door brings me back to the real world. I sighed getting out of the shower wrapping myself in a towel. Moments later the door swings open slamming into my shoulder almost pushing me back into the bathtub. Of course there was Erin with a smile, seemingly unfazed by the daggers I was staring into her.

" You couldn't wait?" I snapped pushing my way past her. She gave her usual smile and giggled following me to my room. I pointed towards the door and motioned for her to close it so I could get dressed, she rolled her eyes but closed it anyway. I didn't hear any retreating footsteps so I assumed she's still standing by the door waiting to see if I will go back to sleep or not. As comforting and inviting as it sounded, she wasn't going to go away until I agreed to do whatever it is the group had planned today. This was their way of trying to break me from my routine.

My routine was simple, Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM worked at the Post office sorting, delivering and screening mail. On Saturday's I went in from 9 AM to 11 AM just to make sure things were going smoothly. Erin always told me I was destined to be more than a Mail Clerk, she also told me destiny was on her side and she was going to find Bigfoot someday, sounds pretty sane right? She always said that my life was predictable, like clockwork. She always knew where I would be at and the exact time I would be there and what I was doing there. She wasn't wrong, but I don't see the issue with being predictable.

I dressed myself in blue basketball shorts that went to my knees and a white Nike t-shirt with some black and white Nike shoes. Though I have never played a sport in my life, I like the way Nike clothes fit me. I opened the door to my bedroom, Erin was no where to be seen. Well that's not weird or anything.

"Erin?" I called out cautiously making my way to the living room, nothing. Maybe I got lucky and she decided to leave. Just as the thought entered my mind Erin came around the corner from my kitchen with two chocolate cake donuts. The sweet chocolaty aroma of the donuts fills my nostrils, making my mouth start to water. He must want something, he never brings me donuts.

"What do you want Erin?" I asked looking at the donuts then back to her. She smiled and shoved the donuts closer to my face. The smell is one of those irresistible smells, pulling at every inch of my body, willing my hands to start stuffing it into my mouth.

"Why do you think I want something?" She questioned with a smirk placing the donuts on the table next to me.  She was taunting me, daring me to take the donuts.

"You never bring me donuts without a catch."

"Sure I do."

"When?"

"Now." The corner of her mouth curved into a smirk, she knew she was getting to me.

"Where is it you want me to go with you?" I asked eyeing her suspiciously. Something was off about the whole thing. It's true that she usually wants something when she brings me sweets, but hardly ever does she avoid telling me what it is once she's been caught. Her smirk now disappeared, her eyes darted to the donuts and back to me, becoming noticeably more uncomfortable.

"I just...well" She paused looking up at the ceiling for a moment before glancing back at me with a smile. She took a deep breath crossing her arms and leaning against the door frame. She was looking suddenly more confident. "Ashlyn would like you to go with us on a trip to Yellowstone Park. The rest of the group would as well, you're the best at planning long trips and gathering supplies, we could really use you on this trip." The trip seems fairly safe, a hiking trip in Yellowstone.

Erin is the sole person I told about my crush on Ashlyn. She never ceases to use it to her advantage either. She knows that if Ashlyn is willing to go, I am most likely going to go just to be around her. I wish I could claim to be strong enough to resist saying yes to her crazy adventures just because of a girl, but I can't. The trip seemed fairly safe, semi planned out, and inexpensive, a perfect trip for someone like me. Someone who doesn't enjoy cave diving, bungee jumping, parachuting, or rock climbing. Yes, I've tried them and No, I don't like them.

"Sounds like a calm trip for you guys." I said taking on the donuts from the box. She nodded and watched me excitedly. "Sure, I'll go." I stated taking a large bite of the donut. She let out an excited squeal and raced back outside, I'm assuming the gang was already here and anticipating me saying yes. A few moments later my assumption proved to be correct, they all walked into the kitchen with huge smiles on their faces.  Let the adventure begin.