Christine Monyak

Period 2

Like Wildfire
The scream echoed loudly through the canyon. Ally had known the noise was coming,
but she wasnt prepared for it when it did. Guilt seized her as the scream rattled her bones. She
cringed, trying to shake the terrible feeling, and knowing it was her fault the scream had occurred
in the first place. Ally let herself breathe, looking around, coming to her senses. She glanced over
at the campfire, where her friends had been startled, and were now peering over the edge of the
canyon. The group had arrived recently at the site, and the sun had just disappeared over the
horizon. Ally wished she could rewind time, and go back to two days ago, before the lie. It had
been a small lie, and it had been about something insignificant, but now it was too late to take it
back. She pulled down the sleeves of her sweater, and shivered, knowing tomorrow everyone
would find out.
It had started when Madison asked her about the necklace two mornings ago at breakfast.
Ally had briefly borrowed it from Jessica and forgotten to take it off. Unfortunately, Madison
noticed. It wouldnt have been a problem if Jessicas family hadnt been insanely rich and bought
a one-of-a-kind necklace from Tiffanys. Madison was a blabbermouth, and would certainly tell
Jessica if Ally didnt tell a white lie.
My dad is one of the senior executives at Tiffanys, and he liked the design, so he got
me one, too.
No. Way. Could you get me one designed? My birthdays next month.
Um, sure. I guess? Ally would have to save up for that one.
Your dad is in charge at Tiffanys? This time it was Leah.
Um, yeah. This was going further than Allyd wanted it to.
The girls gathered around her, all begging to learn more about Allys imaginary dad. She
noticed Jessica out of the corner of her eye, sitting farther away than the rest of the group,
looking at her feet. Her gaze met Allys, who quickly looked away.
The web shed started was spun throughout the night. By midnight the six other girls
were circled around her, hungry for stories about how Allys father met Lady Gaga, or helped
design a necklace for Sandra Bullock. The attention was intoxicating.
She lay in bed later that night, making up a profile for her dad. Perhaps he had raven
black hair and green eyes that glittered when he smiled, or even red hair, as flaming as Allys.
She smiled to herself, and imagined him coming home from work smelling like coffee and
peppermints. Maybe hed go and say hello to her mother and sisters. Ally sighed.
The next afternoon, the girls decided to hike over towards the canyon. As they walked,
she saw Jessica out of the corner of her eye, glaring. Ally hastened and began talking to Madison
about their plans for the next day. The girls sat down for dinner in a clearing, and Ally felt a tap
on her shoulder.
It was Jessica.
I know you stole it. Give it back. Jessicas face was tomato red, and her usually
impeccable wisps of blonde hair were tousled.
Its too late. Everyone will know I took it, and it would be embarrassing. What if I give
it back Thursday when we get home, Ally asked cautiously, backing away.
Listen, I want it back now. My parents spent loads of money on that. I dont care about
your damn reputation. Youre going to give it back now, she snarled. Jessica began to inch
towards Ally, making her increasingly nervous. Ally dried her sweaty palms on her jeans. She
glanced over at the girls sitting around the campfire, carefree and excited. Madison exclaimed
something loudly, which was followed by a chorus of giggles from the rest. Allys fingers
touched the cool silver around her neck, thinking about the popularity shed had, how theyd
cared about her for once. Never at school had they paid a bit of attention to her. Not even when
she joined the Outdoor Club. In Allys entire life, nobody had cared about her. Not her dad. Not
her sister. Maybe her mom. She couldnt let Jessica go back to the group and tell everyone,
because Ally would have to wake up from her dream world. She didnt want to.
They were close to the edge of the canyon. Ally could see where the path ended, turning
into crumbling, fragile rock. One wrong step
Jessica noticed it, too.
Ill push you if you dont give it back. I swear. She was advancing.
Fear knotted itself in Allys stomach as Jessica began to walk more quickly towards her,
the distance growing smaller, closing in
Afraid for her life, Ally threw her hands in front of her and slammed her eyes shut. She
felt contact with Jessicas stomach and heard a scream. Hands tried to pull her downwards, but
they lost their grip on her shoulders, and then there was only emptiness.
Jessicas legs buckled under her as her body went tumbling backwards. Ally noticed her
mistake too late.
Jessicas body flew down the canyon, hitting rocks and trees along the way.
Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God
Ally clamped a hand over her mouth, and sat down on a nearby rock. She heard the
stampede of the girls feet approaching.
What was that noise?
Wheres Jessica?
This time, it was Madison again. She rose, and started towards Ally, her springy curls
bouncing behind her as she walked. The others followed. They looked down at the body that lay
sprawled far below, small as an ant, and then back at Ally.
She tripped! I tried to pull her back, we-we were j-just talking-Ally sputtered. Katie
screamed.
Somewhere in the confusion, one of the girls was able to call an ambulance. The group
waited several hours in a mournful silence until the rescue team arrived. While they waited,
couple of the girls tried to climb down the canyon, but it was much too steep. Someone tried to
comfort Ally while all sorts of images flashed through her head. Her dad slapping her mother.
Being left out of the games in the schoolyard. Most of all, Jessicas body flying down the
canyon, over and over and over. She touched the necklace several times.
After the rescue team arrived, the girls were driven home, Ally still lost in thought.

Allys real dad had died many years ago. He hadnt smelled like coffee or peppermint,
but beer and stale cigarettes. He hadnt said hello to her mother, hed hit her. And he certainly
didnt have red hair. Her fingers rose to touch the silver chain around her neck, and she thought
about preoccupied shed been with her fantasy.