Unlocking Day

I had to write something for my school's short story contest, so this is what I wrote! Let me know what you think!

Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday and I finally get to open my door. Hopefully, I will come home and live my life with my family tomorrow evening, after my Unlocking. My Key has always bothered me. It is made of pure copper and the most beautiful filigree designs cover the shaft. Designed like an old skeleton key, the head looks like two interlocking S’s. Inside the S’s is a funny shape, it looks almost like an ampersand. If it was an ampersand I would not be so worried, because that would represent writers.

   “Merida! Dinner,” my mother calls.

   “Yes, Mama,” I reply as I run down the stairs. As soon as I reach the landing, my older sister grabs my arm and pulls me into the kitchen. Her Key led her to our hometown. It was obvious from her fifth birthday where she would be. But no one knows where I will be.

My best friend, Owen waits for me in the kitchen, “Hey,” he whispers in greeting. He is worried about the symbol on my Key too. “How are you holding up?”

    “Okay,” I sigh, “I just wish I knew what it meant.” He and I were born on the same day, same year. I think it makes us lucky. We don’t have to face our Unlocking alone.

   “I know,” he agrees, trying to sound cheerful. “It will be okay. No matter where we go,”

***

It’s Unlocking Day. As I wake up this thought consumes me. I glance around my room. The simple blue curtains hanging over the window. The two bookshelves, bursting with all my favorite stories and a few members of my family have published. I will miss this place. All day I will be pampered by my hometown, seeing as I am the mayor’s middle daughter. Not one person will care if I stay or go. Not for my sake anyway. They will only care if my father is heartbroken or if my mother cries. I get dressed in a simple white dress covered in lace. This dress is the only thing I will get to keep from my hometown, if I don’t come back. I find comfort in the dress. Maybe I am ready for this.

As the elevated train screams away from our neighborhood with me inside, I am strengthened to know that I will see Owen soon.

All too soon, I am standing in front of my Unlocking Door. Owen is next to me. We click the locks at the same time. His Door shows a mirror. He stays. Owen smiles at me, and then sees my door. I’m leaving. Forever. Owen grabs my hand.

   “Write me,” he says softly.

   “Of course,” I reply. I step through the doorframe, clutching my Key.

            The people on the other side all smile at me. Several run up and hug me.

   “You’re a writing transfer, right?” One nice-looking girl asks.

   “Yes.”

   “You’re in Music now!” She smiles at me. “What’s your name?”

   “Merida. Mer, actually,” I stumble. These absolute strangers care what my name is? 

I think I could get used to this.

   “I’m Tiffany. Can I see your Key?” Tiffany asks. I hand it to her. She looks it over. “Oh! It’s a treble clef!” She squeals, pointing to the almost-ampersand. I knew I’d seen it somewhere! “Well, you certainly belong here. We can room together, if you’d like. I just unlocked my Door two days ago. I came from a long line of computer geeks.” Tiffany looks so pleased to be leading a new life. Maybe it will be okay.

    “Well, what now?” I ask.

   “We celebrate!” Tiffany answers. 

   “No, what about the rest of our lives?”

   “We find our niche. Vocals, instruments,” Tiffany smiles mischievously, “Anything that you think is musical!”

   “What did you pick?” I ask, beginning to pick up on Tiffany’s easy humor.

   “Oh, you’ll just have to wait and see at the Audition,” Tiffany replies cryptically. I can already tell that we are going to be great friends.