Stuck In Another World

Stuck In Another World

by Brianna Curbelo Inspired by Henrick Selick’s film Coraline

Today started off like every other day. I woke up to the sound of my screeching alarm *ERCHHH ERCHHH* Gosh, I hate that sound so much. My mom is already up, cleaning as always. The smell of Fabuloso hits my nose quickly. She has her music blasting. Nothing like Romeo Santos playing early in the morning. She bobs her head lightly and starts dancing with the mop. I say, “Mom, stop, you looking crazy.”

“Oh shhh you’re just a hater,” she tells me. I laugh and grab one of the bagels she has on the kitchen counter. Why is it so hot it burns the tips of my fingers? I eat anyway. I head back to my room. Finally I can relax and watch some movies. I open Netflix on my Firestick TV. What should I watch: Mean Girls, Coraline, Winx, or the Avengers? The obvious choice was Coraline. I’ve loved this movie ever since I was little. Everything about it amazed me, from the talking cat to the other mother with the button eyes. I wanted to be just like Coraline ever since I first watched the movie. I click the “play” button but this option pops up asking me, “Do you agree to enter this world?” There’s no turning back now. I press the “yes” button. This loud ringing starts as an arm reaches out. It looks like Coraline’s. I grab it. *THUDDD*

Suddenly I wake up in the middle of Coraline’s bedroom, the peeling paint hanging and the dead-looking fireflies hanging around her bed.

“Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Coraline??” I say, looking confused.

“Obviously. Stop acting weird. We have to get out of here before my mom gets back from the grocery store.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the Other Mother. I´m tired of being here, trapped inside this house with nothing to do.”

We then run down the stairs to go to the tiny doorway in her living room. She opens the door to where it’s full of bright colors. It’s a cool-looking tunnel but with a nasty smell, the smell of something dead. Gosh this really stinks. Can we hurry up?!

“I’ll go first, then you follow behind me. Ready?”

“Ready!”

Why did I say that? I really don’t want to go.

We climb through the tunnel to the smell of . . . freshly cooked bacon and eggs?? Eggs are so disgusting. I feel something brushing my leg. It’s the cat. “You look different today, why are you scared??” he says. Of course I am but I can’t let him know that. The Other Mother calls us to the table with our plates already on it.

“I guess she’s already finished cooking.”

“I hate eggs. Do we really have to eat this?”

“Yes, just follow my lead. This is all worth it, I promise!”

We finish the food and head to the garden. All these plants are so different I guess they really are exotic. They stink so much, the smell is like a sewer. Why am I here?? I should’ve stayed home.

“Having second thoughts?” the cat says to me.

“No, it just wasn’t what I thought it would be, what do you know? Just go away already.”

He runs away. I hope he knew I didn’t really mean it. This place is just getting to me. Coraline’s too busy watering the tulips.

“Let’s head upstairs to watch the jumping mice, the garden really smells today.”

“The jumping mice??”

“What is up with you today? You act like you’ve never been here before,” she says with a straight face.

I don’t remember being here. Is she mad? We head upstairs. Before getting to the front door you could already smell the popcorn and the cheeses. I’m starving. The Other Mother’s food isn’t filling. We get inside and the music is so loud that you can´t even think straight. My head starts pounding. I head into the tent that is in the center of the living room—at least that’s what I think it is. Coraline hands me a cotton candy.

“This is going to be great. “

“Totally,” I say sarcastically.

Suddenly I begin to feel dizzy. Caroline is staring at me confused. I faint on the floor next to a strange-looking box. *BANG* a loud noise wakes me up. I’m beside Coraline and we’re locked up in chains behind a mirror. The room is full of bones and the smell of death.

“I should’ve never listened to you! I didn’t want to come here!” I yell at Coraline.

“So why did you follow me here?”

“I don’t like the thought of being alone. I wanted to be just like you.” I look down at the cold ground full of bones.

I guess I should’ve just been myself instead of trying to be something different. Did I really feel the need to fit in that bad? I get pulled back into this vortex and—BOOM—I´m back home.

The day starts over exactly the same, my loud alarm ringing *ERCHHH ERCHHH* while my mom is already up cleaning as always, and the smell of Fabuloso hitting my nose quickly. Today is going to be different, I just know it is. All I have to do is be me.