Misery's Company

 

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Three Days Left

It's the first week of September. The second week of school. My third year of high school. 

I have the PSATs to take in a little over six weeks and ridiculously scheduled, determined parents which drives me crazy. 

I'm currently sitting at a picnic table in the middle of the town square. I've lived here since I was five and nothing ever changes. My name is Misery Hope. Ironic isn't it? Anyway, my parents seemed to think it would fit me. I think that it's stupid. No one calls me by my name anyway. The closest they get to my name is calling me Missouri. But only one person calls me that. 

I'm on my lunch break from Clarissa's, it's a music shop next to the town hall. I'm eating a salad because my parents think that I need to worry about my weight. I weigh one hundred and eight pounds and I'm five foot four. But they think that eating healthy will prevent me from dying. Apparently they don't know that dying is inevitable. Oh, well. It's not like I care that much. I've never been allowed to eat burgers or junk food so it doesn't bother me that I'm still not allowed to.

Just as I'm about to pull out my book so I can read for the rest of my lunch break, since I'm getting tired of the salad, a boy slides in next to me on the bench. "Nathaniel Gabriel. It's my pleasure to meet you," he said with a smirk. I knew him, well, I knew of him. Everyone was talking about the new kid in town who had give a different name to every person that he met, apparently he isn't the most trustworthy person but right now I don't need trustworthy. So I don't even care if he's not trustworthy so what? I won't tell him my deepest darkest secrets but I can still speak to him.

"Alexandra," I responded, mimicking his smirk, 

I figured if he was going to give me a fake name why shouldn't I give him one? I mean it's not like he was going to be here for long. New people don't last long around here. I don't know why it is I've just gotten used to it. I mean they've never lasted more that six months since I was old enough to notice new people. 

I was starting to wonder if he was going to speak again because he'd gotten silent which kind of weirded me out because he was supposed to be this talkative jackass but he wasn't even talking. "So, Drea, what do you do for fun around here? Read?" he asked laughing. Even thought he was right I wasn't going to let him know that. There isn't really much to do in Misty Oaks but there is a dance club in the next town over. I guess Drea could be into dance.

"Actually, I dance. There's a club in Waterberry," I said, sort of challenging him. I didn't think that he would want to go because for the most part all of the new guys that have come into town come with this attitude like they think that they're a big shot, but if you actually challenge them on it then they freak out. 

He shrugged like that wasn't cool enough for him. "I guess that's cool if you dance. Any bars that you can get into underage?" he asked as he pulled a liquor holder out of his back pocket and started drinking. I laughed, this was pathetic. Maybe he actually was trouble. But then again maybe I didn't care. 

I sighed, "I don't know," I replied calmly. I was going to have to leave soon anyway my break was almost up. I could tell that this was the start of something though this was going to be the most interesting school year yet. "I've got to get back to the store, see you around Gabriel," I said swiftly as I stood up and grabbed my salad, water bottle, and purse. I through away the water bottle and salad container then I headed back to the store.

When I got back to the store I checked my calendar. Three days. I had three days until my parents were leaving for six months. Apparently Brazil needs them for some 

international issue. I'm not exactly sure what it is, all I know is I'm going to be alone, free, for six months. These theoretically should be there best six months of my life but you never know. I've actually never been home alone for more than a weekend my parents used to get me a nanny because they thought that I need someone to watch me because they didn't want me mixing with the wrong crowd. I know exactly what they meant by this. They don't want me hanging out with kids that have a 3.7 or lower grade point average. My grade point average is exactly 4.0 because my school doesn't offer advanced placement or college courses for me to take, they suggested that I move ahead a grade but my parents insisted that I should do that. I think they were just worried if I did that my grades would be lower and of course you don't want to risk the perfect GPA, now do you?

I've been the perfect student since preschool. My mom had me in the gifted program and the first moment I was allowed to be. We have a gifted program in our elementary school but it stops once you get to seventh grade. Our school system is split up into three schools. The preschool which is a part of the church, the primary school which hosts students from kindergarten through sixth grade and the secondary school which hosts students from seventh through twelfth grade although the ninth through twelfth graders are hosted in a completely different part of the building than the high-schoolers. 

The only worries I have about being alone is that I'll get bored. My parents don't want me socializing while they're gone and while I'm nearly one hundred percent positive that I'm going to break their rule I feel like I should start of trying to abide by it no matter how absolutely crazy it is because they must have it for a reason right? Or maybe not. Maybe they are really just crazy. I had a break in my thoughts when I heard the bell meaning someone just walked in. I looked up to see who it was and it was Mist. She was named after the town and she's my best friend. My parents don't exactly know we're friends though because even though her grade point average is a 3.9, that's still a point lower than mine and you never know how they'll react to something like this. They could go absolutely crazy or maybe they'll be fine with it but I don't want to risk it. 

For now my mom has me hanging out with the only two other kids in my school that manage to hold a 4.0 and they are the lamest people you will ever me. I'm pretty sure one of them is cheating on every test and the other just has a photographic memory. Neither one of them deserve to have a 4.0 GPA because they don't appreciate it at all. They just expect it. Whenever someone congratulates them they rolll their eyes like they are so much better than everyone else. Which drives me crazy because they aren't. They aren't better than anyone and the fact that they think that are is aggravating. I thin what aggravates me more though is that I have to be modest. My mom says that they are poor winners and that I shouldn't behave like that. She thinks that I should be setting the example for everyone. Why? I don't know. 

I finally look up to acknowledge Mist. "Hey, girlie," I said with a smile. I love hanging out with her but it kind of stresses me to talk to her at work because if my parent come in and find me talking, not working they would probably go crazy. I mean they think that I'm a slacker and I'm not. I'm actually really good at behaving and working but they have absolutely no trust in me. They should because I've never done anything that would cause them to have doubt in me but for some strange reason they do. They all doubt me. My parents, my grandparents, my aunt, my uncle. Honestly, I feel like they are all ganging up on me which isn't right because I'm a good kid I mean especially compared to everyone else that's out there I'm gold.

Mist smiled at me and picked up Strawbree's new album. "I'm so excited this finally came out I've been waiting for it forever," she said, stretching out the word forever. Strawbree was our favorite band which is total understandable if your reasonable. My mom however won't let me listen to them. she says that they are bad influences. I don't think that she gets that I'm not influenced by what they're saying I'm influenced by thinks that actually matter. Lie adults and kids in my life. There are things that influence me and I'm sorry music just doesn't I don't know why. Maybe it should but I guess I'm immune. I've been listening to "bad" singers my whole life but you can blame my aunt for that. She got me hooked when I was eight and she knew that I wasn't stupid enough to be influenced I mean I've been mature my whole life it wasn't going to change just because I heard a couple songs about drinking, it was more likely to change because I saw people drinking around me.

I smiled at Mist but she knew that I couldn't comment on it just in case someone heard. Honestly, this whole town reports to my mother on my behavior. Which drives me crazy I'm always been looked at by what seems like a gazillion eyes just staring at me waiting impatiently for me to mess up. I swear it's like my mom pays to hear when i mess up but they don't get paid unless I do so they're extra eager for me to mess up which I'm not really keen on doing I mean I don't really like getting in trouble with my mom  because that means I get grounded. Grounded means that I get even less that what I have now. For instance instead of eating in the park she would come to my job and eat with me to make sure that I wasn't doing anything that could potentially scar me for life although I'm sure she's done enough of that herself but I'm doubting she'd want to blame it wall on her I mean she isn't as bad as she could be. I mean I can't imagine her being any worse than she is but maybe she's not that bad, I mean compared to other people that I've never met. You never know. 

I just can't wait to be alone though. Six whole months by myself. No rules. I mean I'm not going to doing anything but it's nice to know that I have the option. I'd like to think that if given the chance I could go crazy. I mean maybe that new guy might actually like me. I'm sure he's been flirting with everyone but I'd like for him to like me because a boyfriend would be nice. He would be my first and that would be absolutely brilliant. I've never had the time or permission to have a boyfriend. My parents want him to be smarter than me which I think might be impossible by their standards. They expect me to be the smartest person in the world and whoever I dates has to be smarter which to be honest isn't fair at all. "Would you like to buy it?" I asked Mist even though I knew the answer already it was yes. She wasn't going to pass up their new cd. If I was allowed to buy it I wouldn't pass it up. But I'm not so I'll stick to listening to twinkle twinkle little star for the eight thousandth time. 

I'm never going to get what I want out of life I mean I want adventure, fun, excitement. My mom wants me to have dullness, quiet, boring and with everyone in this town watching me like a hawk it's not like I'm going to have much choice in the matter. The moment they see me going astray they are going to report it to my mother. I mean it's lie I'm in prison and the world is my prison guard. But maybe I could reach out while their gone. I mean I've never been so far as the next town over so even that would be like an adventure to me. I have to try it because if I don't I don't think I ever will. I have to finish high school, attend Harvard, then go on to become a lawyer because my parents think that by becoming a lawyer I'll have everything I want in life. I hate the government though. I always have, well, at least since I was able to watch the news and read the newspaper. It was my mother's dream to become a lawyer but she got sick during her sophomore year of college and wasn't able to attend school for two years after that she married my father and never went back. I guess that's good though. Because if she was a lawyer then she wouldn't be leaving and I would be stuck with her forever which would drive me absolutely crazy.

"Yeah, I'd like to get this and then can I also get a pack of gum?" she asked. I nodded and grabbed a pack of gum from behind the counter. We have to keep it back here now because Morrey the town bossy-pants seems to think that "delinquents" and going around stealing packs of gum for amusement and while I said that I hadn't once seen someone steal a pack of gum, Clarissa thought that it was better save that sorry so she put them behind the counter and out of reach for the "crazy teen delinquents" which I guess is good, you know if we actually had any delinquents but we don't. So I guess that just makes my job harder, access to gum harder, and no ones life easier. 

I laid the gum on the table and then rung her up. "It'll be 14.67," I said with a sigh. She was my only costumer so far to day and I doubt that I'm going to get anyone else to come in because even though it's a Saturday the fall festival is going on which has people all riled up and excited. They are busy going on hay rides and playing carnival games that they wouldn't want to stop to buy c.d.s. Not many people come by here anyway. Only musicians and we don't have many of those here. Being that we're a small town you'd think we'd have more artsy free flowing people but we don't they are all uptight expect for the ones that are crazy and we sure do have a lot of those More than I can count actually even though I've never tried to count. I mean the dance teacher is crazy but I don't think that she is even licensed to have a store and the car shop is only open on Tuesdays from four to nine. 

Which I happen to think is pretty weird. He just really hates working which is why they're only open for five hours a week, plus he's really cheap so he doesn't want to hire anyone. He says that it would be a waste of money and I agree it would be. 

After Mist leaves I think about what it would be like to be bad. I mean like crazy because I think it would be fun I mean it would be crazy and I would love it. Because crazy is fun I love fun. But do I really because I've never done anything. Never tasted alcohol, never been kissed, and since arriving in Misty Oaks I haven't left which is kind of pathetic. But I guess that eventually I'll get to do crazy it's just not right now, right? I mean I would like to imagine that college will be different but it won't be and then there's law school and then after law school I have to be a real adult which is going to suck royally because well, I've never had a chance to go crazy and I know that wanting to be crazy is stupid but then again is it really? I mean it would mean everything to me to just go crazy and do something I've never done although that wouldn't actually be that hard to do because I haven't done almost anything because well, my parents are overprotective and I'm nervous to do anything that I have had specific permission to do and since my parents know this they rarely give me specific permission to do anything. Which one the one hand sucks but on the other it keeps me out of trouble but I don't think that I would get in trouble even if I wasn't loaded down with rules because I'm a good kid no matter what anyone else believes. I am amazing, independent, and self-sufficient but no one gives me a chance to prove it which sucks because it's true I am.

I go to church twice a week. I babysit for free. I volunteer at the daycare. I'm a well-rounded, well behaved person but I guess my parents credit themselves for that and I do agree that they should get some credit but I mean it's my work shouldn't I get some of it? I mean I work ridiculously hard for this I deserve credit because I try harder than anyone I know so I deserve to be recognized and I won't stop until I am. I feel like even once I'm all grown up and working in my own law office everyone will still credit my mother saying that it was my parents that got me there not me even thought it is me. It's one hundred percent me and I think that if they gave me a chance they would realize that I really have potential at least I think I do. I mean it makes sense. I wouldn't have the grades that I have now if I didn't have any potential so I must at least have some which is good.

I sigh and then get up because I need to clean up the store before I can shut it down for the night. We shut down at three on Saturdays and it's two thirty right now so I might as well finish up right now because no one is going to walk in between now and then everyone is at the stupid fall festival, hooray for community spirit. Just as I was about to lock the doors early he walked in and by he I mean Nathaniel Gabriel or the mystery boy. I have no idea what he's doing here because he is not the music store type of boy although I 'm not exactly sure what type of boy he is. Maybe he is a music guy and I just didn't realize it I mean it's not like I know a lot of them anyway. That's when he spoke. "How are you, Drea?" he asked with a smirk. I rolled my eyes I wasn't going to let him get to me I mean that would be stupid, wouldn't it? 

"Fine, how are you Gabriel?" I replied mimicking his expression. For some reason I found his attitude attractive which I knew was a bad sign I was going to be crushing on him bad before the day is gone if he keeps showing up like this but it wasn't really all that bad because he's brilliant. He's adorable and wonderful and everything that's good which is perfect because that's exactly what I want and I guess I can just ignore the fact that he probably smokes and drinks, well I already know he drinks but he probably does a lot worse than that and I don't need anyone trying to influence me badly I mean there are lots of bad influences that I could follow in music as my mom would say so I don't need a cute boy as my influence, besides that would make me weak and Misery Hope Alexandra is not weak in fact she's rather strong. 

He flipped through some of the old records we had laying out then glanced back at me. "I'm good, thanks for asking, Drea," he said. For some reason I actually like that he called me Drea, it made me feel bad-ass even though I'm definitely not bad-ass but it feels good to feel like that it makes me feel empower and wonderful. But I know that I can do better I could ask just about anyone and they would say that there is a nicer, smarter, cuter, richer guy waiting for me somewhere after I finish law school but I'm sixteen and I honestly could care less about my parents stupid dreams for law school. I just want to be normal for once and being a teenager dating is completely normal. But I've just never been allowed to do it and this is the first time I've actually had an interest in dating I mean normally I see a guy, think he's cute, and get over it after a couple hours but I've been thinking about him ever since I saw him. 

"You're welcome," I said with shrug. "I'm closing soon so you should probably wrap it up," I said without glancing up I feel like that makes me seem more confident because if I'd looked up he would've been able to tell that I was blushing and I didn't want that because that would be absolutely tragic. No guy is ever going to like some goody two-shoes girl who blushes when she talks I mean that's just ridiculous bit then again most things about me were kind of ridiculous I mean how many people actually have their life planned out for them and don't' screw it up? I mean I guess I still have time but I doubt I'll ever do anything that would even come close to screwing up my law career, because, well you wouldn't want to screw something up before it even starts, now would you?

He turned back to me and walked over to where I was which I definitely not expecting I didn't know what to do and I was starting to get really nervous I mean he was gorgeous. "Would you like to go out after you get off work?" he asked. I really wasn't expecting that and I didn't know what to say. I didn't need to be home until five for dinner so I had two hours but the back of my mind was telling me that I wasn't supposed to go out with strangers which I suppose is true but is he really a stranger I mean I've already met him once before that qualifies him for acquaintance doesn't it?

"Sure. I'll met you at Marie's in thirty minutes," I said. That gave me enough time for him to leave and for me to close up the shop, plus the time to walk to Marie's. As he walked out the door I thought about what I just did. I'd agreed to a date. I couldn't believe it, I was actually about to go on my first date.

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A First Time for Everything

I couldn't believe it this was going to be my first date and I was freaking out I mean what did I do? What do I say? Why does he even like me? Is this even an actual date? What qualifies as an actual date because I'm nearly positive he likes me but if he doesn't I don't want to end up heartbroken because I think that would absolutely kill me because I really like him. Which is crazy because he's a bad city boy and I'm a lame small town girl with a really big brain. But maybe he's looking for a change, that could happen right? I mean lots of people like change. 

As I walked up to Marie's I got really scared and I even considered standing him up and that's when I realized that he could stand me up and it's possible that he already has which would suck a lot because I don't want to be stood up because I really love friends so even if we couldn't date we could still be friends right? That's when I realized that my thoughts were starting to get crazy jumbled and I just need to go inside the worst thing that happens is that he doesn't show up and I realized that not dating until after law school might actually be a good idea even if it is my mother's idea. Which right now seems crazy but I guess I'll find out once I walk inside. 

As I open the door I see him sitting at a table in the corner. I walked in and took a seat at the table. "How are you Gabriel?" I asked with a smirk. I enjoyed taunting and teasing it was more fun that I can remember having in a really long time and I like that. Fun is fun no matter how old you are, despite the fact that my mom has been telling me since my twelfth birthday that I'm to old to have fun that if you want to have fun that you can go back to elementary school. I thought that it was rather rude of her to say that but I wouldn't dare say that to her. Despite the fact that I think she might be certifiably insane I do believe that she has some good points. Lots of kids in high school seem to have more miserable lives than the do happy ones which if you think about it is really sad but I try not to think about things like that I mean it's not my place to judge. I'm not exactly sure what it is my place to do but I'll find out after law school, won't I? I'll find everything out after law school.

"I was doing fine but I'm even better now that your here," he said. I looked down and blushed, maybe this was a date because right now it seemed like it. I was definitely good with it being a date because even though I was more nervous than I've ever been in my entire life this was going to be the best date of my entire life I mean it's started out with a compliment surely it can only get better because he certainly seems to be a charmer and I really like that because it's cute. 

I smiled and thought about a reply, I didn't want to compliment so I decided to tease him just a little though I wouldn't want them to get mad about being teased because some people don't take to well to being teased when I honestly don't understand. I mean it's just teasing nothing mean or anything like that but I should really blame people because normally there is more behind their problems than what you can actually see which is understandable. "Oh, is that so? Is that because you have a crush on me?" I picked at him, smiling. This was actually fun and I didn't feel like I was being rude which I was worried it might come out that way since I don't exactly do this often.

"Maybe I do maybe I don't you'll have to find out on our second date," he said with a smirk and I was a little taken aback I hadn't realized that he considered this a date. I was just considering it a date because it felt like a date to me not that I would know what one actually feels like. I guess I'm just a little out of sorts because today has been a little hectic with everyone talking about the fall festival and with seeing Mist and well, Gabriel. 

I didn't quite know how to respond to the comment that this was a date I mean should I accept that? should this be a date or should I back out know if it's even early enough to back out it quite possibly might me to late although I don't think it is ever really to late to back out of a date because I could just say that I didn't realize that it was a date and get up and leave even though that might come across as rude. Eventually I decided that I was fine with it being a date because a date never hurt anyone now did it? I guess not. "Oh, so this is a date?" I asked curiously. Then my mind drifted off to think about our second date which I was really excited about because I had lots of ideas of things that we could do, then I realized what this was. It was a joke Breanna must have put him up to this, there is no way he would actually ask me out. No way in hell.

"Why? Do you have a problem with it being a date?" he asked. I shook my head and smiled. I guess I didn't really have a problem with it being a date because lots of people go on dates with people that are bad for them and that's just life so I can't really complain about my first date going sour and even if I want to there will be no problem because everyone knows that bitching about your first date is one of the best things about having a first date or any date at all for that matter. Because honestly that all I ever see is girls on t.v. and at my school complaining about their dates form the past weekend.

"Breanna put you up to this didn't she?" I asked worried. I knew she did and I don't know why I cared so much this crap happens to me l all the time because everyone hates me which sucks for me because I've done nothing. It's because of my mom and I hate her for that but I mean what can I do? I don't want to disobey her because well I'm a freaking goody two-shoes like no other which drives me crazy. I wish I wasn't crazy but maybe I'm just meant to be crazy. That's possible, right? I mean lots of people are meant to be crazy and it's fun isn't it? To go crazy to be insane?

"She didn't put me up to this, Drea. Why would you think that?" he asked.

I sighed. "Because she does this kind of crap to me all the time and it seems a lot more normal than you liking me, doesn't it? I mean why would you like me I'm just some crazy girl with a planned out future and no hope or dreams of my own. I'm pathetic," I said rolling my eyes. Then I stood up and walked out. I wasn't going to do this. I knew I deserved better so I was going to give my self better.

When I got back home it was four. I had a while before dinner so I decided that should go ahead and do my homework so that I could hang out with Mist after church tomorrow. Tomorrow was two days until they were gone. I feel like I've been counting down daily it makes me so happy. I'd love to count down all the way to zero but I feel like they might need to stay by the time I get to zero. They've been discussing lately whether I need a nanny or if they feel like at sixteen I might, possibly, be able to watch myself for six months and it's not even like I'll be alone. There are so many people in this town that I'll still feel like I'm suffocating even when they leave. I mean honestly at this rate I'll be better of spending the next six months in the house as opposed to leaving and getting in trouble not that I'm exactly a troublemaker but it's not as if anyone actually knows that I could be a horrible children when is laughable to the people who actually know me. 

I was in my room for a split second before my mom called me and said that she and my father had important news to give me which I highly doubt they actually had. That's when I broke. I was going to be stuck like this forever in limbo. Not knowing where I actually belong in the miserable 'tween space. Which is absolutely the only place I don't want to be I don't care where I am or who I'm with I just hate being in between it's annoying because no one cares about me being here. I might as well disappear and just leave my shell. They just want to perfect daughter but they got me and I hate being their ideal daughter I'd rather just be myself but I'm not going to get that option, ever, I can tell you that much. I don't get options it's just not something my parents thought that I needed. They think that what's best for me is what they decide which drives me crazy what's best for me is what I decide with them if that would ever happen.

When I got down to the living room my mother was already sitting in a chair and my father gestured for me to take a seat on the couch before he sat down in his chair. "Honey, we have some important news," my mother said calmly. 

I looked from her to my father and took a deep breath. I knew that this was going to be bad, for me at least. We never have family discussions, the last on we had one was three months ago when they told me they'd be leaving for six months. "We have been asked to stay for an additional three months and they want us to leave immediately. We've booked a flight for the morning. We're really sorry that we'll miss your whole school year. We wouldn't if we had a choice," she said. I nodded politely but it was a show like this little act of theirs. They honestly could care less which while it hurt I kind of understood I mean they think I'm ungrateful even though I try and try to be the perfect child they just don't get it. Whatever, it's fine. I'm fine. 

"Oh," I responded flatly, "so you'll be back in _?" 

They nodded and my father said, "Yes, we have people keeping an eye on you and you know that your grandparents offered to have you stay with them for the school year if you suddenly get uncomfortable staying alone." I nodded even though I knew I probably wouldn't even see my grandparents while they were gone because while my parents were crazy strict, my grandparents were somehow stricter and well, I don't like that. I'm all for being laid back although with my crazy study schedule you'd never guess. Not that you have to though, my parents love to boast to everyone about how well-rounded I am. They love to tell people about my juggling a crazy schedule, friends, and work. They think I balance it magnificently and I just laugh at people who use words like magnificently. 

"I know, I've thanked them for that already but I'll be good here by myself. I've stayed by myself before it's really not that big of an issue," I said with a slight smile and nod. I didn't really mean it but I haven't really meant anything lately I've kind of gotten a little disoriented. All day I've been a little out of it which is weird because for the past week I've been really in it to win it because I didn't want my parents choosing at the last minute to send me off to live with my grandparents while they're gone because I really don't want to be bossed around by a maid and a nanny when I'm not at the country club like some snobby teenage brat. 

My father nodded slightly then stood up and walked into the kitchen to grab something to drink, that was my cue that I could leave until dinner, that is if we were even having dinner together which right now I wasn't sure if they would be to busy doing last minute packing to eat dinner. Which I was fine with I mean they miss dinner all the time this wouldn't be any different because they don't get it. "Are we still having dinner together?" I asked hesitantly. If the answer was yes I didn't want to get snapped at for not knowing that but I didn't want to get ready and come downstairs for dinner just to find out the table was set for one, like it has been on oh so many occasions. 

"Of course, Misery, why wouldn't we be?" my mother asked as if it was a ridiculous question but then again maybe it was. Maybe she was a changed woman just before she left. That must me nice for the people that will actually be seeing her over the next nine months because I'm sure she'll be her same old self by the time she comes back home but hopefully I'll be someone new, exotic. If not I guess I could just act like her because she loves herself so she should love me as her right? 

I shrugged and got up. I headed to my bedroom and closed the door behind me before flopping down onto my bed with the book I was reading. I just wanted to take a nap but I knew that I would have to get up again in just a few moments to get ready for dinner because when my parents are actually at dinner they take my appearance very seriously. They take it even more seriously than I do when I'm seeing someone that I would really like to impress and that's pretty impressive because it's almost impossible but you know that anything is possible when you are crazy.

After I got ready and headed downstairs to dinner I realized that it was particularly quiet, especially since my parents were normally at the table before me. When I got to the dinner table there was a note that said that they went out for dinner wince it was their last night in town. Nice. They didn't invite me or even tell me that they were going out and yet again I was left to eat dinner alone. That's when our maid walked in. "I'm sorry about that, Miss Misery," she said. I nodded, she understood even if we didn't talk about it. She knew what it was like I mean they ignore her too, even worse than they ignored me and that was pretty bad. 

"Thanks, Alicia," I said, I looked to see what she had on the plate that she'd brought me. It was my mother's favorite pasta, of course, something to remind me of how much my parents really do suck. Sometimes I wish that I could just float away and then I remember that they're leaving and even sooner than I had hoped which is great because I really do need to just be myself for a while because being someone else is terribly tiring and I'm going to pass out before I'm through. Hopefully though I can just be myself while they're gone though because while people will be looking out for me they won't be examining my behavior so I can go a little crazy if I so choose although I won't because I never do. I'm just not the crazy type, believe it or not. "Would you like to join me?" I asked, normally I wouldn't ask but I really want company and my parents aren't here for it's okay. They are constantly telling me not to talk to the hired help, apparently it's bad for your image but I think being an ass is even worse for your image so I refuse to be rude or even simply ignore them because both of those things are equally rule and avoidable.

Alicia smiled at me and put her finger up. She ran into the kitchen grabbed her plate and came back to sit with me. I smiled because I half wasn't expecting her to sit with me, I mean it's a Saturday night I'm sure she has better things to do than keep a neglected sixteen year old company. She could be one town over at a dance club like I'm sure anyone that is actually having fun is doing. "I'm sorry they left. But on the bright side I get to eat with you," she said with a smile trying to cheer me up. It wasn't really working but I forced a smile. It wasn't her fault it was their fault but they never had to deal with the consequences of their actions, just me. Aren't I lucky?

"Yeah. I'm sorry too. But they'll be gone tomorrow. Will you still be working?" I asked. I can't believe I'd forgotten to ask my parents if the help would still be working during their absence or if I really would be completely alone. I doubt my mom would have Alicia stop working though because she loves to have the house spick and span, she even has Alicia work while we're on vacation which I've told her is ridiculous but my mom said a clean house is a happy house and a house should be happy even when you're not living in it and I agree that your house should be happy but how happy does a house actually need to be? I mean at the rates my mother is paying Alicia and the other help this better be one extremely happy house.

She nodded and smiled at me. That was good because I think I'd starve if I didn't have someone cooking for me and keeping me company because even if this isn't a part of her job she's better at it than others which is all that I really need. I just need okay, not great, not perfect, just okay. "Good, I'm glad you are still going to be working. I think I'd starve if you weren't," I said laughing. I was probably right. I hate eating out and my parents don't cook and said it's a waste of time for me to learn how to cook. If I do as my life has planned I should be able to afford to hire someone to cook all my meals for me and so far I'm doing pretty good on that track which is good because I get confused even walking into a kitchen I don't know what I would do if I had to cook a meal.

She laughed along with me and I started to wonder when my parents were going to get back from dinner and if I was even going to see them again before they leave for their flight in the morning. I am going to really miss them if they just disappear without a word and even though under normal circumstances that would be normal I just want to be abnormal or in our case a normal person's normal for once with my parents announcing when they leave and when they get back and giving me the care, love, and attention I deserve but since I know that's not going to happen I can only hope for the best. "What time are my parents getting back, did they tell you?" I asked. 

I knew the answer was probably no because they never inform anyone of their plans but I figured asking never hurt anyone, did it? I mean they might by back and nine and I could see them and say my goodbyes before they leave. Then it occurred to me that I don't even know what time their flight is in the morning just that it's supposedly in the morning. "They said about ten or eleven," she said, sweetly. 

My mom shook me awake the next morning to let me know that they were leaving. I had originally planned to say goodbye the night before but my night was so emotionally draining that I couldn't do it. I needed to get relax and fall asleep. "Morning, Misery, we're leaving soon," she said. I looked up at her and smile. She was leaving. This was the last time I was going to see her until the end of the school year. I won't see her until after my next birthday but right now I don't care.

"Morning, mom," I said softly letting the words l roll off my tongue peacefully. I was tire and I didn't really want to get up but I thought that I should probably say goodbye to my father, too, I mean after all nine months is a really long time. I could be a whole other person by the time they return, hopefully I will be a whole other person because I'm not really happy with the person that I am right now. She's not exactly my ideal role model at least while your still trying to be a teen idol while you have time. "When is your flight?" I asked thoughtfully before realizing that I didn't even know what time it was right now so even if she did tell me the time of her flight I wouldn't know how long it is until she has to leave. 

She looked down at her watch then looked back at me. "Your father and I need to be leaving in about fifteen minutes. I hope you didn't mind that we missed dinner last night. We just really wanted to eat a La Cruz in ___ before we left," she said. I nodded silently. I didn't actually get it because I thought it was rude but I didn't want my last memories before she left to be of us arguing because that's not very pleasant. 

"Okay, well, where is dad? I'd like to tell him goodbye before you leave," I said with a smile. I didn't really want to have to get out of bed because I was still exhausted but I wasn't going to go nine months knowing that I hadn't even told my father goodbye. My parents had told me that they were going to be busy so they probably wouldn't be able to call or talk to me that much which was fine because they don't talk to me much anyway. I'd bet that if you said you would pay me a thousand dollars for them to say my favorite color hat they couldn't do it. They say it's because they care that they keep acting this way but really someone who cares should know more about me theoretically.

My mother looked down like she didn't want to tell me what she was about to tell me but then she looked back up. "Your father doesn't have time to say goodbye. I ask him to come in here with me but he said that he has other things that he needs to do," she said. I nodded, holding back tears. Of course he doesn't have time for me because he never has so why would he just randomly change that would just be weird wouldn't it? I mean I know he doesn't care he never has. 

"Oh. I guess I'll just talk to him on the phone later," I said a nod. I was really said but I knew that I would get used to it because it's been like this my whole life it's just seems a little different right now which drives me crazy. I mean nine months until he'll see me face to face again but he doesn't want to say goodbye. That's fine. I don't need his stupid goodbye anyway I'm a big kid I can get over it. 

My mother nodded as she got up off of the edge of my bed where she was sitting and left to go finish getting ready. Nine months. I wouldn't see my parents for nine months and they seemed to be less than phased by that. It drove me crazy, shouldn't they want to have a going away party? Say a big goodbye? but no they just want to leave silently in the middle of the night with little to no goodbye because that's just who they are it's who they always have been and it's who they always will be and I can't stop that no matter how hard I try and that hurts. A lot.

It's Monday. My first day going out with my parents gone. I have school and then work. I walked downstairs and noted how quiet the house was. I didn't know what I was supposed to think it's been a while since I've been alone even for the weekend and everything was so empty. Alicia should be downstairs and my breakfast should be ready theoretically. Unless my parents ended up telling her that I didn't need anyone. 

When I got downstairs I could smell bacon and eggs. I walked into the dining room and saw that my place was already set and ready for me. I had about an hour before I need to be in homeroom and it's about a five minute walk to the school so I had a while to wait before I needed to leave. Instead of sitting down I walked into the kitchen to look for Alicia. "Good morning," I said as I sat down on one of the stools on the island. "How are you?" I asked politely. 

She smiled at me and sat my plate of food in front of me before turning to grab silverware from the drawer. "I'm doing good. How are you? Feel any different now that your parents are gone?" she asked. I shook my head even though I hadn't really done anything yet. I stayed home from church yesterday because I didn't want to have to explain to everyone that my parents left early. 

"I don't feel any different than I normally do," I commented looking down. Maybe I do feel a little different but I know she'll report and suspicious behaviors to my parents and I don't want her to do that because I'm trying to be different which is harder than I'd originally expected it to be. "Maybe I'll feel different after my first day at school."

Alicia nodded as she poured me a glass of grape juice and I thought about what it would be like to show up as a completely different person because I think I could possibly to that. I could show up as someone that you wouldn't' even expect I mean I've always been an angel and frankly I'm starting to think what the hell? What's the point? I mean I know that I'm supposed to be stirred by grace but it's just to hard sometimes. I'd just like to be a bad girl every once in a while no matter how crazy that seems and it just aggravates me. 

After I finished my drink I ran upstairs and changed out of my dress into navy blue mini-skirt and pink blouse. After that I carefully applied eye-shadow and eyeliner which I normally wouldn't do. My parents don't like for me to wear make-up except on special occasions so the only kind of make-up I'm allowed to wear to school is lip-gloss and mascara which is nothing compared to the other girls. Then I ran downstairs, grabbed my backpack from beside the door and slipped on my navy blue flats and ran my through my curls before I ran out the door. 

When I got to school I got all kinds of stares and felt kind of self conscious, maybe I looked weird. I bit my lip and looked down as I walked to my locker and I would have made it if it hadn't been for literally running into Gabriel in the hallway right next to my locker. I felt like and idiot and I was blushing like crazy. I couldn't stop I was so embarrassed and it got worse by the second. "I'm so sorry," I said looking up at him completely embarrassed I mean who does this. He's smiling down at me though and his smile is so beautiful I just can't believe it. Then I quickly look down I mean I'm crazy. He doesn't like me. He doesn't like me. He doesn't like me. Dear god. My mantra is really depressing.

"It's okay, Drea," he said winking at me. I blushed and looked down before glancing back up at him and then over to my locker. I don't have time for this I need to get to class. It's not like me to miss class because I was flirting in the hallway because I'm not that type of girl I'm smart, I'm pretty, but I'm not the kind of girl that skips class because of a guy, that's just not me. I'm serious. I'm patient. I'm not a lazy slut. Although at this particular moment I feel like I am which is kind of nerve wracking. My life is a bomb ready to go off, honestly. I have no idea what I supposed to be doing. I feel so confused. Everyone wants something different from me. 

"I have to get to class," I said impatiently, pushing past him to get to my locker. I shoved my backpack in there and grabbed my physic textbook because I had physics right after homeroom and we had no time in between classes. I guess it's because they're all so close together but I swear as soon as one class ends they fully expect you to be sitting at your desk in the next class, it's ridiculous. 

I go to leave for homeroom and I realize he's following me and I have no idea why and it's aggravating because I don't need this right now I need to be alone for a while at least right now because I'm so confused on who I am and I don't need him influencing me to be someone that I'm not because that's the kind of thing that boys like him do they try to get out off track into being someone that you would never be had you not met them and gotten in with the "wrong" crowd, which I guess I kind of did because I'm in the crowd with him and with Mist and with myself. Poor confused me. 

When I get into class I take a seat at my desk and look over to see him sitting next to me and while I understand that no one is normally in that seat I still don't get why he's sitting there. Then it hits me, pretty boy is in my homeroom. "What's up, drea?" he asks and I roll my eyes. I can't believe him. He's crazy. Crazy but cute and hot and adorable everything. I can't believe this I'm falling for the new kid and that's the first rule. I'm breaking the first rule of being a small town girl. Don't fall for the new kids because they always leave. Always. Which is crazy and annoying because who wants your crush to leave? Which is why I've never had an actual crush before because I don't like the boys that I've known since I was since I was a baby and the new kids always leave. Always. Which is crazy. I've never known a kid to actually stay before and I've been alive for sixteen years. Living here for eleven. Crazy, right?

"Really Gabe? It's early I'm tired. Can we talk later?" I ask, pouting. I'm tired and I don't want to do this right now. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and I can't seem to find the silver lining in my life. I'm just a purple circle. Which doesn't make sense to anyone but me and that's fine because I'm not trying to please anyone I'm perfect. I'm me and that's good enough for now who else do I need to be trying to please because I'm perfectly perfect. I'm perfect who who I am and that's me. I'm just me. Crazy, delightful, and boring. Those are just a couple words I've heard people use to describe me. The first one was used by Mist, the second by my parents, and the tired by everyone else, depressingly. 

He shrugs and responds, "Okay, princess." I roll my eyes. I don't know what I'm doing I'm falling for the cutest guy I've ever met and this is possibly the most terrifying thing I've done. I'm going to be crazy by the time my parents get back and I don't even know if I care anymore. Maybe I should go crazy because no one cares what happens to m I mean expect for my parents but do they really? I mean it's my junior year and they left to go to Brazil. Like what the hell? My life is something to laugh at but I don't because I'm in homeroom and I have a reputation as  the smartest, most boring girl in school. 

After homeroom I rush to Physics and see that Gabriel has taken a seat near the front of the class so I take a seat near the back which seems like a better place for me to be. I don't want to get stuck next to him again because I feel like it was awkward last time but then again maybe it wasn't maybe I'm just crazy. Who the hell knows? I sure as hell don't. I don't know anything right now. I'm just crazy. I'm a crazy genius with no friends. Great combo. Just great. "Morning, darling," I heard Mist say to me from behind me.

I looked behind me and smile. "Hey, girlie, how are you?" I ask with a small smile. 

"I'm doing absolutely fantastic besides the fact that we didn't hang out yesterday!" she exclaims and I realize that I was so caught up with my parents leaving last minute and adding an additional three months onto their trip, plus the fact that my father didn't even both to tell me goodbye that I completely forgot that we were supposed to have hung out.

I winced, I felt completely bad about this. "I'm so sorry. My parents left early and I was kind of upset about that so I forgot all of my plans. Don't worry we can hang out after I get off work tonight," I promised quickly. I really wanted to make it up to her because even though we can hang out a lot more now there used to be barely any chance for us to hang out without my parents bugging me about hanging out with her. Because they seem to think that she is the equivalent of the devil's child. Because she's not perfect, imagine that.

She shrugged. "No big deal but can we make it a sleepover?" she asked hopefully, knowing that I made the rules now that my mom and dad were out of town.

"Sure, why not?" I asked with a smile. We've never had a sleepover before and we've been friends since seventh grade. "At your house or mine?"

She thought about it for a moment and then suddenly looked decisive. "My house. If we have a sleepover at your house rumors will spread about a party or whatever but if it's at my house then no one would have a second thought about it," she said. I thought that seemed reasonable and besides the last things I want to have happen is for my parents to hear a rumor that while they've been gone I've been going crazy because have a sleepover translates to just that in their heads and pretty much all of the top gossips heads so I like to stay away from alerting anyone of my behaviors, especially if they could get me in trouble.

"Should I meet you there after work or do you wanna grab dinner first?" I asked. I wasn't really sure even what you did at sleepovers so the sleepover protocol is totally new to me. I didn't know what we were supposed to eat or do, I mean we've only hung out at her house twice and both time we're just for a few short hours while my parents we're out of town for the day.

"I guess, wanna go to _?" she asked, I nodded. It was of course my favorite restaurant so who wouldn't want to pass up going there?

That's when class started and then I suddenly remember today was Monday. Also know as pair day. Great. Since last week was a continuation of our two week project we didn't get new partners last time but this week we have to and since last time people notion-ed that it wasn't fair to choose partners ourselves, those were the people the didn't choose quick enough, we have to draw from a hat. "Misery, please come pick your partner," I stood up and walked to the from of the hat and hope that I didn't get his name. Although this would be kind of interesting because his legal name is the one I would find.

"I got Nathaniel," I said trying to hide my shock. He told me his real name. He told me his real name. It was rushing through my head, I couldn't believe it, his real name this was really exciting. I went back to my desk and sat down as everyone else took their turns pulling names out of the hat.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, Gabriel randomly flirted with me, Mist hovering over me like a puppy dog, and me still utterly confused about what I'm supposed to do with my life I mean I can't decide what I want to be in high school much less college or afterwards not that I feel like I have a choice on what to be, which is annoying.

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Catching Up with Mist

 

After work I walked sort of slow to get to Cherry Vanilla's because I was thinking. The only thing that interrupted my thoughts was Gabriel bumping into me, literally. "Payback," he said smiling. I rolled my eyes. This was ridiculous but I kind of don't mind. 

I smiled at him and bit my lip subconsciously. I shouldn't like him. I've told myself that way to many times but I keep coming around to the but I do part. "So where are you headed?" he asked. 

"Why do you want to know?" I asked, softly batting my eyelashes. I get what I want so I need to lay the ground work if he's what I want and I have no doubt in my mind that he is, well, maybe a few doubts but other than that nothing. 

"Because I was going to invite you out since our first date was kind of a flop," he said with a genuine smile. That really was so sweet of him but I couldn't blow off Mist again, especially for a guy. "so, where are you head, Drea?" 

I looked at the ground then back up at him, I don't have to tell him because he'll probably just end up going there to if I tell him but then again I don't want to lie to him. "I'm going to meet my best friend for dinner, but I'll see you around," I said with a wink as I hurried of to meet up with Mist. I know she's going to kill me if I don't give her all the details about the new boy even though I know she would highly disapprove of me dating him which I don't agree with because he seems nice enough, I mean he told me his real name, which kind of makes me feel bad that I didn't tell him mine even though I guess he knows now that Mr. Hannagan announce it in class even though that is absolutely the last thing I wanted.

When I got to the diner it was virtually empty and Mist was sitting at our regular table waiting for me. "Hey, girlie, what's up?" she asked. 

I shrugged. "Not much. I bumped into Gabriel on the way here," I said then I realized she didn't know who I was talking about because I'm the only one that refers to him as Gabriel. "I mean the new boy, Nathaniel," I clarified. 

She smiled and poked me in the arm. "You so like him don't you?" she asked. 

"I don't know I mean we've gone out on a date before and he just asked me out on another one but you know that I've never really dated before I'm not looking for something super serious," I said with a straight face. It was true I wasn't looking for serious I just wanted fun and besides I doubt that he would ever be looking for serious. He seems like a screw around kind of guy not exactly the serious type. 

She looked at me with her mouth hanging open. "New kid asked you out? Twice?!" she exclaimed. I nodded, laughing at her reaction to the news. But I guess this was kind of exciting and for two reasons, the first on was that it was my first ever date and the second one was that I landed new kid and since we almost never have new kids in this town and to be asked out by them even when we do have them is very rare. Especially since I'm not exactly a supermodel or even slutty for that fact. 

"I know, I know, it's exciting," I said with an overwhelming smile I was still excited and I have had days to get used to this amazing fact. He likes me ad it's unbelievable I have no ideas what I'm going to do about this, I mean I love it. My crush likes me for once in my life, plus I actually get to date him, this is certainly the start of the best year ever, I honestly have no idea how this year could get any better than it's already gotten. I mean compared to my old life I'm wild and crazy now which is a really fun thing to be, especially when your me. 

She looked at me with hopeful eyes and I rolled mine immediately I knew what she wanted. She wanted a double date because whenever she goes out with someone she insists that we double date and know that actually have someone this is something that could actually happen and that concept is thrilling really, I love it. Cannot wait even though I highly doubt he'll actually agree to go on a date with my best friend and whatever guy she happens to be dating at the moment. "Can you get him to set me up with Ryan, we can go on a double date!" she exclaimed and I sighed. Ryan was Gabriel's best friend. They've been friends ever since he first moved here and Mist has had a crush on him since first grade. When we met in seventh grade and became best friends she gave me the her and Ryan a history which was definitely not a short story although I really wish it was because I spent three whole days learning about Ryan Hannagan. 

"Fine, I'll ask him about it but you don't even talk to Ryan, besides he's the son of a teacher. How much do you really want to date your teacher's son?" I asked, knowing that this fact doesn't even affect her a little. She is literally unfazed if it has anything to do with Ryan because she thinks he was sent from heaven to be with her even though they've spoken less than a paragraph to each other since the first grade which is a really long time to go without talking to someone that you claim to be absolutely in love with. Heck, it's just a long time to go with out speaking more to someone you've known since first grade.

She smiled and her she had a blank expression on her face, I knew that she was thinking about how perfect our as she would said inevitable first double date would be. "I don't care if he's the teacher's son. I wouldn't care if he were an orphan. He's amazing, Mise," she insisted. I rolled my eyes. He wasn't perfect, he wasn't even close to perfect but believe you me I sure as hell wasn't going to be the one to ruin her dreams of going out with the perfect boy, so I would sit quiet and act as if he wasn't actually the most perfect boy on planet earth and he would be lucky to have someone as cray, I mean beautiful as her. 

"Whatever, he's amazing, you love him, I get it," I said kind of tired about how much she went on and on about loving him especially since before I didn't even have someone t o crush on much less date or even more than that, love. Although I don't really know what love feels like I'm nearly positive that I'm not in love with Gabriel because I know that he's just going to leave like all of the other new kids do so really, he's nothing to get attached to no matter how absolutely breathtakingly adorable seems and he seems really, really, breathtakingly adorable. 

That's when our waitress walked up to the table with a smile. "Hey, girls, how are you?" she asked. We almost always had her as our waitress since it was just her and her sister who ran it. Her name was Vanilla and he sister was cherry, hence the name Cherry Vanilla's. I for one think that there names are interesting but anyone who is just passing through the town seems to make a big deal about their names although for someone who is just stopping through I don't get why they care so much about the names of a couple restaurant owners in Misty Oaks. 

"We're good, how are you, Vanilla?" I asked sweetly. Secretly she was my favorite and that's because she would let me borrow her portable c.d. player and listen to songs while I ate sometimes so this was about the only place I could actually listen to Strawbree. 

"I'm doing absolutely magnificent, I've just been having a particularly good week. So what can I get you girls to drink?" she asked. 

I thought for a minute then decided on a Shirley Temple. "I'll have a Shirley Temple, thanks," I said with a smile. Mist ordered a strawberry milkshake. This was perfect I can order a Shirley temple without my mother telling me that he's nearly positive that it's an alcoholic drink no matter how many times I assure her that there are no alcoholic ingredients used to make it and I can sit here freely without having to duck if my mother passes by. It's perfect and freeing. I feel better than I ever feel when I'm stuck with my mother here. 

"I'll be right back with your orders, ladies," Vanilla said. I smiled and though about what I wanted to get to eat. I decided on wings because my mother things that they aren't lady food so I've only had them once before and that was when I went over to Mist's house for a the day one time. 

When Vanilla got back with our drinks and asked us what we wanted to eat I promptly answered, "I'd like the honey barbecue boneless wings." I was really excited that I finally got to eat boneless wings again I mean it's not like they're bad for me or anything i just really like them and there are so many things that I'm normally not allowed to do that now that I'm actually allowed to do them it's exciting. I think that it's fun being allowed to do things you were never allowed to do before. 

"You seem excited," Mist commented after she ordered.

I shrugged, "I don't know I'm just happy that I can finally eat what I want to eat instead of something that my mom approves of for a young lady," I said exasperated. i hated eating specific food in case my mother actually caught me eating here. She never did but it's definitely better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to my mother because she's a little crazy. 

"I get that. Your mom is kind of crazy," she said with a nod.

I laughed. "Kind of? She's a little more than kind of crazy. You have to admit that," I said staring her down until she started laughing. "

"Okay, okay, so maybe she is a little psychopathic," she said with a laugh. See, this is what I love I'm actually able to have a conversation with my best friend without knowing that I'll have to go home and tell me mother the truth about where I was but be vague enough so that she doesn't know that Mist was also there because it's not so much that she hates Mist, which she does, but it's more that she really doesn't like Mist's parents, which I think is mean because there isn't anything wrong with Mist's parents other than the fact that they are divorced which my mother disapproves of. 

"Yeah, I'd go with psychopathic," I said laughing. That's when our food came and I was glad because I was starving. I felt like I hadn't eaten in forever and I was exhausted because I need food for energy and I might have forgotten to eat lunch, wait, nope, I definitely forgot lunch which I really shouldn't have done because by now I was absolutely starving and all I could think about was good. "Thanks for the food," I said to Vanilla as she set our plates down. As soon as she walked away I started eating because I was honestly starving.

Mist looked at me and laughed. "Hungry much?" she asked. 

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up. I forgot lunch so I haven't eaten since breakfast and that was twelve hours ago," I said empathizing the twelve. I couldn't believe how long it had been since I'd eaten last, I mean normally I eat ever couple of hours. 

"Seriously? What about lunch?" she asked.

I shrugged and said, "I might have possibly forgotten to eat." She rolled her eyes before taking a bite of her food. She thought that I was ridiculous which was okay because to be honest, I agreed. I am absolutely ridiculous. After we both finished eating I covered the check and headed to her house. It was when we got to her house that I remember that I didn't bring anything with me. I mean I had my cell phone but no one was going to call me so that didn't do me any good what I actually need what clothes, and a toothbrush.

"I forgot my stuff," I said, she nodded looking at my empty hands. 

"Yeah I kind of got that, don't worry about it though you can just borrow my clothes tomorrow plus we have way to many extra toothbrushes," she said. I shrugged. What did I actually care? I mean it's not like I was dressing like myself anyway. May as ell where someone else's clothes. 

"Thanks. Sorry about that," I said. We could of course go back by my house but it was fifteen minutes away and we only had fifteen minutes until curfew. Because we live in a crazy ridiculous town that believes that children should have a curfew so the curfew for all children under eighteen is nine fifteen which is way to early for someone who is sixteen years old especially when we're not even doing anything. It's crazy. But no one really minds it besides people that are in high school which is way to small of the population for anyone to actually care so no one listens 

When we got inside we headed straight upstairs to her bedroom which definitely reflected her personality, unlike mine which definitely reflected my mother's personality. Her room was little purple and covered with music posters, mostly Strawbree posters but she had a couple miscellaneous posters mixed in her and there. Anyway, it was definitely m dream bedroom. My room was light yellow with white and silver furniture. It looked like the inside of an antique store which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that I'm sixteen not eighty. It was even worse when I was younger because I wasn't allowed to touch the furniture. My mother trusts me now though so I can touch the furniture I just can't sit on my bed because she says that the comforter costs to much to sit on it and that I'm going to ruin it. I highly doubt that but just on the off chance she's right or catches me sitting on it I really don't want want to sit on it. 

"I love you room," I said in a complaining sort of tone. Her room was everything that I've ever wanted me room to be but if my room looked like that m mom would ship me off to the strictest boarding school she could find. I think the only reason that she still hasn't sent me away to boarding school is that if I'm at boarding school she can't show me off to her friends and she loves showing me off and bragging about the things that I can do as if I'm a dog who knows a few tricks. "It's so beautiful. I really wish my room looked like this. Instead it looks like and eighty year old fairy puked on it." 

She laughed. "Well, at least you've never had to share your room," she said. Until she was twelve she had to share her room with her younger sister Maisy and while Maisy is sweet sometimes she's also really annoying most of the time. "So I count you as the lucky one." 

I thought about it for a moment. "Wasn't sharing your room since you were four worth having this room now?" I asked. They moved when she was twelve which is why she ended up getting her own room, plus this room was bigger than the room that she shared for the first part of her life. 

She shook her head. I guess sharing your room with a newborn would kind of suck, even though technically they didn't move Maisy into her room until she was four months so she wasn't really that new, still, she was to new for a four year old Mist to be happy that she was having to share because if there was anything Mist didn't do well, that would be sharing. We've been best friends for forever and she still won't share with me, I was actually really surprised when she said I could borrow her clothes because she doesn't like letting people borrow her things. "Really? I had to share my room with Maisy for eight years. Do you have any idea how hard that was?" she asked exasperated. I laughed, I didn't think that it would be that bad to have a sibling but that was because I don't have one and she has three. She hates siblings and she has hated them since she was four. Her brother was really nice to her until he started school and then he thought he was cool and her younger siblings just drive her crazy, so she's not exactly pleased to have siblings.

"Okay, okay, you win," I said throwing my arms up in surrender. "So what are we going to do tonight?" I asked, since it was a school night I knew that we were going to have to do homework but I was hoping that we wouldn't have to do that much because I knew that she was in a few different classes than I was and while I didn't have a lot of homework she might have twice as much as me because some of her teachers were rumored to give out a lot of homework on Monday's to as they said make Mondays suck since we'll complain about them either way. I think that's just wrong but I'm not in their class so I haven't said anything about it. 

"Well, I have some homework you know that but actually not that much. I kind of got a lot in Chem though because our teacher," that's when I cut her off.

"He thinks that it's his job to make Mondays suck," I finished for her. 

She laughed. "Yep. He says that we complain to much and if we're going to complain then he was going to give us a reason to complain," she said. I though that was kind of harsh but who really cared? He was rumored to be the meanest teacher in the entire school. I've personally never had him but everyone who has had him talks about him like he's the devil risen from hell. 

"It's got to be crazy having him as a teacher. It is isn't it? i asked. She nodded, she thought that he was crazy I knew it it' wasn't just rumors. Maybe he was a legitimate psychopath even though that's  probably don't a good thing. I mean a psychopath shouldn't be teaching at a thigh school right? Right. I'm absolutely crazy. No time for psychopaths. They are completely crazy and I should even consider becoming one. I mean what? 

"He's insane. He gives us extra homework on the weekends because apareently his weeksna lways suck and if we have enough homework we won't get pregnant because we won't be out at party dancing and drinking and doing drugs. I'm not exactly sure he knows where we live I mean I've heard it rumored that he's from new york city so maybe that's why he's so crazy. Either way I wish that I'd had any other teacher. Even Miss Pillsbury. She's crazy but at least she doesn't pile on the homework or at elas tI've heard that she doesn't pile on the homework. I've actually heard that hoemwork confuses her so muchs o that she stopped requirign homework. Isn't that awesome? I hope that I get her next years because she teachers English 9 and 12," she said. When she finished her rant I looked at her like she was crazy She obiviously had some pretty strong feelings about the psychopathic teaher and I have to admit that I [prbanly have some strong feelings and they would sporbaby stracht hat definitely be stronger fit I actually had him as my teacher instead of just hearing 

about him from other students.

"So anyway she we get started on our homework?" I asked, she nodded. I was glad that we were getting started because the faster we started the fast we finished and I really wanted to be done with my homework because I hate thinking about school after school is out especially since I'm partnered with Gabriel now. I can't believe the chances. Of all of the people that I could have been paired with I was paired with him. Really? That's kind of ridiculous I mean the odds were kind of low yet I still got paired with him. Lucky, confused me.

She nodded and pulled her books out of her backpack. "Let's start. Want to start with Literature since we share that class?" she asked. I nodded. We both did our homework pretty silently even though it seemed to take for ever to finish it and I think that was just because we would both rather be doing anything other than this.  

Later than night after we were both completely done with out homework we snuck down to the kitchen to make ice cream sundaes that we could bring up to her room and eat while we watched the television. 'What kind of ice cream do you want?" she asked me. I thought about it then whispered back. 

"I want monster dough," I said quietly. Monster dough was my all time favorite ice cream and I knew that she already knew that was what I was going to want. Her freezer was absolutely amazing. Her parents own a ice cream store where they make fresh, homemade ice cream and they bring home ice cream at the end of every day. It was awesome. Especially since they always had their specialty Monster dough which was just purple ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough in it. Minus the chocolate chips. It's the perfect ice cream.

After we got back up stairs we turned on her television so that we could watch Main Street Mistress which was a really stupid teen drama. I hate the show so much that I absolutely love to watch it because it so ridiculous. I mean it's seriously laughable but I can't laugh now because her siblings and parents are asleep and if we wake them up we'll get in trouble for being up so lat eon a school night even though her parents and definitely more relaxed about school nights than my parents are. Besides, we don't have a test or anything so we don't need to be super perky for any particular reason.  "This show is so stupid," Mist commented and I nodded. She was right this show was really stupid but it was actually the most appropriate show that was on right now so we watched it anyway. Despite the fact that I think a lot of things that my parents do are ridiculous I actually agree with their not allowing me to watch inappropriate television shows so even now that they're gone I continue to follow their rules to some extent. I mean Main Street Mistress isn't inappropriate but my mom wouldn't approve of a young lady watching it. I mean I would definitely turn it off if I felt in anyway uncomfortable watching it but I don't so I still watch it even if my mom thinks it's unsuitable for a young lady. I think she's unsuitable for an young lady. She's crazy. She thinks that everything I do is going to get me out of line but staying up late and eating ice cream is one of the least horrible things that I could be doing at my age. I could be dealing drugs, having sex, or  doing any number of other, horrible, distasteful things and I'm not yet somehow I'm still immature. I guess maybe it's because I'm not in college because she always comments about how my cousin is already attending Yale. I'm not sure if it's dawned on her that I am three years younger than my cousin but even if it had I doubt it would matter as far and she's concerned. I'm immature and Marissa is a genius. It's been this way since I started middle school and Marissa started high school. Everything Marissa did was right and everything that I did was wrong and I didn't mind it at first because I thought she was trying to give me ideas of things I could do then everything I did she had a comeback with something that Marissa did that was ten times better than whatever stupid thing that I'd done. It went on like this for years before she finally started just ignoring me and then I didn't have to listen to Marissa's achievements but my mom also never head about mine and I'd like to think that if she hadn't been so busy that maybe she wouldn't care but then I realize even if she hadn't been so busy she still wouldn't have noticed anything. 

After the show ended we both fell asleep because despite the fact hanging out was fun we knew that we needed to be at least somewhat awake for class I mean we couldn't completely ignore I mean for Christ's sake we needed to be awake and alert because if anyone noticed anything off they could report it to my parents. It was crazy that I was still nervous about being reported to my parents even now that they are a million miles away in Brazil but I can't help it. That's a long way away from them to be and for them to still be checking up on me as if they left they're five year old home alone. I'm sixteen. I've got this.The she still wouldn't have noticed anything. 

 

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