Chapter 1
The Lower Life: Prequel of "from low to high"
Chapter 1:
The morning of my 13th birthday came with a bright sun and shining sky as I arose from my giant purple bed. Sun rays fluttered through my room letting me know it's time to get dressed for school. I jumped to my feet, rushing through my room to find the perfect outfit! My closet was filled to the brim with dark dresses, jeans and Tshirt galore. Since today marked the first day of teenhood I chose a long black dress that zipped on the side of my leg. The sleeves were amazing because it came with a hole for my thumbs to stick out of. Soon after tidying my hair I flew down the spiral staircase, through the large marble coated living room and into the kitchen where my mother had been making breakfast since early this morning. The aroma of freshly chopped fruit and eggs cooking on the stovetop was blissful but when the toaster announced itself I couldn't have asked for more!
My chair sat beside mother's and across from dad at our long glass dining table. As mom was placing our food on the table dad slid into his chair still trying to get his tie to stay in place. My father's wild black hair was sticking in all directions due to his horrible sleep habits. Eventually he gave up on the tie and scarfed down his food before practically running out the front door. I couldn't help but laugh at his horrid routine even after all those years at his company.
My mother sat quietly eating her breakfast while I double checked my backpack for everything I needed. The alarm on my phone rang and just like my dad I ran out the door like my butt was on fire. The walk to school was only ten minutes and I get to see a bunch of gardens and dogs each neighbor had. The last house I turn around has a beautiful great Dane covered in white and gray splattered fur. His eyes were like emeralds shining at all the kids who waved at him.
My school had a security guard who was always kinda creepy but he hasn't been mean or nasty to anyone so I'm chill with him. I gave him a wave as I scurried past the doorway and into the never ending halls of K-academy. The cafeteria sat right across from my classroom so unfortunately everyone was hungry all the time. Nobody could resist the smell of freshly baked pie and steamy pizza baking in the oven.
I slipped into my seat directly in front of the whiteboard. The poor wooden desk had been scratched and drawn all over from all the kids who used it before me. I could still see the remains of some cursing at our teacher through the smudged sharpie stains. Once everyone piled into the classroom the teacher gave a roll call and like always one by one we turned in our homework from the previous assignment. Our teacher was a bit of a stickler for details so some of the less motivated students didn't bother doing their homework. The boy on my left was called, he stood up and flashed our teacher jazz hands as if to say "fuck your assignment!". Then my turn came around, I stood up, lifted my papers and handed them over nicely before plopping back into place. The girl on my right almost jumped out of her seat to hand the teacher her overly complicated essay that stacked like a book.
That was Jacklyn, the teacher's pet and most hated snob of the school. I couldn't even stand a two minute conversation with her. Anyone who had to work on a group project with her would always come in the day of turning it in and look like they had met death face to face.
The rest of the class continued their parade for the teacher. I placed my head on my arms attempting to get some shut eye before everyone finished. To everyone's surprise the science teacher came in and shut off the lights. The projector started whirling and that's when it hit us… today was THAT day.
Our teachers started with a slide saying "Sex education" in big bright red letters. The groans echoed throughout the room. If the door hadn't been shut the halls would have revealed our dissatisfaction to the entire school. Two hours passed and finally the hell of sex education was over. The boys in the back giggled every time the word sex was said while the girls shrunk in their chairs. The few couples in the room were sure to break up after this. The school day went on uneventful and dull as always. The last bell rang announcing our freedom. I dashed out that door like my hind end was aflame! Today was the day uncle Danny came to town!
My shoes squeaked when I drifted around each corner hoping to be the first outside this hell hole. I reached the front entrance and blasted past the security guard. The first car in line was a cherry red Ferrari ready to zoom across town. The tinted black window rolled down and behold my uncle had appeared! My eye glistened in the sunlight as I ran down the sidewalk to greet him. I swung the door open and climbed over to give him the biggest hug of his life. His scarred tan hands patted my back until I let him go "Oh my gosh Max you've gotten big!" His laugh was the best. The car started rolling and off we went to my home. On the ride over I heard scratches coming from his trunk a few times but paid no mind to it.
We parked in the driveway and uncle honked his horn three times just in case my parents didn't hear the first two.
I rushed in ahead of him to find a huge three tier gothic birthday cake waiting on the dining table. My mom and dad with theirs hands twisted around each other. Their smiles grew when I dropped to my knees looking up at the cake from the side of the clear table. Uncle Benson hopped in place right behind me causing a fright. He held a large white box with both hands "Hey kiddo! Open mine first, I think he'll like ya!" His words confused me so of course I scrambled to open the box. A small black bird was sitting on the floor of the box staring up at me. It started cooing and preening what little feathers it had "AWWWWWW HE'S SO CUTE!" I lifted the bird up gently and held him against my chest. I turned to show my parents but their smiles had vanish. My mother walked right past me and dragged my uncle to the living room. My dad crouched beside me "hey there Max, that bird is so delicate don't you think?" I nodded my head up and down like a pigeon "You know you play a little rough with the other kids when you get excited too so I was wondering if maybe this isn't the best home for it" my jaw dropped to the floor. As I clung onto the bird I started tearing up. The poor bird had no clue what we my dad just said and it's not his fault he is weak. I calmed myself and stared dad right in the eyes "I will never harm a feather on his head!" My dad was NOT pleased "Plus I already picked out his name! Meet Lucifer!" At that point My father had completely given up on taking the bird away but my mother continued ranting at my poor uncle.
I ran into the living room and tugged my mother's skirt "This is Lucifer!" I held the bird up to her face. She shriveled backwards and spoke with contempt "I'm sure it is darling". After that was settled we all ate cake, played board games and watched TV together. The sky was dark and the street lamps were on. My night ended with a hug from uncle Benson and a kiss on the forehead from each parent. Lucifer sat in my hands until I got to my room, the whole far corner of my room had been covered in a massive flight cage filled with swinging toys and perches. The floor had a tray to catch his dropping and a door for me to walk through.
Of course, being the stubborn girl I am I took him to my bed and made a makeshift bed for him out of pillows and blankets. We quickly fell into Dreamland side by side.
