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Another day

Another day

Ugh... I’m over this!

I make my way to calculus. Today’s the first day of my junior year. The only seat available is the last one on the front row. I should have come to class instead of sitting in the cafeteria hoping I see him. I wasted valuable time and now I will have to sit on the front row the rest of the quarter because I was hoping to see Phoenix DuPonts. He was currently the hottest guy in school. He was a junior also. He was the quarter back, the jock everyone wanted to be around.

“Okay class, everyone quiet down. My name is Linda Meyers and I will be your calculus teacher this quarter. Originally, Miss Devis, was suppose to teach you. She unfortunately was involved in a car accident that has incapacitated her and she will likely see you all for calculus two next quarter should you succeed. I expect you all to take notes and pay attention. I do not tolerate cellphones so if I see it, automatically two zeroes. You are expected to do your homework. This is an advanced level course for your junior year. You are among the elites in your cohort. Do not think I will give extra credit to help you to the next point. You do the work and pay attention, you will do well in this course. Let’s start with roll.”

“Ava Athens.” “Here”. “Klev Ackmiy.” “Present”.... “Myx Caffe.” “Present”. “Phoenix DuPonts.” “Present”

I hadn’t noticed he was in the room. I immediately regretted coming last minute when I saw the first row was my only choice. I stiffened at his name and blushed when I heard him say “Present”. She finished calling roll and then gave a quiz to see where we were. Luckily my parents made me go to a math seminar over the summer, so all of my knowledge was still fresh on my mind. I performed well on the quiz, earning a perfect score. Everyone shot me menacing stares as she made it known to the entire class.

The rest of class dragged on. I took plenty of notes. I had Genetics up next. We were assigned partners and of course I got Mindy Dales, the blonde who was just that a blonde. I did my portion of the project we were assigned and she wanted me to share my answers, but I told her no. She got an incomplete and had to redo the assignment at another time. Ms Green told us that we could only make up two projects and she already had one on the first day. Needless to say she was pissed at me.

I had gym class next, so I quickly got to the gym and changed into my gym clothes. After completing the drills coach assigned, I showered in the locker room and changed back into my regular clothes. My last class of the day was creative writing. This was my favorite class this quarter. I wrote a story about me growing up as a young girl here in Dallas, Texas. The hot summers and tropical rain storms leading the story. Mr Rems was impressed with my rough draft and quickly read over mine and gave me constructive criticism. I put away my things in my backpack and headed to my locker. I grabbed the rest of my things and headed to my car.

I drove a Gia Metro. It sounded as rough as it looked, but it got me to point A and point B. I could have to ride the bus, so I was happy to be able to drive myself. I put my things in my passenger seat and drove to my home on Felix Road. I didn’t really have any friends, so there was no conversing with anyone. I wanted to try out for cheer this year. My mom told me if I made the team I would have to get a job to cover my fees for it. So over the summer I took a job working at Macy’s, a department store. I worked every chance I could and stayed for all the overtime during the summer. I had managed to save over $5,000.

When school started back, my hours were reduced to weekends only. I was okay with that, I didn’t want to get behind on my grades. Also, this would allow me to do cheer as well. I had three weeks until tryouts. I had been working out at the local gym and running to get in shape over the summer as well. I started with a 15 minute walk then advanced to 30, then 45 and then an hour. I eventually started to run and kept at it all summer long.

My mom was a housewife. She spent dad’s money faster than he could make it. Dad was a engineer with more debt than he could handle. He learned a few years ago that he had twin sons and their mother put him on child support and always asked for more money. Their names were Ethan and Ivan. They visited over the summer and gave me a hard time, but work and my workout kept me out of their path, so they terrorized mom while I was away. They were seniors this year and didn’t acknowledge me at school and I didn’t them as well.

I arrived home around 3:15 and immediately did my homework. Normally, mom would have dinner fixed already, but I found a note that said I was on my own. I quickly finished all of my homeowork and then went out to get food. I got a fajita bowl with shrimp from Mstik’s. I decided to eat at the restaurant. To my surprise Phoenix came in with his friends. I was engulfed in finishing my creative writing assignment.

''Hey, Myx,'' Phoenix greeted her.

H-hi Phoenix.

''You eating alone?''

“M-my mom was out when I got home so I decided to come here and eat and finish my creative writing assignment.”

''You got a perfect score in calculus. I was wondering if I could get some help from you when I need it, like maybe a tutor I guess.''

“I don’t know, Phoenix. I was wanting to use my free time for cheer.”

''Cheer?'' Mindy scoffed. You’re not cheer material. Phoenix, you can ask someone else; she doesn’t have time for you.''

''Well thanks anyways Myx,'' said Phoenix, somewhat abashed. ''I don’t want to stop you from what you want to do. I wish you well on cheer tryouts.''

“I’m sorry I can’t help you, but if I can squeeze you in then I will. I hope that helps?”

''That will work. Thank you! Let’s go, Mindy.''

''I don’t know why you would want her to help you,'' Mindy said rolling her eys. You could pay to have anyone of the other nerds to do it for you.''

They walked off and I continued my writing and food. After another hour, I made my way back home. I came home to an empty house again. I showered and got ready for my afternoon run. I put my headphones in and left the house. I completely my hour run and returned home around 6:40 ish to find the house empty still. I showered again and got into my pajamas.

I got on social media and scrolled through the lies people posted from my school. It was so easy to read between the lines with all of them. I didn’t have anything else to do, so I made myself an outfit to wear tomorrow. I had taken crafting last year and found it was my niche. I loved to make things with my sewing machine. I had plenty of fabric working at Macy’s.

Not only did I make myself a shirt and pants, I also made a dress. The idea just came to my head and I was engulfed in the project and before I knew it, I had several pieces to wear. The dress was a fitted dress, leopard print. I had a belt that I could wear around my midsection. Worn with heels would set off the dress, but I could also pair with tennis shoes for the dressed down look. It was around 9 when I finished. I brushed my teeth and climbed in bed. I had sent messages to mom and dad earlier and neither replied to me.

I drifted off peacefully. I didn’t dream, but I rested peacefully. I awoke the next day to the sound of my alarm blaring. I showered and put on the outfit I made. I decided I wanted to wear a pair of heels I had only worn once before. I grabbed my jean jacket in case the classrooms were cool today. I headed down to grab a quick bite to eat. I heard mom and dad arguing.

“I’m not doing this anymore Leah.”

“Danny, please! What about Myx?”

“We will work something out. I’m up to my eyeballs in child support. Ethan and Ivan are wanting to move in but I can’t afford my kids and you.”

“I’ll cut downonmy spending, Danny. Please don’t throw away our marriage because I spent a little more than I should!”

“A little? I can’t even afford to pay for cheer for Myx. She has excellent grades! She goes to school. She has a job for fuck sake Leah. She’s our kid too. Had you spent any of that money towards her cheer I wouldn’t have said anything. You’ve spent almost a million dollars and have nothing to show for it!”

“Danny, I-I”

“Leah, I’m leaving. We can tell Myx together or you can keep lying to yourself. I think she should come live with me, but I want her to decide. I’ve already found a place to house them all. I filed for divorce months ago. I tried your way, but I’m positive I don’t want to be your husband any longer.”

“So who is it this time? The Secretary? The assistant?”

“Neither, it’s you. I heard you tell Myx she had to pay for cheer. That she would have to pay for a new car when she complained hers sounded like it was on its last limb. She accepted having transportation so you could get a G wagon.”

“I deserve all of this. You have done your dirt for years Danny, and I stood by your side. Now because I spent your money you want to leave.”

“This isn’t just about what you spent. What about Cage? You really think I didn’t know? He was bragging to my lawyer how he had you after two drinks. He doesn’t care about you.”

“Th-that’s not true!”

“You don’t deny it? I gave you 13 years of my life!”

“You also had three kids on me!”

“Because you couldn’t have kids! You knew I wanted kids! You tricked me into marrying you saying you were pregnant. Then months into our marriage you had a marriage.”

“That’s not a lie.”

“But I wasn’t the father! Was I Leah?”

“Danny-“

“Was I?”

“No.”

“Mom! Dad!”

“Myx how much did you hear?”

“She’s here now Danny, tell her how you want to leave us.”

“Not us, just you. You’ve lied long enough Leah. Myx, your mother and I are getting a divorce. I was hoping you wanted to stay with your brothers and I. I found a place out in Waco and I know that means the three of you would have to change schools, but since you have your own cars they should let you finish the year out, maybe even your senior year.”

“That’s an hr and a half drive to come back here dad. What’s going on?”

“Myx, I’m not your mom. Danny is your father but your mom died in childbirth. I met Danny two years after her death.”

“Leah, you use now to tell her this! That could’ve waited! I meant about you and I!”

“She deserves to know and this is about you and I. I know you’ve grown up thinking I was your mother, but I am not. I don’t have any living children. Your father and I are divorced and have been for two months.”

“W-wh I-I”

I grabbed by books and bag and just left. I wasn’t ready to deal with this at the moment. I drove to school in a blur. I walked to my locker and put away the things I didn’t need. I bought oatmeal and a banana from the cafeteria.

I ate silently in my desk waiting for others to start piling in for calculus. Phoenix came in and sat next to me.

''Hey you okay? You look spaced out,'' Phoenix said

“I’ll be okay. Thanks for asking.”

''You been here long?''

“No, I just wanted to eat my breakfast and think.”

''I can leave.''

“No, it’s fine. What can I help you with?”

''Really it’s okay. I was just going to ask for help understanding the calculus problems we went over yesterday. My Brother,Cardinal, he had her last yr. He said she gives a quiz every class. I can’t afford to fail calculus. I will fail junior year if I do. So any help you could offer me, I will accept. I know I could ask anyone, but you’re the smartest girl I know,'' Phoenix said.

“Thanks. Um sure. Let’s review. So first show me what you do know and we will go from there.”

We worked until class started, but he understood by the time class started. His brother was right and we were given a quiz to start class. He and I were the only ones to get perfect scores. He thanked me after class and paid me $500. I told him he didn’t have to and gave it back. He gave me $1,000.

Phoenix: I was going to fail that quiz. You helped me understand in 30 minutes what it takes the teacher an hour to explain. Please take it. I can give you more if that’s not enough.

“No, this is too much actually.”

Phoenix: consider it a bonus for an unexpected study session. Every time you help me I’m going to pay you. I can’t fail this class. I know you have a busy schedule, so I’ll try not to interrupt it. Thank you again Myx.

“You’re welcomed.”