Chapter 1 : Before School
Ring Ring Ring.
I sit straight up and look around. On my nightstand, my phone is lighting up. I pick it up and read the name that is calling me.
❤️Kal❤️
I answer the phone, rubbing my eyes and leaning on my bed frame.
“Kal, it’s 3 in the morning. What’s up?”
“Actually it’s 4 in the morning for me. Well, I’m scared that my makeup doesn’t look good. I’m questioning if I should fake being sick.”
“Kal, your beautiful. Your really pretty you just don’t realize it. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”
“No I’m not. Riverdale is a really big school. It’s 3 different schools, including Hansen. I want to impress the guys. I can’t impress the guys looking like a 8 year old that got into her mom’s makeup bag.”
“You are very beautiful so just don’t worry.” I say, sighing.
“O-okay Lyd. I love you. Baylee says she misses you too. I haven’t talked to Makayla or Jazzy in a while. Maybe we could all FaceTime tonight?”
“I’d be down for that. Tell her I miss her too.”
“Okay bye.”
“Bye.”
I hang up the phone and set it back down. I stare at the cieling and slowly fall back asleep.
——————————-
Beep. Beep. Beep.
I wake up and shut off my alarm. I run over to the bathroom because I knew if Dasia got to the bathroom first, I wouldn’t get to get ready. I go pee, wash my hands, and brush my teeth. I look at my tangled hair in the round mirror. I pick up the hairbrush and violently brush out the rats.
“LYDIA SHAY BOYSTER HURRY UP! I NEED TO PEEE!” Dasia screams, besting on the door. I take the scrunchie on my wrist and put my hair in a messy bun.
As soon as I open the door, Dasia trips over herself to go to the toilet, slamming the door. I head downstairs and pour some Trix into a bowl. As I pour the milk in, my brother Denver walks in with a bed head.
“Are you going to brush your hair?” I ask, laughing.
“Probably not.” He says, his voice gravely.
“Can I brush it?” Lauren says from the door.
“Your not touching my hair.”
“Why not?”
“You don’t remember when you shaved half of it off? Well I do.”
I laugh, choking on milk.
Denver laughs at me.
“Fine.” Lauren says, pouting.
“Good morning kiddos.” Dad smiles from the entrance of the kitchen.
“Good morning daddy!” Lauren giggles, wrapping herself around his waist.
“Out of the way.” Dasia growls, pushing herself into the kitchen. She opens the cabinet and grabs a granola bar.
“Daddy, what’s wrong with Dasia?”
“She’s angry about having to move here.”
At that, Dasia turns around and yells something I don’t quite understand. Hot tears run down her face. Dad frowns and goes over to her.
“Dasia, she’s gone. She wanted us to move here. Don’t be angry at anyone because we all miss her.” He hugs her and she grasps the back of his shirt.
Of course I know who he’s talking about. Mom was murdered in April. Nobody had quite gotten over the emptiness of her not being here.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
đź’•Makđź’•
I answer the phone.
“Hey Mak. How are you?” I smile.
Out of everyone from Hansen, I miss Mak the most. I was always closer to her than everyone else.
“I’m okay. I have to tell you something.” She whispers.
“Yes?”
“So Baylee is talking crap about you. So is Kal. Jazzy got really mad about it. On Friday they’re going to fight. We all split up after you moved. They’re spreading around the school that she’s going to beat me and up and-“
“Who’s going to beat Jazzy up? Who’s beating you up? What in the world.” I feel heat rush into my cheeks.
“Baylee is beating up Jazzy and Kahli is beating me up.”
“They better not lay a hand on either of you or else.”
“I hope not. Well I have to go. I love you boo.”
“I love you too hon. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I hang up and grab the stress ball out of the side pocket of my backpack. I have anger issues and my therapist told me to keep a stress ball with me always. I pick it up and squeeze it as hard as I can. Denver touches my arm.
“What’s wrong?” He asks, sitting beside me.
“They’re going to be-beat Mak and Jaz up..”
“Who?”
“KAL AND BAYLEE!” I scream. That got everyone’s attention. Dad turns and Dasia walks over and sits on the other side of me.
“You know Kal won’t hurt them. She’s too dramatic. She’d cry if they broke her nail.” Dasia says, rolling her eyes.
“Baylee is too dumb to fight. She might but she can’t beat anyone with a brain.” Denver laughs.
I laugh.
“Hey kids, you should probably go get in the bus now.” Dad says, watching Lauren walk out of the front door. I jump up and follow.
I step on the bus and sit beside Denver with Dasia in the seat across. Lauren is all the way in the back by herself.
