Flip of a Coin

Chapter 1

I grasp the coin tightly in my hand ready to face today's questions. I flip to the right date and read the 7 am question. I stare at it in shock and can feel my whole body shiver with fear. Should you eat your breakfast this morning? Another shiver takes over my body as I carefully position the coin on my thumb nail. Releasing this coin could send me spiraling down a path I'm not prepared to follow or it could leave me following the life I'm comfortable with living. I freeze. Unprepared to know what could be coming my way. My thumb slips and sends the coin spiralling into the air. As it bounces and comes to a stop, I avoid looking at it and cover it with my hand. I carefully scoop it up and slip it into my money box. I can't do this anymore. I grab the book and send it straight to bin. I push it to the bottom as much as I could and crumple up some paper to cover it so that the book can no longer be seen. Out of sight, out of mind, you see. 

Footsteps echo up the hallway and my mum walks straight into my room. I scramble to the ground pretending to put my book into the locked box under my bed. "What was the answer?" she asks me.

"Yes, it was yes," I answer.

"Guess I better get making something for you then," she says.

"Yep," a small laugh escapes my mouth as my mum leaves my room and heads towards the kitchen. I've been living this life for what seems like forever, in fact ever since I could comprehend the system. This lifestyle has been passed down through female ancestors of mine and I'm almost certain I'm going to be the one to stop it. I've lived this way for 10 years and my mum has for even longer. I turned 15 a week ago and have finally decided to start living my own life instead of listening to a stupid coin and a stupid book. Today however, was the first time, I've tried to fully reject the lifestyle. Thankfully, mum hasn't figured it out yet... This lifestyle has brought me to tears far too many times, I've ruined friendships, I've stuffed up my grades, I've ruined everything. Those who don't follow this lifestyle have no idea of the trouble the stupid books and coins can cause. 

I slowly walk down the stairs and find my way to the kitchen table where I will eat my first lie. A plate of pancakes drenched in syrup sits in front of me. My hand shaking ever so slightly as I make the first cut into the stack. "Eden, are you okay?" my mum asks.

"Yeah."

"You haven't been acting yourself recently," she says.

"Well I am 15 now mum," I throw back at her and the silence begins. I take small mouthfuls until I've managed to swallow the last few bites of my first lie.

"Anyway, here's your lunch. Have a good day at school and do NOT forget to take your book," she says in her usual strict tone.

"I will have a great day and of course I won't forget it," I say as I begin to make my way up the stairs. I throw my lunchbox on my bed and notice something peeking out from under my pillow. I pick up my pillow and there sitting under it is that stupid little book I don't want. How it got there I have no idea. Some kind of ancient decision making magic probably. A sigh escapes me as I pick it up and shove it into the bottom of my school bag. I chuck everything else on top of it and take a glance at the clock. 7:45am! I seriously need to get going. Before I leave though, I search the top draw for my bus card and put it in the front pocket of my school bag. I run down the stairs with my bag on my back, phone in hand. "Bye Mum!" I shout as I scramble out the door.