The Story Doesn't End With the Book

I just want things to be normal again

Maryn, April 2020

The sky is grey, and I have nothing to do. Welcome to my life. This is what happens every single day. It's April, and rainy, what did I expect? 

As of now, we're not going back to school. April 6th, that's what they told us. But no, of course not. Now, they've changed it to May 4th. I never wanted this, obviously. I just want to hang out with friends, and enjoy the time I have left until high school. High school. The end of the road. Or, this road at least. All of my friends are going to different schools than me. River, Carra and Lillie are going to one school. Vivien another. And me, another. This is my last chance. Does the universe not understand? I have a few months left. I can't afford to waste them. 

My phone pings on the side table before my bed. I grab it, and walk to my window, looking out. The house directly in front of mine is not a pretty view. It's not that it's ugly, but it looks almost the same as every other one on my street, mine included. I sigh, and look down. There's a text from River.

River: Yo, Mar, we haven't talked in forever! 

Then another, half a second later. 

River: Did you die or something?

I laugh; only River would assume I'm dying because I haven't responded to her text she sent not even a minute ago. 

I call her, still looking out my window, wishing something would happen.

"Yoooo, it's been so long!" She answers and I can hear her running up the stairs, probably away from her aunt. 

"Riv, it's been, like, a few days, max." I say, brushing my fingers over the windowsill, checking for non-existent dust. Ever since the lockdown, my room is never messy.

"Yeah, but we used to talk every day! This feels like forever to me." I can hear her frown on the other end, and I regret saying what I did.

River's an only child, and sometimes I forget what it must be like living with adults, but no siblings. She doesn't say it, but I can imagine how lonely she gets. 

"Sorry River," I say, knowing she'll understand what I'm talking about. "Sometimes I forget, because Lara and I never even really talk to each other. I'm just in my own world and she's probably busy doing more important things."

"Are you kidding? She seems awesome to me." 

"Only if you like manicures and playing truth or dare." I pick at my hangnail a little, scrunching my nose when it starts bleeding a little. I'm the furthest from glamorous you can get. 

"If I'm in the mood. But seriously, she's really nice when she's talked to me. A little ahead of her years, but I think that's your fault." I can hear River smile on the other side. My maturity level is the root of all her jokes. She always calls me a granny or a 40 year old stuck in a 14 year old's body.

"Why would that be my fault? She's the one who came first."

"I'm sure there's some reason..."

"Haha, very funny. What will you call me this time, a grumpy old cat?" 

"I never said that!" She protests, then smirks, "Only a little bit of grumpy old cat, you're fine."

I hang up jokingly on her, then call her right back. She texts me back,

River: Nuh uh if you're hanging up, I'm not answering your calls. 

Maryn: Fine. Be immature.

The conversation ends anyway since River has to go eat dinner. I put my phone on my dresser, watching as the sun goes down a little slower than yesterday. As I close the blinds, and return to my bed, I think about how dull my life has become. I eat, I sleep, I go for walks, but I'm not really doing anything. I decide that I can't do it anymore.