~Beauty is Vain~

~Live & Learn~

PLEASE VOTE & COMMENT

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"O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live."-Isaiah 38:16

I stretched out on my bed, taking off my chicken uniform that was made out of some itchy fabric. Ugh, I really hate both of my jobs, I think I hate the chicken one more. At least when I went to dance I didnt itch in a chicken suit. As I stretched out on my bed, my mind kept wandering back to my History class and the club. I hope he hasn't told his little friends about where I was?! No, he won't....but what if he does...he WON'T....but...Okay stop Nicole!! You're not going to worry about him, he doesn't matter plus he's new, no one will believe him!! After telling myself that, I calmed down and my heart beat slowed down too. I sat up tiredly. I am so glad I'm not working tonight. I heard a moving truck outside, sounded like it was backing up. I looked out my curtains curiously. I saw a white family standing outside their new house that has been boarded up for years. I never noticed that house that much, it was an old colonial house, old white paint with a black rusted gate bordering it and making it very clear to the rest of us that they didn't want any "welcome to the neighborhood" greetings...ever. I continued to stare as the moving truck drove out of their yard. I know I shouldn't be nosy, but I was really wondering who would want to live in a run down house like that.

I stared at the happy family who was now walking into their ugly house. I rolled my eyes and closed the curtains, I hope mom doesn't pass out on their yard, well, its not like she'd be messing something up. I sighed as I remembered the math homework that was due tomorrow. Also, the history essay that was assigned to us today from Mr. Moore was due in two weeks, that'd be enough time if we didn't have to write 60,000 words, and quote from Mr. Moore, "He's going to carefully grade it and count every syllable." Although we all know he isn't. He's going to read at least two papers, get bored and scan through everyone else's work. He's only going to read those whom he doesn't like, which isn't me, probably blue eyes Angelo. Blue...

A hard knock on my door got me out of my daze. It was most likely my mom asking for more money. I went to open the door, but it wasn't my mom, it was Mimi with wet mascara flowing down her cheeks. "How did you get in-" "Your mom let me in...can I please come in?" she asked me. I never understood why my friends thought I had great advice about boys although I stayed single. "Andrew dumped me, he told me he didn't want to wait till prom night and that if I didn't sleep with him tonight, it was over....oh my gosh you were so right, he's a total jerk...I just wish I would've realized sooner than now. " she said. I didn't play a good role at comforting people and felt awkward at what to say next. She didn't notice and just kept blabbering on and on about how she should egg his house and threaten him. She finally stood up. "Thanks for listening, oh and don't tell Lisa, you know she'll just say "I told you so." Oh and before I go, did I tell you that the new boy Angelo was checking you out after the bell rung at breakfast, yeah he was eating an apple looking at your boo-hoo-ty...hahaha, he is sooo fine, girl I'd jump for that bone if I was you, well see you tomorrow Mrs. Lambert." she said before walking out my room. I followed behind her shocked. I can't believe he was checking me out!! Or maybe he was just examining my pants? He was probably wondering how a girl in the club dressed like an innocent bystander. So, I really don't care, I hope I don't catch him staring at me again or my backside...and I also hope gossiper Mimi doesn't tell everyone to call me Mrs. Lambert!!! "Don't call me that, my name is Natania Topaz.....TOPAZ...I don't want you running around telling people I like him." I said strictly. She smiled an evil smile. "Now why would I lie like that?" she said innocently. I rolled my eyes. "Please dont , I have enough on my plate already." I said. She smiled. "Okay...it would've been a good story." she pouted. We walked outside. She looked at the house that was across from us. "Someone actually moved there?" she asked astonishly. I nodded without answering. I still can't believe it. "Well, I hope they plan on remodeling it or its going to continue to look like a crackhouse." she said. For some reason her words offended me, but I didn't say anything...I was going to ignore it and brush it off. "Okay, well I'll see you tomorrow girl, hope you feel better." I said trying to make my best efforts to sound empathetic. She nodded. "Alright, well see you tomorrow ex of Angelo Lambert." she said smiling. I rolled my eyes at her, walking up the porch steps. "What, I said ex." she teased. "Bye!" I yelled and closed the front door. As I started listening to music and cooking, I heard banging on the front door. I rolled my eyes as I took out my lasagna and bread rolls. I turned off the stove before running towards the door. I looked out the peephole before I opened the door. It was Anthony, I liked to call him Ant, he's an middle aged man who always made sure my mom got home safely. I think he likes her, why?? I don't know and don't understand what he sees in her, but overall it is kind of him. "Thanks Ant, I appreciate it very much, I'll never understand why you take time to see about her." I said, moving out of the way so he could lay her down on the couch. "Well, it's because...we used to go to highschool together, she never noticed me, but I thought she was always the most amazing girl I've ever seen, it just breaks my heart to see her like this...I just want to help her, I know it seems stupid and hopeless-" "It does." I said. He ignored my comment. "I really believe she'll get better, you just have to have a little faith you know." he said gazing at the passed out druggie on the couch. I rolled my eyes. He looked at me and smiled. "I also believe she still loves you, just lost control of her life, take care of her okay." he said before walking out of the house. I rolled my eyes. I've been looking after her before his Mercedes Benz first ever entered the driveway. I stared at her skinny body. I hate seeing her like this. I remember when she used to love me...when she used to care for everyone, she was always helping people. Maybe that's what got to her, the stress of being a people pleaser. I turned my head away from her and walked in the kitchen. I didn't want to cry again. There was no use, I feel like a part of her has died...and honestly there's a speck of hope, a speck that hopes she will somehow come alive again, wake up and see the pain and the burden she's placed on my shoulders. I sighed as I sat down and ate. I looked at my phone for any text messages from Mimi. There was one.

Mimi: lolx ready to see your hubby...you know I'm just playing grump...see you tomorrow girl.

I looked at it, fighting the urge to block her number, but I know she'll just text me from an unanonimous number. I didn't text her back. I just put my phone down. "Anymore food?" a weak and cracked voice said. I snapped my head at her. She had on a white tank top that showed her lack of appetite and a pair of baggy pants that sswallowed her. I was so shocked that she was talking to me. I mean the only thing she ever talked to me about was money. She never ate, probably when I wasn't home, but rarely. I nodded. "Yeah, there's food over there in the pan, I could fix it for you-" "No, I got it." she said while walking over to the oven, grabbing a glass plate from the cupboard. I just stared at her in amazement as I chewed on my delicious roll. "Hey...was that Anthony who brought me home?" she asked curiously. I nodded. "Y- yes." I said. "Hmmph." she said before walking upstairs into her room. I almost choked on my roll as I thought about what had just happened. What made her talk to me?...was she really concerned about Ant or...was she trying to make small talk? I knew off the bat she probably was just trying to talk to me so I'd give her more money next time. I rolled my eyes. I cleaned the kitchen before going to bed. Today has really been a long day. I guess I learned that anyone could change...I mean I don't really think she's had a change of heart, but I do hope something sparked in her....hopefully. Maybe I can stop pretending to have a good life at school. And maybe she'll get a job and I can enjoy my months as a normal teen. I know my hope is probably in vain. Just like beauty. Vain.