Bad For You

twelve

I've never cried over a boy before.

It sucks.

"Aurora!" My mother knocks on my bedroom door. "Get up! You were supposed to be up for practice hours ago. Now if you don't hurry up you'll be late for class!"

Ugh. I pull the covers over my head.

Fifteen minutes later I finally drag myself out of bed and shuffle into the bathroom. I look like a wreck. My hair is a disaster, my skin is pale, and my eyes are red and puffy from crying all last night. After I'd walked away from Theo I immediately found Hannah. As soon as she saw my face she got Eva to drop us off at her house, then Hannah drove me home.

I managed to keep the tears at bay when Eva was around, but as soon as it was just Hannah and I, the waterworks fell. Hannah cursed Theo the entire drive, gripping the steering wheel so hard I'm surprised she didn't tear through the leather covering. She offered to stay with me until my mother returned home from work, but I told her I was fine and just needed to be alone. I spent the rest of the weekend alternating between crying and binge watching my comfort show, Gossip Girl. My mother was barely home, she'd been picking up extra shifts at the restaurant and at the bar, so thankfully she wasn't around to see my pitiful state. I wasn't prepared to answer any questions or try and lie.

Fast toward to this morning. My head is throbbing and I reach into the medicine cabinet, grabbing the bottle of aspirin. After taking two and washing them down with water from the tap I begin to brush my teeth.

Stupid boys, I brush angrily and spit. Screw him.

I hop into the shower and turn it up as hot as I can manage. The shower is filled with steam as I close my eyes and tip my head back, letting the hot water cascade down my face and body. I stand under the spray until my mother starts banging on the door and demanding I hurry up. Then I quickly soap up and wash off before stepping out of the shower and wrapping myself in a fluffy towel.

Back in my room I change into leggings and a sweater, pulling my damp hair into a low bun. Then I slip on my shoes and grab my coat, backpack, and duffel bag before heading out to the kitchen.

"Finally," my mother says when I emerge. "Grab a piece of fruit and let's go, there's no time for breakfast anymore since you decided to sleep in."

I grab an apple from the fruit bowl and follow my mother out the front door. The entire car ride she complains about how I wasn't up early and that I can't afford to start slacking off. I don't need her lecturing me on top of everything else, and by the time we arrive at school I'm ready to chuck my apple at her and scream. Without saying goodbye I grab my stuff and get out of the car, slamming the door shut. There's no time to stop at my locker so I just have to carry everything with me to first period. I barely make it on time and slide into my seat just as the bell rings.

As Mr. Batachelli drones on and on about classical literature, my phone vibrates on my desk. I pause doodling in my notebook and flip it over to check the screen. 

Hannah Banana🍌: where were u???

Me: bad morning

It only gets worse from there. In ballet class we're working with our partners again, and Simon and I just can't seem to get in sync. Our movements are either too early or too late, and he almost drops me during a presage lift.

"Shit," he curses, clumsily catching me and setting me on the ground. "Sorry."

"It's fine," I smile tightly. Across the room Lucy smirks. When we have a quick break to get water, she glides by me.