91 EQUALS (7+1)

0-3

Alice was cleaning up the empty beer cans— and bottles, from her basement floor. Everybody left about an hour ago, Lara staying the longest before she eventually got a call from her parents and left in a hurry.

She folded the orange blanket and laid it on the couch before leaving the basement. Her father had gone up to his office and locked the door so nobody could get in. She made her way to her kitchen passing the living room where her mother sat in front of the TV.

"Your breakfast is in the oven."

Alice hummed, pushing her glasses back in her nose. The heat from the oven made her glasses fogg and she wiped it with the fabric of her long sleeve t-shirt.

She settled on the kitchen island when her mother came in and sat across her. She bit into the toast before looking up.

"I know we've talked about this, but I think getting you a tutor would help—"

"Not again mom, please."

"But it's an important subject. Your grades are dropping and I know you're having a hard time. It might be the right moment to...ask for help?"

"So if I get bad grades then I am automatically stupid? Is that it?"

"No, no! Alice, you know I don't think that..." her mother deflated a little, "I know school isn't for everybody but..." she huffed, "You're already there and I would appreciate it if you made an effort to at least finish the studies you've started."

"Maybe I should drop out then!"

Alice's voice raised without her realising and she sent a guilty look to her mom when she realised. Her mother smiled slightly.

"Mom, I'm sorry—"

"It's okay. I see it's still a...touchy subject."

She got up from her seat heading out of the kitchen.

"There's green tea on the counter if you want some. If you ever feel like talking about it again, come get me."

Alice rested her head in hands before pushing back her hair. She didn't mean for the conversation to go that way but it was already over and there was nothing she could do about it. She finished her breakfast and headed upstairs to her room. She got rid of her clothes and hopped in the shower.

The water rubbed down her body and she relaxed her muscles a little. The thoughts in her head seemed a little less fumbled and she planned her day in her head.

First, she had to get dressed. Probably clean her room and then get started on her science homework as well as the argumentative essay. Maybe she could ask Alexis what he wrote or if he could help her pick a subject.

She got out of the shower and dressed in blue sweatpants and a random band shirt. She heard her father's office open and steps heading down the stairs.

"Hi dad."

Her father's response came a little late and barely audible considering the whole house separated them.

"Hi darling!"

She smiled to herself and started to pick up the junk that was laying on her floor. It was better to start now then later.

She was trying to memorise the last formula on her sheet when someone knocked on her door.

"Come in!"

Her father's head peeked out of the door. He took a look before smiling.

"You cleaned your room."

"Thank you for noticing."

"Yeah well it was hard to miss. Are you planning on going skating?"

Alice raised her eyebrow and her dad pointed towards the roller blades that laid next to her bed.