Compelled By Love

Compelled By Love Chapter Two

Compelled By Love

Chapter Two-Not A Chance

~Noah

            I woke up, my head throbbing. Beside me, Alina was stirring as well. I’m two years younger than her, but it seems like I’m the one who takes care of her, rather than the other way around. We have school today, it’s Thursday at least. I slowly got up and changed quick. No shower today, I’ll have to drive Alina to her house so she can change and get ready. I straightened my aggravating naturally wavy black hair, did my eyeliner, and grabbed a bottle of Tylenol before pretty much dragging Alina to my car. She’s a skinny musician with a rebellious attitude and style, but she’s too skinny if you ask me. I’m pretty much the same way, but I’m not one to perform. I write lyrics, unknown to the world. Honestly, I like it that way.

            “Ten minutes.” She promised as she rushed into her house. I knew it’d be more like twenty, so I headed to the gas station down the street to get us each an energy drink so we were at least half alive for school.

            “This it for you?” Parker, the guy who always works graveyard shift here, asked.

            “Yeah. Gotta be somewhat alive for school.” I answered, chuckling and handing him my debit card. He nodded and rang up everything before clocking out. I bet that guy never even sleeps.

-Parker

            I rushed home and got ready as fast as I could. I still had to get Naomi to daycare and I only had just under an hour.

            “Daddy!” She cooed, hugging my legs as I picked her up from my neighbor Carmi’s apartment.

            “Sorry I’m late.” I apologized, putting Naomi’s coat on her and picking her up.

            “Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you at nine.” Carmi said, smiling and waving goodbye to us. She works during the day and watches Naomi while I work at night—I don’t know what I’d do without her help.

            I strapped Naomi into her seat and drove her to daycare in a rushed stupor. My life is crazy; her mom left me with her right after she had her and moved away. I had a kid at sixteen—I’m eighteen now and finishing my senior year. Naomi is only two years old and doesn’t even have a mother. I have to work graveyard shift just to get by, and it’s barely enough. l It kills me knowing I can barely provide for her.

            I pulled into the parking lot and brought Naomi in, trying to be as fast as possible. Naomi kissed me goodbye and I hurried off to school.

-Melanie

            “Eden, I’ll see you tonight when I get off work, sweety.” I said, kissing my two-year old son’s forehead and grabbing my schoolbag. I’d just dropped him off at his daycare I can barely even afford. I smiled as I watched him run off to play with his little friend, Naomi.

            “Mel, you comin’?” My best friend, Samantha asked once I got outside. I nodded and got in, taking a sip of my coffee. “See, this is why I vow not to have a kid in highschool—it’s a pain.”

            “Don’t flatter yourself.” I said, rolling my eyes, “I used to think the same things.”

            When we got to school, we were twenty minutes early, as always when it comes to Sam. Inevitably, she got up and went straight over to Asher. Those two are inseparably close. It’s weird though, it’s like a brother/sister thing that could be more and it wouldn’t be awkward. Asher pulled her into a huge bear hug before noticing me and walking over, all smiles.

            “Hey Melanie!” He greeted warmly. I nodded in return and the corner of his mouth twitched up, “How’s Eden?”

            “Well, you know,” I said, glaring at him, “Our two year old asked me why his mommy and daddy lived in two different houses last night! It shouldn’t be like that, Ash.”

            “Exactly! I want to do more things together.” He said, his blue eyes sparkling.

            “Not a chance.” I snapped.