Starting Off Wrong [𝐠𝐱𝐠]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑: 𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐤

I wake up to the buzzing of my phone. It's a terrible thing to be forced awake in the morning, but it's even worse when it's in the middle of the night. Especially when I am completely exhausted from classes.

Who on earth is calling me right now? It could be my parents. They must know about time zones though. I doubt they'd call me in the middle of the time. They're more mindful than that.

The bright light of my phone alarms my eyes. Realizing I might wake up Aurelia, I rise up from my bed and walk over to my desk, thankful for the floor that isn't creaky.

I swipe my phone from my desk and stare at the picture on my screen in surprise and panic. My heart starts beating as I stare at the black-haired girl I loathe to call my sister.

I press my phone to my chest, covered some of the light and turn back towards Aurelia. She stays motionless in her bed.

I quickly step into the bathroom and shut the door behind me, not wanting Aurelia to hear anything. Why did Odette call me right now? Is something wrong? Maybe they found out. Maybe they called my parents first and they're going to kick me out of school. No, if they did that then surely my parents would call me. Maybe Odette is in trouble. Maybe my parents are suspicious. Everything is making my head spin.

Whatever it is, I can't let Aurelia know about any of this. I can't seem untrustworthy.

It's bad enough I kept a picture under Odette's name. What happens if she did call in the middle of the day? Aurelia might have seen it and started asking questions.

I look at the buzzing phone screen once again. My finger hovers above the 'accept' button before pressing on it.

"Hello?" I ask, putting the phone to my ear. My voice is obviously tired. I clear my throat as quietly as I can. "Hello?" I say again after I don't hear anything.

"Oh, Calista. You finally pick up. You know I've been calling you for about three minutes now?" Any other time, I'd definitely roll my eyes, but right now, all I'm worried about is Aurelia hearing me. What would she make of me having a mysterious phone call in the middle of the night?

"It is two in the morning here." I try to sound angry at her, but I need to stay quiet.

"Well, it's the perfect time for me." Of course it is. That's so like Odette to only consider herself.

Suddenly, the call gets louder and I hear the noise of a group of people. "Maybe you should call me first," I hear Odette say. I can hear her, but it's not as clear as it was before. It's like she decided to walk into a concert at that exact moment.

"What is all that noise?"

"What noise?"

"Where are you?" I ask, looking at the bathroom door, feeling nervous.

"At school, Calista. Some of us actually have to go you know."

Does she think I'm an idiot? Pennsylvania is five hours back, which means it's ten p.m. there. No one has school that late.