Blood Roses

chapter seven

I wake early this morning, thoughts cloud in my head. By the time I am ready and downstairs I can just hear Tom waking up. The rest of the house is silent and has an eerie feel about it.

I walk into the kitchen and have some cereal. Even Andre isn't in the kitchen yet, I must be early. The air inside is stuffy and a slight headache soon appears. I take a small venture around the house in hope to find fresh air, but fail to discover any. Opening a window isn't such a good idea either, the wind today would guide all the rain in through the window.

I grab my bag and walk slowly to the bus stop, my umbrella almost at a right angle with my body. As much as I try to keep myself dry, by the time I reach the bus stop my sleeves are soaked, my barcode shining right through. I continually grab the end of my sleeve and wring out as much water as I can, but it makes it worse. I look at my iPod - an hour to kill. Sitting and listening to my music is my best bet as I try to think where the key for the cabinet could be.

It wasn't in the desk draws, nor on the desk. Perhaps the key could be somewhere else in the office, or Dad's bedroom. I could just ask him, but that would spiral into questions that could pass as an interrogation. My last option could be to just go in and get the file while it's unlocked, but that would be risky - with Dad in the room.

When the bus arrives I keep my earphones in and sit alone. I look over to Lily and she gets the point - I need space to think right now. Mellowing in self pity and evil plans the ride to school seems to last forever, all the time I am trying to dry my sleeve.

I approach Lily once she exits the bus.

"I'm going to talk with her."

"Carrie?"

"Yeah. Wish me luck."

"You can have all my luck." She says with a sympathetic smile. "Don't get carried away though."

"I'll try to keep under control." I cringe, thinking of what could happen if I got too carried away, like at the party. I was like the Incredible Hulk - release my anger, but there's no controlling me while it's out. I just rage on and on until I burn out.

Home class passes just as slowly and painfully as usual, keeping the same creepiness level. I speed through the classes, mainly just thinking; sitting there with my notebook open and staring at it. The open notebook strategy seems to work better than the looking out the window one, this time I am only called on once to pay attention. I'm actually surprised how much tolerance they have for me, the amount of times I have been caught day dreaming and talking then getting away with just a warning. Mayor's daughter or not, this school really is tolerant. I have never seen anyone get sent to the office during class.

Lunch soon comes and the painful sight of Abigail in my seat. Once again I pull up a chair and put on a sweet as sugar face. Halfway through Abigail and Carrie discussing shoes I interrupt.

"Uh, I need to go to the bathroom... come on, Carrie." I hint to her. She gets the message and follows me slowly.

I strongly push the door open, startling some girls who are crowded around the mirror. They glare at me, mascara smudged around their eyes. I return them with a look that I didn't even know I was capable of. It clearly read 'get out.'

"Scram." I urge to them, letting out some desperation in my voice. They all give me a glare, but leave. I turn back to Carrie as we stand at the sinks.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"I'm pretty sure you know." My voice burns out. Carrie looks taken aback by my response and I realise I have started too vicious. I take a deep, calming breath and continue on.