"give me your hand!" I sing along to The Ready Set while dancing around my room looking for something to wear.
"Keep it down up there, Lilianna Marie Hirsch!" I hear moms voice call from the bottom of the stairs. I know she's dead serious when she uses my full name.
"Yeah, okay, fine." I grunted, barely audible.
I finally found some torn black skinny jeans and a plain black shirt to wear under a green and black flannel. I grabbed my black and white vans and phone, then ran down the stairs to the living room where my mom and brother were sitting.
"I'm going to school! Oh, and I have band practice after, so I'll be home late. Bye!"
I ran out with my backpack before I heard mom debate against my plans. I noticed my school bus passing me, but decided to put my earbuds in and ignore it. It's not like I'm really going to school, anyway.
"Hey Lilly!"
I heard a familiar voice through the low volume of my music. I turned to the street and noticed Caleb Derrickson slowly driving beside me.
"Need a ride?" He smiled at the opportunity.
"Thanks, but I think I'm gonna ditch today. Have fun though!" I smiled back.
"Ditch? Why would you want to miss out on the sheer enjoyment of school?" His eyebrows furrowed, but his voice held pure sarcasm.
I stopped walking to face him. He immediately stopped his car and returned the gaze.
"I'm just not ready for school yet," I looked at my feet. "I think I'm just gonna hang out at Joe's today and help out with the restaurant."
He gave me a look of understanding.
"I'll drive you there..?" He asked, hopeful.
I sighed.
"If I say yes, will you shut up and stop annoying me?"
He smiled. "I don't think I'll ever stop annoying you. But, I will shut up if it's what you truly wish for."
I climbed in the passenger seat and punched his right arm. "Yes, it is most definitely what I truly wish for."
It didn't take long before he pulled into an almost vacant parking lot with a huge neon sign that read "Happy Joe's Bar & Grill". In an hour, the place would be packed with customers eagerly waiting for their first meal of the day.
I thanked Caleb for the ride, then ran inside the restaurant. I missed working, as weird as that sounds. It just took my mind off things for a few hours. Just as I sat down in a booth to roll silverware, Joe walked in and approached me with a look of disapproval. I slumped in the red and black cushioning, but my attempt at hiding had failed. Epically.
"Lilly, aren't you supposed to be at school?" He crossed his arms and a small vertical crease formed between his eyebrows.
"School was canceled today." I answered back with little confidence. Eventually feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. Dammit, why do I always need to blush when I'm trying to lie?
He began tapping his foot, growing impatient, but only minutes before he softened his eyes and slid into the booth and wrapped his arm around my shoulder engaging in a one arm hug.
"Honey, it's not that I don't want you helping out. I love seeing you here, it makes my day ten times better..." He turned his head slightly so he could look me in the eyes.
"But I just think your education should come first. It's your senior year, so just go and finish up the rest of the semester."
I sighed hesitantly, "okay, I guess I can do that.."
