Dancing in the Rain

Chapter Five: The First Day [part 1]

Chapter Five: The First Day

Taylor’s Point of View

The last few days of summer have passed by quickly, like summer always does. Of course it’s still hot outside, and the sun still constantly beats down on Topsail, and the salt-tinged breeze still tugs at the palm trees. However, it’s been quiet lately around our apartment, maybe neither Rob nor I know what to say. I think we’re both just nervous and scared as heck. Why? Today’s the first day. And when I say first day I mean the day my life ends it’s happy summer bliss and runs straight into a black, bloody hell.

After I take a shower, get on my first-day-of-school-not-actually-a-graphic-t-shirt-and-jeans-outfit, hit Rob with a pillow about twenty times, and brush my teeth, I go downstairs where Rob is sitting in front of his untouched piece of toast, looking half-asleep. Let’s just say he’s not a morning person.

After I get myself a bowl of cereal, the only sounds are the soft clinking of my spoon against the ceramic bowl and the caws of seagulls outside of the kitchen window. I glance at Rob, who’s across from me, with his head down and buried in his arms, his back moving gently up and down as he breathes. I think he’s actually asleep.

“Rob! Look alive. School starts in like, an hour.” I say, smacking him on the head with my spoon.

“Yeah...an hour....I can sleep ‘till then...” he mumbles without looking up.

“No, you need to eat breakfast and get a nicer shirt on.” I say, noticing his plain, wrinkled t-shirt that looks like he just slept in it. I know he dresses better than that.

“Why...?” he groans, finally looking up to reveal his messy, cowlicked hair, dark circles under his eyes, and drool all over the side of his face. Lovely.

“Oh, god. Go comb your hair and wash your face. You need to be somewhat presentable on the first day.” I say, making a face.

He sort of staggers to his feet, stumbles over to the staircase, where I listen to his footsteps thumping up the stairs like they’re the most difficult thing to climb in the universe. I sigh, standing up to take my empty bowl to the sink. This isn’t going to go well, is it?

A couple minutes later, Rob half-falls down the stairs, wearing a nicer shirt (complete with a bow tie, of course) with his hair looking a bit more neat. It’s a start. “Alright. Let’s go. We can stop by Quarter Moon on our way there, and get you a coffee or something.” I say, patting him on the back.

“Okay,” he says slowly, blinking several times as he tries to keep his eyes open. I then grab both of our backpacks and lead him out the door, then slide into the car in the passenger seat, where he slides next to me shortly after.

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay to drive that distance? It’s gonna be like...thirty minutes...” I ask him, raising an eyebrow as I set our bags in the seats behind us.

“Yeah...it’ll be...I’ll be...” he pauses for a moment to yawn very loudly. “I’ll be fine once I get some caffeine in my system...”

“Alrighty, then.” I say, raising my eyebrows doubtfully and buckling my seat belt. This thing better not let me down if I need it.

He shoves the key in starts the car. Grasping the wheel and squinting at the rear-view mirror, he slowly backs out of the driveway. I let out a sigh of relief when we make it out safely.

I let my head lean against the window, my eyes fluttering a little, I hadn’t realized how tired I was until now. I allow my mind to wander as I watch the glittering blue water on the horizon amble past as Rob drives slowly down the old, dry road.