30 Days Too Late

World On Fire

Rudy

I pull Wayne along with me as he cries about his knee. "It's just your knee," I say.

"It hurts, Rudy," he whines.

I take out an alien band-aid and press it to his red skin. "See, all better," I assure him, patting his knee.

"Mhm, yes all better" he smiles.

"You need to stop acting like a baby, or you'll keep getting bullied" I state. His smile falls and he hugs himself.

"I'm sorry," whispers. I wipe away his tears with my thumb.

"Even though I'm in fifth grade and you're in fourth, I'll let you sit at the lunch table again today," I offer and he nods. I rub his head gently as he pouts. I sit down with my friends who eagerly eat their lunches.

Wayne plops down next to me. His eyes scan the table as he clenches his stomach. I guess his lunch got stolen too. "Here," I say and hand him half of my grilled cheese. "Fourth graders don't sit here, Rudy. The first couple of times were fine, but this is too much," Marco snaps.

"I'll leave," Wayne decides.

"Wayne!" I shout.

I hit my alarm with my pillow. Waking up at 6 am every weekday is hell.

"Surprise!" Valkryie squeals.

What is she doing here so early in the morning? "I brought you breakfast! Wake up, poo bear," she shouts.

I turn up the TV, hoping the news will be louder than her. It's my dad! He's talking about our school and the future of our hockey team. I sluggishly slide out of bed, my bones ache. I unlock my door and walk to the bathroom. My allergies are kicking my ass.

"I can't have apple juice, remember?" Dexter reminds her.

"What!? You love apple juice," she whines.

I sigh and start brushing my teeth; that woman is hovering, like his father.

"You haven't taken your medication yet right? You can use the apple juice," she suggests.

"I can't have apple juice; I just want to rest for a bit longer," he replies.

I chuckle at his complaints; he so wants her to leave. I spit in the sink and then rinse my mouth. My stomach rumbles, and I rub it; I'm starving. "Whatever!" she shouts. I jump at the sound of glass crashing.

I enter the hallway and glass pieces are scattered across the hallway. Valkyrie is stomping on the broken cup. "Valkyrie, you're acting like a child," Dexter comments. She shrugs out his embrace and faces me.

She raises her middle finger at me. "What do you want?" she asks.

"Get out," I state and cross my arms.

"What?" she scoffs.

"Get the fuck out of our dorm!" I snap.

She backs up and I watch her turn hesitantly. I wait for the door to close before I pick a bone with Dexter. "And you..." I huff. He's quiet and on his knees, picking up shards of glass with his bare hands.

"Stop that!" I shout and he leans back.

I grab the broom and pan from the hallway closet. "Move," I say, scooting him back with the bristles.

I sweep up the glass carefully, mindful of the apple juice splattered on the floor. "You should break up with her," I suggest.

"I can't," he replies. He sets his collection of glass in the pan.