THE NARCOLEPTIC GENIUS

CHAPTER 3

Marybeth finally woke up and found Debby sitting on the settee in her room. "Morning sleeping beauty, " Debby said. Marybeth got up to look outside as she didn't know how long she was out. "Relax, it's not actually morning. It's 6pm. " Debby said. "Oh, what are you doing here this time. And weren't you bored while I was out? " "Don't worry about me, there's so much my phone can do. But I'm worried about you. Talk to me. Why did you explode on me and why don't you wanna take your meds when you clearly know you need them? "Debby asked.

"Because, Debby, I wanna be normal. I don't wanna be a special case anymore. I don't want therapy, I don't want pills even when I'm well. Do you know how it feels to be on lifetime treatment. Plus people in school already think I'm weird and ahh, I just want a normal teenage life like everyone else, "Marybeth said.

"But Marybeth, this is a normal teenage life. You just have your own story. Everyone is just trying to find themselves. Even those bullies always picking on you. Plus at this point people are just jealous of you, " Debby said. "What's there to be jealous of? "Marybeth asked. "Your brains duh. We're finally in senior year and everyone knows when we start writing our SATs and GEDs and whatever, you got nothing to worry about. They're just distracting you. I know I'd kill for your brains I mean, how are you 14 and I'm 18 but we're at the same level. Even I'm jealous but I love you so I'm proud anyway, "Debby said.

"Really? "Marybeth asked. "Yes. You're awesome and people are jealous coz when we were your age all we did was play games and crush on boys but you're 14 and you're at our level and if you keep it up, you'll be higher and that's the problem that people have but don't let it get to you. Just do you. Plus if you stop taking those meds, you might be putting yourself at risk. There's no harm in sleeping but what if you sleep in the exam and fail or pass out in the middle of the road and get hit by a bus or something or get kidnapped in your sleep coz it's not you sleeping, but your body. Do you know how frustrating it is to not be able to do something about something. I mean I...," Debby said. "Okay, I get it. You don't have to scare the shit out of me, "Marybeth interrupted and they both laughed.

After the giggles, Marybeth frowned a little and said, " Just wish I could get out more though. Feel like this narcolepsy hinders me from doing other things. Even studying is hard. I don't know how I even get straight As." "That's a sign that you're blessed. You truly are a genius. And on the going out more, there's a chance for that on Friday, "Debby said. "Oh yeah, our 'date'. Don't you think we'll just end up hanging out here like always?" Marybeth asked. "Oh right you passed out. We're gonna have to reschedule to maybe Saturday or next week Friday coz I know I'm probably gonna be hang over but yeah. There's a party at Andrew's and we're invited. "Debby said. "We? "Marybeth asked thinking why she would be invited. "Yes we, "Debby said. "Why would he invite me?. "Marybeth asked. "Not just you but Joseph too, "Debby said.

Marybeth paused a bit then spoke again, " Something here is fishy. You, I understand coz Andrew's like obsessed with you but why would he invite me and Joseph. He calls us dorks and picks on us all the time. " Debby rolled her eyes and said sarcastically, " Who's the special case now? " They both laughed a little

"Don't worry about it, he didn't just wake up and stop being a jerk. He invited me and I gave him a condition that you and Joseph should come with me, "Debby said. "Now it makes sense but why'd you do it, "Marybeth asked. "Coz you guys are my friends and without your presence, the rest can consider themselves strangers for all I care. I'm never ditching any of you for those jerks just coz they're popular, "Debby said.

"Mmmm okay, makes sense but my parents will probably say no so..., "Marybeth said. "That shouldn't be much of a problem. Your mom agreed and I'm pretty sure she can convince your dad. You can do it together, "Debby said.

When it was 7pm, Mrs Williams was done cooking dinner. She was setting the table when she saw that Debby was leaving. "Leaving so soon? Won't you stay for dinner? "Mrs Williams asked. "Thank you but I really have to go. I'll stay another day, "Debby respectfully turned down the offer and continued by saying, "Anyway, I'll be off now, Goodnight. " She hugged Marybeth and left.

That day the atmosphere at the dinner table was awkward because Marybeth knew she was still in trouble for not taking her pills. No one was talking until Mrs Williams said, "Marybeth made knew friends. " "Really? What are their names? "Mr Williams asked. They both looked at her and she immediately knew they expected her to answer the question. "Cameron and Andrew, "Marybeth responded. "Oh, they're boys, "Mr Williams said. "They invited her to a party, "Mrs Williams said. "Oh that's so sweet. Too bad she won't make it, "Mr Williams said. "Why not? "Marybeth asked with a high pitched disappointed tone. "You know exactly why, " Mr Williams said.

Marybeth just looked down then her mother intervened. "Oh come on honey, it's a harmless party, "Mrs Williams said, "Debby will be there and she can look after her. " "You can't leave a kid in the hands of another kid, "Mr Williams said. "It'll be at Andrew's place and his mom will be there, "Marybeth said. "See, adult supervision, "Mrs Williams said. "The two of you aren't being real. It's about her condition, "Mr Williams said. "And I'll take my pills, "Marybeth defended. "Oh, like you did today? "Mr Williams argued then shook his head and said, "I'm not taking any chances. "

She looked down and said with watery eyes, "I just want to be normal but I guess I'm stuck in this house forever. Please excuse me. "She slowly pushed her food away and left the table.

Mrs Williams looked at Mr Williams and said, " Please, let her go. I get scared when she's upset. " "Ah, incase you didn't notice, she has a disorder, "he said. "Incase you didn't notice, she's still a kid. At least let her enjoy her senior year. She'll never get back the years she's lost but she can make the most of her teenage years, "she responded. "But I'm worried, " he said. "I know and so am I but we have to let her out one day. We have to let her take responsibility. That disorder will be there forever but we won't and even if we could afford to give her a Princess life, she wouldn't know what to do after we're gone. She's a smart kid. Debby or no Debby, if we make her understand that she can be normal even with the disorder but only when she takes her pills and goes for therapy from time to time, she'll follow through. She just doesn't want to be treated like a special case. She wants to feel like all of us, " she said.

The next day during breakfast, Mr Williams said, "Marybeth, we've decided you can go to the party. " "Really? "Marybeth said with a bright smile appearing on her face, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you. " " But there are some restrictions, "Mrs Williams said. "Hit me, " Marybeth said.

"You'll have to take your pills. We'll check on you after at least thirty minutes and you won't be annoyed. You should be back by 10pm at night not 10am the next day, " Mrs Williams said. "Done, "Marybeth said. "And no slutty attire. Put on baggie sweatpants if you have to, "Mr Williams said. "Typical dads huh, "Marybeth thought and laughed then said, "Well I don't think I own slutty attire so, you won't have to worry about that. " Then they all laughed.