The day drags on. And I mean like, drags on. It's slow and painful and at the end of the day, I still have track practice to go to.
When the final bell rings, I grab my school bag and make my way to the third floor, opening my locker.
Except it doesn't open, even though the pin is correct and I've spun it clockwise, counterclockwise and every other clockwise there is. And when I'm finally fed up, I jam my fist against the metal, causing a loud 'clunk' and for several other students to turn their heads at me.
"The key is to not get angry at inanimate objects." A voice says behind me, shoving me out of the way.
A flash of white hair blocks my view of the locker. "What's your pin?"
I sigh. "0778." The spinning of the lock echoes through the hallway, a 'click' following and my locker is open.
Oliver steps out of the way, and I see my sports bag. I push past him and grab it, muttering a gruff ‘thank you’ before heading to the locker rooms and changing.
"A mile in five minutes. You're doing good, Avon." I look over at my coach as I sip my water. I wanted to do better. I needed to beat my record of 5:03. I was hoping for at least four minutes this time around. "Don't beat yourself up, kid. This is good for a high school level. Fantastic, even. Go home and get some rest."
My sisters are waiting for me in the gym when I walk in, I didn't even bother stretching with the rest of the team. I don't bother changing either.
"Who pissed in your cereal this morning?" Katcher asks, when I don't even bother greeting them, just picking up my bags and jabbing my head in the direction of the door. I ignored her, grabbing my keys from my bag and walking out of the gym.
"I'm just tired." I explain, rolling my shoulders back.
There's a moment of silence and I think my sisters get the memo that I'm not in a mood for passing conversation until we get to the car and Lye asks,
"Why did you need to talk to Wilbur today?"
"I need a tutor. I'm failing chemistry and if I keep failing I'll be kicked off the track team. I needed to talk to Wilbur to find Oliver so I could ask him to tutor me."
"And what'd he say?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
I unlocked the car, nodding as if that wasn't what I just said.
"Wow. I can't believe he said yes." Not knowing what to say, I shrug. In the car ride home, Katcher and Lin talk about random things. I tune them out, focusing on the ride home. I don't utter a word, not even when we pull into the driveway and I see my mom's car.
I feel Katcher and Lin tense up at the vehicle too, but they're not dreading seeing our mom like I am, they're dreading the fight that will inevitably happen when my mom tries to make conversation with me.
I turn off the car. I grab my bags. I lock the car. I walk in the house.
"Where's your brother?" My mom asks immediately.
"My day was great, thanks for asking." I retort, dropping my bags by the stairs. "Which brother?" I ask, making an attempt to avoid a fight.
"The one that looks exactly like you."
"Ah, that one." I pull out my phone and read the notifications, searching for one in particular.
Alek:
Out with friends. Be home for dinner. Ly.
"He says he's out with friends." My mom nods. I wait. I wait for her to ask about my day, for her to see how I'm doing, how school is, how track is, anything. But after getting silence, I walk up the stairs and into my room.
