The Mutant World [UNFINISHED]

10

I hear Tara speaking to me.

"Wake up, girl," she instructs me. I open my eyes and rub them until I can keep them open. I look at my surroundings and remember that I am at Liz's house. I then suddenly remember my night last night.

"Hey," I greet her, sitting up, "I'm sorry I ruined girl's night."

"Ruined it? I definitely think that Hugo coming over did anything but ruin the night," Liz says grinning at her blanket she's folding.

"No, the, um," I try to explain, "The other thing."

"There's nothing you can do about those things, Alice," Tara comforts me, "That was extremely dangerous and really strange."

"Yeah, and we want to figure this out as much as you," Liz adds as she hands Tara her now-folded blanket.

"Did they say when the elites will get back to us about the report?" I ask as I stand up.

"They didn't say anything except a reply that they received the report," Tara answered shrugging. I nod and sigh as I begin to help clean. After Hugo left, the night was sort of hazy and I don't remember much. We agreed that the whole situation where the last report of a Shadow and how it was the same date as when I was born, was just a coincidence and shouldn't worry me. But of course it's going to worry me. It wouldn't be Alice Delaney without the worry. I check my phone which is at 85 percent and open the text from my dad.

Hope you have a good day at school. I love you.

I reply.

I will. I love you too.

I quickly get dressed and as throw on my light blue t-shirt, my head gets stuck. I struggle for a moment before finally getting my head through, causing my hair to be a mess. I glance at Liz who begins cracking up, with us joining in instantly. Liz is wearing sneakers like mine except hers goes up to her knee and zips all the way up with fake laces. She is also wearing a black, short skirt and a black shirt with a bright, colorful rainbow right in the middle of it. I eye Tara's outfit before we leave her room. She's wearing a light grey dress with a pair of simple, tan sandals. She has a small braid in her hair that wraps around her head and ends with a bow. She has the most beautiful hair I have ever seen. It's shiny and black and long. I really love Liz's hair as well. It's short, bright, and purple. She's died it many times and I have loved her hair every time.

"Let's go make breakfast," Tara suggests. Liz and I nod and walk out the door with Tara and Liz. Tara begins making toast as Liz and I play tic-tac-toe on a piece of a paper towel. Tara brings over the toast and butter and we feast.

"Thank you, Tara," I say as I set my empty dish in the sink.

"Yeah, thanks, Tara," Liz repeats as she stands from the table.

"Come on girls! Let's go!" Liz's mom calls out to us. We all rush outside and into a sleek, black car. The ride to school is quiet and uneventful, except for the piano music in the background. Once we arrive to the school, we are bombarded with noise.

"So, have you guys been assigned a project yet?" Liz asks as we cross the campus.

"Oh shit," I grumble angrily, remembering the poster I was supposed to work on.

"I think that's a yes," Tara announces, laughing.

"Yeah, I have to do all the work because perfect Emily doesn't want to do anything," I answer, my dislike for her growing. We walk through a patch of grass that moistens my shoes enough to make my feet cold.