The Infected

Chapter 1 : The Infected

" Maria! You're going to be late for school!" Maria's mother yelled from downstairs.

" Coming! " Maria yelled back changing into a pair of boot cut denim jeans, and a light blue long sleeve shirt.

Maria sat on her bed tying her brown leather laced combat boots before pulling on her winter military green jacket. The sound of her mother walking upstairs made her jump to her feet.

" You better not be still asleep! " She snapped peeking her head in before she looked up at her daughter.

" I'm already ready mom. " Maria said annoyed.

" Then hurry up I have work, I can't be late. " She replied

Her mother works as a nurse at a retirement center across town. Miria and her mother look nothing alike, her mother has long dark brown chestnut hair and Hazel eyes. While Miria's has long plain brown hair and brown eyes. The only similar traits they share is their upturned button nose and full lips.

" You haven't brushed your hair. " Her mother commented shaking her head.

" I'll just put it up . " Maria replied grabbing a hair tie.

" No go brush it , I love your hair when it's down. " She said softly.

" Well I don't. " Maria retorted walking to the bathroom in her room and brushing it into a ponytail before enraging from the bathroom and picking up her backpack.

" let's go then . " She said leaving Miria alone.

Maria followed her mother out her room and downstairs to the front door where she grabbed her keys stuffing it into her pocket.

Once they were outside the cold crisp air sent a chill down Miria's back. It's the beginning of winter and it's cold as ever. Snow covered the floor like white cotton. It's Miria's favorite weather especially because of her favorite holiday and her birthday which falls on Christmas.

" Why aren't you driving? " Maria asked confused

" I wanted to give you this " Her mother replied pulled out a small Christmas present. The red wrapping paper hugged the box neatly and tightly. A green elegant silk bow neatly placed on top making the present look beautiful.

She handed the present to Maria in which Maria held it in her hand her chest feeling heavy. Miria knew why she was giving her birthday gift early. She wasn't going to be home for Christmas. For her birthday, yet again.

" Your working again. " Maria stated disappointed.

" I'm sorry hunny. " She replied guilty.

" Whatever, I don't want it. " Maria retorted throwing the gift in the back seat and looking out the window.

" I'm sorry love bug, they needed more help. " She tried comforting her.

" Can we go I'm gonna be late. " Maria snapped bitterly.

Her mother didn't say a word, Maria can tell she was hurt. Maria didn't care though, every year her mother worked on her birthday. The one day she wanted to be with her mother. She's hurting too, she is always alone her her birthday. Ever since her father passed away when she was 12.

The rest of the car ride is quiet, neither of them would break the silence it was almost deafening. By the time they reached her school the bell started to ring students started heading to their class.

Maria didn't wait for her mom to stop she pushed the door open forcing her mother to stop , she was about to close the door when her mom put her hand in the way preventing her from doing so.