Jasper and Poison

Two

Knock Knock Knock

"Come on Ivey, get out of bed, you don't want to be late on your first day back!" My aunt El called from just outside of my room.

The inevitable and unavoidable first day of school. Students can be divided into two camps: those who absolutely adore the first day of school and those who most certainly do not. Can you guess which I fall into? Granted, I used to enjoy the first day of school. My family used to go on vacation for the last 3 weeks of summer so returning to school meant seeing all of my friends again. But now... Now everything is different.

I dragged myself out of bed, throwing my hair into a messy bun. I hadn't told El or Roland about the 'incident' last Friday. I hadn't even told Emerson or Piper. Hell, I hadn't even written about it I'm my diary thats how scared I was. Jasper had said not to tell anyone so that's what I did. I really don't know why I'm even listening to what he says. I don't owe him anything. He owes me. So what if I told someone? How would he even find out?

"How does it feel Kiddo?" My uncle Roland said to me from across the breakfast table.

Having absolutely no idea what he was talking about, I asked, "What do you mean?"

He smiled at me, "It's your last first day of school."

I wanted to tell him how completely ecstatic I was that this was the last first day but I refrained. "It feels surreal."

"I just.." aunt El started, standing in front of me with a plate of warm pancakes, "I just wish that your mom and dad were here to see you."

I was trying not to think about them today. I know that it isn't right to not think about them but I'm just not ready. I just wish El understood that. Roland seemed to. He never brought them up.

"I know," I whispered, wiping a tear from my cheek, "So do I."

A moment or two past before anyone spoke. "Are you working again tonight Ivey?" Roland asked.

"Yeah, I work 5 O'clock to 9 tonight."  I thought about last Friday, "I promise this time I will be home after close."

The both grinned, "I know you will be dear, you're a good kid." El said, sipping her morning coffee.

After downing my coffee and eating my pancakes as quickly as possible, I made my way to my bedroom to get ready.  I actually enjoyed getting ready.  I loved doing my hair and makeup and picking out the perfect outfit. It made the day more enjoyable and it made me happier.  I brought my brown hair down from the messy bun and loosely curled it.  I put on champagne shimmery eyeshadow and mascara to complement my brown eyes. I put some concealer under my eyes to make my look more awake and some light pink lip gloss on my lips.  My fair skin stood out against my dark features.  I grabbed a pair of light wash denim skinny jeans and paired it with a rust coloured sleeveless top and white loose fitting cardigan.  I slipped on some gold rings and layered a few necklaces to complement the outfit.  I put on a pair of simple gold studs and checked my appearance in the mirror. My outfit screamed fall.  It was perfect.

I grabbed my books and my MacBook and placed them into my backpack along with my other daily essentials.  I put on a pair of bark brown ankle booties and made my way back to the kitchen.  Thankfully there was still some coffee left so I filled my travel mug up and loaded it with cream and sugar.  You see, I'm the kind of person who really enjoys the effects of coffee but not so much the taste.  

El cleared her throat from behind me, "You know, if you keep drinking that stuff, you'll never grow."

As if, "I think I'm done growing."