May Fever

May 8th 2014

IDIOTIC ISSUES:

in which a character does something they'd usually be scared to do

~

"May, you aren't doing anything tomorrow night, right?" My mom asked me. I shook my head, grabbing the chocolate milk carton from the fridge.

"Good because we're doing family night tomorrow night," she chimed. I rolled my eyes at the idea. Miles just came back. It's still awkward between us; I did not want to spend anytime near him, at least for now.  It was even more awkward now because he had some secrets regarding Jory, someone I just started talking to (again) yesterday.

But now I had to.

I heard Joyce's car horn and gulped down my milk, saying bye to my mom and Miles and kissing Ophelia's head before running out the door to the once again rain.

I entered Joyce's car, Joyce having a wide smile on her face.

"Why are you so happy?" I asked her. She laughed.

"My dad's coming home for the weekend!" She cheered. For Joyce, it was a three times a month when her dad came home from all of his business trips. But I was happy for her. He was her only actual family.

"I'm so happy for you," I said as I squeezed her tightly. She revved up the engine of the car and started driving as she told me about what she had in mind for the two of them. I looked out the window and saw Jory slowly walking to school. It was obviously still awkward between us, because he never told me how he was close with my brother, and also since we didn't speak for almost two years, but I was determined to do whatever I could to be good friends with him again.

"Wait, slow down," I told her. Joyce slowed down and we stopped beside Jory. I lowered my window and called his name.

"Jory," I said loudly. He looked at me and smirked.

"May, what are you doing?" Joyce snapped. I looked at her, then back at Jory.

"Do you want a ride?" I asked him. He shrugged.

"No I'm fine..." He insisted.

"No, get in!" I exclaimed. "It's pouring!" Jory sighed and closed his umbrella and opened the door to the back seat. Joyce glared at me from the corner of her eye and did not talk the rest of the ride.

"No motorcycle today, Jory?" I asked him. Jory shook his head, and that was the only answer I got. I filled the silence and complain to them about my mom's family night plans, and also put music on to blur out the tension, since neither of them were talking.

~

I sat impatiently in Chemistry class while I listened to Ms. Chau speak endlessly about stoichiometry, and eventually ended up doodling on the corner of my notebook. I turned my head to see Darius fast asleep on the lab table, his back rising and sinking as he breathed. He was so at peace. I looked up and saw Ms. Chau looking our way and softly placed a hand on Darius' arm, shaking him slightly.

"Darius, wake up," I whispered, shaking his shoulder vigorously. Darius fixed his messy hair and yawned, stretching his toned muscles. He blinked lazily. Small black circles were forming underneath his eyes.