Fairytales or Reality

Chapter 5

" Tea is where we explain to each other what we don't understand" Gone for Soldiers

I woke up the next morning dreading the day ahead. Thank God it was Friday. I will have a whole weekend to think over all my insane situations.

Before I knew it I was walking up my high school steps and into my classroom. Sam wasn't in any classes with me because she was in high, well everything. And I,my friend, am just below average.

I didn't have to face her 'till lunch, that's a relief. I tried to get my mind off of her by indulging in a book, they are my escape from this unfair terrible world.

If only my life were like a book, I thought to myself. A guaranteed happy ending would be like the weight of the world off my shoulders.

Lunch rolled around and I discovered that I am a fantastical procrastinator. First I went to the bathroom then took my time strolling down the halls admiring our school's artwork displayed everywhere.

I lost track of time and when I did see a clock I realized lunch was half way over, and I was busy diddling at the other end of the school.

This is your last chance to fix everything my conscious whispered. I knew it was the hated truth so I sprinted across our courtyard and into the cafeteria without looking back because if I did I would most likely change my Mind and chicken out.

My eyes picked Sam out of the crowd in a heart beat. She was wearing a bright yellow top and dark jeans her dark hair in a dutch braid that wrapped around her head.

She was hanging out with the jocks or in her words as I quote " wanna be's". The boys were all over her and the girls looked at her green with envy. While I was about to turn red of embarrassment.

It was time to hike up my skirt and go over there. I tried to look confident and keep my eyes in contact with their's but my eyes kept drifting down to my shoes. It was as if I was afraid to make eye contact with the students EVERYONE worshipped. Go figure.

I was a sad sight. When I finally made it over to the quote on quote popular table the girls looked at me like I was a pathetic piece of trash someone threw out. But the boy's were even worse they looked sincerely concerned by the fact that I actually thought I was welcome here, they looked like they thought I was beyond insane!

Sam's expression was worst of all, it was a mix of anger, frustration, confusion,expectation, and a lot of hurt crowded on her angelic face. I either wanted to run in terror or give the poor girl a big hug. I was leaning toward the running in terror idea but of course I couldn't do either, I was petrified, literally it felt like my blue converse were cemented to the floor.

For awhile no one said anything, and it was starting to get a tad awkward. When all of a sudden Sam whispered something so I could barely hear her over the roar of the cafeteria. "What do you want?"

"well I, I came to say I was sorry I snapped at you, you were just trying to help and I should have answered differently." Sam didn't look impressed with my apology.

She even had the guts to look bored and yawn at it. " Look Alyssa" she said calmly. "we can talk about this rubbish later after school over tea. But right now im hanging out with my FRIENDS." She emphasized the word friends to make me jealous. she was also talking in a British accent I think she attempting to mock me because the jocks were snickering.

I didn't know what to say so I pretended to take it literally" ok fine I'll meet you at your house after school for.....tea." Sam looked at me with curious eyes and then accepted my offer.

The rest of the afternoon was the longest three hours of life. My anticipation ended when the 3:00 bell jolted me out of my trance. I hurried over to her house. When I got there Sam let me in I felt like I entered the mad hater's house from Alice and Wonderland. It was so colorful, music was playing and on the outside porch table there was a petite china tea set.

I heard a gasp escape my lips, it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Sam saw the look on my face smirked, "You look like a five year old walking into Disneyland."

Since Sam summed up my emotions pretty well, I didn't say anything at that comment just gawked at the paradise. " I have got to come here more often" I mumbled.

Sam looked bored so I suggested we pour the tea.

She did and then I opened my unpredictable mouth and started talking. " Sam I crossed the line and I know that, I guess I was just worried about my dad or something. You are the best friend I've ever had and you really made me feel like I belonged in a world where no one accepted me for me"

"I'm so sorry I wish I could take it back but I can't please find forgiveness in your big heart for me and if you can't..... I understand I screwed up pretty bad."

She was deadly silent and I was sure it was just going to go down hill from there. I closed my eyes and braced my self for the familiar pain of rejection. When I opened my eyes Sam was hugging me.

" you are my best friend and I'm sorry too, you were hurt and I should have been there for you ,I forgive you but will you forgive me for being such a jerk?"

I was speechless, so I nodded dumbly. Samantha Dright apologizing to me? We agreed to forgive each other and her mom gave me a ride home.

When I got there I saw that I was home alone " huh, I wonder where mom is" I questioned aloud.

The rest of the night was a bore, and I fell asleep on the coach with the TV on. I awoke by the sound of the front door slamming shut. My eyes flew open and I was alert.

I looked around and then I was surprised to see mom storming into our living room. She grabbed the remote and shut the T.V off. I started to protest, but then she spun around to face me.

I've never seen her this furious in my whole life. " Where were you?!" she looked like she was ready to explode! " I was at Sam's house. Why?" I asked cautiously, I was in uncharted territory.

"Really! is that it? You didn't even prepare a reasonable excuse!"she exclaimed. " Am I missing something, because I have no idea......." then it hit me like a speeding bullet, I was supposed to meet mom at the hospital to check on dad.

" oh now you get it don't ya, Alyssa I didn't know where you were I was searching until one in the morning for you." I looked at the clock startled by the time. " don't you even care Alyssa, about anything." that stung. " I don't even know what you care about anymore, you don't seem to care about school, friends, social life....your family."

" mom stop" I rasped almost in tears now. " stop what Alyssa?" my guilt turned into complete fiery rage. " you know what mom maybe you're right, maybe I don't care about school or friends but do you know one thing I've always cared about? You mom, for the longest time you were all I had."

Mom's eyes softened." honey" she said firmly Clutching both my hands in hers, I couldn't meet her gaze. " I love you too, but your dad needs us right now." how could she say that. I Yanked my hands away. " where have you been mom, because last time I checked your husband gets drunk every night, your husband makes you sleep on the couch" my voice raising now.

" your beloved husband sometimes even hits until your skin is red and raw when you push him over the edge." mom was about to open her mouth to defend him but for some reason she just walked away without another word.