Between the Bars

Chapter 3.

    "Ben, you bastard! Don't touch me, haha!" Jazmyn bashfully yelped. Walking to school was always the highlight of my day. I'm friends with happy people, I think. We don't exactly "fit in", but where's the fun in that? "You guys, it's literally seven AM! Show a little decency, people are sleeping!" I laughed. "Sorry, but he was spazzing me!" "You're a spazz. Haha, SPAZZ!" Ben poked fun at Jazz. "Spazzy Jazzy! Spazzy Jazzy!" Jazmyn looked at me and I looked at Ben, as he sang his little tune. I was walking ahead when I heard a thud and a faint "Owwie" Jazmyn had pounded his stomach with her fist. "Oh come on, Shes literally twelve pounds. It didn't hurt, get up!" I sarcastically joked. 

      When we got to school, everyone was already in their classes. We had five minutes to spare, so we rushed to our lockers and into bio. "Okay, class, we have a chapter ten qu-" Ms. Phillips went on. I started to take notes, but then zoned out. Where is my dad, really? I know how stupid it is, that I always think about him...But you would, too, if you knew what it was like for your dad to just go without saying goodbye or anything. What if he's dead? My eyes started to tear up. "Ms. Mathews, is something the matter?" Ms. Phillips broke my daze. "Hugh? What? No, I'm sorry ma'am." Kids started laughing, but I didn't care. Jazmyn looked at me with her huge, kind, brown eyes, and I nodded. I knew she was asking if I was okay. 

   After school, I walked home alone. Ben and Jazmyn decided to take the bus, it was negative ten outside. When I walked inside, Suzanne was already home. "Hey! How was your day?" She asked. She's fourteen, so full of life and laughs. "Fine...Why are you home so early?" I skeptically asked. The middle school had a half day for teacher's meeting or something!" She giggled. "Oh. Where's mom?" I wondered. "Uhh, I'm not sure. I think she's home, though, her car's here." She didn't answer my question, but I took the blunt guess. "Okay.. Thanks." 

        "Mom? Are you home?" I checked the laundry room, kitchen, even the bathroom. She was no where to be found. Just then, the door to my bedroom flew open. "Kora?!" My mom yelped. "Mom! Why were you in my room? Get out!" I yelled. "Kora, why are you searching ticket costs? Are you leaving?  what's happening?!" She gripped my wrists. Suzzie came running in. "Kora you're leaving? What, no please don't go! Please!" She begged. I wiggled out of my mom's grip. "Relax! I'm not going anywhere! I'm eighteen, I thought it would be nice to look at tickets for college! God, sometimes I can literally feel your breath on my neck, mom!" And with that, I slammed the door. I slid against the door, wondering why she even thought it was okay to enter my room without permission. Ned looked at me from under my bed. "I know, I hate her, too." I told him.