Who Corey Was

8

Once again, the alarming buzz awoke me from my peaceful sleep. Immediately I groped around my mattress for something to throw, never opening my eyes. Towards the end of my bed, my fingers brushed velvet: my boot from yesterday. Before Kelsey could place even one foot on the floor, I flung the boot blindly towards the vanity. There was the loud crack of breaking plastic then the room fell silent.

I was already asleep again.

"What the hell!" Kelsey screamed, yanking me awake once more. "My alarm clock!"

"Would you shut the fuck up?" I complained. "It's balls A.M. There's no reason to be yelling at this hour."

"You just shattered my alarm clock!" she yelled again.

"What's your problem?" Rachel added.

Finally, I opened my eyes and pushed up off my stomach, resting on my elbows. "Right now, my problem is your vexatious friend screeching in my face."

As I turned back to Kelsey, I caught Rachel mouthing 'vexatious?' with an extremely confused look on her face. Before I could comment, Kelsey was continuing. "You wanna talk irritations?" she spat. "Try being kept up all night by your infantile roommate screaming for her dad."

"Infantile?" I smirked. "Big word. But there's no need to refer to Alice like that." I peered under the bunk at Alice. "Nightmares about your parents?" Though I'd never admit it, I felt sympathy for the poor orphaned girl.

"I was talking about you, idiot," Kelsey retorted before Alice could say anything. She put on a high falsetto voice, and after a moment, I realized she was mimicking me. "Daddy! No, Daddy! Daddy don't go!" She grinned wickedly and dropped the voice. "What's the matter, Corey? Sad that your father abandoned you?"

Slowly, I drew back my blanket and sat up, my face perfectly stoic and calm. "Now, Kelsey. Why in hell would I ever cry about someone I can't even remember? Someone who I couldn't care less about?" I jumped off the bunk. "My father can go fall off a cliff for all I care. It'll be a cold day in Hades before I shed a tear over that worthless bastard."

With the swiftness of a snake, I struck out at Kelsey, hitting her square in the nose and knocking her to the floor. Rachel rushed to her side as I continued my thoughtful pace around her, hands clasped behind my back. "Actually, he may not be entirely worthless. He's worth more than you."

I crouched down in her face. "That was for using the name. You ever do it again, and I'll do a hell of a lot worse than break your nose."

Rising, I strutted from the room.