Dare To Dream

Chapter~ 2 'The Unexpected'

Chapter~ 2 'The Unexpected'

   School will never be a peaceful place, not if Taylor came into the mix. We were in the science lab, experimenting fossils. However, as usual, Taylor started whining.

''Ewe! I'm never touching that!'' she said, pointing at the fossil surrounded by sand and dirt.

It's just sand, for God's sake!

   Mentally cursing Taylor has been a normal thing, lately.

''Well, I guess you'll have to. That's only if you want good grades, Taylor. And the last time I checked, you really needed the marks,'' said Mr. Evan, our science teacher, directly looking at Taylor.

''Who cares about grades? Margret can do it for me anyways. Right, Margret?'' She carelessly replied, looking at poor Margret.

''Uh- um." Margret looked puzzled.

I can't believe she allows Taylor to talk to her that way.

   Taylor gave Margret a glare, as if she was saying, 'I dare you to say no.' I was expecting a 'Yes of course I will, Tay.' But I was completely taken aback when

   Margret started yelling at Taylor with confidence I've never seen in her before.

"No, Taylor! I'm sick and tired of you using me as if I'm some sort of slave. I'm done with this. All this." She had her arms flying at every other direction, furiously. "We're not friends anymore." Margret's face resembled an angry lion who unwillingly got his lunch taken away from him. She was obviously fuming with anger.

''Ha-ha, nice joke, Margret! You're so funny. That's why you're my best friend,'' Taylor replied, gritting her teeth.

''No, Taylor. I'm not. Don't you get it? We're not friends anymore! Not. Friends. Any. More.''

   We all stood there, feet glued to the floor. For the first time in forever, I actually felt some sort of respect towards Margret. Margret actually stood up for herself in front of Taylor, which is something I've never witnessed before.

''Oh Margret, I made you, darling! Don't you understand? You were nothing but a small, lost puppy. Nevertheless, being the amazing, kind person I am, I picked you up and made you something out of totally nothing! You're getting yourself into so much trouble getting away from me, you know. You'll become a no one all over again. You don't want that to happen, do you?'' Taylor replied harshly.

   Jessica and I looked at each other in disbelief. She called herself amazing and kind. Not only that, but she actually had the nerve to emphasize it. She is the total opposite. And clearly, it's invisible to her blind pair of eyes.

''Oh, I understand everything very well, Taylor. Do you think people will actually like you without your face full of makeup? Which, I'm really sorry to say, looks like clown? Pu-lease! I don't need you. I'm sure I'll find a person that would truly love me for me.''

   And with that, Margret set Taylor off rushing out of the lab with her face as red as a tomato.

∞

   Usually, Jessica and I hang out at one of our houses. We do all sorts of crazy activities. We sing, dance, or even prank Maya. However, today, Jessica had a frown plastered on her face the whole time, which is something unusual to me. She's usually the fun one out of both of us.

''You've been down lately, Jess. Do you want to talk about it?'' I asked her. She gave me a nod followed by seconds of silence. After a deep breath, she started speaking.

''I-I have t-to m-move out,'' she said, hesitantly looking at me between tears.

''What? What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"I'm moving to London, Izzy." She started crying. I just stood there, shocked.

She's moving?

''Oh... b-but why?'' I stuttered.

''Mom said I should 'try being independent'. But I need you with me there, Isabella!" She started sobbing lightly on my shoulders.

''I'm so sorry, Jess. For us. I'm going to miss you terribly,'' I whispered, still shocked. I hugged her tight, never wanting to let go.

''Please go with me?'' she asked.

''Oh my God! Jess, I'd love- '' It hit me, right then. "I can't." I finally said. Jessica immediately frowned.

"Why not?" Her eyebrows furrowed.

"Mom won't let me. She'd be too concerned about how I'm going to live there and how responsible I'm going to be with my studies. She just won't let me."

"But that's the exact reason Mom wants me to go for. She wants me to become independent and responsible. Your mother will probably feel the same, hopefully."

"I don't really think so, Jessica." I shook my head, disappointed.

"Just please go ask her?" Her eyes were pleading.

"I will. Wait here, I'll be right back." She gave me a nod.

   I took slow, careful steps downstairs. Trying to make the time left for an important decision less. Trying to draw a fair distance between me and the upcoming sorrow and grief.

What if she refused to let me go?

   Mom and Maya were watching TV. I took a deep breath, then mentally gave myself a thumb up before the next words came flowing out of my stuttering mouth.

''Maya, please go upstairs. I've got something important to talk to Mom about.''

''So, why does that have to make me go upstairs?'' she asked.

''Alone, please," I continued.

''Fine.'' She stuck out her tongue at me, and then hopped upstairs. I waited impatiently until she was out of sight, and then turned my head towards Mom.

''Mom, I've got something to ask you.''

It's time.