Skin & Bones

Act 1

***

Act 1: The Upbringing 

***

I rubbed my tired, yet still widened eyes. I had been staring at the blank Google Docs window for what felt like hours. Mrs. Jocelyn's tone dead voice bounced inside my skull.

"For homework I want you to make a list of things you like about yourself. You will share it with the class tomorrow."

Groaning, I ran my hand through my matted brown hair. I knew I shouldn't have taken leadership. My mind ran dry for another ten minutes before I slammed my laptop closed. The apple emblem glowed with energy for a millisecond and then faded. Being as bored as I was I could focus on anything, even something as simple as that. I began to look about my room, waiting for a cartoon light bulb to flash above my head.

Band posters coated every wall, even my ceiling was adorned with my idols. If I had my bedroom door closed I would be staring into the eyes of Mitch Lucker. 

"Ciphra, dinner!" 

My ears perked like a cat's as the common call met my ears. I spun on a pivot to dangle my legs off the bed and shove them into a pair of worn out Doc Martins. Whilst stumbling like an intoxicated zombie down the stairs, I pulled my ponytail tighter and put on my brightest smile.

"Hey, mom, what's for dinner? It smells..." I paused mid-sentence. "What is that anyway? It really does smell great!"

She burst into a fit of laughter.

"What? Did I say something? Is something on my face?"

Continuing to snicker despite my confusion, she walked to the microwave. The smell became even more apparent as she removed a steaming Hot Pocket from the machine. I smacked my open palm onto my face and began to laugh with her.

"That delicious smell is a meatball and mozzarella Hot Pocket. Dinner is whatever you can dig out of the freezer. Happy mining!"

With that she grabbed her plate and left to eat in her office.

What did she mean by happy mining?

I walked into the kitchen and turned on the stainless steel, electric tea kettle.

Oh god, she does not mean what I think she means.

I rushed to the freezer, and my eyes met with at least five frozen pizzas, boxes of Asian noodle bowls, and an infinite amount of Hot Pockets. 

It's poker night.

Fixing myself into hyper gear I tossed a Hot Pocket into the microwave, and made a giant mug of instant coffee. After awkwardly waiting for the Hot Pocket and the coffee to cool, I grabbed them both and bolted upstairs. Just in time as well, because just as I closed my bedroom door I could hear the all too familiar family friends piling in.

I slouched against the door and slowly slid down until I was sitting on the floor. After simply sitting there for at least ten minutes, I decided I couldn't stand how loud it was getting inside my head. 

What are they doing here? Wasn't it supposed to be next week? They're so loud! I can barely hear myself think! Why can't they just leave! I'm tired of them showing up without warning like this! I mean, couldn't she at least tell me?!

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" I screamed at myself.

I bounced up like I was on a spring and grabbed my laptop from the bed. Dragging it over to where I was sitting, I entered in the familiar web address. After searching Youtube I decided to listen to "The Depths" by Of Mice & Men. People thought it was odd how the screaming calmed me down, but it worked. I turned up the volume until the music drowned out the people downstairs. Humming to the familiar tune, I returned to the blank Google Docs window.