The Boy with the Green Eyes

Lies

Dawn thought she would never get used to having to wake up at six every morning for school as she turned off her alarm clock. It wasn't like she would be late if she woke up later; she just liked to have time to read before school. The small bags under her eyes were annoying, but were worth it if they meant she got some extra time with her favorite characters.

She had just gotten a new copy of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare with the new cover over the weekend and decided to re-read her favorite series. It was like she had gone on a long journey and was finally coming home. She read for half an hour, and by that time had already gotten through the first five chapters. Amy had always complained about being such a slow reader; Dawn didn't know how she could ever possibly deal with having to wait so long to find out what happened.

She finally climbed out of bed and grabbed the first things she found in her drawer: a flowy blue t-shirt and jeans. By the time she finished getting dressed and making her bed, it was 6:50. She went downstairs to grab a bowl of cereal. By that time her mom had already left for work and Kamelia was sitting on the couch reading a book.

"Morning, Kamelia," said Dawn.

"Morning."

"What are you reading?"

"This book for school," responded Kamelia. "I was supposed to finish it over the summer but it was too boring to finish then."

"And it's not too boring to finish now?"

"It's either reading this, or finishing my math assignment."

"You know you eventually have to do both, right? When are the assignments due?"

"I need to finish this book by Monday and the math is due Friday."

"As in tomorrow," said Dawn. It wasn't a question.

"Yes, but Friday makes it sound like it's not that big of a deal."

"Look, Kamelia, as much as I am an advocate for reading early in the morning, you should do your math first."

"But it's hard," whined Kamelia.

"All the more reason you should start early. What's it even about?"

"The math homework?"

"No, the new season of Doctor Who. Of course I mean the math homework!"

Looking miffed, Kamelia said, "My teacher said it was simple algebraic equations. It's a lot harder than she said."

"I think I can help with that," said Dawn. "Where's your bag?"

"Don't you have to go in a few minutes?"

"Nah, Amy and I are meeting up at eight."

"It's seven fifty."

"Ugh! Right, I'll see you later," said Dawn as she grabbed her bag and a cereal bar and ran out the door.

* * *

Dawn counted herself lucky that it was still warm in September; there was no need to wear a jacket and if there were, she would have frozen that morning in her light shirt. By the time Dawn got to the meeting spot at the corner of Oak Street and Mayfield Avenue, Amy was already standing there waiting.

Dawn checked the clock on her phone; she was on time. Amy waved to her friend, her ebony hair flowing in the light breeze, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Hey, Dawn," Amy said as Dawn approached.

"Hey, Amy."

"Do you have any idea when we get our schedules?"