If Life Was Simple

Chapter 1

     "Dammit," I remarked, as my alarm clock went off on Monday morning. I reluctantly peeled off my comforter, and rolled out of bed to go find my alarm clock. Mom had this crazy idea to hide my clock when I'm asleep so I will get out of bed to find it and turn it off in the morning. Horrible way to start my junior year, Mom. This is her first hide-and-go-seek game, and her spot was way to obvious: in the closet. I shut the clock off, then decided to find something to wear. Most people will find an outfit that is cute or fashionable to make a good impression or whatever. I'm 17, been there, done that. I grab my jean shorts and a random green t-shirt out of my closet and slip them on.
     "Olivia, breakfast is ready!" yelled my mom from downstairs. I roll my eyes, pull my  hair up into a ponytail, then hobble down the staircase.
     Flora, my idiot sister, is already at the table, spooning peanut butter plain. Malcolm, the sibling I actually like, is also sitting at the table, shoveling forkfuls of pancake into his mouth. Mom hands me a plate, and I plop down.
     "Sleep well?" she asks. I nod. I don't ever say anything at the table because my siblings are usually chatting away about shit I don't even care to think about. Today's topic was rank of intelligence.
     "I'm much smarter than you! I'm eleven!" exclaimed Malcolm.
     "Nuh-uh! Just because you're eleven and I'm seven doesn't make you any smarter than me!" screamed Flora. Malcolm did have a point. He has had four more years of education than Flora. But I don't bother to point that out.
     "Oh yeah?" replied Malcolm. "Say the word 'fort' three times."
     "Fort, fort, fort," Flora said.
     "Now spell it two," Malcolm ordered.
     "F-O-R-T, F-O-R-T," Flora chanted.
     "Ok, now say it again five more times," Malcolm said.
     "Fort, fort, fort, fort, fort," Flora said.
     "Spell it," Malcolm commanded.
     "F-O-R-T," Flora spelled.
     "Say it again once more," Malcolm said.
     "Fort," Flora repeated.
     "Good. Now what do you eat soup with?" Malcolm asked.
     "A FORK!" Flora shouted.
     "Really?" Malcolm asked. "Because I usually eat it with a spoon." He smirked, then walked out of the kitchen with his backpack. I got up too, and walked out the door with him.
     We began walking towards school. Me to Woodland High, he to Woodland MS. We live in a very small town called Woodland. Woodland lies towards the border of New York. Our school district is quite small, but that just makes for a better community, or some shit my mom said.
     "You excited to start middle school?" I asked Malcolm. He shrugged.
     "I don't know," he replied. "It kind of sucked the life out of you, and I'm not so sure I want the life sucked out of me." I chuckled, and ruffled his hair.
     "Let me tell you something, kid," I said. "Middle school did suck really bad, but I got out just fine, didn't I?" I asked. He nodded. I smiled.
     "Liv? Can I ask you something?"
     "Didn't you already?"
     "I'm being serious."
     "I know. Question away."
     "You've seemed kind of lonely lately. I know I'm not you're only friend, because Lex comes over all the time. But hasn't anyone ever asked you out? You're prettier than any girl I've ever seen," Malcolm said. I smiled at him. We both blushed. "I'm sorry, am I allowed to say my sister is pretty?" he asked.
     "You're allowed to, sure. But I'm not totally positive I believe you," I replied. "As for that first question, no. Nobody has asked me out. I guess nobody thinks like you, bro," I say. He looks disappointed. "It really doesn't matter. All of the guys in my school are big crapheads anyway," I tell him. He still seems disgruntled.
     "Come on, dude. It's your first day of middle school! Don't let me ruin it. I'll come get you after school, okay?" I said as we arrived at Woodland MS. He nodded, hugged me, then ran off. I then continued on to Woodland High.