Surviving

Chapter Two

Lapis

I was already wide awake when my alarm went off, I had just been too lazy to get out of bed until now. My insomnia often causes me to wake up randomly and around 4am I had given up on trying to get back to sleep, so I had just been waiting for my alarm to go off at six. In all honesty I can't remember a night I got more then seven hours of sleep. I rolled out of bed and turned on the lights. I winced as my eyes adjusted to the light. I took a look in the mirror that sat over my dresser. Dried spit coated my cheek and my hair was sticking up in ways that shouldn't even be possible due to gravity. In short, I looked fabulous.

I pulled off the T-shirt id been sleeping in and put on another clean one that was almost identical to it. I then put on a pair of black shorts and slipped on my shoes. It took a while to brush out my hair and get it to quit looking like a blue monster. After I'd taken care of that I entered the bathroom as quietly as I could so I didn't wake up my little brother, Steven. Even though I wasn't technically related to him or anyone else in the house I tried not to be too much of a pain. They had all been so kind to me after I was transferred here from my former foster home. That said, even though Id already been here since the beginning of the school year I don't feel like I belong yet.

I continued my usual morning routine when I heard my phone go off from my bedroom. I recognized it as my text tone and went to go check my notifications.

Jasper:

Pick u up in 20 babe

I replied quickly with a simple "ok" and shoved my phone into my pocket. Part of me found Jasper irritating, but I shoved those thoughts into the back of my mind. If Jasper didn't drive me then id have to ride the bus, and that was a worse fate then hearing the scores of last nights game 900 times.

I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. I got out a box of cereal and poured myself a bowl. "Morning Maggie. Morning Jen." I said in between mouthfuls to the two women drinking coffee in the living room. They had told me when I'd first moved in a few months ago that I could call them by their first names if it made me more comfortable, considering it might get a bit confusing to call them both 'mom'. After having a conversation of small talk with my parents I heard honking outside. Maggie pursed her lips. I knew they didn't really approve of Jasper, but I couldn't just dump her. She was one of my few friends in a place I'd only just moved to. I shouldn't complain, she was more then I deserved anyway.

I grabbed my book bag and started out the door when I heard someone yell "Wait!" from the top of the stairs. Turning around I saw Steven waving to me from the second floor. It was obvious he'd ran out of his room while he was getting dressed because his shirt was only pulled down half way and his stomach was showing. "Bye Lapis." he finished, clearly proud he'd caught me in time.

I was unable to hide a slight smile before replying "Goodbye Steven."

Jasper groaned as I got in. "Must suck having that little brat running round your house all the time."

I glared at my girlfriend. "How many times do I have to tell you not to talk shit about my brother?"

"You're not even related to him." Jasper replied.

I just stared at her. If she hadn't had been driving I would have slapped Jasper. When Jasper seemed to get the message I was pissed she rolled her eyes and tried to change the subject. "Did you hear about last nights scores?"

"No, Jasper." I said, trying not to seem to eager to get out of the car and just walk to school, "You know that I have swim practice on Mondays."

"I keep telling you to quit that lame excuse for a sport."

"Oh yes and you play game called football where you throw the ball, but that's perfectly fine?"

Jasper didn't say anything to me after that. It didn't bother me though, I was done with her and the day hadn't even started. I just wanted to get to school.

When we finally pulled into the parking lot I was out of that car before it was even in park.

"Sorry Jasper I gotta get to first hour." I called, it was dumb excuse but if it was a way to get away then I'll take it.

"We have the same first hour." She replied.

"I can't hear you, tell me in first hour."