Living With Reality

Chapter 5

After lunch, my family actually started to have conversations with each other. My mom had taken a break from her work so she could chill out in her room or in the big room. 

My mom worked at home. She has her own company and makes jewelry, custom t-shirts, bath bombs, and all other sorts of things. 

She always asks how my week went at school on Saturday or Sunday. So when she didn't, I was concerned. "Hey mom," I say smiling.

"Hey Nae!" She said. She was sitting down on the recliner and watching some show on the flat screen. She looked tired from working all week. She woke up at 4:00 in the morning and went to sleep at at least 1:00 in the morning. I don't know how she does it.

"Are you tired?" I ask.

"Very exhausted, that's all." she says looking over at the couch.

All of the sudden, I hear some scratches come from the door. I opened it and my dog, Ashton, ran in. "Wha-" I say. He was running around all over the place–running after my feet– and getting the house dirty.

"Ashton!" my mom yelled. He stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. His fur was all in his face and his eyes were crossed. 

"How long was he out there?" I ask.

"I literally just put him out 5 minutes ago. I guess he went and jumped in the ditch out there." she said.

"Wow." 

"Yeah," she began. "Him and Cass keep going to the back into the woods. A snake is going to get them one day."

Cass is our Great Dane. He's big compared to Ashton. Ashton is a Shih Tzu and he follows Cass everywhere he goes. "I bet Cass started it. He probably ran back there and Ashton followed him." I say.

"You're probably right. I need to get them both shock collars."

"I agree. Well I'm gonna go to my room and do my homework." 

"You had homework? Why did you do it yesterday?"

"I was exhausted," I began. "And I forgot." I say with an exaggerated smile on my face.

"Whatever, but you better hurry up and do it or else you'll be grounded."

"But-"

"Don't be an ass. Go do your homework. Now!" she pointed at me.

"Okay." I quickly said and made my way up to my room.

*

After I finished my homework, I laid back on my bed and sighed. This life. I thought. This is so difficult. Why is there school? Why does there have to be boys? Why do I have to be stuck in this situation with Lucas and DeAndre? Why is there homework? Why can't I just live a fun life?

My eyes started to burn and the next thing I knew, I was a drenched in my tears. What the hell? I thought. Why am I so emotional? Am I starting my period? I got up and went to the body mirror on the other side of my bedroom. I saw that my face was swelling up and I had pimples pop up on my cheeks. That was a sign that it was my time of the month. 

I went ahead and picked out my clothes for the next day. A short-sleeved, baggy shirt with oversized sweat pants. I hurried to the bathroom and checked. I was right. I had officially started my period. Oh God, I'm gonna be on my period all week of school. I hate my life.

I immediately put on a tampon and someone knocked on the door. "Go away!" I yelled.

"Sorry," my step-dad said from the other side of the door. 

I fixed my clothes, I washed my hands and opened the door. "Oh, sorry Juju. You can go in there now. I thought it was Amy." I smiled.

"I didn't need in there. Your sister wants you."

"Which one?"

"Amy."

"Tell her I don't want to see her fall on her face."

"I'll tell your momma."

"Try me, punk." I laugh.

"Go see what your sister wants."

"Fine." I groan.

I walked to the kitchen to see Amy in her roller blades skating around in the kitchen.

"You wanted me?" I ask.

"Yeah," she turned to face me. "Watch this."

"If all your going to do is go from end-to-end of the kitchen, I'm not interested."

"Just watch, Nae."

"Fine."

She went from end-to-end, but in the middle of the kitchen, she did a circle. She didn't fall, but she slipped a few times.

"Cool." I say sarcastically.

"Can't you just try to be a nice sister?" Her eyes scrunched into slits.

"How am I being mean?"

"You're just being rude."

"Whatever." I said while walking out of the kitchen.

I hadn't seen my older sister all day, so I went up to her room and knocked. I could hear music playing loudly so I didn't think she could hear me. I opened the door and she was on her bed playing Xbox with some of her friends. She didn't notice me. I said her names a few times, but she didn't answer.

"No! Go kill them! They'll kill all of us!" She paused. "Here, go and look for the octopus thing. The zombies are scared of it! Hurry!"

"Morgan!" I say a little louder. 

She looked at me and paused her game. "Lanaeyah, I'm trying to play a game." 

"Sorry."

"What do you want?"

"I was just coming to see what you were doing." I simply state.

"Well get out. I'm busy."

"Okay then."

I walked out of her room and the rest of my family was in the big room. My sister had her blanket beside her and I knew I didn't want to be stuck with my family for longer than an hour. I went back up to my room and got out my book. Shadowlands. It's really good book in my opinion.

 I read it for an hour and my eyelids were getting heavy. 

"I want a nap." I say to myself–out loud. I put the book on my nightstand and cuddled up into bed. I turned off the lights with my button beside my bed and pulled the blankets over my head. I guess we'll see what comes later. I thought. Time to dream.