Forsaking Lilly

Chapter Twenty Seven

I didn't need my mom to wake me up that morning, my eyes fluttered open without any coaxing. I flipped the covers back and got out of bed, stretching towards my ceiling with a smile. Yes, a smile. For once, I didn't feel weighed down by anything, my fight with Cooper was over, and I intended to stay away from Marcus for a while, and I was well rested. I'd never felt better. My strange dream long forgotten, I moved toward my closet. 

Humming to myself, which is something I rarely do, I pulled down a simple white tee, a pair of old jean shorts, a blue undershirt, and under clothes. I felt like today was a casual day, and I prayed to God that it wouldn't be cold. After throwing the clothes across my unmade bed, I grabbed my bath towel from where it lay folded on my dresser and practically skipped for the shower.

I wasn't sure of the time, but I figured it was early. I was sure that I'd woken up before my mother, so I tried to move around as quietly as I could. As I stepped into the shower, I wondered if Cooper was awake. Immediately, I was bashful for thinking of him. Though I was alone, I found myself flushing. It's the heat, I told myself, but I knew it was a lie. A smile crawled across my lips, but I refused to think about it any further. I wasn't going to go boy crazy, I just wanted to see my friend.

It would be too strange for me to gain any interest in him, we were friends. And besides, how would look if I started liking him only two days after having my first kiss stolen by Marcus? I'm sure it would look pretty shady.

Nodding my head and trying to put all thoughts of Cooper away, I finished my shower and bounced back to my room and dressed quickly. Just in case it was going to be a little chilly, so I grabbed a tan fleece jacket and then headed for the den. I slipped on my flats and headed for the kitchen for a quick breakfast. From my mother's bedroom, I could hear her soft snores and, strangely, they made me smile. Something about knowing she was at peace made me feel...good, and I hoped she'd wake up feeling just as peaceful as I did.

After I ate a bagel and drank a glass of cran-apple juice, I felt energized and ready to start my day. My head was light was gentle thoughts. For now, I only wanted to think about the good things and I promised myself that I'd remain this way no matter what.

Down the hall, I heard my mother's door open and heard her feet shuffling towards my room. After a second, I heard my bedroom door open and close. I waited patiently for my mother to walk towards the den and then smiled when her eyes narrowed at me. " Good Morning, mom."

" Um, good morning. Why are you awake again?" I laughed at her and poured myself another glass of juice.

" I felt like moving around," I said with a shrug. I gulped down half the glass and licked my lips, loving the sweet taste of one of my most favorite juices.

" Yeah, okay. Have a nice day at school," my mother yawned and retreated back to her room. I rolled my eyes, knowing she probably felt relieved that she didn't have to get me up for once. I waited for her door to shut before I released a sigh. It was so early, and I had so much time before I had to go to school. I began to drum my fingers against the counter top, trying to think of all the different things that I could do while I waited for School. At first, I came up with nothing, but some part of my mind whispered: You can go see Cooper.

I shook my head immediately, I was sure that the last thing he wanted was me knocking at his door at five in the morning. Besides, I'd only been invited to his house once. Wouldn't it be weird if I just invited myself over? I didn't think we were close enough to do that, and doing so seeing as he'd caught me staring at his house at the edge of his yard before would be stalkerish. Right?

You'll never know until you try, my mind whispered and I groaned. " I don't want to be bored...," I mumbled pushing my hair out of my face. I drummed my fingers for just a little while longer before I sighed and heading for the front door. I was giving in. I grabbed my bag and keys and then headed for the back door, butterflies in my stomach the whole time. I couldn't believe I was doing this, and every fiber of my being was hoping I would think twice