Genuine Forgery

{2} Courtney

May 2

Homeroom. Consisting of the teacher shouting for silence, students cursing and laughing their heads off, and a silent group in the corner. Members of this fine group are none other than Umber, Wyatt, Colten, and I.

As the minutes pass by, we quietly discuss our plans for hanging out after school. After all, we'll need a break from all the crappy exams we're taking today.

I start off the conversation by informing my friends of the evening plan with my mom. "My mom is picking me up right when school lets out because we're having dinner with her boss for a promotion he's offering. After 8:00 P.M., I'll most likely be free."

"Since you'll probably be free sometime around 8:00 P.M., we can just hang out at your place, Colten." Wyatt says, directing the words to everyone.

"Yeah, that's fine. I'm pretty sure my parents wouldn't care." Colten replies, slightly annoyed at the mention of where he lives and his parents.

"Its settled then. We'll meet at Colten's place around 8:00 to 8:10 P.M." Umber confirms, glancing at the clock as she speaks.

The whole group goes silent, no one knowing what to say besides what hovers over our shoulders, the thought haunting us wherever we go; exams.

I voice everyone's thoughts, knowing when I speak, it will become reality. "Exams are in a few minutes. Let's get this shit over with." And when I finish the sentence, guess what, the bell freaking rings.

~~~~

Silence. Not so much as a fly could be heard in the bright auditorium. The only noises that can be heard are pencils scratching on paper and the occasional cough.

Pencil flying across my Reading exam paper at the speed of sound, I answer the questions as best as I can. I've never really been good at tests. I know the material, it's just stressful and pressuring.

I look away from my paper and glance at the clock. 10:45. I have dedicated a full hour of my life to this misery. What a waste of time.

As I answer the last question, I internally throw a party and cheer. One down, three more to go. I wait the remaining minutes of the test patiently, reminding myself to be quiet.

"Alright class, time's up! Set your pencils down and submit your papers." Mrs. Krysky, my reading teacher asks impatiently.

After turning in my paper, I meet up with my friends, and we all grab our bags for lunch.

~~~~

The sound of the bell is still ringing in my ears as I exit school. Finally free of the load of knowledge spilled onto my exam papers, I make my way over to parent pick-up. I notice the sky, clear blue this morning, is now dull, grey, and cloudy. Looks like it's going to rain.

I search the parking lot for my mother's car, only to see my dad's. Inside I see him, pulling up to the side walk, healthy and full of life.

I've experienced this before. It's called Brief psychotic disorder. No one knows about it, I keep it to myself. I first experienced it when my dad died.

Remembering the pain of his death brings tears to my eyes. Before a tear can escape and fall silently down my cheek, the hallucination fades away, to reveal my mom in her car, waiting for me to climb in.

I blink the tears away before she notices that something's wrong, and I hoist myself into the passenger seat.

As soon as I sit down, the famous question of the day pops up, "So, how was your day?"

Reflecting on the whole day starting from the moment I woke up, to when I got in the car, I say the most unbelievable, yet believable, word to her:

"Good."

~~~~

Pulling into the driveway of our house, I unbuckle the seatbelt and hop out of the car, eager to retreat to my room, overwhelmed with the events of today. Hand hovering over the doorknob, about to turn it, I abruptly pause as my mom's voice reaches my ears.

"Where do you think your going? You haven't forgotten that we have to eat dinner tonight with my boss, have you?" She asks, sightly amused at my short-term memory.

I silently curse myself for not remembering. How could I have been so stupid?

"Right, sorry mom. I'll go get ready now."

The remaining distance between my hand and the doorknob is filled, not realizing I had kept my hand there, and I turn the rusty knob.

Navigating through the twists and turn of the long hallway, I find my room, and enter. Removing my clothes and shoes, I find a nice top and pair of jeans in the closet, and make my way to the bathroom to take a brisk shower.

Almost immediately I feel the sensation of the hot, steamy water running down my body. After adjusting the temperature, I begin to scrub my body, renewing the feeling of cleanliness.

In about ten or so minutes, I've finished the shower, and I turn off the water. Hastily drying my body with the towel, I slip on my attire for the evening.

I hear my mom talking on the phone as I make my way to the kitchen.

"...Yeah, ok Jeff, see you soon. Bye."

She hangs up, and fixes her gaze onto me. Surveying my choice of clothing, she nods, accepting the outfit.

"Alright, that was Jeff on the phone, so he'll be here in about five minutes. You're sure your one-hundred percent ready?" She questions, uncertain of my preparation.

"Yep! I'm one-hundred percent sure."

~~~~

Classical music playing in the background, the smell of my mom's green bean casserole, and casual conversation. Elements of a fancy dinner at my house, and the guest of the evening: Mr. Jefferson Creek, my mom's boss.

You know that stereotypical boss that wears clean black suits, plain white shirt, slacks, slick back hair and polished black shoes? Yeah, well, that's not Mr. Creek. He's more of a laid back kind of boss. Young, and dresses casually. If I could I would call him Mr. Creep cause of the way he looks at people. He plunges deep into your soul, searching your mind for hidden secrets when he looks at you. I think he's a demon.

~~~~

Politely, I wave goodbye to Mr. Creek, and send a text in the group chat.

Me: Hey guys, I'm leaving my place right now. Be there in 10.

I wait a few minutes for a reply, anxious to leave my house and hang out with my friends.

Colten: Alright, see ya soon.

Wyatt: Yeah, can't wait!

Umber: The hell Wyatt, you sound so enthusiastic. See ya guys there :)

I laugh, knowing my friends will not only always be there for me, but that they are the funniest people I've ever met.

And hey, if the end of the world ever does come, like it ever would, I would be ready for it. And I know this sounds cheesy, but it's true.

And guess what, the end of the world does come, I just didn't know it then. Those are what I call, famous last words.

***
Hey, everyone! I hope you enjoyed the second chapter! If you're new to the book, go and check out my schedule for updating this story. It's under the about me section of my profile. Thank you all again for supporting this story and I hope you are looking forward to another chapter! I hope you guys are having a great weekend! I got to go now, got to do that crappy homework. Bye! :D
-Spellcastermelody