Isolation (Book #1 of the Taylor Series)

Twenty-Eight

The very minute that my eyes flutter open on January 20, I could sense a change in the atmosphere. The only holiday that Mom allows her children to stay out has come upon the twins. I look over at the clock on my nightstand and see 6:23 in a neon red font.

I wish it could be me who got to stay out of school today. There's always the option of skipping, but where would I go? What would honestly be the point? The only place that I'd want to be is home, and that can't happen because I'll probably get grounded again.

Times like this, seeing that my siblings get to stay out school and have fun birthdays, make me realize that I'm happy my birthday is only a few days away. Of course, Mom will have nothing planned for me, but I don't care about a party. I care more about not having to go to school and see people who no longer want to be associated with me.

The morning is peaceful, I note, as a mild breeze forces its way into my bedroom. There's no yelling, no shouting, no talking. They're all silent. This rarely happens, and I'm surprised it's happening on the twins' birthday of all days. 

Forcing my way out of the warm comfort of my bed, I walk to the bathroom to freshen up. A shower is nice at a time like this, early and calm in the morning, nothing rushing. Thoughts about everything and nothing fill my mind. The things that I want to forget fill my cerebrum. I try to pretend they didn't happen. Pretend I didn't let myself fall for a boy that I can't be with.

I'll forget it all though. I'll shrug it off, smile, and hold it in. I'm changing, mentally, physically, and socially. I won't argue anymore for trivial things in vain. I'm a different Eve. For the rest of my shower, those are the thoughts that my brain allows in. I ignore the other thoughts and memories that try to trespass into the forefront.

Getting out of the shower, brushing my teeth, and drying off all pass like a blur. I hadn't even noticed that I haven't been paying attention to what I was doing until I got to my closet and began flicking aimlessly through the clothes. 

I settle on a black sweater, dark-washed skinny jeans, and a pair of sandals. I didn't paint my toenails maroon last night in a sad attempt to raise my spirits for nobody to see them, now did I? I grab my backpack, and make my way downstairs.

Nobody's in the living room. The smell of baked desserts pass through the house, and I already know that Lauren and Ellie have baked the twins their own cake. Lauren will be decorating Amelia's with a hot pink icing. Mom will be decorating Adam's with a bright blue icing. There will be fourteen candles on each cake, and a sloppy 'Happy Double Birthday' written on both cakes. There will be nine gifts each this year, as Mom always tries to pretend that every single person in the family picked them out a present.

As if little Gavin is even capable of such a thing. Shit, forgot, no negative thoughts! I'm sure whatever Gavin picked out will be really nice. 

I quietly walk out the door, content with the fact that I actually did get them a gift. I even wrapped it myself! I mean, the wrapping isn't going to win in a beauty pageant anytime soon, but at least there's an ounce of thought put into it... 

A nerf gun for Adam which I'm sure I'll regret in the near future, and a costume replica of a star from one of the classic films that Amelia likes to watch with Julie all the time. I can't remember which one I bought, not that I'd really know the characters anyway. Probably Sandy from Cooking Oil or Dorothy in A Place That Isn't Hogwarts. Or whatever those films are called.

The drive to school is uneventful, much like the rest of my morning. Even the students at school seem quieter than normal. Almost as if taking the finals in December drained them out for the rest of the year. My hypothesis is found, for the most part, correct until Max walks in.

With a proud smirk on his face, he sits down behind me. I sigh. Let the insults begin. He can say whatever he wants to me, but I refuse to stoop down to his level again. I will not insult him back, I will ignore him, and in the end, I'll come out on top. 

Yet, when he speaks to me, something completely different comes out of his mouth. Words I never thought I'd hear. Words that, even though were extremely obvious, I hadn't wanted them to be true. A wave of disbelief passes through me when he says it, but from the tone of his voice, I know he has no reason to lie.

"Atheist, aren't you happy to know that Stella and Graham broke up?" He laughs, and I try to ignore him by getting out the classroom edition of a boring book that I won't care to remember by next year. "I find Stella's reasoning for dumping him almost comical for how stereotypical it is. Wanna know what that reason was?" Of course I want to know, but definitely not from him.

I feel something light hit the back of my head, and I ignore it as he continues to try to unsuccessfully get my attention. I won't succumb. I won't budge.

"Said he couldn't satisfy her in bed, then again, Asian men are known for their small p--" I get out of my chair, grabbing my book and book bag, and walk straight out of the classroom. 

Thankfully, Dr. Daniels had gone to the restroom a few seconds before, so he wouldn't be asking me where I'd gone. With any luck, I'll just get afternoon detention. My mind is too preoccupied to care about the punishment though. 

How could Graham not tell me? How could he let me find out about his breakup by someone like Max? I walk in the direction of the parking lot where my car waits for me, a place I can hopefully wait until next period. 

Once I make it outside, I slide my hand into my jean pocket, taking out my phone to see if he sent me any messages. He must've tried to let me know. He must've tried to contact me.

No notifications, no texts, no missed phone calls. He hadn't tried to tell me. He didn't care how I found out about it. I walk past several cars that are in far better shape than my old piece of junk, yet I find happiness and relief when I see my shitty car in my parking lot. 

Quickly getting in, I crank the car for a moment just long enough for me to roll down the windows. I'm trying to relax. Not die. I lean my seat back, and wait for this hour to pass by as slowly and uneventful as my morning.