Annihilation - h.s.

Chapter Six.

"Good Morning, Butterfly." My mother greets me when I step out of my bedroom.

I only grumble in response. The floor is cold on my bare feet as I shuffle to sit on the stool beside her at the kitchen counter. The sun shining through the window behind her is too bright for my dilated pupils. Her hair, slightly messy from a night of sleep, is pulled back in a braid and she's wearing a silk, peach-coloured robe with knit slippers.

Even in the morning, she looks put-together. I on the other hand, forgot to take my makeup off last night and am now sitting in my too big band t-shirt and shorts with my hair matted around my face. She's wide-awake; I'm still sleeping.

"How was work last night?" She loves to question me when I'm in my most vulnerable of states.

"Dreadful." I yawn, squinting my eyes, and then blinking to try and push the light out.

"I don't buy it, August. I know you love your job, you were humming when you came home last night." Her eyes are fixed on me, her eyebrows slightly raised.

I run my fingers through my hair, trying to un-knot some of it. "Fine. It wasn't that bad. I had to train this girl. Dan didn't tell me, though. And people kept calling at like ten o'clock."

"Of course he didn't tell you." She smiles with a roll of her eyes.

I mirror her before I take a breath through my nose. "Do I smell bacon?"

"No you do not, and will not. Ever." No matter how many times I ask her, she still gets offended at the suggestion.

"Then what's that smell?" My eyes are closed again and I don't have the energy to actually look at what she's come up with.

"I made you an avocado fried egg with maple tofu." I convinced her to let me eat eggs for breakfast years ago; she's still got a strict no bacon rule, though. She pushes the plate in front of me and places a fork in my hand before continuing to question me. "What are your plans for today?"

I run my tongue along my teeth, erasing any lasting food before I answer. "Jade wanted to go to the mall. We'll probably get lunch, too."

"Oh she's so sweet. Tell her I say hi!" Somehow my mother gets even bubblier whenever Jade's name is mentioned.

"Yeah, Mom. Or you could tell her yourself; she'll be here at one." I slip off my stool and carry my dishes to the sink.

"Okay, fine." She laughs. "You should really try to drink coffee in the morning, it might make you less venomous."

I let out a humoured breath as I finish putting my dishes away. "That's repulsive and I am not venomous, I just don't care much for dialect this early in the day."

"It's twelve in the afternoon."

I glance at the stove clock to verify her words before turning to her. "My statement still stands." I kiss her on the cheek and thank her for breakfast before shuffling back to my room to get ready, her chuckle ringing behind me.

As promised, I get a text from Jade about an hour later.

I'm outside!

On a normal occasion, that would be a cue to go meet her, but I usually pick her up or meet her elsewhere - so my mom hasn't seen her in a while, and is very likely to get upset if Jade doesn't come up for a second. So instead of going outside, I text her back.

Mom wants to see you, come up a minute?

There in a sec.

Not long after I receive her message, Jade opens the door. I'm still in my room and I don't see her come in, but I can tell by the gasp and high pitched squeals that come out of my mother, soon to be muffled by an attempt to squeeze the life out of my best friend.