What a Life

Hazel

"So, I met someone in my theater arts class today that would totally be perfect for you!"

I perk up a little, looking away from our assignment. "Really?"

"Yeah, they're really sweet and cute and they make me think of you!"

"Really? What's her name?" I lean forward, a smile taking over my thin lips.

"Oh, it's not a girl."

Surprise spreads across my face. "Oh!"

"Yeah, like I just meant, you know, if you were normal, then he'd be perfect for you."

I sink back into the chair, pursing my lips and nodding. "Oh." I sigh, picking my pencil back up. "Right."

"But, you know, like... it's not like you'll always be alone, you know? You just have to be fixed!" Layla stutters, waving her hands defensively. "You know?"

I give her sort of a half smile, and nod. "Yeah." I look back down and continue expanding the equation.

"Hey, Hazel? Can you help me with number two?"

Just for a second, I stare at the big 18 written above the problem I'm working on. I cover it up and shift in my chair, pulling Layla's paper closer. "Yeah, sure." I bite my lip, taking a moment to read the equation. "Okay, so you just have to... " I lightly circle a couple numbers on the paper. "Factor out these, then apply them to the graph here, and find where those two points intersect." I look up at Layla as I finish.

Layla pulls her fluffy, chocolate brown hair around her shoulder. "Right, so, um... solve for this, then graph it?" She looks back at me. The crappy ceiling lights of the classroom reflect off of her ocean blue eyes.

"Um, right, yeah."

"What problem are you on?" Layla pulls her paper back to the middle of her desk.

"Uh, four. I just did that one a little bit ago," I say, covering up my paper even more.

"Oh. Cool."

I look back up and smile at her, then freeze. A drop of blood is slipping down her forehead. "Oh my gosh, Layla, you're bleeding! Are you okay?" I reach up to her forehead, trying to find where the blood is coming from.

My heart sinks as a deep smile spreads across Layla's lips.

"I know, honey. It's because I'm dead."

I snap my eyes open, instantly sitting up in bed. My breathing is heavy, and my heart is beating hard against my chest. I press my palms into my eyes. Layla's dead, Layla's dead... I shake the dream out of my head and wipe the tears from my eyes. Come on, Hazel. Get yourself together. I push the comforter off of my legs, swinging my feet to the floor.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

I jump as the sounds of the alarm screech through my ears. I quickly reach over and slam the off button, sighing softly as the blaring noise silences.

I sigh and slowly stand up, setting my feet on the cold hardwood floor. A dull morning light shines through my gray curtains. I pull them aside, letting it stream into the small bedroom. The sky is completely covered in low, white clouds.

I pull on socks, black skinny jeans, a tank top, and a gray knitted sweater. Looking into the mirror for a moment to check if I look okay, I pull my hair into a ponytail. Then I move across the room and take the charger out of my phone, opening it and sighing to see that I have ten new text messages.