Road in the Night

1

I washed my hands at the sink, and looked in the mirror, thinking how I grew up in front of it with Mya.

"Liya? Come on, some boys bought drinks!" Mya says, her black hair swishing in the light.

"Alright, I'm coming. I was just thinking when we took your mom's makeup and rubbed it on the mirror." I laugh. Mya grins, and her eyes crinkle up even more.

"We got in so much trouble!" She giggles, pulling me out of the bathroom before I can say anything. The music is loud, but not loud enough for the cops too come.

The mood lights are set at blue, and there is not an inch between any person. All bodies sway to the music, and it feels like a punishment not too join them.

Soon the time is lost. The night is an endless loop of downing drinks, and having different people refill it. Soon, people are leaving, and the music stops. Without the bodies pressing up to me, I get cold.

Mya enters the room, a black trash bag dragging behind her. I hear the beer clinking around.

"Its 3, you should get home. School's tomorrow." Mya, says, rubbing her eyes. Her mascara smudges. I nod and run home. It takes about 5 minutes at a run, 15 at a walk.

When I see my house, I breathe a sigh of relief, no lights are on. I shimmy up the side of my house, using a ladder resting on its side. I unlock the window, swinging in, and landing on my knees softly. I blink too adjust to the darkness. Glancing over at Laura and Lily's bunk, I see they are both up.

"Where did you go?" Laura asks, clutching her stuffed cat closer.

"I had to pick up something for a project." I lie.

"That's what you said last week", Lily squeaks. Crap, I did say that already.

"Well, just stay out of my business, ok? I'm alive and here. "I growl, tip toeing to the bathroom, where I wash my face and change into pajama's. When I get into the room again Laura is asleep, but Lily still stares at me.

"Mom worries you know." Lily murmurs. I go over and kiss her head, taking in her innocent scent. We say no more.

The next morning, I sleep through my alarm. I dream of blue skies, and happy times. It all goes away when the bodies start to fill the room, smashing me. I choke, the music's too loud, it's too hot, I need out. I need out. I need out.

"Liya! Get up we must leave in 20. "Laura says in my ear. I moan. I have a massive headache. Yay, hangover. I close my eyes, thinking that maybe I can stay home pretending I'm sick. But no, mom would smell the sweat and alcohol. So, I will my legs to move, and I clamber out of bed. Lily is in the bathroom, tying her hair in a messy braid.

"Here," I say quickly fixing it. Lily grins warmly. The thing is, out of the two twins, people are drawn too Lily more than Laura. Lily, just has that pureness of a child you barely see anymore. Laura and Lily look the same, but Laura has her hair at butt length, while Lily has it cut too her shoulders. Laura doesn't bother with looks, but Lily does.

I hop in the shower, just standing in the cold water, feeling it warm up slowly. I let it get too its hottest, too where it almost hurts. Just the way I like it. Slowly, I lather in the shampoo, feeling the sweat slide away down the drain.

When I get out, Lily is still there, and had wiped a circle out of the fog on the mirror. I smack my favorite lemonade smelling lotion on my body, then pull on my robe.

After 15 minutes, I have managed to cover up my under eyes, and do my makeup. After drying my hair, I run down the hall, grab money from the lunch jar, and start mom's coffee. Spotting Laura in the green chair, I sit next to her.

"Good morning girl's!" Mom says cheerfully. She's so full of happy energy that you just can't help but smile. I just wish she was home more. Lily runs down the stairs and into mom's arms.

"Hey sweetie. I wish I could stay and hug you longer, but I have to go to work." Mom smiles sadly. Ever since dad went on a tour with his band, The Wooden Tears, mom must work extra hard to pay bills till dad gets his paycheck. Mom takes her coffee, slides on her fancy work boots, and blows up a kiss goodbye.

A few minutes later, I hear the bus and I hug Lily and Laura goodbye. A few of their friend's wave to me. I shoot them a smile.

Mya is late today, and I start my usual nervous actions, biting my nails and twisting my hair. After what seems like forever, she pulls up in her bright red 2016 Honda Accord, honking and grinning like a madman.

I hop into the car, slamming the door behind me.

"You're late." I say.

"Jack called." She says applying yet another layer of her dark magenta lipstick. I roll my eyes, Jack has been her "boyfriend" since the beginning of 9th grade, but started really "dating" in the summer before sophomore year. Ever since school started three weeks ago, Mya and Jack have been the "power couple". Let's just say, I've seen Jack's tongue down her throat enough times. Ewe, I shudder at that thought.

"How's your head?" Mya asks, stepping on the gas. Now that's she's mentioned it, my headache has come back.

"Horrible. I almost considered staying home." I say pulling down the sun visor to open the mirror section.

"Aww, I'm sorry honey. Mines alright. You still up for tonight?" Mya smiles. Mya is always smiling. Sometimes it can annoy me.

"Wait tonight? I have that Spanish test tomorrow, you do too. Shouldn't we just skip this one?" I say, while brushing my blond hair with my fingers. Even though I party, I still am on top of all my schoolwork.

"Liya, it's a COLLEGE PARTY. It's like a sin not to attend. Don't be such a buzzkill." Mya rolls her eyes. I grit my teeth.

"Mya, have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe we don't have to go too every party. I agreed to go too TWO parties. Last week and last nights. Not anymore. I don't want to be a drunk." I raise my voice a tad. Mya's smile fades.

"You're not going to become a drunk by just one more night of a party. It's going to be fun. Please come. For me?" Mya pleads in a sweet voice.

"Fine." I say.

Little did I know that by saying that one word, the one stupid, four letter word. I would never be FINE again.