Road in the Night

2

In Science class, I made sure I wrote down everything. I had to pretend that every word of a teachers was important. Sometimes I felt like I was hanging on a cliff made of words I didn't understand. Thank god for google.

Science disgusted me, not just because every time Mr. Gendler moved, a flake of dandruff drifted down, but because we had to talk about BODIES. Bodies disgusted me, all the gushy warm, red blood, just ewwww.

I breathed a sigh of relief when the bell rang. My other best friend, Chris joined my side in the halls.

"Hey Liya. You look nice." Chris said giving me that billion-watt smile.

"Thanks. You too. Are you going to that party tonight, the college one?" I say, even though I know the answer. He shakes his head, still grinning.

"Hell no, we have the Spanish test. It's literally idiotic too go to a party. Ms. Chance just scares me too much. Like, I feel if I don't get an A, she will come and rip my eyebrows out at night." He shudders.

" Why eyebrows?" I ask. Ms. Chance is a creepy teacher, but ripping out someone's eyebrows? Heck no, she won't even kill a fly.

" Well, you know she like never looks you in the eyes, just above them, at your eyebrows. Its......so creepy!" He says, and then his face turns bright red. I laugh looking ahead at his forever crush, Jonathan. Yes, Chris is gay, but he's my best friend.

" Have you made a move yet?" I ask. Chris brushes at non-existent dirt.

"No, just imagining talking to him, just talking, is so, so so so so so, MUCH!" He squeaks. Just too make him squirm, as Jonathan passes, I say, "Hey Jonathan!" Jonathan smiles, "Sup Liya!"

"Oh, I hate you! He was so looking at you and not me. URGG!" Chris lightly punches me on the shoulder before ducking into his class. I chuckle, walking into the classroom beside his.

After 2 more classes, it's finally lunch. I sit next to Stephanie, a freshman who's new to the table, ever since she's started dating Evan.

"Hey Stephanie, hey Evan. How's your guys days so far?" I ask, unpeeling my ham sandwich.

"Great! But I almost barfed when Mr. Gendler handed out a paper, and a big flake of dandruff landed on my paper. It was so gross!" Evan gags.

"You should have seen how pale Evan was when I met him at Break. I thought Mr. Gender made him examine a spider or something." Stephanie says, her green eyes twinkling with love when she looks at Evan. Evan kisses her, and I look away with a smile. I had known Evan for a long time, since Evan lived across from me. A tray slapped the table next to me.

"Hey guys. Lunch is disgusting, Looks like pig turd with mystery meat." Chris says gagging.

"Lemma guess, it's macaroni day?" Stephanie says. Mya sits down next to me laughing.

"Right!" Mya says.

Much later school is ended. Mya drives me home.

"What should I wear?" I ask, toying with the radio. Mya thinks.

"That red dress. I'll wear my white one." She says. When we arrived at my house, she hugs me, tells me she loves me, then drives away. The twins aren't home yet, so I dial dad's cell. He picks up on the 6th ring.

"Hey daddy, it's me, Liya." I say.

"Hi pumpkin, how's everything?" He says like he says every day. And like every day, I say, "Alright, you?"

"We sold out the house last night! It was amazing, all these people coming to hear us sing. I have tears, wood, wooden tears. They leave a trail of splinters in my heart, so I can never let go of my fears." He sings in his raspy voice. I miss him. Isaac, we are on in two. A voice echoes.

"I have to go lily' Liyann. I love you!" He says, hanging up. I love you, I mutter. Dad's the only one who calls me Liyann.

Five hours later, I finish my homework, and mom comes home.

"Bed time my little loves!" Mom calls walking up the stairs. Laura and Lily grin, shoving me into my bed. I giggle, and do the same for them right before Mom comes in.

"I have a lot a work tonight, so goodnight will be quick. I love you guys!" Mom says, kissing each of us in turn. She turns off the light and shuts the door. For the next hour I listen to the twins falling asleep noises, sighing, and rustling sheets. When I cannot even hear their breath, I go into the bathroom, dressing and applying makeup. I curl my hair at a last minute decision. When I look ready to party, I crawl out of the window, shining down the ladder.

I reach Mya's house in good time. She slides into her car softly, grinning, and we drive off.

"Hey." I say.

"Hey." Mya says back. She lets out a WHOOP into the night. I echo her.