Ardent [PETER PARKER]

TWO

TWO.

MORNINGS AT NUMBER 13 Alberta Avenue were chaotic, jumbled things. They flew past in a blur of spilled milk and car keys tossed through the air and sharp elbows in sides to reach the bathroom mirror.

Today, though, everything was still. At least it was for Will, who was still in bed. Under her comforter the sounds of dishes clinking together and heels clacking against the hardwood floor faded away, leaving only the faint sound of her breathing.

Will craved these small moments, when she could be alone. When everything was quiet. With the warmth of her blankets and the pale sunlight filtering through her blinds, she was content. It was when she would eventually be forced back downstairs to her family and high school that this moment would feel hopelessly out of her grasp.

It wasn't that Will liked being alone. She loved her family and friends (well, friend). It was just that they were pieced together from a thousand different emotions, and sometimes Will couldn't stand to feel all of them.

The electronic ping of a text message interrupted her thoughts. Will groaned. She slid a hand out from under the covers and grabbed her phone off her nightstand. She squinted at the screen until the jumble of black shapes sharpened into letters.

( 1 unread message from jones bbq and foot massage! )

jones bbq and foot massage
the heavens are bleeding and the sun is scouring

take a will pill
good morning to you too michelle

take a will pill
either you've been reading sylvia plath before bed again or we have a physics test today

jones bbq and foot massage
are you saying that i'm not always this poetic and imbuing with despair

take a will pill
poetic no but you definitely imbue with despair

jones bbq and foot massage
nice

jones bbq and foot massage
speaking of despair

jones bbq and foot massage
my mom can't give you a ride to school today

take a will pill
it's fine

take a will pill
i fully plan to resent you forever but it's fine

jones bbq and foot massage
cool and also yes we do have a physics test today

take a will pill
thanks for that reminder of my impending doom