Upper Six (Completed, Being Edited)

Eight: Macaw

Laura's little story has been replaying itself in the back of my mind. Every time I close my eyes, I hear her voice saying those painful words over and over again. The thing is that even though she tried to put up the same "bad bitch Laura" attitude, I could tell that her mother's words had hurt her, and still do. For some reason, I can't rid my mind of the sound of her voice, telling the same story over and over again. Over the past few days, I've been going through a series of emotions: anger towards Laura's mother is one thing. I've also been feeling this overwhelming pity for Laura, a pity that I don't think she'd welcome.

Back at school bright and early Monday morning, I take a seat towards the back entrance of the class, waiting for Laura to walk through. My heartbeat speeds up every time I see a shadow approach the threshold only to slow in disappointment when I realise that it's not her. I eventually stop, grumbling miserably and impatiently at the desktop. I close my eyes and in my head, she's right here beside me, a devious smile tugging on her lips. I don't know how, but I can feel it when she comes up behind me, her energy blanketing me. Butterflies erupt in my stomach as she stands there, her eyes drilling holes into my back.

"You're later than I expected," I murmur lowly, but loud enough for her to hear.

"You've been anticipating my arrival?" she asks. It's embarrassing, to be honest, the extent of my feelings for her, in terms of acting like a love struck fool. Absolutely pathetic.

"Yes," I confess, my face getting hot as I admit to how love struck I truly am. "Life can be quite... boring," I tell her. "Nothing else to really do on a morning like this, is there?"

"I'm still flattered," she mutters with a seductive smile. "If it's any consolation, I've been thinking about you, too," she murmured. She takes a seat right next to me at the back of the class and smiles. "So, how's life?"

"Okay, I guess. How are things with your mum?" As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret it. I bite down hard on my lower lip as if this will take back what I just said.

"It's fine, I'm not upset," she says to ,e, sensing my uneasiness. "We're actually good, haven't argued since the last time I saw you."

"Oh, well, that's good," I reply,not really knowing what to say. Its poignant that it's an accomplishment for a mother and daughter to have not argued in three days. That should be considered normal, not some great feat.

"Yeah, we argue that much," she mumbles, reading my expression of surprise and pity correctly. "Well,we shouldn't think too much on the negative, should we? Let's stay positive; thank goodness we haven't argue in that long, rather than focus on the fact that we argue a lot." I know what she wants me to do; stop pitying her. I don't think I can help it, though.

"I wanted to ask you a question," she says, changing the subject. "Do you want to go somewhere with me?"

"Where would that be?"

"Macaw. Tonight."

"Oh. Uh... sure. I just have to ask my mother for some money—"

"No, it's fine. I'll pay."

I scratch the back of my neck, slightly uncomfortable with the situation. "Even then, I always like to have cash on me when I go out."

Laura rolls her eyes at me.

"Fine," she concedes, "but you're letting me pay since I invited you out."

"Okay, whatever."

She smirks in victory as the bell rings, indicating the start of the first teaching period of the day.

***

"I have nothing to fucking wear!" I hiss under my breath. My clothes lay across the floor of my once neat and tidy room. This is a disaster. I really wanted to look pretty tonight, but all I have succeeded in doing so far is putting on a full face of makeup with a nice set of underwear, and choosing some nice ear rings and a body chain. No shoes. No clothes.

"Fiona? I can lend you something," mummy answers, opening the door. Apparently, I'm really loud.

"Uh... okay," I say, relieved to have a mother who dresses sexily, and wears the same size as me. The only issue is that I know that she will take out every pretty dress in her wardrobe for me to try on. That part isn't fun. I sigh as I hear her walking back up the corridor towards my room.

"Well, I would usually give you a large selection, but seeing that you're already wearing blue glitter eyeshadow, I can only give you these." She comes through the door with a few articles of blue clothing in her arms, and lays them on the bed: two dresses, a jumper, and a blouse, aw well as a short white dress that I didn't notice before.

"I'm not sure," I say indecisively.

She shakes her head and sighs.

"Go with the white dress. It's sexy. You can't wear a bra, though. It will show."

Oh. Okay," I say compliantly.

"As for shoes, you cam borrow my blue Bridget's. I think they'd go nicely with what your makeup, and the dress."

"Thank you, mummy," I say, my voice filled with gratitude, as well as relief that this didn't take as long as it usually does. Note to self: always do your makeup before asking mummy for help. And try to do it in vibrant colours to narrow down her options.

"Please behave yourself tonight, Fiona," mummy says in a playful but stern voice.

"I will, as always," I reply with a grin. The last time I went out, which was to Taboo with my cousin, for my eighteenth birthday, I ended up one one of the poles myself, in only my underwear. I am no stripper, so of course, I ended up looking like a complete jackass. Not to mention that someone taped it and it got into the hands of my principal. She wanted to suspend me, but luckily, I got away with it, because my amazing mother got her lawyer involved. They're terrified of that shit. To be honest, my school is like a controlling, abusive lover; they're always trying to fuck you up for shit that is none of their goddamn business.

"And tell Laura hello for me, please," she continues.

"Yes, I will, mummy."

"And here is some money." She pulls out a five thousand dollar bill and hands it to me. "I know you said that you only needed a little bit of money because Laura would pay for it, but you never know."

"Thank you." I really love my mother. She's awesome, and always tries her best to make me happy.

"You're welcome, darling. Have a good night."

"I will," I promise. I'm going to be with Laura tonight. That in and of itself is a promise of entertainment.

**

AN
FOR MY JAMAICAN READERS (AND ANYONE WHO KNOWS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT JAMAICAN HIGH SCHOOLS) WHO CAN GUESS WHICH SCHOOL THIS ONE IS BASED ON?