It normally wasn't like me to just obey my mom and go with the flow. Ever since my dad died, I always felt the need to stand up for myself. I knew no one else would, so I became a rebel. But today, I was too tired to care.
"Honey, come on, you don't want to be late for school!" Mom called. I would have normally yelled at her saying, 'yeah, I actually do!!' or something like that, but instead I pulled on a t-shirt and some shorts and stumbled down the stairs.
"Don't forget I am staying after today." I told her before grabbing a granola bar and my backpack and heading out the door.
"I love you, too!" She called from the window.
I looked back at her and smiled. As much as we fought, I loved my mother. She just didn't understand me. I didn't even understand me sometimes.
"Would you like to borrow a brush?" Maria asked when I finally made it to the bus stop. She held out a pink comb like a peace offering.
I rolled my eyes at her. "Sure." I yanked the brush through my knotty hair before pulling my rat's nest up in a ponytail.
"Well, you won't win over anybody, but I don't think they'll turn their noses up at you either. You're not half bad, Em." Maria chuckled, giving my shoulder a caring pat.
"I am not sure if that was sarcastic or complimentative but I'll take it." I told her, smiling gleefully at her, showing off my braces. Ugh, I hated those metal brackets more than Gregory Scoffenstein and don't get me started on him.
Maria chucked. "Too be honest, I'm not sure which it was either." I laughed along with her as the bus came to a slow halt.
"Ladies first," I said to her but she shoved me up the stairs.
"Just cause you don't look like a girl doesn't mean you aren't a girl." Maria smiled. I laughed and plopped into an open seat scooting over to make room for Maria. "How kind of you, dear!"
"Oh shush, you're just jealous of my manners!" I giggled.
She sighed, "I don't know about that, but you are one pretty awesome friend!"
"Aw, thanks," I giggled as we pulled into the school bus lane. Great. Another terrible day at school.

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Upside Down Tendrils
Ficção GeralEm has been struggling with her father's death for a long time. Her father always stood up for her. For the town. And now, he is gone. Em has turned into a rebel, but on one cool, autumn day that all changes. She is just an ordinary girl at an...