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.
YOU ARE READING
Upside Down Tendrils
General FictionEm 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...
