Patterns

2. Back to reality

"Can you mix the mango and the pineapple syrup?" Layah asks. She seems to be totally oblivious to the fact that the snow cone guy is practically drooling over her.

Layah could be a model. Black shiny hair, gorgeous figure, and blue piercing eyes. She is wearing black short shorts, black running shoes and a navy blue T-shirt which brings out her eyes. I've known her so long that I am used to guys behaving like this around her.

We get our cones and sit on one of the wooden tables. "The girls are here" she says. And as if one cue, Analisa and Haley walk up to the table waving and pushing each other. I smile and wave back. For these girls, pretty is an understatement. My girls steal the show wherever we go.

Analisa has natural curly chocolate hair and black eyes. Haley is our blue eyed blonde. And then there's me, light brown waist long hair and green eyes.

"Omg you got me a snow cone thanks!" Analisa takes my snow cone and licks it. "I hate you" I say smiling. "I love you too" she sings.

Haley laughs and we walk back to the window to get more cones. "how do you stand her?" I say still laughing. "Oh you know, years and years of practice" she flips her hair with her hand and we laugh.

We talk for a while and the girls make me laugh so hard I almost spit my snow cone in Layah's face. I feel...good. Better than I have in a long time. But all good things have to end. My phone vibrates announcing an incoming text from my sister.

Hey E! Just wanted to say that I called Stillwater and they told me you haven't stopped by to see mom... Still no pressure, but I hope you'll consider. I know she would be happy to see you. I love you little sis. -Alexa

I'm abruptly jerked back to reality. I don't answer Alexa's text. How do you tell your sister that you don't want to visit your suffering mother because seeing her would make you suffer, without sounding selfish? I sigh and rub my temples, the girls all quiet down. "is it mom stuff?" Analisa grabs my hand. "yeah..." I look at all of their faces. These girls have always been with me. I know seeing me like this hurts them. The atmosphere switched from happy to gloomy very fast.

Layah gets a text and she announces "On other news... Captain wants us in her office in twenty" We all get up and dump our trash. "see y'all there?" Haley asks. "you know it" Layah responds as we make our way back to my car.

"are you going to go see her?" she asks once were inside the car. She stares at me intently.

"no, not yet" I buckle my seatbelt "I will go... But not right now" I look at her trying to smile.

"I can come with, if you want" she adjusts the AC "you know... emotional support". I look at her and wonder how I got so lucky with my friends.

"thanks Lay" I say, she smiles and says "anytime" "just don't leave me alone with the creepy receptionist again" she feigns a scared look then laughs "He asked for a picture of my feet!"

I burst out laughing hysterically "Oh my God!" She still looks serious "it's not funny! I mean my feet are freaking cute but that's still creepy" I roll my eyes "You are so modest" I say starting up the car. "yep" she answers and is now back to her phone.

I drive back to the school and drop Layah off so she can pick up her car. She gets off and opens the back door to get her backpack. "see you in a few playa" she says waiving over her shoulder as she walks to her car.

I drive out of the parking lot and head for captains office, thinking about my mom on the way there, and my sister, and my dad. ahhhh! why couldn't my life be normal? I look up to the sky, if God sees me battling all of these things he surely cant give me any more burdens. It cant get any worse...right?