Lament

Chapter One

I was awoken by the loud BOOM of three chemistry textbooks slamming onto my desk.

            My eyes snapped open, but I didn’t move my head. I watched Mr. Barnes as he walked back to the front of the room, continuing his lecture for the rest of the period.

            I forced myself to sit up. I heard some kids snicker in front of me as I raised the back of my hand to the corner of my mouth to wipe away the remaining saliva. But that didn’t matter- this was my normal routine.

            “Are you ever not tired?” Levy whispered to me from my side.

            “Are you ever not going to ask me that question?” I retorted, untroubled.

            She shrugged. “Just attempting to look out for my best friend.”

            I suppressed a laugh. “And this is coming from the girl who’s always trying to get my out of the house late at night to go to parties.”

            Levy smiled. “‘Got to live your life and not watch it pass you up.”

            “Ms. Parkins and Ms. Morris,” Mr. Barnes raised his voice. “Do you two have something to share with the class?”

            I slouched forward and rolled my eyes at my desk. “No, Sir,” Levy and I answered in unison.

            “Then I suggest you two shut your mouths and pay attention to the lecture.”

            I pursed my lips- there was no point in talking back. The bell rang and everyone let out a sigh of relief. I grinned and gathered up my stuff quickly.

            Right when I was about to walk out of the door, Mr. Barnes called, “Ms. Morris." I stopped in my tracks and looked up at the ceiling with a groan. I turned around to face him while Levy waited outside. “It is the middle of the school year and you’re still falling asleep in my class,” He noted.

            I sighed. “Sorry Mr. Barnes. I’ll work on it.”

            Then I turned and left before he could add anything. He didn’t bother to call me back; he knew I wouldn’t turn around.

            “So,” Levy began, “There’s a party this weekend on Wickery Lane.”

            “What about it?” I asked, not bothering to stop at my locker to get my books.

            “Well,” Levy pushed, “Are you interested or not?”

            I smiled despite myself. “You make it sound like you’re trying to sell me drugs or something.”

            Levy huffed out a breath. “Really, Eona? You’re going to let me go by myself?” She glared at my untroubled expression. “With no one to go with,” She added. “All lonely at a party with no one to lean on.”

            I shook my head with a slight grin. Levy was always trying to get me to “live a little”, but whenever I did go along with her ridiculous plans, we just happened to get grounded.

            “Please, Eona,” She pleaded. “I promise it’ll be fun. And besides, you have absolutely nothing to do this weekend.”

            I raised my eyebrows. “How do you know that?”

            Levy shrugged. “’Cause… I have nothing to do.”

            Our laughter boomed through the hallways. We left the perimeter and made our way to my truck. I knew I would regret this, but I actually didn’t have anything to do this weekend. Besides, it was only Wednesday, so I could back out later if I wanted.

            “But what would I wear?” I emphasized.

            Levy looked at me with a bewildered expression. “You’re rich, Eona,” She exclaimed, “Buy yourself something hot at the mall!”

            I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I’ll go.”

            Levy giggled with excitement and increased the volume of my radio. We drove down Yeston Avenue with pop blasting through my car’s speakers.

~~~

            “Any food?” Levy asked as she began searching through the cupboards.

            “Not at the moment.” I answered while shuffling through some homework. I pushed aside the papers. “The chef hasn’t gone to the grocery store yet.”

            “Ugh.” She groaned, “I’m starving.”

            “Nice to meet you, Starving.” I held out my hand with a smirk. “I'm Eona.”

            Levy narrowed her eyes and pushed my hand aside. “Haha, very funny.” 

            From down the hall, I heard the front door open and close. My mother must’ve been home from work. The sound of keys dropping into the glass bowl echoed throughout the house.

            “Hey, girls.” She greeted us.

            My mother was healthily slender and delicate. She had nice curves and a heart shaped face. Her skin was the color of porcelain- the type of shade that brought out her green eyes and long, obsidian hair. “How was your day, Eona?” Her voice was muffled as she rummaged through the cupboard for a wine glass. She wasn’t a heavy drinker; that was my father’s responsibility. But everyday when she came home from work, she’d always just have one glass of wine to relax.

            “It was alright. ‘Fell asleep in chemistry- again.” I stated, unconcerned. She might as well have found out from me rather than have an awkward conversation with my teacher.

            My mother looked to me with raised eyebrows. Her expression clearly stated that I was about to get a lecture. “Your father won’t approve of that,” she commented without bothering to yell at me. We had made a deal once before: she didn’t lecture me and I wouldn’t be a rebellious teen that sits in my room all day to ignore my parents. “I will be in my study,” my mother concluded. “Have a good time. Bye, Levy.”

            “Bye, Mrs. Morris,” Levy returned.

        Mother exited the kitchen through the swinging doors and the sound of her footsteps decreased as she walked deeper into the mansion.

            “You’ve got that woman wrapped around your little finger,” Levy noted.

             Rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Yeah, right.”

            “Seriously,” Levy pressed, “you don’t even get into trouble for sleeping in class.”

            I shrugged. “Mom’s just fine with it.”

            She raised her eyebrows more as if she wanted to dig deeper into the subject, but at the last moment, she decided against it. “Anyway, what are we going to do about our little outfit predicament-?” Before she finished her sentence, I pulled out my credit card to answer her question. She grinned. “The beauty of having a rich friend.”