nefelibata (n.) | ✔️

eighteen.

Present. October 8th, 2018.

My Monday morning started by my mother cursing to herself as she dragged a suitcase down our small stairs.

I rubbed my eyes as she woke me from my sleep. "Mom?" I asked as the haze from my sleep was still prevalent.

"Did I wake you?" She responds, not bothering to look up.

"Yeah, what're you doing?" I wasn't exactly sure as to why she was lugging around a suitcase, but if she scheduled an impromptu business trip, I was not complaining.

"I don't want you to worry, Lena." She says, rolling her eyes and ignoring the question. This put me into a worry. Was my Dad okay?

"What is it, Mom? Is Dad okay? Is he hurt?" I asked frantically. My father is the most important person in my life. If anything happened to him well, I honestly don't think I'd survive.

"He's fine, dear," she soothes and meets me at the top of the stairs. "I am heading down to Los Angelas because your father and I need to work out our marriage." What?

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Your father wants us to get back to the place we once were before our life and marriage got so difficult. I'll only be gone a couple of days, alright?" No mom or dad? Looks like I'll be having a fantastic week.

I nod. "Okay. You guys are going to be okay right?" I pick at my fingernails, waiting for her response. I may despise my mother at times, but my parents' marriage has always given me hope. Given me hope that true love exists. I can't imagine not having both of them in the house, loving one another.

"We're going to try. Try for you and for ourselves." She assures me of this and pulls me into a hug, a change in attitude compared to the weekend. "I'll see you soon. Call me if you need anything." I promise her I will and watch her leave and hop into her uber, driving away.

Freedom.

It feels nice to have the house all to myself, but at the same time, the circumstances aren't the best. I don't even want to think about the possibility of a divorce and who I'd have to live with as a result.

I decided to give Lenny a call and inform him that I'll be able to work today. Staying home by myself after school didn't seem to interest me anymore. Besides, working at Lenny's was fun. Carl bugging me every five minutes on if I need help though, not so fun. 

Once Lenny said that my apron would be waiting for me I smiled and threw on some sweats for school, not bothering to do my makeup and tying my hair up into a loose ponytail. I knew that entering hell with a bare face and 'I don't give a fuck' outfit was risky, but at this point, I couldn't care less. 

I decided to make coffee at home today since I was running a bit low on time. My head figured it was a lot earlier than it was. I knew my thoughts would be on overdrive thinking about my parents all day, but I'm hoping work and the life-draining activities accustomed with the school would keep me from that.  

I practically sped to school and waltzed right into homeroom, ignoring the lingering gaze of my classmates. Sometimes it felt like I was a damn exhibit and people were just dying to walk up and poke at me. Luckily for me, most people knew that if they touched me, they'd get injured. 

The day flew by quickly for once, and I was very thankful for it. My eyelids were dropping as I drove for my shift at the coffee shop, begging for some kind of stimulant. Thank God I worked at a place filled with coffee. 

I quickly tied on my apron and hurried next to Roselyn, taking a look at the tables in need of waiting on. I'm pleasantly surprised to find none which gives me the opportunity to selfishly get myself some coffee.