~ Black Lace ~ (l.h.)

14. Waking up

I wake up to the unwelcome blaring of my phone’s alarm. Michael jolts awake beside me and I hear Ashton groan. I shut it off, and stand and stretch. Ashton’s gone back to sleep with his head lolling off the back of the chair and Michael’s got his head under his pillow. I pull open the blinds and they both protest feebly.

“I don’t know what you two are doing, but I have to be at school in an hour. So someone needs to get up and drive me.” I stand with my hands on my hips waiting for a reply. They both blink slowly at me, their eyes adjusting to the light. “I’ll get both of you to come.” I threaten weakly. I don’t particularly want to go to school, but I’ve skipped too many classes in the last few weeks to not go.

They both grunt as they stand up slowly. Michael’s palm goes to his head and I can only imagine how bad of a headache he must have right now. Ashton rubs his neck and rolls his shoulders stiffly.

“You guys look like old men,” I say. Neither of them seems very amused.

Breakfast is a quiet affair. Apparently these boys aren’t morning people. I mean, I’m tired too, but at least I’m somewhat pleasant in the mornings. I butter some toast as Ashton pours himself some sugary cereal. Michael just has coffee. I’m surprised that his parents aren’t around. Mine leave early in the morning, but at least they show up to go to bed. We have family dinners sometimes. Michael doesn’t seem to get any of that. I glance at my phone when I’m done my small meal. I have one text from my brother and almost no time to get to school.

“We have to go now,” I say to Ash and he gets up and walks with me to the car. Michael follows close behind but stays at the door when we go outside.

“You’re not going to go to school?” I ask, already knowing the answer. He shakes his head and squints into the sun.

“I’ll be okay here, thanks.” I glance back at Ashton and mouth ‘one sec’. I jog back over to Michael and give him a hug. Still holding him, I whisper in his ear.

“It’ll be okay. Sarah will come back to you. And if she doesn’t, maybe you’re better without her.” I hold him at arm’s length and make eye contact with him. I raise my eyebrows. “Alright?”

He sighs softly. “Yeah, thanks, Winnie.” I smile at him and glance up at the shock of messy, newly-dyed blue hair on his head.

“I like this,” I say, reaching up to ruffle it a bit, and then I turn and leave.

The drive to my house to get my school bag is quiet as well. Ashton definitely isn’t a morning person, but he still plays his rock music, even at almost 8AM. We get to my home and I quickly hop out of the car, checking the time.

“I can walk to school if you have somewhere else you need to be,” I say to Ashton over his music, leaning in through the open window. He shrugs.

“I’ve got nowhere to be. Except maybe bed, but I pass the school on my way home. I’ll drive you.” I bolt inside and grab my bag and two apples from the kitchen. Will’s not here, he probably left already—the goody-two-shoes—so I lock the front door behind me as I leave.