Mind Over Matter

Friday

If I don't touch this part of the sidewalk by the time the song hits 2:34 seconds, my mom will die.  My obsessive and deadly mind tells me.  Fortunately for me, the soul of my shoe hit the blazing concrete at 2 minutes and 33 seconds. 

It was hot outside like usual in the dry Arizona heat, but not hot as heck as usual.  I pressed the home button on my phone and clicked the weather app located in the Everyday folder on my screen.  It was 104 degrees outside and the cicadas were buzzing in the trees as usual when it's hot and dry outside.  I hate those stupid bugs, they are nasty and they shed their skin everywhere. 

At this point I was trying to keep a steady pace in my walk by taking two steps in between each crevice in the sidewalk. 

I have finally reached my destination, home.  I punched the garage code into the remote on the wall and waited for the heavy metal door to make a passage for me.  Dad's Kia was sitting in its spot so that means he's home from work but working some more from home.  I closed the garage and walked into the house.  "Hello!" Mom chimed to me.  "How was school?"  She asked but already knew the answer.  "Eh."  I responded. 

I went straight to the kitchen sink and drenched my hands in dish soap and scrubbed them under the running faucet.  I grabbed the hand towel and dried my olive-y toned hands.

"Well what is something good that happened today?"  Mom asked.  I could immediately tell she was happy and relieved to see me, relieved to see me alive and still functioning.  "Well, Serena choked on and ice cube and almost died."  I said half joking but also serious.  "Well, that's unfortunate."  Mom said.

I grabbed a peach and washed it, then devoured it.  Then I hit the couch and scrolled through Instagram to see what my favorite celebrities are up to and my friends.

Lately I just got over not being able to sit on the couch because I hate sitting on "clean" surfaces with my school clothes on afraid of spreading the nasty germs and dirt. 

It was finally Friday and I was happy to hangout with Matt again.  Matt is so sweet and I can actually tell him my feelings about other things, then he tells me and we give each other free therapy.

I clicked out of Instagram and went to messages and hit "Matt 🤮🤩". "Hey" I said waiting for the "read" sign to show up.  "Read, 3:04 pm"  "Hey"  He replied.  "Wanna hangout"  I asked hoping he'll reply with a good answer.  "Of course"  Matt said.  "K see you soon"  I typed and asked my mom if I can go to Matt's house.  Mom said sure and I hopped into the gold Honda and turned the key until the engine revved and I connected the aux cord to my phone and turned on one of my bops, "The Less I Know the Better" by one of my favorite bands, Tame Impala.  I pulled out of the driveway and drove to Matt's neighborhood just down the street.

As I knocked on the door, I thought about what a fun night we were going to have.

"Ana!  How are you?"  Mrs. Banks chirped as she opened the front door.  I could tell she was upset and she wasn't happy but she can act and put a happy face on well.  I didn't mention anything about it but I answered her question.  "I'm doing well, thanks." I replied.  She pulled me in for a hug and pointed me down the hall to Matt's room.

I opened the door and saw him sitting on his bed and tears in his eyes.  "Oh my gosh, are you okay?"  I shut the door and ran over to him and swaddled him in my arms.

"I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry."  Matt said with a hurt looking face.  I looked at him and instantly read his face, expressions, and even his mind. 

I have never told him about my ability to read minds, I'm so afraid that it will ruin our friendship.

I looked at him.  His gray eyes glistening.  I already know what is wrong now but I asked anyways.  "What?"  I asked as I put a confused face on.  "They hurt you.  They bully you and call you names."  He said.  "Matt, I know and it hurts me.  But it's not your problem that they do." I said.

I'm picked on a lot at my school just for not talking that much.  I'm super nice to people but not everyone accepts it.

He stood up and ushered me to stand up too, so I did.  He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into a comforting hug.  It was so sudden that we both lost balance and fell over.  We let go and laughed. 

The rest of the night was fun we watched Vines and played games until it was about 1am. 

"Well, I should probably head home."  I said.  "Aw, darn." Matt said pouting. 

Matt's mind was going crazy.  He was thinking so much and I was feeling a lot of anxiety.  He finally settled on one thought.  It was about me.  I could even see what he was imagining.  He imagined us, together, like a couple.  It was sweet but I had to leave before I had a panic attack right then and there.

I stood up and headed for the door.  Before I could get there he stopped me.  "See you later." he said disappointed.  "Alright."  I replied and  I walked to my car and the hot night (or really early morning) heat hit my skin.  I sat in my car in silence thinking about what the heck just happen.  I put the key in and headed home.

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A short chapter because who knows if people will read this.  I'll write more if this gets a few reads!