Handling Everything

Pilot

"I'm sorry honey, I'll be home later than usual, and I can't make dinner. Can you go out to eat tonight, please? Bring Mira with you."

"Sure Mom"

"Thanks Joy, you always make me happy, that's why I-"

I know Mom" I interrupted " That's why you named me that."

"Okay, sweetie, I have to go, but promise me you'll stay safe, and you will get home at a reasonable time, no parties, and you can hang out with that friend of yours, what is it, Adri-, Adrienne, right? Oh, nevermind, I have to go, see you later, don't stay up for me!"

"Bye Mom", is what I would've said, if she hadn't hung up on me. My mother, Julie, is a very busy business woman, usually is at home, for dinner, but I guess tonight she had extra work. My father is not at home tonight either, because he had to visit my grandfather in the hospital, in Joliet. I really hope nothing bad happens to him, because he deserves so much more than dementia. And my father is really tense, because his own father doesn't recognize him, and it must be ripping him apart. I try not to ask for many things, because he is going through a tough time, and asking him for things is not the best way to go.

I am at school right now, and my mother called. She has a way doing things right after you finish something, like this example: call after you finish school. I like that about her. Now I have to pick up my sister, who is at the middle school, a few blocks away, but I wonder what she would want to get, maybe pizz-

"JOY!"

I look around, trying to see where that voice came from, but there is a lot kids at the entrance.

"Joy!"

It is closer now, like maybe 5 feet, but I still don't know.

"Joy, look over here."

I can see her now, my best friend, Adrienne. She has very mixed personalities, but I'm not sure if it has to do with her being a Gemini, or not. Sometimes she is loud, quiet, or in-between, but mostly in-between, which I like the most. She can change it up based on the crowd, and that is what our group is. Not really Popular, but not Un-popular either. But that doesn't really happen at our school, everybody knows each other, and everybody knows the embarrassing things also. But people change, ultimately, and people get known for other things. Like Jason Givers was known throughout elementary school, (and the beginning of middle school) for picking his nose. But just last year he scored the winning basket at our most important basketball game of the season. So he was remembered for throwing a basketball instead of picking his nose. But some people are different. Samantha Grant used to be friends with everyone, but falling in the hallway made people laugh, and she was known after that as Clumsy Sam, or CS for short. My thoughts are cut short by Adrienne's appearance.

Hello, Adri."

Hey, Joy"

My friend Adrienne was very pretty, with straight red hair, and blue eyes. Once on google, I found that its the rarest combination of traits. She and her twin, Sean have those traits, and I would be lying if I said I was never jealous of them. But then I realize I also look pretty good myself, with my rare appearance. I have wavy hair, which is like a mixture of blonde and brown, and naturally tan skin. I also have hazel eyes, and a short nose. But many people in my school haven't really noticed me in a romantic way, so I don't know if they find me attractive as well. But the middle school is a different story. You'll see why.

"No one is home tonight, so I have to eat out with Mira. She said I could bring you, if you want to, but you don't have to." I explained the situation.

"Yeah, I could use some time off, from the house." Adrienne said.

"Okay, lets do that, I have to pick up Mira now, so lets go." I started walking to my car.

Okay, but you have to get catcalls from 12 year olds." Adrienne said, following me. "Is my hair okay?"

I laughed at that, "Your hair is always okay"

"Lets go pick up some kids in our van!"She joked.

"You got that right!" I played along.

"I want some cute ones, who don't squirm, and who willingly go inside!" She continued.

"I want some with blonde hair, and green eyes, who look older for their age, and want to date me, so I can finally have a boyfriend." I said, only half-jokingly.

"Joy, you will find someone who will love you, and it will make up for lost time. Who knows, maybe its someone you already know." She shrugged, playing confused.

"I think I would already know, but maybe its for the best, finding someone who is different, mysterious, someone I just met." I think about it for a minute, and think yes, that is what I need, someone who is new, but can never get old. That sounds wonderful.

I looked at her from the corner of my eye, and she looked sad, for some reason, but before I could ask why, I got to the car. I unlocked it for both of us, and got in. I have a Honda Accord, not the newest model, but not the oldest, in the middle, and it is silver. Fortunately, our parents are not poor, so we get newer things, but we are not rich. Actually this car is my older sisters, who went to college, not long ago, as the school year just started.

"Lets go pick up Mira."

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(February 26, 2019)