Birthright

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Rising with the sun shining through the window is a great way to start the day. On the other hand, rising before the dawn, when the only thing coming through the window is the dark and the sound of crickets laughing at me, is stupid, crazy, and cruel, just like the head of the cheerleading competition.

I didn't get a lot of sleep. I have never had a dream or a nightmare that vivid. As much as I would like to forget that dream, I know I wouldn't. I thought about writing it down; maybe I could sell it to Hollywood. But since the head of the competition, who was a former marine living with delusions of nighttime counteroffenses, decided that oh-dark-thirty builds character, I had to rush to get to Pocatello before seven.

I jumped in the shower, making it hotter than usual and then colder than usual, hoping it would wake me up. I have been practicing for this cheerleading competition, not as much lately, what with all the boyfriend drama. Most of the practicing I have been doing has been in my sleep, when I'm not dreaming of apocalyptic vampire battles.

It wasn't the hot and cold water that woke me up; it was the fact that I had a science club competition after the cheerleading competition and the fact I will be going from one to the other all day hoping to get to each one on time. I made a mad dash around the bathroom and bedroom, trying to get ready and not paying particular attention to neatness.

I grabbed my dog, took her downstairs, and put her outside. I sat down and began going

· Take Faith out. Check.

· Do a few double backflips to limber up. Check.

· Pick up the lamp I knocked on the floor. Check.

· Get dressed in cheerleading outfit. Check.

· Fix the cheerleading skirt that I had on backward. Check.

· Put hair in ponytail so I would look like I came from a fifties teen movie like all the other cheerleaders. Check.

· Pack makeup bag in backpack. Check.

· Iron science lab coat so I look professional and put in garment bag. Check.

· Pack backpack and leave by door. Check.

· Bring Faith in and put in kennel. Check.

· Grab to-go mug full of blood. Check.

I was awake. I was organized. After looking at my cell, I realized I was also late.

I ran out the door, ran back in, grabbed my backpack, and ran back out again. There, in the car, was Mom and Dad, looking at me and then their watches and back at me like they were trying to tell me something. Mom was in the driver's seat, which was good because she has a lead foot that will get us there in record time. I usually keep my eyes closed and pray or listen to Katy Perry on my iPod while she drives.

"She's not that bad," came a voice in my head.

"Whoa, Josh! How about knocking first before dropping in my mind so early in the morning?" I said.

"Sorry, babe," Josh said apologetically. "But your mom can't be that bad."

"Well, then you can ride shotgun with her next time she finds out that the sale on chocolate truffles ends in an hour."

"You seem a little stressed," Josh pointed out.

"I haven't had my coffee," I told him. I took a peek at my parents to see if they knew about this imaginary brake. "So, Josh," I said, "what brings you to my little corner of...me?"