Our Hope

18 - Maria

It was late afternoon the Friday before semester finals and there were clear skies outside. Inside, Skye sang along to the song Mother Knows Best because she watched her favorite movie Tangled. Skye was in her kitchen and wore black tights, plain white t-shirt, and fluffy crimson slippers. Her maid Elena emptied the bottle of red wine into a glass and handed it to Skye. Then Elena uncorked another bottle.

Skye headed back to the couch where she had spent most of her time with Cole. Maria sat alone at Skye's kitchen table on one of the bar stools. Skye stumbled past Maria on her way back and shouted, "My birthday's tomorrow! Yay!" Skye tried to give her a high-five, but Maria did not move. Her breath wreaked of alcohol.

Maria said with aggravation, "That quit being funny three weeks ago."

"What did you get me?" Skye slurred her question.

"I'm not telling, and I think you need to pace yourself."

"We have to do something special. It's my Sweet Sixteen birthday. Woohoo!" She raised her hands in the air and spilled her wine.

"I got it." She told Elena, getting out of the barstool. "I have nothing else to do."

Maria used her napkin to clean up the wine off the hardwood floors. The rough paper was too thin, and her hand got wet.

Skye curled up on the couch next to Cole. He draped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. Skye asked him, "What did you buy me for my birthday?"

"Nothing. I don't have any money."

"Are you ..."

"... No. I'm not lying to you surprise you later." They kissed.

Hope burst through the closed front door, slamming it against the wall. The sound startled her and hurt her ears. Hope wore gray sweatpants and a faded black Ahsoka t-shirt. Her hair was in a ponytail and she was barefoot.

"Cole!" She yelled. She was breathing heavily.

"Hey, Hope. Where have you been?" Maria asked.

"Studying and trying to print another ETFE test film, which would be easier if you-know-who would quit making out with the Princess." She marched to the couch and hovered over Cole.

He did not acknowledge her because he was kissing Skye. She smacked him on his back. The sound echoed through the house.

"Ow!" He turned to see her. "Oh, hey Hope."

Hope shouted, angrily, "We are behind, and you need to get back to work."

Cole jumped up. "Your wish is my command."

"No. It's not. If it was, I wouldn't be here, and we'd be winning."

Skye stood up and said, "That's OK. I need to go see if Marcus bought enough food, drinks, and booze.

She hobbled to a case grabbed a different bottle of wine. "We're gonna have to try this next."

She switched her attention to Hope. "Hey Hope, did you know my Sweet Sixteenth birthday's tomorrow?"

Hope paid no attention to her and addressed Cole with her arms folded. "I left another failed trial open at my house."

"I think you've had enough," Maria said to Skye.

Hope continued, "I need you there. The first semester exams start Monday."

Cole hurried out the front and said, "Don't Worry. I'll be there waiting for you."

Maria let Skye drink a few because she had spent many months sad and depressed but now Skye was out of control.

Maria asked, "Skye, do you think your brother would approve of your actions?"