Charms

Ellie woke up in a panic; she dug her hand under her pillow and dragged out her phone.

"Five to eight, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit" She cursed.

"MUM!" She screeched.

She heard powerful footsteps advancing up the stairs. Ellie's mum burst through the door, panting and clutching a greased frying pan.

"What?!" She breathed.

Ellie's mouth pulled together, her eyes started to water and convulsed into laughter, echoing throughout her room. Her mum stood there in confusion, she could see her knuckles turning white, she made a hand gesture that pointed at the door. Ellie made it out to be her saying, "are they behind there?"

Ellie laughed harder, bending over, she seized her stomach.

"My-my cheeks hurt" She exhaled.

Her mum lowered the pan and advanced into her room.

"Sweetie, what's going on?"

She held her index finger up and stood straight.

"I shouted because I'm late, I have to be at school in twenty minutes." She giggled.

"You scared the hell out of me; I thought there was a burglar in your room."

Ellie clasped her mouth, attempting to silence her laughter.

"Well, breakfast is on the kitchen floor. You'll have to survive with toast."

She glanced down at the newly formed oil puddle on the floor.

"Tsk"

"That" She pointed "Is your fault. Clean it up"

She scowled at Ellie and strolled out of the door. Ellie plucked some tissue out of the packet from her drawer, wiped the puddle and threw it in the bin. She grabbed the duffel bag from the behind her door and slung it over her bed. She reached in and removed a pair of dark blue jeans, an oversize band t-shirt and underwear. She bundled the clothes in her arms and made her way to the bathroom.

"Arielle, you're going to be late."

She rolled her eyes.

'I'm late because of you' she thought.

"Okay, mum."

She gathered her pyjamas, flung them on her bed and proceeded to the kitchen.

"Hey mum, I’m sorry for shouting at you yesterday. I know it's not your fault that we had to move."

"It’s okay sweetie, now hurry up. You'll be late on your first day."

Ellie took a slice of toast from the plate on the table and took a bite. She made her way over to the front door with her mother following, she grabbed her backpack and heaved it over her shoulder. She nibbled on her toast and mumbled.

"Lets go"