Element

Element XVIII

It was finally Friday! Jumping out of bed this morning, you heard me right, MY BED; I ran for the shower and turned it all the way on hot.

After last night with Julian, he let me skip cardio this morning and I was allowed to sleep in my bed instead of outside like I have been doing all week.

Jumping in the shower, I lathered my hair with shampoo and I suddenly felt like singing.

“DON’T STOP, BELIEVING! HOLD ON TO THESE FEEELINNNGS! STREET LIGHTS, PEOPLLLEE OHHHHHH OHHHHHH OHHHHHH! DON’T STOP, BELIE-!”

“HELEN! Holy cow please stop singing!” Opening up the shower, I peered out and saw Alora standing in my bathroom.

Immediately I busted out laughing. This girl looked like she got in a fight with her bed and clearly she lost.

“Helen! What is so funny? It’s only six in the morning and evidently you want to wake up the whole neighborhood!  Why aren’t you on your run this morning?”

Still trying to tame my laughter, it took me a second to realize what she said.

“How did you know I run in the mornings?” I asked her as she hopped onto my bathroom counter and I shut the curtain to finish my shower.

“Well, most mornings when I wake up you are already gone and your Nike shoes are missing. I just assumed you were on a run. Am I wrong?”

Rinsing out my hair, I grabbed my razor and proceeded to shave. I can hear the accusation in her voice and I knew I had to tread lightly.

“No, you’re right. I just didn’t realize that you noticed.”

Finishing with one leg, I applied shaving cream to the other leg and continued with my routine.

“So, I was thinking that we can just skip our afternoon classes after lunch and head to the mall to go shopping. If you want, Brittanie can come. Than we can go get our hair done because lord knows mine needs cut than we can get ready back here. Does that sound good to you?”

Stopping mid shave, I had no idea what she was talking about.

“Wait, none of that makes sense to me. What are you talking about?” I quickly finished my leg and began to rinse the conditioner out of my hair.

“Please don’t tell me you forgot again. Helen we talked about this. We have that party tonight!”

Not being able to hold it back, I groaned to convey my displeasure.

“Do we have to go? I mean it’s your birthday! Why don’t you and I do something different? Like maybe a road trip to your favorite city or tattoos or something?”

Chuckling, I felt a spark of hope burst within me at the idea of us skipping the party.

“Helen, you know we can’t skip. We are required to be there. But, since you mentioned it, maybe we can do something fun.”

Turning off the water, I grabbed my towel and slipped out of the shower.  Alora was still perched on the counter and she had devilish grin on her face.

“What are you thinking?” I couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.

“Oh don’t worry, you’ll find out. Now get ready for school. We have a long day ahead of us.” Jumping down, she proceeded to exit my bathroom. As I watched her leave, I figured I would soon regret whatever it was I said to her.

.     .     .     .     .

At lunch, Alora was waiting outside my Trigonometry class when the bell rang. Grabbing my hand, we ran outside towards my jeep and Brittanie was already sitting in the back seat.