Blue Skies

Chapter 1 - Plentiful Nothing

Plentiful nothing. Two words that would summarize my life perfectly. On the cool morning of my seventeenth birthday, I came to a life-altering revelation. My life was one stinking garbage fest. 

I'm not usually a morning person but on this particular day, I awoke at 6 am. Standing across the mirror I stared at myself. My cool grey-blue eyes looking directly at an identical pair in front of them. I began to force my thick locks of raven black hair into a half decent ponytail before chucking on my hideous school uniform. "Oh, Nora" I sigh to myself, wishing i looked more acceptable. 

I don't like looking at myself in the mirror for too long. I've always been too self-conscious to admit I might be beautiful. I've tried to believe the uplifting celebrity quotes and positive social media posts, but my brain does not correlate with what I'm supposed to believe. 

I walk downstairs from my dimly lit hovel to discover my drunk of a father collapsed on the couch. I'm surprised he even made it to the couch. Generally, he hardly makes it to the house and falls unconscious on the sidewalk. After my mum left us, he never recovered from his alcohol addiction. 

"Real nice dad" I sigh, heading to the kitchen. Of course, there's nothing left in the fridge except a can of baked beans and three bottles of beer. 

I have a few hours before school starts so I decide to head to the grocery store. Maybe I'll even pick myself out a birthday cupcake. I take the 902 bus to "Minnesota Mall". 

I cape my navy bomber jacket over my school dress as my cold frosty breath escapes me. The mall is plain and dull as always. Desserted aisles filled with boring necessities. 

My trolley fills with microwave dinners and snacks, as well as a blue iced cupcake and seventeen birthday candles. Some party. I notice Taylor O'Conner, my only friend's brother standing across from the feminine hygiene aisle. 

I notice his puzzled expression, his bronzed hand ruffles his soft brown curls. I observe how handsome he is. I never noticed it before. The only guy I ever had eyes for was Alexander Mcclain. But he didn't know I existed.

Taylor's green eyes lock with mine. I want to die inside, I was definitely looking at him for too long. He seems just as embarrassed, his cheeks flushed crimson. 

I decide to break the silence. "Hey Taylor, need some help?" I offer, shakily clutching my birthday cupcake. 

"Oh, uh, yeah. My sister is making me run her errands. She takes the human form of the devil" Taylor laughs. 

"Scarlett is definitely a handful" I agree.

Scarlett has been my best friend since eighth grade when we were in the same class. She was such a rebel, yelling at teachers and hitting bullies. I always admired her confidence. It's so strange to think Scarlett and Taylor are twins. They are nothing alike.

I notice Taylor has the tackiest brand of pads in his hands. "Well those are a no-no, I would recommend these; cheap and quality" I hand Taylor my favourite brand. 

"Nora Sky what would I do without you" Taylor smiles. I blush uncontrollably. 

"Probably endure a tantrum from Scarlett" I state. Scarlett always has to have her way. 

"A birthday cupcake? Who's?" Taylor points to my cupcake. 

"Oh, uh, mine actually" I nervously blurt. No one except Scarlett has acknowledged my birthday for the last seven years. 

"Nora, why didn't you say so? I'll give you a celebratory car ride to school" Taylor offers. 

"I will take you up on that offer" I smile as we pay for our items and head to his car. 

Suddenly my phone buzzes, It's Scarlett. "Happy Birthday Biatch! Love you the most!" Her drunken voice echoes through my ear as she slurs through Happy Birthday. 

"Are you drunk Scar?" I ask tiredly. 

"A little party never killed anybody babe. Now when can I see your cute face?" Scarlett giggles. 

"Your brother is giving me a ride to school" I explain. "My brother? Since when were you two so cosy?" Scarlett asks.  "Since you make him run your errands to the mall" I respond sharply, rather annoyed at her persistence. 

"Does somebody have a crush on my brother? Ooh!" Scarlett coos, mocking a pathetic kissing sound. Taylor looks over at me worriedly. He definitely heard that. I hang up the phone abruptly and squint my eyes. 

"Listen, Nora. You and I will never happen. You can't like me ok" Taylor mutters. I'm taken by surprise with his hurtful tone. "Scarlett was just kidding around" I defend myself. 

"Well maybe get balls of your own and tell her to shove it" Taylor raises his voice. "Says the guy who just bought her pads!" I retaliate, resulting in him stopping the car and clenching the steering wheel so tight I can see the veins in his hands. 

"Well don't get any ideas, Okay?" Taylor says in a softer tone, thinking his problem has been resolved. 

"Would it really be the worst thing in the world Taylor?" I ask, hurt. Everyone in my life shuts me out anyways, why would I think any differently with him. I unlatch the car door and start walking on the side of the pavement grumpily. 

"Nora, please get back in the car, really I'm sorry" Taylor offers, sympathy streaming from his tempting puppy dog eyes. But my anger overcomes my lust.

"Taylor, with my very OWN balls. I'm telling you to shove it!" I yell jogging away down the pavement. The soft sound of his car purring away fuels my anger. I'm not usually this ballsy, but damn it feels good.