This Isn't Wonderland

Chapter Eight

Nia sat on the couch with her house keys in hand and a bottle of water in the other. She was complaining about her latest boyfriend and how he hadn't asked her to homecoming yet. I snickered to myself as I walked past her, my eyes glaring at my mother who tried to calm Nia and tell her it was okay, that he was planning something big for her. The way they acted was quite ridiculous. Worrying about homecoming as if there isn't anything else to be worrying about. They just shouldn't worry about things in general; worrying leads to stress and stress is never good.

I should know.

"What are you laughing at?" Nia asked, narrowing her eyes at me harshly as if she expected bullets to shot out and hit me. I shrugged, stopping near the kitchen where I looked back at her. "I just think it's stupid how you're worrying about this. After all, I don't blame Matt for not asking you. You're kind of a brat." 

I left Nia to gasp and then scream about my impoliteness. I was walking out the apartment door before Barbara could yell at me though, the sound of Nia's annoying voice still coming from the inside of the room. I sighed, shaking my head as I leaned my back against the door. Ever since I woke up, I had been dizzy and had a slightly hard time walking. It was probably from a lack of nutrition and sleep but what's new.

After taking the elevator down, I put my jacket on and then stepped out into the brisk air, cold winds kissing my cheeks and news leaving an imprint of red. I crossed my arms and began walking, my boots clanking on the ground. 

As I walked to Holdon's house to meet up with Jaclyn, I made sure to walk along side the buildings as opposed to the road. My legs felt as if they would give out at any moment, and I'd rather fall into a bunch of bricks instead of the partly busy road next to me. 

One car beeped loudly next to me making me jump out of my skin. "Come on! I'm late for a meeting!" The person in the car yelled, his fist hitting the air as he continued to scream at the stopped car in front of him. I watched the two people then argue from eachother's car; the person who was going to be late for their meeting and the random stranger who stopped for no reason.

I continued walking, trying to warm myself by rubbing my hands up and down my arms. 

Holdon and Jaclyn both stood in front of Holdon's fancy apartment building, both looking equally cold and miserable.

"About time." Jaclyn muttered through clenched teeth. She was wearing a bright hot pink beanie which matched her girly jacket. I rolled my eyes. Holdon linked his arm with mine and pulled me close to his body, making both Jaclyn and I confused. "What you doing there?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow in his direction. He was wearing a pair of ray bans, the black of the sunglasses making his pale skin pop out under the cloudy sky. 

"Trying to warm up, plus you look like you're freezing. Then again, you always do." 

I chuckled, linking my arms with Jaclyn so that she was on my other side. "He's right, you're always shivering. It's weird." She continued.

Changing the subject, I said, "What day is it?" They were both silent for a while, either they had the slightest clue what day it was or they were waiting to see if the other replied. Jaclyn finally spoke up, saying, "Monday."

"I meant the actual date." I said, annoyed. But this always did happen to me as well as everyone else. So I shouldn't be surprised.

"Oh, it's the the 29 of September." She replied, after checking her phone. I nodded my head and thanked her.

We got to the school in what seemed like hours, the misery we felt from the cold making time stand our drastically.

"Yay, who's ready for some learning?" Jaclyn sighed, shaking her hands together as the three of us cuddled up against each other on the stone wall. I didn't bother to reply. Holdon did though, to be nice, saying, "I have a test today in Chemistry. So does Cary." I nodded my head, "I'll probably have to cheat on you."