Theories of Global Warming

~Terry~

"You better comb your hair, boy!" my mother shouted from the living room. I stood at the doorway, my backpack slung on one shoulder. Running a comb through my hair didn't seem of any value to me when I woke up this morning. All I could think of was our meeting and what Provence had in store for us. It was obvious that it was most likely going to be foolish. Guess what? It was. Shocker.

I didn't bother responding to my mom, for it was no use. There was no motivation left in my body after what had occured today. All I wanted to do was go to my room, draw the blinds, crash in my bed, and drown everything out. So, that's exactly what I did.

I pulled the sheets over my head, and hugged my knees to my chest, feeling the prickles of my not yet fully developed hairy legs rub against my arms. The world seemed to shake my bed. My whole body was shuddering, and yet I couldn't move a single limb.

All I could think about was Provence's plan for Arum. I wasn't quite sure how it was going to happen, but anything involving Arum and water already terrified me. Sure, she could stay above water, but she could have a spasm attack at any moment. The thought of Arum dying in a situation I already knew was dangerous for her caused goosebumps to form against my skin.

The only person who would be able to stop Arum was Arum. Although. There was only one other person. Daryl. Even though she hung out with us more than him, there was no doubt that she trusted him more. They had grown up together and had seen each other at their worst points. For example, when Daryl's dad was in jail. Arum had never told us the details about it, but they played video games together throughout the experience. Another time was when Arum would be in the hospital and he would show up with flowers. They were always a shade of red or yellow. Sometimes it was a mixture of the two colors. We would come too, but every time we usually got her some sort of stuffed animal so it wouldn't look like we were copying him. However, when Daryl would step into the room, her face would light up as if she hadn't seen him in years.

I never fully understood why some people favor others over their close friends. We've seen and talked to Arum every day for the past 5 years and she gets giddy every time that kid, Daryl comes around. He's in our math class and she has never conversed with him on a daily basis. She just kinda waves and grins like a maniac. Then again, Arum has always smiled that way, but that's besides the point. She's never done that to us... Well, she has, because she's Arum, but... Not like that.

In my bed was where I remained for the rest of the night. Surprisingly, my mother didn't scream at me to water the flowers or to do her laundry as she usually did on Friday nights. Perhaps she was feeling under the weather? Too sick that she didn't feel obligated to order me around. That was unlikely. I considered checking on her, but that would trigger her. So, I just laid there, motionless, until my mind drifted elsewhere, and my vision went dark.