Theories of Global Warming

~Arum~

Daryl: Hey, wanna come with me to Cincinnati today? I have to go see something that I want you to see as well.

Arum: Is this another religious thing? If so, I only do god's work on Sunday.

Daryl: No. Are you coming or not?

I thought over my answer for several moments. Provence would probably want to do some more planning today for the theory we would be trying out soon. She texted me last night that she and Lee made some revisions. At the same time, I've never been to Cincinnati before. Mom never wanted to take me. I get fidgety in cities. It's embarrassing, she had told me over and over again.

My mind then wandered over to breakfast. I went to the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of fruit loops, making sure not to spill the milk. Then, my phone went off. Daryl was trying to call me. I answered.

"Daryl?" I asked.

"Hey, Arum. Are you coming or what? I kind of need to know soon so that I can leave the house." I smacked my head. I couldn't believe that I had nearly forgotten about his request.

"Uh... Sure." Absentmindedly, I hung up the phone. I shrugged before finishing my fruit loops.

As I was putting my bowl in the sink, my mom approached me, "Good morning, Arum," she sang, pleasantly, "who were you on the phone with this early in the day?"

"Daryl," I answered, nonchalantly. "He's taking me to Cincinnati today."

"Really? What are you two going to do in Cincinnati?" My mom perked up as she took a rag and started wiping down the table.

I shrugged, "I dunno. He won't tell me." Under normal circumstances, this would be a red flag to my mother that a male was going to take her mentally sick daughter to the city for an unknown reason, but my mom liked Daryl. He was your friendly, local, Christian guy who she's known all of her life.

Mom smiled, "Well, alright, have fun. Text me when you get there."

"Mmmmhmm...." I hummed in agreement, although we were both aware that I would forget three seconds later. I skipped into my room to get ready for the day. I wore my navy blue tank top and baggy ripped jeans. The way that they had ended up in my closet was fuzzy, but I was pretty sure that they used to be Terry's or Lee's. Probably Lee's. Terry doesn't wear ripped jeans. He doesn't see the point in them. Maybe the tank top was Terry's? I was unsure.

I stood in front of body-length mirror that was propped awkwardly against my hole covered bedroom wall. I inspected myself in it as I brushed my waist length white hair.

Suddenly, my hairbrush slipped out of my hands. My shoulder blades were almost completely black and purple. There was a faint memory of frustration and high pressure in the back of my head, but I just couldn't figure out what it was from.

I was considering covering up with a sweatshirt, but I decided against it. It was too hot and I didn't want to pass out while hanging out with Daryl, or else he would make me go home.

Then, I got a text. It was the group chat.

Provence: You guys wanna meet at the park today?

Terry: Yeah. I got nothing else to do.

Provence: Preach, Terry.

Lee: We all know that.

Arum: I have plans today.

Provence: Did you not read that notebook I lended to you last night?