The Unexpected Deal

✿ Marilyn: The Beginning (Prologue) ✿

I WAS teetering on the edge of my own sanity, my eyes darting to the glowing numbers on my phone: three thirty-three. The school was a hive of anticipation for the upcoming football game. The fervor over a single football team, the girls swooning over the jocks— it all seemed absurd. Yet, the thought of returning home was equally daunting.

Suddenly, a voice broke through my thoughts. "So, now I don't exist. I find that impudent."

I snapped my locker shut and pocketed my phone, rolling my eyes at Selena Forrest, my closest friend. "You don't even know what that means," I retorted.

She crossed her arms and smirked. "Of course I do. It means you're ignoring me, which is rude." Despite myself, a small smile tugged at my lips. Selena had a knack for lightening my mood. "Sorry, I'm just lost in my own thoughts," I admitted.

Her expression softened. "Want to talk about it?" she offered. I shook my head, not wanting to dampen the mood further.

As we navigated through the horde of students, Selena casually mentioned how she learned the word 'impudent' from Harmony to expand her vocabulary. She then lamented about how slow our senior year was progressing. She wasn't wrong.

High school was far from enjoyable for me, but it offered a semblance of comfort. Selena was a whirlwind of chaos, her carefree attitude and hatred for homework assignments was a stark contrast to my diligent nature. Her unpredictability worried me— I couldn't help but worry that it might jeopardize my college plans— but I wasn't ready to let her go or say goodbye to her.

We exited the school and made our way to my silver Jeep parked under the shade of an old oak tree. My mother disapproved of Selena, her expectations clashing with Selena's unconventional and rebellious ways. But then again, I was far from being the 'normal' child she envisioned.

I was nothing more than an anomaly— a child born out of a marriage that had crumbled before I even took my first breath. My mother's hypocrisy about loyalty left a sour taste in my mouth— she had cheated and yet escaped unscathed without an ounce of remorse.

As we approached the Jeep, Selena playfully raced ahead and jumped into the passenger seat while I fumbled with the keys. The sound of the car door slamming shut echoed in the empty parking lot as I slid into the driver's seat.

Selena immediately reached for the radio dial, her fingers dancing over the buttons as she searched for her favorite station. The static-filled silence was replaced by the strumming of a guitar as she finally found a song she liked.

As we drove away from school, Selena and I discussed our plans for later. She suggested going to a party— a prospect that filled me with dread given the chaos already brewing in my life.

Pulling up to my house, I couldn't help but wonder about our future as friends. Would we drift apart after high school? Or would we remain friends? Only time would tell. All I knew was that I'd lose the closest person I had in my life who kept me sane. She was also one of the few people who knew my secrets that I had buried deep down. Still, the thought of a party seemed like a daunting task right now.

As I pulled into the driveway, I spotted my mother on the front porch. An awkward wave was all I could manage before climbing out of the car and heading inside— another day in the life of an ordinary high school senior with nothing more than parental issues to offer.

"How was school?" My mother's concern seemed almost theatrical.

"It was fine," I muttered as I ducked past her.

"Hey, Lisa," Selena interrupted, smiling.

My mother smiled in response, a tight-lipped smile that hinted at hidden disdain. "Don't stay too long, Selena," she warned. "My daughter doesn't need you to distract her from her studies. Besides, don't you have another parental figure in your life to bother?"