The Secrets We Hold

Chapter One - Eryn

I wake up to an alarm clock shouting in my ear. It takes me what seems like 50 million hits to get the alarm clock to stop. My two step-siblings are making a racket throughout the house. Why can't they ever be quiet! Monday's are always the worst, especially in the mornings.

I groggily get out of my comfortable bed. I slide my slick black door and stumble across the hall to get to the bathroom, that I sadly have to share with my step-siblings. I slip out of my plain purple shirt and baggy gym shorts from my freshman year, then slowly hop into the shower letting the warm water wash away the sweat of sleeping. My long green hair sticking to my wet back. The color is fading, it used to be a bright teal color, now it's just a murky green and my dark brown roots are popping out at the top. I'll have to ask Mom if I can redye it.

The long hair still feels new on my back, even though I've been growing it out for a little over two years now. Will it ever feel normal?

I get out of the shower, make my way back to my room, and put on my crappy school uniform. All the girls have to wear a knee length green checkered skirt that has a silver lining on it, along with a long sleeved white button up shirt. We are in the 21st-century!us girls get some damn pants? One day I swear I'm going to start a petition to get us some pants. But at least the dress code allows me to be able to wear knee high socks.

I sit down at my vanity, attempting to do my makeup and when I say attempting, I really mean attempting. I'm really bad at makeup. My hand is so shaky today, so I don't even try to do anything special with my eyes. Other than my regular nude brown eye shadow, that apparently complements my violet eyes. Or so I've been told, I don't really know why though.

"Mom, can you come here?" I yell at her. I want her to check my make up and maybe braid my hair for today, if there is time.

"Just a second! I'm helping the twins get out the door! What do you need?" She yells back to me. I can tell she's tired.

"Never mind!" I scream, "I got it!" I'm happy that my mom is happy but, I wish she had more time to finally do all the girls stuff together, now that we can. "Thanks anyway, Mom," I mumble.

Growing up, I always eavesdropped on these girls talking about shopping with their mothers. I wanted that so bad, but why would a boy get his nails done or try on dresses with his mother? A boy is supposed to do sports, play catch with his father, do manly things.

Sometimes I wish I just known I was a girl sooner. Maybe that would've helped with things like this. Then I wouldn't have to feel like I missed out on half of my childhood. But, I can't change the past and I get to be who I really am now. Which is all that matters in the end, I guess.

I finish up my makeup, put my hair up into a ponytail real quick, and grab my purple school bag. I'm almost completely out the door when my phone rings.

I manage to fish out my phone out of my backpack without missing the call! I'm so proud of myself for that. But it still would be so much easier if the school would just allowed girls to wear damn pants!

"Hello?" I say picking up the call while continuing to walk down my driveway. It's kinda cold outside for it being October. Should I go back inside and get a jacket?

"What's taking you so long? Axel isn't here yet and I'm bored." Tobia's whining voice pierces through the phone. Ah, yes. Tobia. That kid doesn't waste any time on the phone, I swear!

Tobia has been my best friend since kindergarten. We both were very antisocial, even as kids. Even though he isn't as antisocial as he was anymore (traitor). The second week of school the teacher had us get into pairs and we were the only two left. We didn't have any friends 'cause we were just that awkward. Every since then if we have a project, we'd do it together.