Judged

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

"Dad... do I have to?" I whisper, putting on my best pouty face. 

"Unfortunately, yes. If I let you stay home again your mom will murder us both. Me, especially." 

"At least then I wouldn't have to go to school," I murmur. 

My dad chuckles, exposing the wrinkles around his eyes. Normally I would tease him about being old, but he's only 39. I'll wait until he turns 40, then I'll give him hell and call him things like "ancient" and "older than dirt." He'll know I'm just joking of course. 

Unlike my mom, my dad can actually take a joke. 

"Come on Harper. It's only 6 hours of the day. Tell you what, if you survive the whole day then the twins and I will pick you up from school and take you out for celebratory ice-cream," he says, hope filling his voice.

"Bribery? From you? Dad, I must say I'm highly disappointed," he just smirks. He knows I'm a sucker for a good bowl of ice cream. Damn it. "Okay, bribe accepted." 

He grins before adding "You better get ready then. School starts in forty minutes." And he leaves my room. I sigh, then get up. Freshman year, I would've been freaking out with only forty minutes to get ready for school. I needed at least an hour and a half back then. 

But that was back when I gave a shit.

Pulling open my closet, I get an idea. And I know it'll drive my mom fucking nuts. 

Less than ten minutes later, I enter the kitchen where my family is eating breakfast, all except for Hudson. I haven't seen him much lately around the house, other than yesterday morning when he came into my room and woke me up. Weird. 

Alanis is slurping the milk from her cereal bowl, and Lennon is over by the fridge roughly petting our dog who seems to be sleeping. She's a German Shepard that the twins named Lally. Hudson got her for the twins for Christmas last year. Let's just say mom wasn't too happy about that little gift.

Speak of the devil, she must have heard me enter because she turns around in her seat at the kitchen table to look at me. 

"You're wearing THAT to school?" she asks demeaningly. I'm wearing my ratty black converse, light gray sweats, an oversized purple sweater, and my over-the-shoulder bag. I didn't bother with a backpack.

"Well yeah. Or I could just not go at all. That's fine too," I say nonchalantly. She narrows her eyes at me. I shove a piece of bacon into my mouth, pretending I don't notice her glare. Mmmm bacon. 

"You look like you just rolled out of bed for christ's sakes!" 

"That's because I did. Just be happy I brushed my hair." I know I'm pushing my luck when I see my dad look up at me from his newspaper and shake his head slightly. But I figure since she's the one making me go, I might as well let her know how unhappy I am about it. 

She stands up, grabbing her purse. "Lets go."

"What?" I ask bewildered. 

"I'm taking you to school," she says sternly. 

I hesitate for a second. Then walk over to the fridge, and grab out a red bull. I don't usually drink red bull, but I think I'm gunna need it today. I close the fridge, slide the red bull in my bag, and ruffle up Lennon's hair. Alanis runs up, and I give her a hug before going over and giving my dad a quick peck on the cheek. 

"I'll walk, thanks" I say, leaving the kitchen. 

"But you'll be late." 

"Like I care," I say from the living room, just loud enough that she can hear me. Walking out the front door, I lightly slam it behind me and begin my journey towards hell.