Downfall [h.s]

↞ Chapter 5 ↠

Waking up that morning was a trip. I was still in my clothes from yesterday along with my makeup, which was now smeared all over my white pillow case. I had managed to sleep a full eighteen hours and yet, I felt as if I had been run over by a monster truck. After a long shower though, I was feeling much more awake and agreeable. Good thing too because I ran into my mom as I got my breakfast ready.

"What are you still doing here?" I asked, glancing at the clock as I stuck a bagel in the toaster. She was usually out the door before 6, so it was strange that she was still here at 7 in the morning.

"I'm meeting with a client in a little bit not too far from here and I figured that it would save me a trip to the office... Oh! Before I forget, your father is taking me with him on one of his 3 day business trips. We're going to be in Portland this weekend and leaving really early in the morning on Friday, so don't be alarmed if you don't see us," She explained. It was strange hearing her speak to me like conversation between us was normal. If I closed my eyes and tried really hard, I could almost pretend that the two of us had a real relationship. It was almost funny.

I couldn't help the snappy remark that spilled from my mouth before I could think to stop it. "Not like I see you on a normal day anyways."

She looked so startled at my bitter remark that the expression looked foreign on face. She was usually so poised and put together that "taken aback" was definitely not a look she commonly sported. But true to her personality she pulled herself together quickly and went on the defensive. "I'm sorry that I am a working woman with ambitions and goals to pursue. My whole schedule doesn't revolve around you, Daisy."

Once again, she managed to make everything my fault. I wish I could say this didn't happen often, but it seemed that no matter the topic, everything I said would be thrown back in my face. Sometimes I wondered why they even decided to have a kid. I sighed, angry and not up for a fight that I never win, "Forget I said anything mom. Go have fun with dad this weekend. It's not like I'll see you before then anyways."

Abandoning my bagel, I pushed past her and headed back to my room to get ready. For once, I didn't do much with my hair and just left it in its natural half curled, half wavy state and focused more on pulling an outfit together. I opted for something simple: light washed shorts, a green t-shirt, and white adidas. My makeup was also simple: bb cream, mascara, brows, and a little bit of blush and bronzer to give my face dimension. Before I could change my mind and convince myself that I looked terrible, I grabbed my backpack and ran back downstairs.

Not surprisingly, my mom was nowhere to be seen. The lack of her presence made getting the rest of my stuff together easier. My bagel though, was a bust. Since I had left it in the toaster so long it had morphed from a breakfast item into a hockey puck. I decided to forgo breakfast this morning. My grumbling stomach wasn't happy, but I wasn't going to risk being late on the third day of school, though there was no doubt that was bound to change after the first week.

When I got to school, the hunger had only progressed further and so had my grumpy mood. I tried hard to always be upbeat and happy, but I just wasn't feeling it today. No matter how hard I tried to pull myself together before I walked into the building, I couldn't bring myself to seem happy when I was miserable. I punched the top of the wheel and took a couple of deep breaths before I allowed myself to get out of the car and join the masses.

Mack was waiting for me by my locker with a coffee in each of her hands and a Dunkin bag hanging from her fingers. She smiled when she saw me approaching and held out one of the coffee cups.

"I had a little extra time this morning so I stopped by Dunkin and thought I'd pick you up something. It's a chai latte with extra vanilla like you like," She said, "I also had a free donut from my points so I got a strawberry frosted. If you want it, it's yours."