Uncoordinated Paths

Chapter 2

Cecily’s POV.

The sunlight from the blinds woke me up. I lazily began opening up my eyes and stretching. I saw Michael standing in front of them, twisting the stick at the side.

Michael: You look disgusting in the morning

Cecily: Oh well thanks, I’m sorry I’m not Megan Fox

My hair was curled up to my shoulders. I sat up and yawned, looking around. 

Cecily: What time is it?

Michael: 6:45. Which means YOU need to get ready

Cecily: Alright, but I don’t know how to use the shower

Michael: We’re running kinda late, so I’ll set the shower up for you

I nodded and looked at him fixing the blinds back to how they were.

?: WHO ARE YOU!?

I looked to the door to see his fraternal twin brother, Julian, standing there with his arms crossed.

Julian: Why is SHE here?

Michael: Cecily, she’s staying here for a while

Julian: Oh, Cecily from 2nd grade? I ‘member her! Why you here?

Cecily: Don’t worry about it…

Michael walked out of the room and Julian followed him. I shut the door behind them, went inside my dresser and picked out clothes. I never dressed up. I always took the first thing out my closet and headed out. Seeing a cut nirvana shirt, with a pair of shorts and combat boots would do today. As for my hair, I guess I’d just leave it big and curly for today.

I began undressing and wrapping a towel around my body, heading toward the sound of running water, which I figured was the bathroom. I walked inside and saw Michael drying his hands off with a towel.

Michael: I think the water’s fine, but the right knob is how water and the left is cold.

He left the bathroom as I shut the door and went inside the shower

***

I stood in front of the mirror, putting my clothes on. I locked the doors, feeling sort of paranoid, in a new house, anybody could be watching me. I dressed myself in my normal attire; cargo shorts and a crop top. My frame was thin and curvy, so it worked. Simple yet cute. My hair was a different story, it was untamable, but very versatile. I wet my hair, letting it curl up to my shoulders and added mouse and conditioner to let it hold. It was big and voluminous, the way I liked it.

Wrapping the one strap on my bag, around my shoulder, I grabbed my phone and headed out. The room and walked downstairs, where I saw Michael in nothing but a muscle T shirt, cooking breakfast. I sat down at the table and rested my hands on my head, tired.

Cecily: You cook?

Michael: Yup. Shh, ain’t nobody needa know that

Cecily: Smells good

I took a plate from a cabinet and puts eggs, sausages and bacon on it, placing the plate in front of me.

Michael: Tastes even better

He gave me a fork and I started eating.

Michael: Ima go clean up. You finish eating kay?

Michael went upstairs and Julian came down. He went inside the fridge, took juice and drank it from the bottle. He wiped his mouth than looked me up and down.

Julian: How long are you gonna be here?

Cecily: Not long. This is just temporary.

Julian: Oh…

He kept looking at me, while I was eating. I felt uncomfortable. Every time I looked back at him, he would look away.

Cecily: So uh…where’s your parents?

Julian: Dad’s a businessman and Mom’s in the army…we’re usually here alone anyway.

Julian and I continued our small talk until Michael came downstairs with his book bag on his back and keys in hand, ready to drive the both of us to school. We headed out the house and into Michael’s car. I sat in the backseat, while Julian in the passengers.

We arrived in the parking lot, and Michael took out the ignition. We got out the car, and we all went our separate ways. I followed behind Michael, not intentionally, but because he was headed to where I usually met up with my friends in the morning.  I saw him meet up with this girl at her locker together, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

My heart felt…uneasy. I was used to seeing him do this, but I don’t know why it didn’t feel right this time.

I walked right past them and walked around the school a bit, deciding to have some alone time today.

?: CECYYYY!!!

I heard my nickname being called from down the other side of the hall. I turned around and saw Sophia running up toward me.

Sophia: Hey…you didn’t meet me by the lobby…what happened?

Cecily: Oh nothing. I had to…go to the computer lab to print out an essay

Sophia: What class?

Cecily: English

Sophia: Oh…

People started to pile in the school and it started getting louder and louder. I looked down at my phone, checking the time.

Cecily: I think we should start heading to class

Sophia: Oh right…Mrs. Harrison is gonna be on our asses if we’re late AGAIN

Her and I started walking past. We walked past large groups of people conversing and laughing, feeling like outsiders because we weren’t involved. I felt uncomfortable the entire time. I felt eyes on me. Sophia looked at all the eyed down all the guys she had a crush on. She quickly turned to me.

Sophia: Did you just see that?

Cecily: See what?

Sophia: Julian…Julian Cordova. He was staring at you…and biting his lip…

Cecily: Really?

Sophia: Yeah…

I was confused. He really didn’t act like he liked me at all. Sophia probably saw wrong. He probably wasn’t even looking at me. He definitely didn’t look at me that way back at his house. I shrugged my shoulders and walked to class.