Eunoia

I

  Waking up was never easy, especially when you knew what you'd have to face the moment you left the comfort of your bed. Getting ready for school always felt as a punishment, but the only thing that kept me from going back to my bed and curling under my soft white blankets was the thought that I only had to endure the suffering for a year, just one more stomach-turning year of secondary school, and then I would leave, leave to somewhere far, the furthest from home the best.

   As soon as I finished packing I sat down at my desk and fetched my most cherished possession, at first glance it may seem like a common old book, its pages had acquired a slightly yellowish tint and its cover overly bent. But inside those pages resided a story that could place a smile on my chapped lips, the story of perseverance and love, but mostly pain. When my clock struck eight I started to go down the stairs to the front door before I reached for the metallic handle I slowly announce that I'll be leaving with my usual guttural voice, waiting to hear a response, the voice of my mother but there was nothing, only my words getting lost within the atmosphere. As I swing the door open I take a deep breath preparing for the feeling of the icy wind colliding abrasively against my pallid face. The streets were empty and dark, and the street lights dimly lighted my path. Dread slowly started to creep at the back of my mind, as I started to make my way towards the place that embodied all my anxiety and stress, school.

   Passing through the front gate, I'm greeted with the usual stale "hello" by the overworked doorman. As I enter my classroom, I'm surrounded by familiar faces, and a particular face catches my attention, his, yes it's a he, and you must be thinking "here we go again the usual love story" but before you judge me hear me out...where was I again? Oh yes, his pale skin and ebony eyes always made me wonder what he was thinking, needless to say, I was crushing on him to the point where my highest point of the day was our small afternoon chats when no one was around us and even if there was I was completely engulfed by his words. However, today was not exactly what you call a good day. When my chemistry teacher barged in my classroom all heads turned "Amelia, your mum is on the phone she has something to tell you." She said with her raspy voice, as she looked at me. I stood up from my desk and extended my small thin arm to reach the phone my teacher held in her hand, as she placed it on my hand I made my day for the door, so I could hear my mother clearer. "Hello?" I plainly said "Amelia, you are to leave school right now!" my mum exclaimed, "may I please know the reason for my early departure?" I asked already knowing the answer was going to be no, "You may not." She answered before hanging up. I see it seems like mother never changes. "Miss." I called out, as I walked towards my stout teacher "I am to leave, my mother awaits my presence, may I excuse myself?" I asked with a monotonous voice. "I would ask for the reason, but I see there's no use since both of us already suspect the reason, you are excused, Amelia Blanchette." My teacher responded, "Thank you, I will return as soon as I'm discharged." I replied adding a slight bow before heading outside. As soon as I left the perimeters of school Lionel, my mother's chauffeur, made his way to me, "Miss Blanchette, I was informed to escort you to your house, now if you may." He said as his lean arm opened the back door of the car. To this I only nodded and entered the black Bentley, one of many recent acquisitions of my mother, during the whole ride I kept quiet with my earphones deep within my ears, and my head someplace only I know.

  When we arrived I slowly took off my seat belt and opened the door, only to hear Lionel say "If I were you I'd be careful with the words I'd choose, Misses Blanchette isn't having a good morning." And drove off, "my mother having a bad day, when does that ever happen..." I sarcastically mumbled before retrieving my house keys from my purse, before I could even place the key in the keyhole the door swung open. "Amelia... late, as usual, mother has been patiently awaiting you in her office." She said with a scornful look plastered on her face. "Good morning to you too, sister" I replied before walking past her and heading to my mother's office, as I stood before the door my head started to play out scenarios of how our conversation was going to go, and more importantly how it was going to end. I gathered my courage and knocked twice at the door. "Enter." And so that's what I did, I carefully twisted the door handle and with an exhale I opened the door. Sitting by her broad wooden desk was my mother, her arms crossed and a stern look on her face. "Sit." She ordered and pointed at one of the chairs facing her, "Well, Amelia I believe you already know the reason behind my calling for your presence, do you not? But since it's always so challenging to understand what on earth is going inside your head, I'll explain it to you, you're sister Francis has been wrongfully accused..." She said as she stood up to close the office's door. "Pardon me mother, but could I please know what these...false accusations maybe..." I asked trying to hide my feelings within the words; false accusation ha, my sister never takes credit for her wrongdoings so she blames it on everyone. "my sweet Francis was accused of leaking photos of her classmate in a compromising circumstance." My mother said while circulating me. "don't you find it rather interesting how school drama always seems to follow my dearly beloved sister?" I exclaim with a sarcastic tone and a smirk on my face. "What are you insinuating? That Francis is responsible for every terrible accusation, don't mistake her for you." My mother shrilled, her voice piercing my eardrums. "No mother I'm not insinuating, I'm stating facts, you see I've grown very tired of these inconveniences regarding my sister." I said, "Well Amelia if that's your opinion, it's better if you don't dine with us today, my advice is to steer clear from my sight because next time I won't be so condescending!" My mum yelled while pointing to the door. "good day to you too, best of luck in cleaning Francis mess this time for I won't be there to help you." I said sternly, before exiting the office.