Sinister [Jason McCann]

Thirty

Lea’s POV --

 

My legs kick back and forth, not quickly but with a rhythm that followed each time my cheek collided with my pen. Lana was walking in and out of the room, in search for her car keys which she was certain to have left them somewhere on her dresser. Besides the chaotic scene of nail polish, make-up brushes, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, lotions, hair products and other cosmetics, her keys were nowhere to be found.

 

I gave up my search a few minutes prior to the last time she entered and exited the room. Now I lie across Lana’s bed with a textbook open to some page bigger than my age and Lana’s put together. A pen in my hand and a notebook out to answer a set of questions, (which supposedly is said to be repeated on my chemistry exam next week). I was more fascinated with my hair rather than the words right under my nose. Too caught up in my own actions, I used my pen like a curling iron and wrapped it around a lock of hair until I almost cringed once I couldn’t remove the pen completely in a swift motion.

 

“If I don’t find these keys in the next thirty seconds I’m going to kill someone.” Even though Lana was on the other side of the apartment, her voice was still loud and clear from where I resided.

 

Trying to focus, I exhale and start off by rewriting the question into my notebook. My hope was to get my brain functioning as I copied word for word until it was time to actually answer the question in another complete sentence.

 

“Dad will throw a fit if I don’t find these keys.” Her voice became louder as she lead herself back into the room one last time.

 

“Maybe Ace has them.” I shrugged even though that possibility made absolutely no sense. I only spoke for the sake of keeping Lana from talking to herself again. With hands on her hips, she stares at me with a belittling expression. “I’m kidding. But maybe it’s in your purse or something? Dump everything out of it over here.”

 

I push my books to a side, creating a clear and large space for Lana to release all of her belongings onto. Groaning to herself, she heads out into the living room to snatch her purse off of the couch. As she’s strolling back in, I tap my chin with my pencil and stare at my question thoroughly. My plan to have my brain up and running by the time I was done rewriting failed dramatically. Knowing there was no use in trying-that’d only result in stressing myself out further- I close my textbook and scoot over by Lana.

 

“If it’s not in here, I must have left it in Ace’s car last night or something.” She sighs.

 

I nod in agreement and prop myself onto my elbows, holding my face with my hands. As she pours everything out of her bag, I watch an endless supply of necessities hit the blankets and crash into one another. At long last, her keys fall on top of the clutter and with bleak brown eyes, Lana stares at them for a long while. I begin to laugh and roll back to my side of the bed, feeling a small portion of triumph for being right about my guess.

 

“You and mom always do that.” She muttered, stuffing all her things back into the purse without a care for how unorganized it’ll all look. “You both always tell me to check my purse and when I do, I always find what I’m looking for.”