I awake to my phone's 9 am alarm, a bit confused at first and believing all of last night was a dream. Once I sit up and fully wake up I realize that nope...that was real life!
Holy crap!
I set my phone on the bathroom counter and play Good Morning by Max Frost. I'm feeling refreshed and energized like never before as I jump into the shower and start singing along, something I don't think I've ever done!
After I get out and dry off, I try to style my hair so it'll look cute and I don't have to wear my hat, but I can't get it the way I want so the hat goes on.
I spray a bunch of cologne and apply a bit of extra deodorant, then head back to my room and change into some jeans and another blue shirt. I guess I just really like blue. I put my socks and shoes on and stroll out to the living room.
Mom is sitting on the couch watching a local news meteorologist who is warning about potential severe weather later tonight, and Dave and Isaac are nowhere to be seen. Maybe the universe finally decided they're horrible people and they spontaneously combusted?
I sit down next to her on the couch.
MOM: Morning, grouchy. You seem to be in a much better mood today.
"Baby it's a brand new day, ain't no clouds hanging over me!"
She gives me a weird look.
"It's from a song."
MOM: Oh.
"Where's everyone else?"
MOM: Dave went to Pooblix, and Isaac is still sleeping.
"What the hell is Pooblix?"
MOM: I don't know, apparently some fancy grocery store.
"Are you sure that's how it's pronounced?"
MOM: Well that's how Dave said it, and he's usually right.
I have to contain myself from laughing at the absurdity of that statement.
MOM: Isaac had a rough night. Hopefully he feels better today.
"He deserved it."
MOM: EVAN! That's not nice!
"HE'S not nice! He didn't even feel an ounce of guilt about what he did to Tyler!"
MOM: Who's Tyler?
Oh shit.
"Um...just an employee at the park, I don't know why I remember his name."
MOM: I know Isaac can be difficult. But he's under a lot of stress right now, with football and whatever.
"That doesn't give him an excuse to be a complete jerk to everyone around him!"
MOM: I agree with you, Evan. I do.
"He never acted like this until Dave came into the picture."
MOM: That's not true!
"It's 100% true and you know it!"
MOM: Oh please. Get a grip, Evan.
"You know, it's amazing to me the lengths you'll go to defend the man. You could care less about Isaac and I."
YOU ARE READING
A Breath of Fresh Air
Teen FictionFor 17-year-old high school senior Evan Brooks, life could be better. He's a social outcast at school, stuck in a rural small town he never wanted to move to, and he's got a secret he's desperately trying to keep: he's gay. When his family decides t...
