One House Behind | ✓

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲

Tanner

Monday morning, two months before school ended, I had woken up a bit late. School started five minutes before and I was not living for it. I grunted as I sat up in bed, rubbed my eyes, and grabbed my laptop.

Upon reaching the desired website, I realized that I was not ready for it. I had a few sessions of class before and so I figured that just a hairbrush would be fine if they asked me to put my video on.

"-and then we cross them, don't ask why, we just do," the teacher said.

I leaned over to grab my headphones and notebook. I lifted the left side of my lip for a second before setting it back down. I hated having math for a class so early on the morning.

I texted my teacher after class and during break to explain why I was late. She was lenient with me and sent me pictures of the rest of the notes. I wrote them down and then continued the rest of my classes for the day.

After I was done with all my classes, instead of going outside to see if Shelly was there, I did my homework. It was nothing more of an hour for my regular classes but I had an essay due at the end of the week and I wanted it done now.

Or done so I could revise it over the week.

By the time I was done with almost everything, it was already three. I grabbed my toothbrush and some pajamas to take a shower. Taking my towel, I walked to the bathroom to find it locked.

"Susie!"

"Ya gotta be quicker than that!"

"Ugh!" I threw my head back before walking to my parent's room.

"Yes?" my mom asked.

"Can I use your bathroom? Susie's in the other one."

"Sure, just make sure-"

"To leave enough hot water, I know," I mumbled as I strolled in their room and locked the bathroom door.

As I showered, I wondered if Shelly was already outside. Or why she always went outside. I figured that I would just stay inside as there was nothing to do. My phone and room were my best friends.

The more I thought of last night, the worse I felt that everything was adding up for her. She must have kept everything bottled up and then one thing made her snap. I was the same way but with anger instead.

Finishing my shower, I turned the water to the hottest it could go just to spite Susie. I knew she took long showers and all the hot water went out after them. This was just momentary payback.

Walking to my room after brushing my teeth, I saw Susie walk out of the restroom with a sneer on her face. So it did get cold. Smirking, I tipped my head at her before going to my room and locking the door. Who knew what she could do?

"Mom!"

"What?"

"He made the shower cold!"

"Maybe you should have gotten out quicker," my dad eased his way into the conversation.

I silently laughed as she tried to get me in some sort of trouble. It wasn't working. I ruffled my hair and then put my slides on. I wanted to see what they were going to say to me.

"What did I tell you? Not to make the shower cold," my mom scolded as soon as I walked into the kitchen.

"But she's always in there for a long time," I threw back.

"He's right." At least Dad had my back for this one.

"Shut it," she told my dad.

"No more showering at the same time, understand?"

"Yep."

"Thank God." Susie sighed as she walked to her room.

When everyone walked back to their room, I walked outside. The sun wasn't beaming as hot today and I figured some lounging outside wouldn't be so bad. I hurried inside to grab a blanket to lie on.

"So, you took my advice?" I heard Shelly say as soon as I had laid down. Opening my eyes, she was now beaming down at me, a knowing smile on her lips, and her hair prettily decorated.

"Eh, the sun does feel good."

"I told you," she said in a singing voice.

I laughed as I closed my eyes. The sun was warm and made me calm. It felt like a blanket on a cold night that does what it's supposed to. I drifted off to sleep as I thought of different ways to describe the feeling.