Fire and Ice

Chapter 11: The Partner From Hell

"Vega, come on! You don't want to be late!" my dad's voice booms from
downstairs. Even though I can't see him I know he's probably standing at the foot of the staircase, his hands resting firmly on his hips, and impatiently tapping his foot against the hardwood floor.

"I'm almost done!" I yell back, my voice cracking slightly from my tiredness as well as the hour-long crying fit I had last night.

Cupping my hands I scoop a handful of the warm water from my bathroom sink and splash it onto my face in an effort to reduce the redness and puffiness of my eyes. Looking up into the mirror I sigh and shake my head when I see some redness still lining the underpart of my eyes. My throat tightens at the memory of me curled up in my bed, my legs tangled in my blanket as my body wracked with sobs, Seth's words running loops in my mind over and over and over again until exhaustion eventually took me over.

It wasn't only Seth's cruel words that led to my fit, my self-despair at being so naive and desperate to be liked which led to this happening played a major part in this endeavour. I can't believe I was so naive enough to think that I guy like Seth, cute and popular, would be interested in me. Sadly that wasn't the worst part of last night's encounter. The revelation that Seth was only trying to sleep with me was immediately followed by the discovery that Toby was as well. This made everything so much worse, not only was I being fooled and ticked by one boy, but two. I never thought I could sink into any new kind of lows in my life, but like always I managed to surprise even myself.

"Vega, last warning!" my dad yelled yet again but this time it was different, he wasn't annoyed, he was getting angry.

Anger surged within me, it caused my blood to boil but this time something... something felt different. Usually, when I get angry my skin feels hot and a blood-red blush creeps up my cheeks. This time was different, every nerve in my body and fiber of my skin grew deathly cold. I was almost too scared to look down in fear that instead of my milky white flesh I would see a sheet of ice covering my insides from the world.

"I said I'm coming!"

Draining the sink I slung my bag over my shoulder and rushed down the stairs and toward the kitchen where my parents were anxiously waiting for me.

"What took you so long?"

"I didn't get much sleep last night," I groan, not wanting to give him any more information not only because I didn't want to admit to my father that I went on a date last night but I was too worried that if I went into it I would start crying.

"Okay, well we better get going if you want to get to school on time," my dad says in between gulping down the last of his coffee.

"Don't I get breakfast first?" I ask.

"You should have thought about that before you took so long in the bathroom," he shot at me as he picked up his briefcase, kisses my mom on the cheek and headed toward the car.

"Seriously," I huff and slam my hands against the counter.

My mom sends a warm smile my way while she hands me the old green lunch bag I used when I was in elementary school.

"I made you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that you can snack on in the car."

For the first time since last night, I smile and I happily take the sandwich.

"Bye, Mom," I quietly mumble and plant a long and loving kiss on her cheek.

"Goodbye, honey," She gave me a small smile. Right before I could turn and walk away she reaches out and gently grabs my arm and pulls me back. "Chocolate always helped me when someone broke my heart," she whispers.