The Trials and Tribulations of a so-called Trouble Teen

Chapter 9 - Down the Highway

I am fairly exhausted this morning. I think part of that is down to the fact that I spent my energy yesterday making those pancakes, going on that date, hanging with Val and school. Maybe that mocha I had yesterday morning had something to do with it... Whatever it was, I have to accept the fact I'm super duper tired and I may not get through the day in one piece. My dad has been nice enough to make me my smoothie and bring it up to me, but he's still expecting me to be downstairs with everyone before I go to school. Is there something in particular happening this morning that I have to be down for? Are we moving again? No no, we couldn't possibly be. Maybe it's just family spending time together?

G: [knocks door] Evin.

E: [groans] What?

G: [opens door] What's making you take so long?

E: I don't wanna get up.

G: Well you have to.

E: And what if I don't?

G: I'll... I'll... I really can't punish you for anything, you don't do anything.

E: Exactly. [puts sheet over head]

G: Evin, come on now. You can't have a day off just yet, you need to get used to your new routine and all that.

E: [snoring]

G: Darling, come on now, [lifts sheet] you can't be lying here like that all day. [sits on bed] Is something wrong?

E: [silent]

G: Evvie, [brushes hand on face] do you feel sick?

E: No.

G: Do you just feel tired?

E: Yeah.

G: I'll give you a compromise. If you get up now and go to school as normal, I'll give you my credit card and let you have all the freedom to get what you want, no matter the price.

E: Capitalistic bribes won't work with me. [reluctantly sits up]

G: There's no glow in your eyes. Are you okay?

E: [shakes head]

G: What's wrong?

E: Nothing.

G: Evin, come on now.

E: What?

G: You need to get up. I can't have you lying here all day, at least not again.

E: And what if I don't get up?

G: Just get up, I can't really do much about it. If you were still in Marino, I'd let you take the day off, but I can't now.

E: Why?

G: [looks at] It's a new school. I know you're not used to it yet, but since you're not physically unwell, I can't not send you in. What do I have to do to get you out of bed?

E: I want a bike.

G: You still on that bike nonsense?

E: And what about it?

G: I'll take you to buy a bike on Saturday if you get up, okay?

E: Maybe...

G: You want the bike from Bia don't you?

E: [nods]

G: I'll have a look online later for you, now do you promise to get up?

E: Yeah.

G: [gets off bed] Come on. [ruffles hair and then leaves]

E: [gets out of bed] I guess it's time to do shit.