Magician's Melody: Hymn of the Fallen

Part 1

"Andromeda Nikki Short, get your ass down here NOW!"

"I'M COMING HOLD ON!!" I yelled back at my older sister, Hannah. I flew on a warm jacket over my baggy shirt and slipped on some ripped jeans. I fly out the bedroom door into the living room and past the kitchen. I vaguely saw my mother as I stumbled through the door trying to shove my feet into a random pair of shoes.

"Honey, you should learn to set your alarm. This is the third time you're gonna be late." She sipped her coffee as I stumbled out of the house. I huffed in frustration, flying down the stairs of the two-story apartment we were staying at.

I double-checked everything, "Pants, shirt, jacket, shoes..." I mumbled to myself as I jumped into the car.

I slammed the door shut then- WHAP. A dark green block whacks me in the chest.

"Your bag, loser." Hannah threw the bag at me and started the car.

"Thanks," I responded with as much sarcasm as humanly possible. She pulled away and I rolled down the window to yell, "Bye mom! Have a good day!"

Hannah turned on the radio and sped down the small streets onto the highway, going much faster than the speed limit.

"Better not get pulled over again, mom said you're gonna have to pay for the ticket this time."

"Well, if you weren't so lazy we could have left earlier." I shrugged my shoulders. I punched her in the arm and she punched me back harder.

"Ow! It's hard to love you when you're such an asshole in the mornings." I smacked her arm again.

"You know you love me. If you didn't, I'd be dropping your sorry ass right here in the middle of the highway."

"Uhm, Hannah. You missed my school..." A little voice in the back perked up.

I nearly jumped out of the car. "CAMERON?! What the hell?? When did you get back there??" My little blond-haired brother in his booster seat fiddled with the straps on his backpack looking down.

Hannah groaned, "Mom's car got fucked up by some douche last night in the parking lot. So we're taking Cameron to school today." She glanced back at him from the mirror.

"Don't worry, the elementary school doesn't care if you're late anyway. I'll drop Nikki off first and then we can swing by the mall and get smoothies or something. You can miss the first hour of school." Hannah, the irresponsible, yet loving older sister.

Cameron crossed his arms and a little smile crossed his face, "I won't tell mom we played hooky if you get me some fries from McDonald's."

"Deal." Hannah reached her arm back and gave Cameron a pinky promise. For an eight-year-old, he was pretty good.

Hannah swung the car into the school parking lot as the first bell rang. I hugged her and I reached through the window and gave Cameron a big hug. Then I ran to my first period.

After just barely getting to the first period on time, the rest of the day was pretty slow. I still got a little lost finding some classes, it was only the first week after all. Lunch ended and now I was in my last period for the day. Art.

I had never been happier with my schedule. Every period today sucked, but having this class made the whole day better.

I had been wanting to practice my inks and charcoals since we didn't have any at home. I was pretty bummed when all the charcoal pencils were gone, but at least he had plenty of nice pens to work with.

I drew quick sketches of Cameron from the backseat of the car eating fries and drinking smoothies. I drew another picture with Hannah and Cameron playing tug of war with a bag of Cheetos. True story.