i'll die anyway.

act 1

I practically punch my phone to turn off the alarm. I got 2 hours of fucking sleep. With that in mind, I slide off my mattress and pick up the black hoodie that's been one the floor for maybe 3 weeks. It'll do for today. I quickly brush my teeth, and splash some water on my face. It's hard to care about your appearance when the only person who pays attention to it is you. I proceed to cautiously open the bathroom door... and let out a sigh of relief. The lights are still off. No mom this morning. Perfect. I stride over to the kitchen to grab a cereal bar- and a $20 from my mom's wallet. She's too deranged to notice anyways. Only difference from this morning is dad's gone, no surprise there though. I pull on my beaten to hell Converse I'm sure I've had since 4th grade, grab my backpack, dig out my earbuds and shove the 20 in its place. I open the door, and give it a gracious shove once I'm out.

I start the same routine I do every morning: I turn on the same angry playlist, the same bland route to school, and pass the same people. It's all a blur until I hear someone yell "RHIANNONNNNNNN". I don't even need to look. I know it's Ivy. She does this every morning.
"IVY GET YOUR ASS UP HERE"
Sooner than I expected, I feel a huge amount of weight get pressed onto my back as she jumps up behind me.
"Kinda feel like ditching today, how about you?"
I bite my lip. I have no idea how many unexcused absences I have. All I know is that its most likely more than allowed. Mom won't like that.
"Ugh I wish, I think I've already hit max though."
Ivy rolls her eyes.
"Oh come onnnn, do I need to call in for you? Here gimmie your phone."
I actually hand it over. I put in my own number as the emergency/parental contact, for common sense reasons. Ivy always uses her "mom" voice whenever she calls in for me: and somehow it works. Guess office ladies can't tl the difference between a middle aged woman and 14 year old girl trying to change the dynamic of her voice.
Ivy calls in and gets me off the hook. Maybe today won't be so bad after all.
"So... where we heading now?"
"Not school, that's for sure."
Ivy grabs my wrist and pulls me after her. All the sudden we're running down the streets of downtown Grand Rapids, towards heaven knows what. Ivy always has somewhere to go- I swear this girl makes a list. We finally skid to a stop.
"Ivy... this is a Circle K."
"Yes? You got the $20, right?"
I roll my eyes so damn hard it hurts.
"Yes, yes I do. What about it?"
"You have your mom's ID too, right?"
"Oh my god yes I do, stop doubting me."
She dramatically swings the gas station door open, catching attention of the crackheads. I love that ho but she's so unaware of herself, all the damn time. She takes off towards the end of the store, all I can do is follow. She throws the freezer door open and grabs 3 Red Bulls. Jesus christ this girl- before I can finish my thought she blurts "Red Bull today, I don't feel like drinking baby wipe Monster."
"Couldn't agree more."
I grab 2 for myself, then I walk over to the register. Coast is clear.
"Will that be all?"
"Actually, we need a pack of Camels. My mom needs them."
Somehow the cashier doesn't bat an eye, and pulls a pack off the back wall for me.
"Here ya are, total's $17.73."
I hand her the $20. I like this woman, wasn't expecting an easy out like that.
"Keep the change."

Ivy leads me out of the store, pulling me to our next adventure.