It's Complicated

It's Complicated: 13

I grab the remote off my table and flip on my tv. Again, mom said I wasn't allowed to watch it, but she's sound asleep in the other room. I keep the volume muted and settle back into my pillow to watch Bugs Bunny outsmart Daffy Duck.

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know, someone's lightly prying the spoon out of my hand and laying me flat onto my bed.

"Who's here?" I mumble, turning my head to the side to get more comfortable on my pillow.

No one answers, but the person pulls my covers up over my body. I begin to drift away once again, but not before feeling a slight pressure on my forehead.

The next morning I went through my usual routine and left for school.

The previous night is a little fuzzy, but I remember eating and falling asleep. No where in my memory do I throw away my trash, turn off the TV and tuck myself in. After smelling the all to familiar scent around my room I let the whole thing go. There's no point in yelling at him if he'd probably like it. I swear he gets happier every time I talk to him, even if I'm yelling, so I told myself I wouldn't talk to him anymore.

"Hey Tala." Shane greets me with a smile at the front door.

"Hey man." I readjust my bag on my shoulder and smile up at my taller friend. "Sorry about yesterday." He shrugs and pushes open the doors leading into the courtyard.

"No harm done, but try not to tackle so hard. Gym is hard enough with coach being the teacher, but I don't need my best friend showing me up in tackle football."

"I didn't actually think coach would take me seriously when I asked to do tackle football instead of running." He chuckles and sits down under what we call our tree. I toss my bag to the side and join him on the soft grass.

"I think he wanted to make you quit an go back to running. Boy did you prove him wrong." I smile widely.

"I'm that awesome."

"I was actually thinking it was due to some other thing, but that's just me." I playfully push my friend's face into the dirt and I swear I hear a growl echo from somewhere close by, but I shake it off.

"I thought we agreed not to talk about that." He rolls his eyes and tries to pry my hand from his head. Seeing what he's doing I let go.

"I really dot think its a good thing to keep in . You've been... moodier lately, getting angry at the stupidest things with everyone but me. I'd say your preggo, but I know that's not it." I punch him in the arm. "That's what I thought. "And believe me when I say this is awkward, but I've been around you when your Uncle Tom is visiting and even then you're not this bad." I scrunch my face up in disgust.

"First of all, that's gross and to talk about it with you is even worse. Second, I'm fine and I promise I will be in the future too."

"It probably won't go away even if you ignore it." He mutters and I lay back to look at the sky, throwing my hands behind my head.

"I can hope Shane. Now, I think I heard the bell so unless you want to get in trouble I suggest we go."

"Saved by the bell kid." He smirks and helps me to my feet.

"Yeah yeah yeah... Lets go."

"How was school today Hun?" My mom asks as I wander into the kitchen... For a snack, you caught me.

"It was fine, as always." I respond before grabbing a bag of chip from the pantry.

"Tala, you're going to ruin your dinner." She scolds, brushing a stray piece of her dark blond hair from her face.