Lenore almost had everything she wanted.
In just a few short months, she'd graduate early from high school, start an internship at her father's new startup in San Francisco, and then head off to college in the fall on a full scholarship. Everything...
But it came out too defensive and made her mother raise an eyebrow.
"I see," she said and then gave a smug smile. "I told you it wouldn't be so bad."
"I guess." Lenore glanced around the kitchen, looking anywhere but at her mom as if she could find an excuse to end this conversation in the wallpaper. She debated abandoning her yogurt.
Her mother straightened up as if she had just thought of something. "Hey! Since it's Friday, why don't we get take out for dinner tonight?"
Lenore was glad for the change in subject, but she fought a grimace. Takeout wasn't much of a treat when you had it several times a week, punctuating the usual spread of boring salads, bland chicken, or something made in the microwave. Her mother had never been much of a cook; her grandmother and her father had been the ones who managed the meals. Yet another thing Lenore missed.
"Your choice," her mother offered when Lenore didn't answer. "Anywhere but sushi. Ever since Delilah got food poisoning from that place, I don't trust it." She shuddered at the thought.
"I'll think about it," Lenore muttered. She couldn't think of anything she would want to order. They'd already gone through the rotation of options, and nothing had impressed her.
"Well, you've got some time to decide," her mother said with a grin, glancing at the clock. "Do you want a ride to school? The wind is pretty bad today."
When wasn't the wind bad? Lenore wondered. But the last straw was the idea of being stuck in a car with her mother. She picked up her unopened yogurt and carried it back to the fridge.
"No thanks," she said, putting it back. "I like the walk."
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Lenore did not like the walk. By the time she got to school, she was half-frozen and her hair was a rat's nest, even after being tied into a ponytail. Her mother had been right about the ferocity of the wind, but Lenore knew she had been right about avoiding a ride with her mother. She couldn't bear any more awkward conversation.
There were a few bright spots to her day, though.
First, since she'd left early, she made it to school with enough time to fix her hair. After dropping off her coat at her locker, she hurried to the bathroom. As she caught sight of herself in the mirror, she found herself smiling.
Because second, the class rotation of the day meant her first class was a double block of Biology... which meant she'd get to see Victor.
With a new ponytail freshly in place, Lenore headed off for the library. As she walked inside, she searched the various tables for her partner. Well, partners, technically, though Brad rarely showed his face. She doubted he'd show up today, either... Not that she minded. With no Brad, she and Victor could work and talk freely without worrying about any of his boneheaded interjections.
Their presentations were due next week. As she searched the tables, she saw a few of the other groups were in a panic to finish up and avoid any extra homework on the weekend. She wasn't as concerned; she and Victor were pretty much done. All they really needed to do was rehearse their presentation but once that was over with, they could just hang out for the rest of class.
