Better Off As Lovers

06.13.17

I put my hand on the door knob, about to pull it open when my mother shouts my name. I turn around and walk down the hallway to her bedroom, seeing her put on makeup for work.

"Yes?"

"Sweetie, I have bad news. Angela put me on the schedule for the 19th."

My mood plummets. My face almost drops, but I harden it before she can see me upset. "Oh."

"I'll try as hard as I can to get the day off, but since I've called in sick so many days last week, I don't think I can. I'm sorry, honey."

"It's fine, mom. I'll just put my birthday off for another year. Danny's here to pick me up for school. I have to go or I'll be late for finals."

"Alright, Julie. I'll see you tomorrow."

I walk out of her room, tears threatening to fall down my face. I force them back, not wanting Danny to see me upset. I throw open the door and stomp out.

***   

"Woohoo!"

"Yay!"

"Goodbye hell hole!"

I hear the shouts of the kids from the last day of finals, and smile. I pull the last picture off of my locker wall and stuff it in a folder with the rest.

"Stupid god damn wipes, get out," I murmur under my breath, trying to yank out a Lysol wipe to get rid of the dust. I put one foot on the container, and yank as hard as I can, making 5 wipes come out at once, resulting in me landing on my ass. I flop on my back, hair spilling out everywhere, wipes clutched in my hand. I close my eyes and sigh, wishing I hadn't declined Missy's offer to help.

"Whoa. What happened here?" I hear the familiar voice. Danny's here. I smile, eyes still closed.

"Umm, Julie? Why are you on the ground?" I hear a high pitched sound. Ugh. Trent's here too, I see. I open my eyes, looking at everyone.

"It's not like I wanted to be in this position," I say.

"I see you've waited until the last minute to clean out your locker. Again." Danny jokes. I scrunch my nose at him.

"I am a very busy young lady, you know. Help me up." Trent and Devin grab my hands and pull me. Devin lets go before I am all the way standing, and I start to fall again. Danny catches me.

"Thanks." I smile up at him.

"Yup." I stand, brushing off my overalls. I flick Devin's forehead.

"Ass."

"Hey! Danny, get your girlfriend under control."

"No, you deserved it."

"Ha." I laugh in Devin's face. I lift out my AP calculus book from my locker, and it immediately falls out of my hands. "Die," I mumble to the book, as if it would make a difference.

"What?"

"I hate that stupid book. I don't even know why I even took AP calculus, I hate math!"

"Your girlfriend is a complete psychopath," says Trent. I glare at him.

"Ooh, boy, you gon' get it now!" I turn my glare to Devin.

"I hope you know that you two are complete, utter idiots. And I hate you both," I say.

"Oh! Julie, guess what?" Danny asks, grinning like crazy the whole time.

"What, sugar?"

"It's your birthday next week!"