It's Not a Question, but a Lesson Learned in Time (Green Day Fanfiction)

Chapter 1 - She's an extraordinary girl, in an ordinary world...

Stephanie's POV –

I smiled to myself and gently kicked my heels together as the drum beat of one of my favorite songs pulsed through the oversized pink headphones on my ears.

Buh-duh dum, buh-duh dum, buh-duh dum

Say oooohhhh-ohhoooooooohhh

I closed my eyes, anticipating the rapid guitar strokes and sang the words along with Billie Joe.

Waking up, feeling naked

In my clothes inside a room that's vacant

Lost my nerve, it's unnerving

I know there is something I'm forgetting

The song faded out briefly as my phone dinged loudly, indicating I had received a text message. It was my mom.

"Hey, hon," it read. "Can we reschedule dinner tonight?"

The music continued to play for a few seconds until I paused it. Taking off my headphones and unplugging them from my phone, I opened up my mom's text and hit "reply," admiring the picture that popped up above her name in my message queue. She had bright blue eyes that almost seemed to sparkle, luscious blonde curls and a beautiful, sweet smile. I wish I would've inherited her hair and eye color. She looked like Marilyn Monroe; she was absolutely gorgeous. Instead, I got stuck with my loser dad's boring dark brown hair and eyes so brown they looked black. My mom actually told me once that if I get pissed off enough, they do turn black. I had never noticed it before, but I guess it's a good way to scare people.

I started typing on my phone.

"Hey, Mom, sure. No prob :) Is everything ok?"

I made sure to include a smiley face so she wouldn't feel bad. This was probably the third time in a month that we had plans to go out together, where she had cancelled. I knew she hadn't been feeling the best after her gastric bypass surgery for weight loss a year ago. It was really successful for her because she was able to lose a lot of weight, but because the entrance to her stomach was much more narrow now she had a hard time eating and keeping food down. I was really proud of her for going through with the procedure, though. She had been so brave through it all and despite a few post-procedure complications, she was doing well.

I always looked forward to getting together with my mom and just hanging out. I was busy working two jobs, trying to pay the rent on my overpriced Manhattan apartment and keep up with the other multiple expenses that come with adulthood. And she was busy working as a cosmetologist at her own salon; the same cute, brick shop on the corner she'd been at the past 25 years. After 25 years the red paint that coated the building was faded and chipping, but her customers didn't mind. They loved her, and why wouldn't they? She was amazing at her profession. The best.

I hit "send" and waited for a reply, but I didn't have to wait long at all. My phone dinged simultaneously as I was sending my reply. It was my mom again.

"I'm really sorry, Steph. I'm just not feeling well. Having a bad day, can't keep any food down and I am really nauseous...don't think I'd be much fun at dinner. I hope you're not upset with me..."

I pursed my lips together in sadness. I felt really badly for her and I wished there was something I could do to help. I hated the idea of her being in such a big house all by herself feeling sick a lot of the time. I had offered several times to move back home and stay with her for as long as she wanted after the operation, and she always politely declined. ""Don't worry about me," she'd always say, trying to sound reassuring. "You have your own life to live, kiddo."

But I still did. Every day. After all, she was my mother. The very woman that gave me life. She was my mother and father figure because my dad was never in the picture. I had so much love and respect for her. It always amazed me how much she kept it all together, even though she had gone through so much. She was such a classy lady. Her strength was truly admirable, and aside from her beautiful eyes and hair, her strength was another trait I wish I would've inherited.

"Mom, I'm not upset. I totally understand. Do you need anything?"

I stared at my phone until her reply came through.

"No, I'll be ok. Thanks, hon. Wanna try for next Sunday evening?"

I smiled, somehow hoping my smile would go through to her in the text I was typing.

"That sounds great. I'll call you Saturday night to make sure you're still feeling up to it. I love you."

"Sounds peachy. I love you, too. <3."