Ch.4- The Worse Day Ever
Oh dear. This is not good.
"Shit" I mutter under my breath, shocking Angela out of her sleep.
"What?" she asks, turning over to get more comfortable.
"I just got a text from Mom" she shoots up and looks in my direction. "The jig is up." I say with a slight giggle.
Sometimes, you have to laugh to keep from crying.
"Man" she shakes her head. "I forgot to take into account they'd come back early to check on me because they think I'm sick. I'm sorry. It's all my fault." She looks at me, shaking her head in self shame.
"It's fine" I ruffle her hair. "I was bound to get into trouble sooner or later. At least I got to have fun first."
We sit in silence, waiting for the inevitable shit storm that is about to happen. It seems as though time slowed down once I pulled into the driveway of my house. It was passed 12 o'clock so I knew I'd be in trouble for that too.
"Duh Duh Duuun" I say dramatically, as me and Angela exit the car. I see Mom look out of the curtains in the front room. Her fury vein is out for all to see.
Shit. It's worse than I thought. Like all mothers, and human beings for that matter, she gets mad. However, there are only a few instances when "the vein" has made its appearance. It never means anything good.
Before I can get my key in the door, my mom opens it. I step inside, awkwardly. Here we go. The four of us sit in silence. It's like we're reenacting our own version of the cold war in our living room. We just stand in silence for what God knows how long.
"Bella," she starts. "What… in the Hell were you thinking?" she asks, her face reddening with anger.
"I just wanted…"
"Oh…" she pauses. "I know what you wanted. You wanted to deliberately disobey my instructions. That's what you wanted."
If I weren't scared shitless, I would have giggled at her The Lion King inspired explanation. I didn't. I'm not stupid.
"Mom"
"I cannot believe that you carried your sick sister to a bar downtown to play when we specifically told you that you couldn't go." Dad says, shaking his head.
"Mom. Dad. I wasn't…" Angela starts.
"Angela" I say sternly, signaling her to shut up.
"Go upstairs, Honey" mom says, never taking her eyes off of me. I slightly nod my head and Angela slowly walks upstairs.
At this point, Angela confessing wouldn't do anything to help me. I did break the rules. The only thing it would do would get her in trouble too. If I could spare her, I would.
"I'm sorry." I say. I figure that if I cop a plea and admit to some wrong doing that the punishment will be easier and I'll negotiate later after they've cooled down. There is no reasoning with them when they're this mad. "I shouldn't have done that."
At this point, my mom sits down with my father next to her. They share a long look at each other followed by an exaggerated sigh.
"We can't keep going down this road with you, Bella" Dad says, putting his face in his hands. "Do you have any idea how worried we were? Anything could have happened to your sister. She may act mature but she is still a child. She had no business being there."
He was right.
"I'm sorry." I repeat. "It's just… we practiced so hard. I couldn't let it go to waste. We weren't gone that long. We would have been out that long had we went to the banquet anyway. I don't understand the bid deal." I reasoned.
"The big deal isn't that you played. It's that you purposefully went against our wishes and put your sister in danger during the process. Anything could have happened."
"But nothing did"
"It still could have" my dad interrupts. "Look. We aren't here to argue. We're here to discuss your punishment." He looks at my mom and she nods he head and turns to me.
"You can't drive your car until further notice. Plus, you're quitting the band" mom says.
"What?" I shout. "No. No way. Not doing it."
"Yes. You are. No negotiations" she continues.
Uh oh. She's using her lawyer saying. My mom never settles in court. It's her way or the highway. You don't get to be feared for nothing.
"That's not fair" I shout.
"You're still going to your classes. I'm not going to let $15,000 got o waste."
"Are you serious? You can't make me quit. I won't do it."
"Yes you will. You've reached 28 tardies. You're gonna get suspended by the end of the week. Bella, we've been very tolerant of your hobby but now it's time to stop. You can still have your music thing as long as it's structured."
"That's not fair." I start. I give up trying t keep my eyes dry at this moment. "It's not a hobby. Why can't you guys see that? I'm sorry that I don't want to be an author or a lawyer. I love music and my band." I pause momentarily. I see my mom about to open her mouth. "Mom, you have your fierce law thing. Dad has his whole hard ass cop deal. Angela has her smarts. Music is my thing. I know it's not conventional. Is it so bad to want something that's just mine? Something that I'm good at that I enjoy?"
"Maybe if you didn't snea…"
"Have you thought that maybe I wouldn't need to sneak around if you were more supportive?" I ask, anticipating what her response would be.
"This isn't some…"
"Save it!" I interrupt. "I don't have time for this shit" I say going upstairs to my room in the attic.
From then on, I remember some shouting and "don't walk away from me" orders. I didn't really listen after I said my piece. I do remember slamming the door in my dad's face when he followed me though. I hear a buzzing noise.
Masen: Did you get home okay?
Bella: Yeah. Unfortunately
Masen: What happened?
Bella: Mom and Dad weren't too pleased. Major fallout. Let's just say that.
I get changed and head to bed. I hear my phone ringing. It's Rose.
"Guess what?" she asks, excitedly.
"What?" I deadpan
"Everyone is texting me about how awesome you were tonight." She beams. "I may
have even heard the term 'fuck hot' a couple of times. Really Bella you should let me dress you more."
From then on, I hear her talk about some trip she's taking and how excited she is to dress up for it. I don't really pay attention. I just listen.
"Whatever" I deadpan again. I can hear the "I don't give a fuck" draining out of my voice as I'm talking and my voice begins to crack.
"What's wrong? Have you been crying?"
I don't say anything. We sit on the phone until my tears and sobs break the silence.
"Spill" she orders.
I do. I tell her everything. About the banquet. Angela. The argument. The punishment.
"Damn" she says. "What's gonna happen with the guys?"
"No clue" I answer honestly. "I'll have to tell them tomorrow."
"It'll get better" Rose says. "When parents try to control your life, it's their way of showing they give a shit."
"I'm tired. I'll see you tomorrow" I say, tired. All of my energy is gone.
From that moment on, I cry until my pillow is soaked. After I go to sleep I keep having a nightmare that I'm a fat 40 year old woman with a desk job. It was horrible. Next, I wake up to a literal slap in the face.
"Rose?" I ask. I look at the clock and see that it's 6:00 in the morning. How did she get in my house?
"Wake up" she orders. She's still in her pajamas. "We have to get you ready." She grins while shaking a garment bag.
"Why?" I ask, turning over to the other side of the bed.
"The fieldtrip is today. And since you don't have a car, I have to drive you. Now get your ass up"
"What fieldtrip?" I ask. I am genuinely confused at this point. "I don't remember any field trip."
"That's because I had to forge your permission slip and turn it in when you were late…again"
"Oh" That sounds right. "Thanks"
"You can thank me by getting your ass in the shower. I'm getting ready here. I took one before I left."
"Fine" I hiss as I pull my tired body out of the bed.
Once I get back from my shower, Rose attacks me with a blow dryer and flat iron and starts doing my hair. Once that was done, we argued for a good 15 minutes on whether or not I needed makeup. She won. I'm tired of arguing. It takes a lot out of you. Then, Rose got ready. She was wearing a pink dress with ruffles and a black satin bow around the waist (pic on profile). It was cute, if you're into the whole "girly girl thing." Then she showed me what she wanted me to wear.
"Rose. Are you serious?"
"Yes. You have to be dressed up to get on the bus. You can't wear your usual "fuck the world" get up today. It's not that bad."
"But…"
"Do you have anything else to wear?"
"No"
"Then you're out of luck. If you went shopping with me, maybe you'd have something dressy that you like" she smirks.
"Double burn. Nice" I say as I look at the outfit another time.
It's one of those dresses that look like someone tucked a wife beater under a skirt. It's white with black polka dots. She pairs it with a pair of black heels with jewels on them and matching accessories (pic on profile). It's not the bad. Rose could have done worse.
Finally, I concede and put on the damn dress. Like I said before, I'm tired of arguing with people. By the time we're both ready, It's 8:30.
"Damn" Rose smirks. "We look hot" she says, while looking at us in the mirror.
We go downstairs and you can still feel the tension from last night.
"Morning" mom says.
"Mhmm" I reply as I grab a breakfast bar and gather my bookbag. "Ready Rose?"
"Okay" she says, following me out the door. "Damn. It's worse than you described."
"I'm just… so sick of their 'my way or the highway' bullshit. I'm over it."
We walk to Rose's BMW. Whenever I look at it, I sit in awe. How did Rose manage to get her parents to buy her a new 2010 BMW M6 convertible (pic on profile). Fully loaded. Then again, it's not that surprising. Rose's parents are rich as Hell.
You think I'm spoiled
When we make it to school, I notice everyone staring at me. It feels awkward. I immediately cover my chest, suddenly feeling exposed.
"Woah. Bella" Jasper says, appearing out of nowhere. "You aren't trying to go all plastic on me now? Are you?" he laughs.
"Shut up. You're wearing Dockers" I say, punching him in the side. He laughs.
We check in with my History teacher and sit in line waiting to load onto the bus. I learn that there is an American Art exhibit centered around the eras from the different war periods in the country's history. Later, we find out that the French students are going to a French art exhibit and out to a French restaurant. The History class gets to tag along. We'll be gone most of the day.
"Isn't Sweet Tooth over there?" Jasper asks.
"I think so" I answer.
Sweet Tooth is this world famous ice cream shop. I've only been there one time, but it made an impression. Their flavors are too awesome to put into words. If Willy Wonka were a real person, he's probably would have invented Sweet Tooth.
"I wonder if they'll let us get some on the way back."
"I hope so" I ask, licking my lips. I love it. My parents don't buy it often because my dad and Angela are lactose intolerant. Therefore, I don't get to have it much.
Damn. Now I want some ice cream.
Finally, after checking roll, we're put into partners. We'll have to work together and write a paper on at least two of the pieces and how they fit into what we're talking about in class. We were going in alphabetical order so Jasper and Rose got to be paired together. I got Jessica Stanley. Shit. This is shaping up to be a wonderful day.
I go to stand by here and she acts as though she's repulsed by my presence. I'm not too fond of her either.
"Hey Bella" Mike says, perving me up and down. I squirm under his gaze. "You look sexy today. And last night…wow."
I nod awkwardly. I don't know what to say to that skeezy comment. Jessica rolls her eyes.
It's no secret that Jessica Stanley is in love with Mike Newton. Everyone knows…except Mike. It is also not a secret that Mike likes me. Mike doesn't like Jessica. I don't like Mike. It's a vicious circle. Jessica is jealous. She thinks I'm stepping on her turf, when in fact, I'm trying to get as far away from it as possible.
"Oh my God" she whispers, loudly shaking her head. "I can't believe I'm paired with this loser."
"I'm not too pleased about working with someone who has the mental capacity of a 2nd grader. So, I guess we're both screwed." I snap. She huffs and dramatically turns her head away from me. Drama queen.
Again, because of alphabetical order, Rose and Jasper are seated on a different bus than I am. So, I ride in complete silence while listening to my iPod, ignoring Jessica's glare and Mike's obvious ogling of me from the front of the bus.
After a 30 minute awkward bus ride, we arrive at the museum. As I get to the stairs to make my exit, I feel something. Honestly, it felt like a foot. Somebody tripped me. I lose my balance and fall out of the bus onto the ground. The crowd in front of the bus, which included kids from other schools, erupt into laughter. Great.
Like the perv he is, Mike takes the opportunity to "help" me by dusting me off, paying more attention to my ass than I'd like.
"Thanks" I mumble as I push him off.
Out of curiosity, I look behind me to see Jessica, James and Victoria behind me smirking. Anyone could have done it.
I hate all of them
"That's a good way to start off the day" James laughs to Victoria, as they walk away.
Wow. Two of the people who hate me the most are paired up to work together. Brilliant.
I get a text from Rose
Rose: Did you fall out of the bus?
Bella: Yep. Unfortunately.
Rose: Damn. Everyone is talking about it.
What? Rose's bus wasn't even here. Damn. Bad news travels fast.
Bella: It isn't the worse thing to have happened to me this week.
Rose: Point
After Rose's bus arrives, we're given our assignment and allow us to enter the part of the museum that is showing the exhibit. I look around for Rose or Jasper but I can't see them. After 10 minutes of Jessica's bitching, I decide to go on and start looking at paintings.
Working on an academic assignment with Jessica was like trying to herd cats. Impossible and useless. Everytime I asked her opinion on something, she'd say "I don't know." How can you not have an opinion on anything? Wait. This is Jessica. She can't think. I think that this may be Ms. Patterson is punishing me for being late all the time and not paying attention. Just as I was about to ring her neck, I get a text.
Masen: Hey!
Bella: Hi! What u doing?
Masen: School. U?
Bella: Same. Not really though. I'm on a field trip.
Masen: Sweet
Bella: Not really. My partner is an idiot. I'm gonna have to do it myself to get a decent grade.
Masen: Damn. Sorry. You haven't been having a good day have you?
Bella: No. At least I'll get some good ice cream out of the deal.
Masen: That makes everything better.
Bella: Talking to you (figuratively) makes it better. Ice cream is a temporary fix.
I smile. When did I get so bold? Maybe it's the fact that I don't know what he looks like.
Masen: I'm glad I can make you feel better. I'm looking forward to seeing you at music class today.
Bella: I look forward to hearing you.
Masen: LOL
Bella: Am I ever going to get to see you?
I wish that I knew what he looked like. It would be nice to put a face to the voice.
Masen: Maybe. I gotta keep the mystique. I don't want you to lose interest.
Before I could type a reply, I hear Ms. Patterson yelling my name.
"Bella, get off your phone and focus on your assignment like Ms. Stanley." She scolds.
Seriously? I won't even say anything about that.
"Sorry" I apologize.
Bella: Gotta go. Teacher. Hear u later.
Masen: I understand. Later
Sigh. I blush.
"Who were you texting?" Jessica asks, leaning over my phone trying to see.
"None of your business" I say, putting my phone back in my purse.
"Whatever" she huffs. "I'm bored."
She's starting to get on my nerves more than usual.
"You know what? Let's split up. Meet me in the front when it's time for us to leave to go to the restaurant." I tell her. I feel like I'm tempting fate by being around her this long.
"Fine" she states, practically running away from me, probably in order to find "cooler" people to hang out with.
As soon as she leaves, I walk around the museum trying to find something that I find remotely interesting. I figure that a lot of people are going to pick something cliché like Washington crossing the Delaware River or something. I wanted to be original. I wonder around for an hour, listening to my iPod and looking. Out of nowhere, I see a picture of a woman dressed up like George Washington (pic on profile). I thought it was different. It was one of the few that I liked. I decided that I'd use it along with a Rosie the Riveter ad (pic on profile) I saw and do my paper on the progression of women's rights and their role in the U.S. It would be different.
Satisfied with my idea, I wrote down the names of the pictures I wanted to use and sat down and people watched. I looked at my watch and saw that I had 20 minutes left. Well into my people watching, I had to go pee so I went to the restroom. I come out to see Mike standing in front of the door.
"Hi Bella" he says, sauntering over to me. I lose the fight to not roll my eyes and begin walking back to where I was sitting. He follows.
"Hi Mike"
"You look hot today. You should dress normal more often." Wow.
"Thanks…I guess." I nod my head at his backhanded compliment. That was like a slap with a velvet glove. Knowing him, he thought it was being nice. Tool.
"You wanna go out this Friday?" he asks.
"No" I say with the straightest face I can imagine. "Why?"
"Because I'm not interested" I say. When will this guy get the hint? "Can we stop playing this game, Bella?"
"What game" I ask. I'm pretty sure people can hear my eyes rolling at this point. "This whole 'I don't like you game'"
"It's not a game" I say, picking up my pace. He grabs my arm.
"Fine." He says. "I'll stop asking you out." I smile in victory. Finally something good is coming out of this day. Next… ice cream.
"Than…"
"On one condition" he adds, interrupting me. I spoke too soon. "What?"
"Kiss me."
"Really?" I laugh at his request.
"Yes. Kiss me. Prove to me that you don't have feelings for me." he taunts. "I don't have to prove shit" I say.
Mike smiles. "Because we both know that deep down inside you like me."
"No. That's not it."
"Prove it. I mean it. One kiss and I'll leave you alone forever."
I weigh my options. Mike has been a pain in my ass since Kindergarten. He graduated from following me around teasing me to following me around asking me out and all around annoying me with his pervy ways. So, when you think of it that way, it's a pretty sweet deal. One peck won't hurt anybody. I'm pretty sure I'll have to gargle with bleach when I get home, but not having Newton pester me everyday would definitely be worth it. That and ice cream? This day is turning around.
"Fuck it" I say. I grab Newton by his neck and place a kiss on his lips. A horribly uncomfortable kiss. Just lip on lip. No tongue. Less than a second. Mike stands there dazed with his eyes open. Mission accomplished. I have a brief daydream of a Mike free high school experience. I'm pleased. "See. Nothi…"
Before I could finish my sentence, Mike threads his hands through my hair and pulls me to his lips. I open my mouth to tell him to fuck off. Apparently he took that as in invitation to French kiss me and then proceeds to force his tongue down my throat. Gag. I push his shoulders away from me only to have him move his perverted mouth to my neck.
"Mike. Oh my God!" I shout. "Stop!" I try my hardest to push him off me, but he's too strong. He moved his free hand to my back and squeezes my ass, pushing me into his pelvic region. Is he hard? Shit. This was a mistake. As a last resort, I bend my knee back as far as it will go and shove it right in his balls. He stops to hover and grab his injury.
I turn around to straighten my clothes go back to where I came from, only to find Jessica standing in the entryway with her eyes big and her mouth open glaring at me.
"O.M.F.G" she whispers staring at me and Mike. "Wow" she adds, while slowly backing away and going somewhere.
I look at the clock and realize that I have 10 minutes to get to the front. As I make my way back to the front door, I realize that I forgot my purse. I can't lose it. It has my license, phone, wallet and my iPod in there. It's practically my life. I race back to the bathroom to look for it. I can't find it. Before I start to freak out, I ask an employee where the lost & found is. I race over and give a description of my bag. Thank God for good Samaritans because someone turned it in. After checking to see of everything is still in my bag. I make my way to the front.
I don't see my bus. I don't see Rose and Jasper's bus either. Shit.
I check my watch to see that I'm 15 minutes late because of my purse. Of all the days and times to be late, this is not the wrong one. I check inside and my suspicions are correct. I got left by the buses. Both of them.
I know a common phrase is "shit happens." However, today, I feel that all the shit is only happening to me. I'm pretty sure that the school will call my mom and I'll get in trouble. Plus, this will probably count as my 30th tardy. Triple shit!
Now, I'm stranded at the museum that is a good 30 minutes away from school.
Plus, the worst part of this whole thing is that I won't be able to get ice cream now. Quadruple Shit!
I hear my phone ring. Rose.
"Hello" I say.
"Is it true?" Rose asks.
"Is what true?"
"Did you make out with Mike Newton and let him feel you up?"
"What?" I yell in the bus lane at the museum. People look at me like I'm crazy. Perhaps I am.
"Jessica Stanley sent a mass text that says you got to second base with Newton. It says that you two were texting and you two went off to go fool around and she caught you. Lauren Mallory told me that she told her that you were screaming his name and everything. Of course, Newton is eating up the attention."
Shit.
"No. That's not what happened. I mean, I kissed him…"
"You what?"
"Let me finish" I order. "He said that…"
Beep! Beep! My phone sounds and the signal drops. I take my phone from my ear and look to find that my battery has died and my phone is now useless.
"Figures" I scoff. This would happen to me. At least today. Now, I can't tell Rose what really happened.
Pentagon Shit!
At this point, I weigh my options. Again. Since I'm probably going to get suspended for being tardy and get in trouble at home, again, for being tardy and getting suspended from school, where everyone now thinks that I'm Mike Newton's ho, why go back to school?
"Fuck this shit" I say to no one in particular. I'm going home. I've had a pretty shitty day.
The museum is a surprisingly busy place. Thankfully, I'm able to get a cab. The bad news is that I only have $30 on me. At the $20 mark, I have him drop me off at the train station. When I get on the train, I sit in a car with a woman only wearing a long t shirt and some knee high converse who sat next a man who smelled like taco meat and kept asking me what time my legs opened.
Once I get off the train, I only have $7 left. I see a homeless man on the side of the building.
"Miss?" he asks. "Do you have some change?"
At this point, I've been having perhaps the shittiest day in the history of mankind. So, if I could make this guy's day better, I would.
"Sure" I say as I give him $2 before I board the bus. I sit on the bus for about 20 minutes before I get off. From then on, I have to walk for another 10 or 15 minutes to my house. In 4 inch heels. Hexagon shit!
Finally, I make it into my house. As soon as I close the door, I get on my knees and kiss the floor. Then I take my shoes off because they hurt like Hell. I take my phone and put it on the charger. As soon as it turns on I see that I have 10 missed texts and 8 missed phone calls. 2 calls are from my Mom. I guess she got wind of my absence. The rest are from either Rose or Jasper. I decide to call Rose.
"Bella?" she answers the phone, sniffling. "Where are you?"
"Rose? What happened?" I ask. For Rose to be crying, it has to be bad.
"J-James and V-V-V" she stutters into the phone. I hear Jasper's voice in the background.
"Bella?" Jasper asks. "Can you come to and get us La Chumiere?"
"What happened?" I ask.
"Rose refused to get on the bus. We'll talk about it when you get here. Can you just come?" he asks.
"Fine" I say, as I hang up the phone.
I put back on the death traps and head towards the door when I realized something. There was only one way I could get them. I'd have to steal my car back. This morning, my mom took my keys. I know she puts stuff she doesn't want us to have in her panty drawer. I just don't want anything that bad to go in there and get it. However, Jasper and Rose needed my help. Besides, hounding me to go shopping with her, Rose never really asks me for anything. She seemed so upset. I have to help them.
I'm gonna be grounded for the considerable future anyway. I might as well go for broke. Now I know how fugitives on a crime spree feel.
I go upstairs and get my keys out of my mom's lingerie drawer. That alone will haunt me for the rest of my life. I race outside to my car and start my engine. Oh how I missed that sound this morning. They'll probably sell it after they find out what happened today. So, I decide to open it up one last time.
I race down the street thinking if I make it back before 6, maybe I can put the keys back and my mom won't know I took the car out. That way…
Woop! Woop! I hear before I see blue and white flashing lights in my rear view.
"Fuck!" I shout as I bang my left hand against the steering wheel while my right hand reaches for my registration and proof of insurance.
After I get my speeding ticket, I drove, slowly, to the restaurant. It took me 40 minutes to get there. But I was scared I'd get another speeding ticket so I drove the actual speed limit. Plus, there was a traffic jam on the highway.
Finally, I pull up outside the restaurant to see Rose ad Jasper sitting on a bench outside. Rose's makeup is running down her face and Jasper is holding her. She looks so sad. They notice my car and head in. Rose sits in the passenger seat and Jasper gets in the back. As soon as the doors close, I hug Rose.
"What happened?" I ask.
"At the restaurant, when we were waiting on the food, James got up to go somewhere. I sit and wait for him and start talking to Jasper and some people from class. So, the food comes and James still isn't there. Desert comes and James still isn't there. So, everyone goes outside to board the buses and Ms. Patterson caught James and Victoria Hawthorne having sex in the back of the bus." She ends before bursting into tears. "And everyone knows. I'm so humiliated." She starts again. Jasper scoots to the middle of the seat and starts to hug her with me.
"She ran into the bathroom and refused to come out." Jasper adds. "I convinced Madam Dalloway to leave us here and we'd catch a ride home."
"That asshole" I hiss.
"You were right, Bella. He is an asshole." She cries into my shirt. "I just want to go home. Can you take us home?"
"Of course" I say, putting the car into drive and head down the street.
I was having a shitty day. But I can't imagine how it would feel to see someone you love doing something like that.
"Wait!" Rose shouts. "Pull over. I want some ice cream. Can we go to Sweet Tooth? It's only like 10 minutes from here. Fuck calories. I need some chocolate after a day like this." She mumbles.
"Okay" I say, pulling the car around. In all honesty, I forgot about wanting ice cream midway through my shitty day. Now, that I remembered I wanted some again. It's just sad that Rose's experience will be the cause instead of just wanting some good desert.
"I'll get it" I volunteer, pulling into a parking space. Rose and Jasper each give me $10.
"All I want is chocolate" Rose says in a deadpan voice.
I get out of the car and walk the short distance up the street to be greeted with a long line. Are you serious? I don't want ice cream this bad. However, for Rose, I'll
suffer through it. Plus, after my shitty day, I deserve something to go right.
There are a lot of camera flashes along with camera phones, and a lot of big men in black suits with earpieces standing around a central figure. Who is it?
"Who cares?" I think as I put my iPod on in an attempt to drown the rowdy crowd of people. 30 minutes and halfway through my playlist, I reach the point of the line where I'm actually in the building. The smell of homemade ice cream and fresh baked waffle cones assault my nose and I'm in heaven. I should only have to wait another 10 minutes before I have the treat in my hands. I look and see that I'm approaching the counter where I get to make my order. I start to salivate. This ice cream is gonna be so fucking good. I can't wait.
I feel a buzz in my purse.
Masen: Are you coming to class today?
Shit. It's after 5. Mom knows.
Bella: No. It's been a LOOOOOONNNNNNNG day.
Masen: That bad?
Bella: Worse than you can imagine
Masen:I miss you
Bella: I miss you too.
Masen: Gotta go. Bye
That boy is a mystery.
I look around the shop and take in its cool style. It's filled with vintage memorabilia. But not in a cheesy jukebox way. They have authentic posters signed by Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and other famous actors as well as athletes from various decades.
I hear a loud gasp and look up to see the lady behind the counter and she looks like she's about to faint. Who is it? Before I look back to my iPod I see a familiar blonde haired man stepping from the center of body guards and looking at what's behind the glass. Holy shit!
Is that President Cullen?
At first, I didn't get the hype. Now that I can actually see him, I totally get it. Our President is hot. Pictures don't do him justice. At all. There is no way he's over the age of 35. He definitely lied about his age.
I look around to see everyone in the shop in awe like me… except for one man.
He has on a black trench coat, black gloves and black sunglasses that are probably meant to cover up what looks to be a pretty bad scar over his right eye. Even with the glasses, you can still see the bottom half of it that peeks through. I see him looking at President Cullen out the corner of his eye. His perches his lips at the President before he looks down at the newspaper he has in his hand. He's leaning on a chair, facing the checkout register while holding the paper in one hand with the other in his pocket. He scares the shit out of me. I get caught staring at him and raises an eyebrow. I look away and look at my phone to appear occupied. He looks mean as Hell.
The line begins to move, but the mean guy stays in his spot, not looking at the President, but at the checkout counter. That's weird. He starts to let people pass him in line. He's suddenly engrossed in today's news.
Red flag
There's no way in Hell I'd let someone pass me in the line at Sweet Tooth. Especially, if the line is as long as it was. I wouldn't do that even if I wasn't having a shitty day. Maybe I'm being paranoid.
The line moves up and he lets more people pass him. I'm now standing next to the mean guy in line. He smells like cigarettes and beer. Nasty.
"Didn't your mother tell you it wasn't nice to stare?" he asks, as he openly stares me up and down.
"Sorry"
"It's okay." He laughs, sinisterly. "Nice legs by the way." He finishes as he goes back to reading the same article he'd been reading for the past 10 minutes. I notice him take a look at the register again. I follow his gaze to see that President Cullen is now at the checkout line. He reaches in his pocket to pull out his wallet just as I hear a clicking sound. From that moment on, everything was a blur.
For a split second, the three guards that were with the President had their back turned to help him with his order. I see mean guy take something black out of his pocket. I had a clue what it was. The Secret Servie would be too late. Mean guy points the gun at the President's head and his finger flinches for the trigger
"GUN!" I shout as everyone drops to the floor.
It seems as everything hit me at a fraction of a second.
When a traumatic even happens, some people say that your life flashes before your eyes. I didn't see my whole life. I saw the day I was having. So far I was grounded, had my car repossessed, forced to quit my band, got virtually no sleep, had to wear an outfit that was uncomfortable and heels that I'm pretty sure have given me blisters, fell out of a bus in front of at least 200 people, been stuck with a person who could be considered retarded in at least 2 states, sexually harassed, stranded, had a rumor about started about me, had my phone die, hit on by a homeless man, had to re- repossess my car, got a speeding ticket, got stuck in traffic, had to console a heartbroken friend and wait in a line close to an hour for what? To see the President get shot?
Oh no. Not today.
The only thing that kept me going was the glimmer of hope that I could get some ice cream from this delicious shop. I doubt that "brains" is the new flavor they're offering today. I'd had it with the universe screwing with me. I was taking my destiny into my own hands.
Everything happened so fast.
I see a baseball bat mounted to the wall out the side of my eye. I don't know where I got the strength. Perhaps, I'll never know. I take my right hand, use all the force I can muster taking the bat off of the wall. With the last of my energy, I swing the bat, hitting the man in the arm causing a shot to go off, shattering the glass protecting some of the prized memorabilia. I hear cries of people running out of the shop.
Mean guy cradles his hand. I stand behind him and kick him in the balls. He twirls around to face me. I duck .
I yell. It wasn't a horror movie scream. It was a Xena Warrior Princess cry. I jump on his back and proceed to hit him in the head repeatedly with my fist while my other hand wraps around his neck. I hear the sound of gun shots in the air but I hold on. It's official. I've lost my mind.
It wasn't until I felt a sharp piercing pain in my shoulder as I fell through the air that everything went black.
I got shot. Great.