You know what I thought amusing? Almost every Noes fic (and fics in general) features either abusive parents or parents out of the question entirely. I know a majority of households aren't perfect, but still… Anyways, sorry about the wait. But guess what? It's Spring Break! So, between homeworking, I'll sneak in some writing (Psst, reviews are superspecialawesome.) Another thing, those of you who have watched The Dark Knight should absolutely go check out The Joker Blogs up on YouTube. They won't disappoint. xoxo
Chapter 5: Mindless
With a sidelong glance at my alarm clock, I despondently sighed, pushing the covers off myself as I rubbed my tired eyes to greet the day. It goes without saying that I'm not a morning person.
Seriously, whoever thought up the concept of getting teens and children up at ungodly hours to be tortured for hours on end at an institution called school should be burning in hell. Next to Freddy.
With a grimace, my hand unconsciously went to brush my chest, finding the knife marks I thought would disappear once I woke up. Looking down at the angry marks, I swore under my breath. Guess I really am losing it.
Crawling sleepily out of bed and making it out of habit as I stumbled over myself, I mapped out my plan for today; a daily routine. Breakfast, school, homework, work out, play some music and collapse into bed. Nothing in particular to be done today. Thank the heavens it's Friday.
My eyes still closed, I made my way to the bathroom to empty my bladder. Dragging my fingers through my knotted auburn mane, I marveled at the strange dreams that plagued my sleep and somehow coincided with reality. I've truly got to figure out about this Freddy character. Somehow, he seems a bit familiar, though I can't really put a finger on it…
I felt myself becoming sleepy and I jolted myself awake before I wasted any more time. I've got to pack myself up for another day of school; I can't afford to catch a few winks. Especially not in the bathroom. My eyes narrowed as I warily took in the green shower curtain, as if expecting it to lunge at me at any second.
Shaking my head as if to clear my silly thoughts, I got myself situated and reached for the clothes I picked out yesterday. A pair of simple straight jeans pared with a blue striped dress shirt soon covered me and I reached for the brush to try and comb out the knots in my hair. Looking at myself in the mirror, I noticed the terrible dark circles beneath my eyes. Ugh, I really need to get some sleep.
"Christine, hurry up! Breakfast is ready!" Ahh, my cue to hurry the heck up. Hurriedly, I dragged the comb through my hair a few more times before pulling it into a ponytail and rushed back to my room to stuff all my books neatly into my backpack. Hefting it onto my shoulder and immediately sagging at its weight, I felt the familiar load of having everything I needed and proceeded down two flights of stairs to get to the kitchen.
Letting the heavy backpack awkwardly fall to the floor with a loud thump, I sunk into my usual seat around the round wooden meal table. I graciously accepted Mom's offer of coffee with a warm smile and within seconds held a warm cup of Joe between my cold fingers.
"So Christine…what were you dreaming about last night? I heard you moaning and talking in your sleep." Mom settled down into the chair next to me, resting her over-worked hands daintily on the table.
"I don't remember, Mom. " I lied through my teeth, knowing she'd probably think I was insane if I told her what happened. Or showed her what the byproducts of the dream were. Maybe I scratched myself during the dream. That would make sense…
"I guess that's better than remembering, sometimes. What time did you stay up until? I heard you wandering around in the wee hours of morning."
"Sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to wake you up." I took a minute to try and remember what time I went to bed. Two or three? I think so. "Yeah, I was up until almost three in the morning. Doing homework, you know. These teachers are trying to kill me. Especially math – she made us make up formulas for para-"
"Okay, Chrissy. You can tell me about it once you get home, but you'd better start eating now before you miss the bus. I stuck two waffles in the toaster, they should be done by now." Mom reached over and squeezed my hand with a kind smile before getting up to give me the food she spoke of.
Munching on the waffles that were proffered, I let my mind go blank and tried to think of absolutely nothing. A fleeting thought of hating school appeared in the black abyss of my mind, but I quickly pushed it away with a smirk. Everyone who went to my school hated it; it was no secret. The staff were no different.
Without realizing it, I finished my food and I brought myself back to reality as I washed it down with the rest of the hot coffee. Smacking my lips loudly I went to the small half-bathroom that was in our basement, the current floor I was on. It wasn't much of a basement considering only part of it was underground, but it wasn't my choice to name this floor the basement.
As I started to brush my teeth, I peered into my reflection, quirking my head to the right a little. I really did look tired. If I cared a bit about my appearance, I would've caked on something to hide it. Somehow, I preferred not to try and hide my imperfections. It's what was encouraged from my childhood.
Taking a glance at my watch I realized that I only had a few more minutes to get to the bus stop if I was to make it on time. I hurriedly finished brushing my teeth, spitting a few times before splashing water into my face and peering into the mirror again. Smiling at myself, I saw a trickle of blood appear on my teeth. Oh, wonderful.
Dragging my tongue along my teeth to try and wipe it clean, I put on a pair of black sneakers hurriedly and grabbed my pea coat. I was halfway out the door and burdened with my heavy bookbag before I stopped and poked my head back in the house.
"Bye, Mom! Love you! Tell Dad the same." I continued with my long strides without waiting for a response after I locked the door behind me. With a laugh, I remembered the countless times that my parents told me that I walked like a boy. It's not my fault that I walk with a purpose.
Feeling a bit more awake by this point, I let my bookbag slip onto my arm (to its protest) and fished around my first pocket for my mp3 player. I wasn't much for small talk on the bus or bus stop. Besides, it was always crowded. Slipping in the earbuds, I flicked the small device on and pressed play.
Bad idea.
Needless to say, I jumped a tad bit high when my ears were flooded with the music of Mindless Self Indulgence – Shut Me Up. I pressed the next button instead of adjusting the volume in my haste.
Ahh, that's a bit better. I was now listening to the eerily peaceful 24 Blood Theme from the Dexter Soundtrack. Sighing as my eyes fluttered closed but still walking towards my destination, I let my heartstrings get pulled by the melancholy strings. Oh, music.
If there was one thing I was good at other than being a smartass, or school work, it was music. I was instilled a love for music ever since I was a tiny kid. I would have my parents to thank for that – they even met at a dance. Dad was a singer in a band that comprised of his own siblings, and Mom just fell head over heels.
Thinking about my own experiences with that silly emotion, my mouth curved into a grimace. I have no need for such a sentiment, not now. I had my books, my music and a handful of friends. That's all I need.
I was suddenly startled out of my thoughts when I heard a car horn blaring. Trying to find the source of disturbance, I smiled to find one of my best friends in his old, but functional car. I pulled out one of my earbuds when I saw that he was opening his window.
"Care to hop in?" Mike asked, a grin on his face.
I hesitated, knowing that my parents wouldn't quite approve of me getting into a car with someone my age, nevertheless anyone male. Honestly, they had the most old-fashioned views of anyone I have ever met.
Ah, screw it. "Sure thing, Mike!" I returned, a smile lighting up my features. This sure beats taking the school bus. I'd take his reckless driving over it any day. I still remember a time a few years ago where the school bus driver rammed into an unsuspecting van as it was cutting a corner. That left us all out of a ride for about half of the bus route.
Getting into the hoopdie (A/N: slang for shitty car), I sunk into the cheap cottony fabric of the front passenger's seat, letting my knapsack sink to the ground appreciatively.
Feeling the lurch of the car as it sped to make the light, I rapidly put on my seatbelt. I couldn't trust him that much.
"So, did you get to doing that history assignment?" Mike looked over at me with a winning smile, the dimples creating a cute and irresistible look.
"Well duh, who do you think I am? You?" I answered, returning a sweet smile. Damn that six foot long blonde, blue-eyed man. Boy.
"Hah, hah. Very funny. I do have a social life, unlike someone I know. That would be the cause of my not finishing homework."
"And apparently not bothering to start it either, as well. When are you going to start doing it? It is senior year, and I've been shouldering the homework responsibility long enough, don't you think?"
His eyes focused back on the road, Mike chortled. "A few more months won't kill you. I'll get to doing homework in college."
Somehow, I don't think he will. I quirk my eyebrow at him, waiting for him to acknowledge it.
"Of course I will do it! I mean, I already got into college, what's the point of doing homework now?"
"Especially if your best friend does it, right? Oh, Mike. What am I to do with you." I wonder if he realizes that it was my work that got him into the college of his choice with a full scholarship.
"Nothing. You're going to give me the history assignment, right?" Mike gave me a puppy dog look, knowing that I would eventually give in. I decided to forego the dramatics and nodded.
"You're the best, Christine. You know it, right?"
"Yep, yep…I hear that all the time." I sighed as I turned away to look out the window, watching others from our school trek the sidewalks.
Mike and I have been friends for years now. Though he could be a pain, he was ultimately a good person. One of the handful of people I could actually talk to. He was my voice of reason. Well, sometimes. He, and my other friend Alyssa. We could tell each other anything without judgment or worries, and in today's world, that's a quality not found in most.
My parents are the type that believe in starting to date after you have established yourself in the world and have a stable job. It is no wonder that they did not let me out of the house (and still don't), and though it is maddening, I try to survive. Mike sometimes sneaks over when the parents are away doing groceries or the such. Other than that, I'm stuck to my own devices.
"Hey Christine, listen to this!" Mike switched on his iPod, letting Lady Gaga's song 'Boys, Boys, Boys' blare in the vehicle. He started singing along to the music, leaning over and taking my hand. I started giggling at his antics and joined him. Mike had a nice voice; he was in the choir in our school.
Anyone looking in at our antics would come to the conclusion that he was either dating me or was swinging for the other team. Even some of my teachers questioned whether I was with him, to my great embarrassment. We just felt comfortable in each other's presence; was that so hard to imagine?
Before we knew it, we were in front of the hellhole also known as Springwood High School. Mike let me get out in front of the school and went to search for a parking spot.
Waiting outside for him to return, my mind returned to my crazy dreams of last night. Nibbling at my lip, I resolutely made up my mind to see what I could find on the internet once I got to my keyboarding class. It was the only class I had all day that I could relax in – the rest were high level classes. Normally, seniors try to take the easy way out and do their best to leave the school by lunch, but not me! No, I had to be the foolish one and take a full day as a senior.
Then again, I did have to fulfill my requirements. Taking a computer course was one of them. Keyboarding was the easiest choice – I already knew how to type quickly, so it was a breeze.
"Earth to Christine?" Mike waved a hand in front of my face, amusement plainly written on his features. I'm glad I had him and Alyssa in a few of my classes.
"Yeeees, Mike?" I batted my eyelashes at him, trying not to laugh at myself.
"I do believe that we have class to get to." A grimace crossed both of our features.
"That we do. Let's go then. Alyssa awaits our presence."
"Pfft, you and I both know that she isn't here yet." Mike cordially held the door open for me to go inside and I murmured a thanks.
As we entered the old building, I decided to forego telling them about my dream until I figured out a bit about who the heck Freddy Krueger is…
...and why he was after me, of all people. In my dreams.