That’s The Way It Is

Chapter One: Envy

Roxie’s POV

My day started with the annoying blaring of my alarm clock, signaling that it was another day at the hell-hole that some people refer to as ‘school’. My fingers wanted to hit the ‘snooze’ button again, but my mind told me to get up. I dragged myself out of bed, hitting my head on the corner of my nightstand in the process. Cursing, I peered at the clock with tired eyes. 7:00. Then it occurred to me.

Holy crap, I was SO going to be late.

Before I had time to process the pain that was searing through my skull, and the fact that I was going to be late… again… my door flew open. Standing there, was none other than my younger sister, Christina.

“Roxie, read me a story!” Chrissie pleaded, her big, brown eyes hopeful, and ‘The Cat in the Hat’ clutched tightly in her little fingers.

Did this child realize that it was 7:00 in the morning? But this behavior was so normal of Chrissie, that I always expected it. Now seriously wasn’t the time, though.

“Not now, Chrissie. I’m going to be late for school.” I said, then ran towards my dresser to pick out socks and underwear.

“But that’s always what you say!” Chrissie whined, tears forming in her eyes now. I sighed, feeling bad for the 5-year old.

“Why don’t you go downstairs and get mommy to read you a story?” I asked, discarding my pajamas in a hurry, and continuing to get dressed. I picked out my favorite plaid skirt with the chain on it, some fishnet stockings, a red shirt with the words ‘I sold my soul to Rock and Roll’ in big white letters. I put my clothes on in a hurry, while Chrissie still remained in the room. I could tell she was getting ready to go into Tantrum Mode.

“But I want you to read it to me!” she wailed, now jumping up and down and stomping her feet. I rolled my eyes. This was not a good way to start off my day.

“Listen, Chrissie, if you go downstairs like a good little girl, I promise to read you a story when I come back…” I was now searching frantically for my brush, running around the room like a mad-girl. I looked over at Chrissie who had a rather mischievous look on her face… uh oh.

“…Okay? Now will you please go downstairs?” No answer.

I sighed exasperatedly, giving up my search for the brush. I went in the bathroom and started putting on eyeliner, mascara, and eye shadow. It wasn’t long before I heard, “Lookin’ for this?” near the bathroom door.

I cast a confused glance at the girl, until I realized what she was holding. My brush. The little brat.

“Give it here.” I commanded, but all I received was a giggle. BRAT.

“Not until you read me a story.” Chrissie continued, a rather satisfied look on her cute little face. Too cute. Gosh, a part of me wanted to give in, but another part of me wanted to… well, let’s not go there.

“Give it!”

“Noooo!”

“CHRISSIE!”

“READ ME A STORY!”

“I’m going to be late, you little brat!”

“I don’t CARE!”

With an annoyed grunt, I opened the door, “MOM!” I bellowed, probably waking the whole house up by now. My mom was already handling five kids, (Chrissie and I included) at the moment, so she was obviously a little busy. Nevertheless, she came marching up the stairs in quite a hurry.

“What is it, Roxie?” she asked. She looked strained, her dark brown hair was astray and her eyes were weary and tired. The twins were tucked in each arm, and they sure were a handful. I guess we all were. I felt really bad. I had to resort to calling her because I couldn’t control a 5-year old. How pathetic was that?

“She… won’t give me my brush.”

“Well, she won’t read me a story!” Chrissie repeated. The same thing every morning. I swear, those must be the only words in that child’s vocabulary.

“Give your sister her brush, Christina. Now.” Mom commanded. Chrissie looked like she was going to cry for a moment, but followed my mom’s instructions. I took it from her, and shut the door before any more disruptions came my way.

I looked in the mirror, and began brushing my hair, while examining my features at the same time. Pale skin, blonde hair with light blonde streaks, gray eyes, and a chubby face. I didn’t find myself the least bit attractive… at all. I sighed and kept brushing my hair, while placing one of the many thin headbands I had in it. This time, the color was red; that was how I always wore my hair.

Rushing downstairs, and grabbing my book bag, I ran into the kitchen to get something quick to eat before Carla and her dad showed up. My step dad decided to grace me with his presence in the kitchen this morning. I wondered why he wasn’t passed out on the couch like he usually was.

“You better hurry up,” He growled, “Carla’s going to be coming in 5 minutes.”

“Gee, thanks, Dad. I didn’t know that.” Oops. Bad mistake. I was in a touchy mood this morning, but I always took it out on him. Maybe because of the fact that he’s a drunk and a low-life…

“Don’t give me any lip.”

I ate my bagel in silence. Finally, Carla’s dad honked the horn outside. Mom was upstairs, probably getting Chrissie and Jack ready for school, so she didn’t have time to say goodbye to me. Of course, I didn’t expect a goodbye from my step dad, so I put my boots on, and walked out of the house in silence.

Carla’s smiling face greeted me when I took a seat in her dad’s Expedition. I smiled back.

“Hi,” she greeted. Her dad muttered a ‘Hello, Roxie’ from the front seat.

“Hey,” was my answer back.

“So… what’s going on?”

“Oh, I’m just lovely, my house is complete and utter chaos, and my step dad doesn’t give a rip. How about you?” I said, my voice thick with sarcasm.

Carla’s eyes widened. I was still amazed at how surprised she always looked when I told her about the events that were going on in my house.

“And,” I continued, “it all started because Chrissie wouldn’t give me my stupid brush. Did you know that I woke up at 7:00 this morning? 7:00!” I was aware that this conversation was skipping all over the place.

“That Christina really is cute.” Carla mused, with a smile that etched her dark face.

“Cute?” I asked, even though I knew she was kidding. I managed to laugh in spite of myself, “She’s a monster-in-training, I swear.”

We both laughed as we pulled up to the dreaded high school. Redwood Hills High School, to be exact. Carla’s dad bid us farewell, as we exited the car, my black studded book bag slung carelessly over my right shoulder. I looked up at the school, dread creeping its way up my bones.

“Rox, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve just seen Ben flirting with Megan.” Carla asked, noticing my expression. I probably did look like I was going to puke.

Okay, okay, you’re probably wondering why I hate school so much. And it’s all because of one person -- well, actually two -- and their names are Josh and Anthony. I know, I know, another one of those stories about bullies. But Josh is seriously unbearable and Anthony’s more like his slave. Anything Josh wants done, Anthony does it for him, and everything Josh says is always right… even when they have the nerve to annoy me for no reason at all.

“Oh. I was just thinking about how much I hate Josh, that’s all. And how I’m going to fail Pendilino test 3rd period.” I said, as we stepped inside the school. I noticed that it was 7:45.

“Don’t worry about Josh. I know this word is extremely overused, but he’s… retarded.” Carla said, “and as for Pendilino test, I was talking to Jenni about it, and she said that Kate heard that Cecilia saw Anthony snag a copy of it off of his desk when the idiot wasn’t looking.” Carla said. I guess that was supposed to make me feel better.

“And that relates to us how?”

“I don’t know. I just thought it was funny.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m going to my locker.” I said, heading toward the stairs, “See ya later!”

“Have fun!” was Carla’s answer, as she disappeared in the crowd of people. I marched my way upstairs (managing to avoid Josh and Anthony in the process… thank the Lord), and found my locker, hidden in the corner. Doing the combination in a hurry, I quickly grabbed my books while stealing a glance at the clock: 7:49. Yes, I freak out when I’m not on time for things. I quickly shut my locker, without noticing that I shut the strap of my book bag in with it. Shit. My locker was definitely jammed now.

I jiggled the lock a little, and kicked it, but to no avail. The damn thing wouldn’t come open.

I heaved a sigh and glared at the locker before walking across the hall to homeroom (almost bumping into a crap-load of people in the process).

Taking my seat, I glanced up at the television, which was already on. About two minutes later, Gwen’s smiling was on the screen.

“Good morning, Redwood Hills! I’m Gwen Reynolds, please stand for the pledge!” We stood. I pretended to say the pledge, while most of the class muttered it in a bored tone. We sat down, and Gwen continued to read the announcements in her high-pitched voice.

“All members of Spanish club, please remember to turn in the money for the candy that you sold…” I tuned out the rest of the announcements and waited impatiently for the bell to ring. Homeroom really sucks when you don’t know anyone in it.

After what seemed like an eternity, the bell rang. I heaved a sigh and took a dreaded walk to Mr. Bolter’s room.

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“Rox!”

“What?!”

“Do you see what’s going on? Do you see it?”

“I see it, Carla.” I replied, annoyed. We were in the middle of one of Mr. Bolter’s lectures, but of course, Carla and I weren’t paying attention. Neither was half the class.

‘It’ was Megan and Ben… that’s right Megan and Ben. I couldn’t believe it, either. Not only were they passing each other notes, but they seemed to be giving each other googily eyes. I wanted to be sick.

“What’s bothering me is,” I started in a hushed whisper, “Ben doesn’t even like her! He’s always talking about what a bitch she is.” I seriously think we must’ve been in the twilight zone at that moment.

“Well, it looks like they’re being pretty friendly.” Carla said, eyeing Megan and Ben, who were still looking at each other with the same weird expressions on their faces. What the heck was going on? I had to ask Ben about it during lunch.

I managed to let out a disgruntled noise, without Bolter noticing, “Please, spare me. This is too much for my eyes to take.”

“I know, it is pretty disturbing. You know, Rox…” Carla trailed off. I raised an eyebrow. Whenever she started a sentence with ‘You know, Rox’ I knew she was getting at something.

“What?” I asked, anyway.

“I was just thinking… you and Ben seem pretty close--”

“Of course we’re close,” I said in an urgent whisper, trying to hide the fact that my stomach was doing flip-flops at that moment, “We’re friends. Friends are close.” I finished, with a satisfied smile on my face.

Carla didn’t look so convinced. God, I hated it when she could see right through me! Why did I have to me cursed with a friend who knows every single little detail about me? I mentally cursed.

“That’s not what I was talking about.”

“If you’re suggesting something of a more serious nature between Benjamin and I, you, my dear friend, have gone insane. Why would I like him that way? I mean, he’s cute and all…” Crap. I shouldn’t have said that. I could feel my face grow hot. I knew instantly that I must’ve been as red as a cherry.

“You two would make a really good couple,” Carla whispered, as though she couldn’t see how red I was, “And I’m not just saying that because you’re my friend--”

She was cut off by Mr. Bolter’s pressing voice.

“Is there anything you ladies would like to share with us?” he asked, his forehead wrinkled in an annoyed manner. Bolter definitely wasn’t happy that we interrupted his oh-so-important rant about the Civil War. Wow, I must be in a sarcastic mood today.

Carla immediately shook her head, while I just sat there. I could feel everyone’s eyes on us, especially Ben’s. I don’t know why that bothered me so much, but I turned to look at him. His blue eyes held worry in them and his eyebrows were furrowed. He was so cute when he looked like that… the way his sandy blonde hair fell into his face, and how pretty his skin and eyes were…

But Bolter’s voice knocked me out of my daydream.

“I suggest you save your conversations until after class. Unless you’d like to join me for detention…”

Carla shook her head again and muttered an ‘I’m sorry’ under her breath. I would’ve, but I wasn’t really functional at the moment. I was still staring across the room at Ben, who was already back flirting with Megan again.

‘Okay. I love how Bolter yells at us, but doesn’t pay attention to those two over there. Maybe it has something to do with Megan’s father being the superintendent…’ I thought.

“As I was saying, the Civil War…” Bolter’s lecture continued, and I finally tore my eyes away from Megan and Ben. I put my head in my hands and sighed.

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Okay, that was the first chapter… ooh, Rox is feeling a little… envious. In the next chapter, Roxie and Ben talk, and Carla finds out some disturbing news… dun dun dun :P.