Peanut Butter Toast

The day started off in the worst sort of way. It was one of those days where opening your eyes feels akin to carrying a ton of bricks on your eyelids. One of those days where getting out of bed has the same physically draining effect as running a marathon. It was just one of those days where you knew it was going to be bad right from the beginning.

But, alas, I had to get up. So I somehow coaxed my body out of my cocoon of blankets and stumbled off to the bathroom, hanging onto the wall as I went. After lazily and messily brushing my teeth, I ran a comb through my hair haphazardly, ignoring the fact that it stood up like little brown horns at my forehead. I wandered back to my bedroom, giving my bed a longing look as I changed into baggy jeans and a loose t-shirt. I slapped on a pair of old, beaten sneakers and grabbed my backpack off the floor.

My mom basically threw a piece of toast at me as I trudged downstairs and into the kitchen. She huffed at my look of distaste at the thought of eating at all, but I just sort of shrugged it off, stuffing the peanut-butter-slathered piece of bread in my mouth. As I finally finished chewing there was a knock at the door and I nodded at my mom. She smiled, wished me a good day. I laughed sarcastically, rolling my eyes. I was definitely not going to have a good day.

I greeted my friend Trent at the door with a half grunt and he returned the favour. It appeared that his day had started off just as smashingly. He led me back to his beater of a car and we just barely managed to make it to school in one piece. We walked up the steps to the front of the school, slowly being swarmed by a group of freshmen. I made my way out of there quickly, not liking the idea of having to put up with a bunch of giggly, annoying, young girls in my state. I opened the doors, and was greeted by a rush of hot air.

I got to my locker, Trent probably still out on the front steps, and it wouldn’t open as usual. I kicked at it and gave up, dumping all my stuff in my homeroom before moving off to find my girlfriend. After about ten minutes of searching for her I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. She hadn’t shown, lovely.

It wasn’t until lunch that I finally saw Kia, and she looked mighty pale. I pulled her in for a hug, kissed her dark hair and asked her what was wrong. She mumbled that she had a cold against my chest and I hugged her a bit tighter; not liking her being sick. She looked up at me and gave me a soft smile, saying that she would be fine. I nodded, knowing that that was true and let her go, my hand sliding down to grab hers.

We ate lunch together with Trent and a few other guys, Kia not eating much. I survived the next two periods but then decided to take Kia home when I saw her before last class. She kind of groaned and followed me as I tracked Trent down. I stole his keys and told him to hitch a ride home from someone else. He nodded and went back to whatever it was that he was doing. I drove Kia home and walked her up to her room, making sure to tuck her in for some sleep.

She yawned and reached out her arms for a last hug, and I complied, sitting down on the bed to make it easier. She sort of held me to her chest for awhile and asked if I could stay for a bit.

I nodded, but told her that I better call my mom first. I did so, but got no answer and left a message. I crawled into bed with Kia and let her fall asleep with an arm around her. I stared at the ceiling for awhile but then heard her older brother come in from school. I slid out of her bed and went downstairs to talk to him.

We headed into the kitchen and I told him what was wrong. He offered me a coke. I took it, drank it, set the empty can near the sink. He grinned and laughed, complimenting me on my chugging skills. I shrugged and hauled myself up to sit on the counter. We both turned to look at the doorway when we heard Kia come down the stairs and I smiled at her. She smiled back and came over, settling in against the counter between my legs.

I wrapped my arms around her from behind and watched as her brother grinned widely. Kia was a year younger than her brother and I, and he had been my friend since kindergarten, so he was awesome about our relationship.

We talked about our days, I explained how waking up this morning had been less than pleasant. Kia laughed at me and poked at my knee, saying that I should try waking up sick and get back to her on that. I pouted and claimed that she had no sympathy for me and that just made her laugh again and agree. I put on a show, acted all offended when really I knew that she hadn’t meant it.

I got a kiss out of it though, because that’s just how good I am.

--Alex