Music blasts out of my phone suddenly, startling me awake. I roll over sleepily and grab my phone, looking at it through heavy eyelids. I did not get enough sleep last night. I tap snooze on the alarm screen and bury my face in my pillow again.

The door to my room creaks open slowly. It's my mom, coming to make sure I'm up. Crap.

"Sweetheart, it's time to get up," she says, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Mmm," I mumble, my face still buried in my pillow.

She pulls my comforter off my body and sits on it, removing all chance of me going back to sleep. "Mom," I protest.

"Nope. No going to sleep."

"Ugh." I roll out of bed and she gets off the bed, tossing the comforter back up towards my pillow. I yawn and my mom smiles at me.

"You have about an hour until you need to leave for school," she says.

"Okay, Mom," I respond.

She walks out of the room, closing the door behind her, and I grab my phone from the nightstand next to my bed.

"Hey Siri," I say, "what's the weather today?"

'The weather forecast for today, November 18 in Portland, Oregon is partly cloudy, with a high of 68, a low of 37, and low to moderate wind speeds up to 15 miles per hour.'

I walk over to my closet and slide the hangers to the side, pulling out a pink galaxy sweater and a plain white tank top. I also grab a pair of simple black leggings.

I take a warm shower and slip into my clothes, grabbing a pair of white ankle socks before walking downstairs to find my mom, sitting at the table with a full cup of coffee in hand.

"Did you buy milk yesterday?" I ask.

"Yeah, sweetie," she responds, sipping her coffee.

I walk over to the fridge and pull out a gallon of milk. I shut the fridge, walk over to the pantry and get out the Fruity Pebbles. I grab a bowl from the dishwasher and fill it up with Fruity Pebbles.

I pull a spoon from the drawer and dig in to the cereal, taking big spoonfuls and gulping them down. I glance at the clock every few minutes, and when I finish the cereal, I gulp down the milk and put the bowl in the sink.

I walk over to the closet and pull out my black shoes. I sit down and pull on my socks and shoes. "Have a good day, sweetie. I'll be home around six. Oh, and we have to pick up your sister after dinner," says my mom.

"She's coming back?" I ask, appalled.

"Yes. The agency said she's been asking to see us. You, mostly." Her voice is slightly bitter, but she covers it with a smile. "We'll leave around seven thirty."

"Okay," I say, grabbing my backpack from its hook in the closet. I pull it on and opened the door. "Bye, Mom."

"Bye, Ava. Have a good day at school," she responds.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

The yellow school bus pulls up to the curb of my house and I step off, turning back until Lilly, my best friend, hops off after me.

"When does your mom get home tonight?"

"Umm.... Six, I think she said this morning."

She nods as we walk up the porch steps. "I have to leave before that. Actually, I should leave in about an hour."

I pull my lanyard from under my sweater and grab the house key, pushing it into the lock and twisting it until I hear the click of the lock.

I pull open the door and walk inside, re-locking the door after Lilly comes inside. I toss my backpack and shoes into the closet before walking upstairs and down the hall into my room, Lilly right behind me.

I plop down on my bed and she drops her backpack on the floor.

"So, did you see Parker at all today?" she asks, looking eager for news just like a little kid.

"Yeah, at lunch. And he was jogging with me in track."

"No way," Lilly says, looking surprised.

"I told you, we're friends. But it's not really going anywhere else. Totally disappointing, don't you think?" I ask.

She grins sympathetically. "Yeah. Who was he sitting with at lunch?"

"The same people as normal. Why?" I ask in confusion.

"I saw Sophie sitting with him. Right next to him, actually."

"What are you talking about? Sophie? She knows how long I've liked him!" I say indignantly.

"I know, I was confused too," Lilly responds.

"B-but..."

"Hey," she says, putting an arm around my shoulders. "There's no gaurantee that they're together. She was sitting between Parker and Devin, so she and Devin could be together."

"Well, yeah. I guess," I respond quietly.

"Hey, it's okay," she says. "The new episode of Riverdale is on, let's go watch it."

I know she's only trying to make me feel better, so I go down into the living room with her. She flicks on the TV and switches the channel to Riverdale.

Thirty minutes later, Lilly is standing up to leave.

"Is my bag still in your room?" she asks, and I nod.

She opens the door to leave and turns back. "Don't be so down. It's probably nothing."

She's probably right, but I'm still a bit worried.

I turn my attention back to the TV again, letting the noise drown out the unsettling thoughts that are running through my head.

"I'm home," my mom says through the door to my room.

"Okay," I respond.

"I got food," she says temptingly.

I hop off my bed and throw open the door. "Food?" I ask happily.

"Yes. I got you the star chicken nuggets from Carl's Junior, a ten piece with extra ketchup," she says, smiling.

"Yay!" I squeal, problems with Parker flying out the window. Eh, whatever. Fries before guys. "Wait. You got fries, too, right?" I ask.

"Yes," she says, laughing. I laugh along with her, problems forgotten, and we sit down at the table together.

"Mmm," I say, enjoying my food in-mostly-silence.

"How was your day, hon?" my mom asks me when I finally stop moaning in delight.

"Good, mom," I reply, my mouth still full.

She smiles, and I grin back. "How was yours?"

"Alright. Gotta eat quickly, we'll be picking up your sister soon," she reminds me.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," I say, gulping my last mouthful of food quickly and taking a big drink of root beer.

We pack up and get in the car, and I think to myself, Faith, we're on our way.