The singing of the birds wake me up or maybe it was just my alarm. Either way, I already want this day to end. As I open the curtains the sun rays shine through them and, the fragments of last night's dream play in my mind.

In my dream, I am with Ava in a crowded room. Multiple coloured lights dart around the room. A familiar Drake song plays in a loop, with
the heavily exaggerated bass which pounds my chest.

"Hermès link, ice-blue mink
Tat on my ribs like I do not know what permanent is"

Those same lyrics over and over again, man I hate that song now.

Ava reaches for the door her face is red with stained mascara on her cheeks. I grab her arm, but she pushes me back. Her lips move, but I can't hear what she says over the song.

And that's how it ends. I have had this same dream for the past two months now. I thought maybe the sleeping pills, and a mix of Valium would eliminate the dream. I was so wrong.

I prepare myself for this dreadful Tuesday, and when I walk into the lively bright orange kitchen the smell of pancakes engulfs me.

"Morning," I take a seat at the round table.

"Morning baby," my mom greets me as she flips a pancake, the sun glistens on her brown skin giving her the extra glow. She's still in her blue pyjamas, and her black bonnet lays slightly on her head.

"How'd you sleep, you still having those dreams?"
"Like a baby, and now those dreams are gone," I lie.

lately with Ava missing has bought my mom a lot of worries. She checks up on me every single chance she gets. Like yesterday right after taking my bath, she sat with me in my room until I fell asleep. She has never done that.
I hate seeing her worry over me, so I lie here and there, so she thinks I'm okay. In reality, I'm falling apart. The dream just won't go away.

"See I told you they would go away", she smiles at me, showing off her dimples.
She pushes the plate of pancakes towards me.
"Eat up, I'm going to get ready," she adjusts her bonnet and leaves the kitchen.

I scroll through Instagram looking at pictures of the night Ava disappeared. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. How can one person be here then the next minute be gone?

I zoom in on her round freckled face. Strands of her black hair stick out everywhere. In the picture, she holds a red solo cup in one hand and has her tongue sticking out. She also makes a peace sign. Her torn jeans have a wet spot just above her knee. She also has a red visible spot on her knee. Is that blood?

Behind her with hair in a messy bun and an oversized black hoodie, is me. I smile instead of having my tongue out.
Behind me, there are bottles on the kitchen island and more red solo cups.

What the fuck happened that night? I hate how I can't remember anything from it. If I could remember then maybe we would have found Ava by now. According to Ameria, I followed right behind her just as she was storming off. I was also the last person with her.
Why was she even storming off?

A familiar honk interrupts my train of thoughts. I rush upstairs and grab my bag.
"I'm gone" I yell as I slam the front door shut

The full blast of audible music gets louder the closer I get to the mini cooper.

I open the door and the vulgar Megan thee stallion lyrics blast right into my face.
"Hey girl", Ameria's eyes light up and she lowers the volume.
"Hey, " I get in and shut the door.

The overpowering aroma of sweetness fills up my nostrils.

"You really have to use that much perfume?"

"Of course girl, I don't want my cookie to stink."

She applies more lip gloss to her already shiny lips.

"You do know we running late right?" I look at the digital clock

"Chill, we'll be on time", she runs her hands through her black relaxed hair. And blows a kiss to herself in the mirror.
"Now we can go", she says

Ameria has always been obsessed with her appearance. She loves the attention she gets based on her looks.
Guys at school always drool over her curvy figure and her large chest.

I wonder if she ever gets tired from all the whistling, and staring. I know I would.

"Hold on," she takes out the lashes from her small red bag.

I sigh "We are going to get detention."

"Okay fine I will do it later."She starts the car.

With her dodgy driving and a couple of honking from other drivers, we make it just before the bell rings.

I take out my hoodie from my bag
"Seriously," Ameria rolls her eyes

"What, You know how everyone in there stares at us, especially me,"

"So what, fuck them. Let them look we hot girls anyways" she wags her tongue out and blows kisses at herself in the mirror.

I ignore her comment and put on my Nike hoodie.
"You did nothing wrong all you did was chase after Ava, so relax."

She opens the door and steps out.
I follow right behind as we pass through different coloured cars. Ameria pushes the glass door open and then it begins.

All eyes on us well that's what it feels like I'm pretty sure not everyone looks directly at us.
The hockey team lean against the blue lockers holding their sticks in their hands.
Their prying eyes burn a hole in my skull.

The girls with the high ponytails, and matching black and white striped shirts immediately turn to face elsewhere. Like we just didn't see them stare at us.

“Nice jeans”, one of the football players says as he stares at Ameria's ass and rubs his hands together.
Ameria smirks in response.

The prying eyes become worse with every step we take. Some students eye me up and down. Others whisper to their friends. Others quickly glance elsewhere

It's something I still haven't gotten used to, but as long as I got my hoodie on it's okay, I guess. It's a protective shield against these vultures, now that I think about it. It's kinda stupid because everyone knows it's me under the hoodie.

I open my locker to grab a couple of books. That's when the smooching sounds begin right on time.
Ameria and AJ are at it again Can they not kiss here?

I slam my locker "okay damn girl" Aj looks at me with annoyance written on his face.

"You okay?" he asks me as he grabs onto Ameria's ass

"Yep"

"Well okay", he leans back into Ameria, gently pushing her against the locker.

Can they not. I roll my eyes

"Ah, shit Ameria and AJ at it again", Jake yells, holding his phone in his hand.

"Let me zoom in onto the couple" he goes closer to AJ

"Man fuck off", AJ pushes him away.

"Oh come on, y'all we're getting it on" Jake laughs, but AJ sighs
"Okay, okay I will stop" he shoves his phone into his denim pocket. And runs his hands through his blond hair.

"How are you baby?" Jake asks Ameria.

AJ sighs and shakes his head "what did I tell you about calling her that."

"I'm playing" Jake laughs "oh I see you got the waves today."
He takes out his phone again "Wave check" He records AJ's head

I can't believe I used to have a crush on this idiot, but do I blame myself? Nope.

Jake's green eyes, muscular body structure and the fact that I gotta look up at him when I talk to him is a thing that most high school girls in Willowood fall for.

His personality is a different story. I swear he was dropped as a baby. I don't even know how he and AJ are friends.

AJ is just so chilled his not annoying. And it doesn't hurt that he is cute. His brown eyes, his dark brown skin and his sharp jawline have me going crazy. Especially when he bites his juicy pink lips.

Ameria sure does have good taste in guys.

"Can you stop!" Ameria hisses at Jake.

"Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed", Jake now points his phone at Ameria.
She rolls her eyes.

The bell rings, and the quick shuffling of students rush to their class.
"I'll see you in Math," I tell Ameria.

Let this shitty day begin.