If Life Was Simple

Chapter 6

My glorious weekend was over when I heard that damn alarm clock again. Today's hiding place was on top of the dresser. Very creative, Mom. Sooner or later she's going to run out of hiding places.
Second week of junior year, I thought, as I grabbed another Ed Sheeran concert tee from my closet. I wandered down the stairs with my backpack, not hungry at all. Thank God Mom hadn't made anything for breakfast today. She's on bed rest for her pregnancy, and Dad and Flora already left for daycare. Malcolm was sitting at the table eating a bowl of Lucky Charms. I sat down, too, but I didn't eat anything.
"Don't you want something for breakfast?" Malcolm asked. I shook my head. "But you're usually hungry all the time! What's gotten into you?"
"Look, Incredible Mr. M," I said. "I'm a teenager, and we have crazy mood swings and appetite changes," I responded matter-of-factly. Malcolm rolled his eyes. He sighed, then continued eating his cereal. He finished, and we walked out the door, ready, but not excited for school.

"Liv?"
"Yeah?"
"What was Brandon here for on Saturday?"
"Umm," I replied, hesitant to tell him what actually happened, but Malcolm is my most trusted friend, so I guess I'm obligated to.
"He came over to spend more time getting to know me, and when we were at the park, he asked me to be his girlfriend," I told him, still a bit hesitant. His eyes grew wider than dinner plates. He smiled bigger than Brandon did when I said yes. He squealed louder than Lex and Carmen combined when I told them over video chat.
"Really? That's awesome!" Sometimes I feel like my brother is one of my gal pals, and right here he shows it. Gosh, he's so weird.
     I dropped Malcolm off at the middle school, and I journeyed on to the high school. I traipsed in the door, very unhappy that I was here, because like every normal teenager, I don't particularly like school. What am I saying? I HATE school. As a junior, I should be used to it, but I'm not. It's only the second week of junior year and I'm already wishing it was summer. Ugh.
    
     "Morning, Liv," a voice greeted behind me as I opened my locker. I put my bag inside then turned around.
     "Hey Carmen," I replied. "What's up?"
     "Just wondering more about you and Mr. Parker," she said slyly. I rolled my eyes, grabbed my stuff, and we wandered towards Lex's locker.
     "I've already told you everything," I replied. She looked disappointed. "Oh come on," I began as we neared Lex. "Why wouldn't I have already told you the whole story? You're my best friends. You guys know everything about me and Brandon there is to know."
      "Talking about Olivia's boyfriend, are we?" asked Lex as she shut her locker. I elbowed her. "What! You guys are dating," she exclaimed as Carmen left for her homeroom and Lex and I walked towards ours. We took our seats in Mrs. Valen's classroom.
      "Sure we're 'dating,' but it's only been two days," I whispered to her as Brandon walked into the classroom. He smiled when his eyes met mine.
     "Good morning, girlfriend," Brandon greeted. Lex giggled, and I shot her a glare.
      "You're really happy about this dating thing, huh," I said. He rolled his eyes. I chuckled. Brandon brushed my flyaway hair out of my face. Lex squealed. Brandon and I both gave her stare-downs. Just then, Mrs. Valen walked into the classroom and just let us talk through homeroom. Just like that, homeroom was over.

     "Well, well, well. We meet again, Olivia," said an obnoxious voice behind me as I searched for Lex and Carmen in the lunchroom.
      "What's up, shit head," I asked, not turning around to face Leo.
     "That was hilarious," Leo replied.
     "It wasn't supposed to be," I said, still looking for Lex and Carmen.
      "Wow, you're stupid AND ugly," Leo insulted.
     "Excuse me, I am not a mirror," I countered, as I walked away, leaving Leo to think of a better comeback than my own. I sat down next to Brandon who had joined Lex and Carmen at the table.
     "What did HE want?" Carmen asked, looking worried. She was the worrier of the group.
     "What he can never have: the satisfaction of getting to me," I replied as I looked down at the disgusting tray of cafeteria food. I usually ditched what wasn't edible, then I get something that is at the snack bar.
     "He's just stupid," Brandon said, and I nodded. "Wait, wait. What are you doing?"
     "What I always do. Getting rid of the food," I replied, walking over to the trash can and dumping the tray.
     "You don't eat?" Brandon asked, clearly worried. "Why are you starving yourself?"
     "Dude, chill. That stuff isn't edible. It's not that I don't eat, it's just that that isn't appetizing," I assured him as I bought a Pop Tart from the snack bar. He let out a big breath.
     "Good," he said as he put his arm around me. "You had me really worried, Liv." I smiled as we say back down at the table. Lex and Carmen were silently freaking out, but it was completely obvious. Brandon looked at them like they were insane. And they were. But I knew that.

     After school, Brandon walked home with me and Malcolm. I was very happy, because it wasn't awkward at all. Brandon held my hand, and he and Malcolm talked like they had been best friends for years. We walked into the house, made some popcorn, and went to play video games. I was whooping their asses in Mario Kart 8, when we heard an ear piercing scream. Oh no.

     "Mom? Mom, what happened?" I asked her. She appeared to be in great pain.
     "The baby's coming," she said. She had tears in her eyes.
     "Oh my God, ok, we need to get you to the hospital right now," I said, trying to help her up off the bed. "Brandon, the car keys are downstairs on the counter. Go get them and start the car in the garage. Malcolm, help Mom down the stairs and into the car. I'm going to call the hospital, then Dad. Hurry! Go, go!"

A/N
Sorry it's been such a long time since I've updated. Hope you are still enjoying this book!