Waking in the morning, I creep to the door to listen for sounds of movement. Woken up around 4 am due to my parents fighting, I listened to them scream back and forth for what felt like years while staring at the ceiling. Finally they shut up long enough for me to doze off for a bit, but mom woke me again when she left at six.

Feeling like death, I'm dragging to get ready. To be honest, even if there hadn't been the rude awakening I'd still be equally pissy. Fuck mornings, Carpe Noctem.

Hearing dad rummaging around in the kitchen and noises from the living room TV, I stay in my room to quietly get ready. At least I find a brush to tame my wild bedhead. Pretending I don't exist in hopes of avoiding any arguments before heading off to school isn't going well, he's going to make me late.

Getting ready to make a mad dash for it, the noise cuts off and heavy steps start down the hallway. I retreat to stare at the door and wait, holding my breath. After a moment, he passes and their bedroom door clicks shut. Thank God, I can't deal with him this morning. Not with this anxiety already forming in my gut.

Slowly edging the door open to tip toe down the hallway, carrying my shoes in one hand. A normal occurence. The floorboards creak under my weight no matter what I do, but the door at the end of the hall remains closed.

Locating my backpack that's sat neglected in a closet all break, I have to unzip it to make sure there are no lingering papers from last semester. My name is written in block letters across the back like a kindergartener, but who would want to steal this hideous thing? 

Mom's always bringing home clothes and accessories she deems wonderful, but are in fact the ugliest shit I've ever seen. I debate on trying to grab something to eat real quick, but decide against it in sake of getting the fuck out of here before anything can happen to make this morning worse.

I stop to shove my feet in my shoes and zip up my coat to hurry down the creaking porch. Passing dad's rusting truck in the driveway, I take a left heading to Emma's house. 

Sun Trailer Park is only a short walk since everything around here is small and crammed together. This town is tiny and doesn't offer very much in sake of things to do. There's a few fast food places, an old bowling alley that's seen better days. Most kids drive to one of the larger cities, while us poor rejects are stuck in this miserable place dying of boredom.

There's a small amount of snow from last night, but nothing much. It still lingers here and there stubbornly, my breath puffing out as I walk in the cold. My coat sucks, more like a thick jacket if anything. I'm in desperate need of a new one, like most things. My ears burn from the wind, and I forgot my hat. Damn it.

After only a few blocks I see the fence that surrounds the park, and hurry to Em's to avoid running into any of her neighbors. We don't live in the friendliest of areas. So much for Southern Hospitality, right?

I make it to the fading yellow trailer and knock quickly. The door is ripped open, and Lucy smiles at me.

"Oh, good morning Beck! How are you today?" She steps out of the way to let me in. I smile at her before walking inside the tiny living room.

Lucy was very pretty once, however like my mom, she now just looks tired. I think she's quite a bit younger than mom. I know she had Emma when she was a teenager, but I've never asked what exact age since it feels rude for some reason. She grew up in this town, but when Emma was born she dropped out of school to run off with the father. That didn't last long, so they moved back here after her slew of unsuccessful boyfriends. 

I asked Emma about her dad once, but she ignored me. It hasn't came up again.

I cross the tiny living room and head towards Emma's closet, her words not mine. I knock on the door just in case, but after no protests, fling it open. Emma lies on top of her pink duffet with her mouth open, drooling without a care in the world. I'm not surprised, she's always forgetting to set her alarms. Kicking her foot, she only grunts. This bitch.

"Up! Up! Up!" I shout in her ear, earning a swat.

She mumbles something about hating me before rising up like Frankenstein's monster. She glares at me blearily, making me want to kick her again.

"I thought your mom was taking you shopping for new clothes?" She yawns and tries to lay back down before I grab her pillow and hit her with it.

"She was, and then she worked late and by the time she got home dad was pissed. So, obviously that didn't happen. It's fine, she probably didn't have alot of extra money anyway," shrugging I drop my bag to the floor.

"Figures." Emma's used to stories of my parent's fighting, like I'm used to her mom coming home shit faced. 

She rolls out of bed, not gracefully, and almost trips over my bag. I do my best to stifle a laugh, but am unsuccessful. She sticks her tongue out at me when heading for the bathroom. 

"Don't you dare take a shower, or I will leave without you," I say before she can shut the door.

"I love you too," She sing songs while heading down the hall. A moment later, I hear the water cut on. 

While she gets ready, I stare at the familiar four walls and try not to fidget. I don't want to be late, especially on our first day back. The idea of walking into a classroom and having everyone stare at me ties my stomach in knots. The ugly bubble gum pink are not comforting, even though they remind me of Pepto Bismal.

I tug at the hem of my shirt before pulling out my phone. It's old, a hand me down from mom. It hardly works most of the time and can barely hold a charge, but it's better than nothing. I shoot a quick text in our group, saying that we are going to be late because of a certain someone who will not be named. EMMA. I'm making the hundredth lap of the small space when she reappears, hair dripping.

"About damn time! We are going to be so late!" I snatch up my bag and send her a look. "Are you planning on freezing to death during our walk?"

"Oh relax, we're seniors! Aren't we supposed to be rebels and ditch and what not?" Her smile's bright as she scoops up her purse and pulls out her black beanie. She spins her long, dark hair into a low knot before pulling the hat on.

Our hair is similar in shades, but hers is richer. It also lies silky and smooth, no matter what she does to it. I don't want to be jealous, but it's hard when you wake up looking like Medusa every morning. The old silk pillow case I stole from the hallway closet isn't making a difference, unfortunately.

"I don't think ditching on the first day back from break is a good idea, no matter how appealing." I lead the way out of her room and towards the front door.

"Bye mom!" She shouts over her shoulder before slamming the door shut.

I walk briskly, the fastest I can without sounding like Darth Vader. Emma mossies behind, digging through her bag without a care in the world. For fuck's sake. Hearing the sound of her lighter spark, I assume she must have located her cigarettes in that never ending pit.

She catches up to me and offers me one, and I debate on denying it. I occasionally smoke, mainly when I drink. Only having a few minutes until being stuck with people I hate is a good reason to smoke.

I pluck it from her fingers before taking the lighter. After two failed attempts, she snatches it back and lights it for me. Smiling through my nerves at her, we turn to head towards Jade's. Lucas will meet us there, and then it's only a block to school. I trudge through the slush beside Emma, ignoring the anxiety building inside me. I keep puffing on my cigarette, hoping the nicotine will calm my nerves.