Elise

Homecoming was finally here. I laid in my bed with my eyes wide open. It just didn't seem possible. We literally began school for our senior year a month ago. Now we were through the first quarter. God, time goes by so fast.

I groaned and let my hands drip down my face before hearing a knock at the door. "Who is it?"

"It's Todd. Can I come in?"

Oh shit, I rolled over and rolled my eyes. "Sure."

He slowly walked in and rubbed my hair. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine."

"Elise, can you please–"

"I only stayed here for Dad and Chrissy." I told him, which made him stop feeling my hair. "As far as I'm concerned, you and our mother can leave me alone."

"We'll have to talk again at some point."

"We're doing that now."

"That's not what I meant." Todd clarified. "We will need to talk about what happened."

"Yeah, someday."

"We also should probably talk about how you've been."

"Oh, I do not like where this is going." I readjusted myself, sparking him to back up as I stared him down. "You are in no place to judge me."

"I'm not judging you, but I am concerned."

"Doesn't this sound familiar?" I rubbed palms down my face and chuckled. "God, it's like we're in the same spot three years ago and the roles are reversed."

"Hey, I'm not trying to make you feel like shit."

"Then don't." I rose out of bed and stood up. "Don't come to me with your concerns, don't project your issues onto me, don't tell me how sorry you are; I already know."

"You won't speak to me. How should I know?"

"Just take what I give back and move on." I shook my head and scoffed. "Todd, I'm not gonna forgive you overnight."

"I never said you had to."

"Really?" I tilted my head to the right and asked him again with a fake-ass smile planted on my face. "Mother keeps dropping hints and you do too."

"No, I don't."

"Alright fine, you send mixed signals." I reluctantly compromised. "It still feels like guilt-tripping though."

"I can assure you, that wasn't the intention."

"Well I'm sorry you feel that way." I walked past him to my dresser where I grabbed all my clothes for the day. "Maybe next time, try harder."

"Wow." Todd scoffed in a condescending tone. "Since when did you get so judgmental?"

"Since I realized that life isn't all sunshine and rainbows, you fucking dolt."

I closed my top dresser and sighed before turning back to him. "Alright. Maybe in your little world, it's okay to be a complete mess and in Mom's, it's fine to be ignorant, but for me, none of this shit is fine."

"I'd be careful about what you say, Madam Hangover."

"Oh fuck you." I shook my head and stood right up to him with my finger pointed. My blood boiled as I was ready to dole out the hard truth. "What you put us through was horrific. Mom's reaction was even worse."

"She was in shock."

"Well so was I!" The words erupted from my mouth. "So was Dad, yet he got there and made sure Chrissy and I were fine. He still protected us when he didn't have to, checked on us plenty of times, and stepped up. What did she do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing, except putting on that bullshit smile and telling us how good our lives are."

"Is that really so bad?"

"It was, 'cause that wasn't what we needed. Not wanted, needed. We deserved strong parents and what did we get? One stud and one dud."

"Okay, that's enough." Todd scolded me. His eyes got all flared up as he spoke in that low, stern tone. "You need to stop that right now."

"Why?"

"Because if you don't get your own shit together, you'll put them in the exact same situation and I know for a fact, Dad wouldn't be able to survive. Especially if you drank yourself to death and ended up on the side of a road."

Wait a second... he knows? My heart sunk as did my jaw when he revealed that he somehow knew I drank. I shook my head and smiled. "H-how did-no, What makes y-you think I'm–"

"Trust me. I know." He whispered reeking of pious arrogance before patting me on the back and walking away. He walked tall and continued in his regular voice. "Take care of it, sister."

"Mind your own business!" I shouted back as he shut the door. I closed my eyes and sat down on the carpet floor. He may know about my habit, though he didn't know me. This may have been distracting, but nowhere near as destructive as the shit he was doing in college. I'd prove it too. Just you wait, Todd. I'll never be like you.

* * * * *

"No." Aria shook her head as she shut her locker and walked away. "I'm not going to get in the middle of your family drama. I've already had my share."

"You're not gonna be that involved."

"There's no changing my mind."

"Aria–"

"I said no." She sternly replied which actually sent chills through my body. Didn't think she had it in her since she was more or less this saintly person who could do it all. Then again, she was filled with surprises. Most recently, she surprised me by how she hadn't spoken much to me since last week. We'd only talk a little and whenever we did group photos. Otherwise, we were strangers again. It was very unsettling.

Despite her blatant refusal, I continued walking beside her. Maybe some good old humor could help?

"God, and people say I'm the stubborn one." I gushed.

"I'm not being stubborn, I just don't feel like talking to you."

Damn, what is it with all these flashbacks today? I thought to myself once she said that. Not long ago, I remember saying something along those lines. She was really learning and I was so proud of her.

I chuckled and tried again to speak until she grabbed my arm with unnecessary degree of strength, wow!

She pulled me into the girl's locker room and locked the door. Aria cleared her throat and asked. "D-do you not understand what this is about?"

"I may have an idea."

"Then you know why I'm upset."

"It's because of what I said, isn't it?" I deduced.

"Uh-huh." Aria nodded with that deadpan look on her face. "Wanna say anything?"

"Yes. I know it was from awhile back, but I do apologize."

"For?"

"Dismissing you as a friend and blowing you off. I know it was very rude–"

"Actually, that wasn't what was upsetting me, but thanks for the reminder." Aria snickered and shook her head.

"It wasn't?" I asked while my face got all red.

"No!" Aria hastily denied. "Do you even remember?"

"Remember what?"

"That-that video!" Aria thrust her left arm out from her chest to the side. She was now breathing heavily and her hair was a mess. She looked like she was going to die. "You know, the one-that one by, uh...what's his name...Edgar something."

"Edgar Mendoza?"

"Yep!" She pointed and nodded. "That's the one."

"Oh right..." I clenched my teeth together and turned away only to find the mirror with my guilty reflection. Damn it.

"Yeah, you said some pretty hurtful things." Aria responded rather quickly. "Not just about me, but Johnny and Dominic too. At least Lyle was spared."

"Wow."

"I know. You said I was a Goody Two-shoes twat."

"Those exact words?" I asked while closing my left eye and cringing hard on the inside.

"Uh-huh." Aria nodded.

Oh my god, I stared down at the pink and white tile floor while Aria sniffled. It had then occurred to me that what started out as a nice friendship quickly dissolved in a matter of weeks because of certain things linking back to my choices and the things I've done. This definitely explained how I got here.

Awkward silence settled in again along with the dripping sound of water in the distance. I kept my arms folded before letting out a sigh. It was time to make amends with Aria. "Alright, I'm not good with apologies 'cause I don't have much to be sorry for."

"Well you're off to a great start." She exuded that sarcasm with a lot of pride.

I laughed and nodded. "Yeah, I know. This isn't easy for me to say, but I am very sorry. Aria, I shouldn't have said what I said. You were only trying to help and I treated you like shit. Not only that, I trashed you at some party that I never should've went to in the first place."

"I understand what you're saying except it still baffles me how you ended up there."

"Me too." I admitted while looking down. "However, the details of why I went doesn't matter right now. What matters is that I'm here in front of you, apologizing with all my heart because you are a true friend. I wish that I had seen it sooner."

"Aw..." At that point, Aria finally let her guard down and wrapped her arms around me as I did the same with her. There was this feeling of relief mixed with harmony swirling inside. It was really nice. I wasn't much of a hugger, but we both needed this especially since our group needed us on the same page. They all needed me back and if that meant having to make amends with Johnny too, I guess I'd just have to do it.

* * * * *

Later in the day, I found myself with my arms crossed, staring out at the bright red and multicolored decorations set up in the gym. There were colorful streamers tied around the bleachers, a large tent over the DJ's corner, and just dozens upon dozens of balloons scattered throughout the gym. They came in shades of red, blue, yellow, my favorite lavender, and more. I even saw a guy on stilts though he seemed to stumble around. Either way, this was working out far better than I expected.

"Wow. I still can't believe your idea won."

"Yeah, what's wrong with reliving the nineties?" Dominic added. "Especially since some of us were born at the tail end."

"Hey, you can never go wrong with the classic circus theme. Am I right?" Johnny jested as he nudged Lyle in the stomach.

"You sure are." Lyle agreed.

Afterwards Johnny left while humming that annoying, yet catchy circus song with some beatbox flare added. Lyle chuckled and stood next to me as we gazed at the flashy setup.

"You know, I actually liked circuses growing up." Lyle revealed. "Then all those clowns would come out of the car and I'd run for my life."

"Any of them dressed as Pennywise?"

"Just one. He chased me into that funhouse with the mirrors and trust me, it was not fun."

"Oh." I ruffled Lyle's hair imagining what kind of trauma he went through as a cute child. "I bet that ruined your childhood."

"Yep, and that's why I avoid the so-called fun aunt and uncle who took me there."

"Wait, your parents didn't take you?"

"Of course not." Lyle denied, "First off, they're super religious so a circus and the Bible wouldn't mix. Secondly, my father was always working and my mother would either curse them to hell or file a complaint which always gets heard."

"Ouch."

We were almost about to continue our little conversation when Aria rolled in like a hurricane. She had on a very shimmery red and silver blouse, a red beret, black skirt, and matching heels which she couldn't walk in at all.

"Come on people, we are running behind schedule!" She clapped her hands as loudly as she shouted.

Lyle covered his ears while I asked. "Were we supposed to have a costume?"

"Well it's too late for you to do an act now. We spent the last few weeks planning this and you've barely been around."

"So what should I do?"

"You can help get the music going."

"Awesome."

Aria pointed in the direction I was supposed to go and I helped get the rest of the pep rally ready to launch. In a matter of an hour, the entire class began to pour inside. I looked around to see all four classes together spread out throughout the sections of bleachers. Our class filled two sections and were already throwing around toilet paper and shit. Ms. Valentine had to reprimand a few students which resulted in her getting beaned with the silly string. I couldn't help but laugh and the moment Aria and Johnny stepped out in their eccentric outfits, Homecoming officially began.

"Warwind South, let's make some noise!" Johnny let loose where he amped up the crowd by thrusting his fist in the air. Lyle, Dominic, and I applauded from the side. I even cheered for Johnny like I did at his football game and he flashed a smile back at me. Things were finally becoming normal again and it couldn't feel more perfect...

* * * * *

"Oh god." I covered my mouth as he took another big hit. Johnny laid on the field for awhile and the whistle was blown. The crowd murmured as I tried looking to the board for reassurance. Unfortunately, the score wasn't helping either as the Draverdale Devils were up by fifteen and we were down to the last full minute of the last quarter. I looked over the side to see Lyle and Dominic arguing before Dominic left.

Aria clutched my hand and asked. "You think he'll be okay?"

"I sure hope so."

We watched closely as Johnny was taken off the field, limping and having to use two other guys as crutches.

Another player filled in and they started again. They changed positions where Logan backed up and once the ball was hiked to him, he tossed it to Bruce. A risky move, though it paid off as he nearly got a touchdown.

Come on, I clenched my fists and prayed for a miracle of sorts. With the clock ticking down, we were a touchdown and a punt away from winning the game. Eventually Lyle joined back with us where I asked. "So what happened with Dominic?"

"Nothing." Lyle shrugged and sniffled. We faced each other where I saw he had his hood up which never happens.

"Lyle, you don't–"

"I'm worried about Johnny." He faced forward, putting a hold on what I was gonna say.

"Yeah, he doesn't look too good right now."

"But at least he's got help."

I looked over to see this girl with fiery red hair checking out his leg and feeling his stomach. He twitched and laughed at first, only to pause and grunt seconds later. The pained look on his face said it all.

I was tempted to go check on him myself only for Aria to stop me. "He's in good hands."

That did little to deter me from staring at him, which I continue doing even when the crowd cheered. I looked up with a little hope to see that it was the other team's spectators cheering. The Devils intercepted the ball, ending the game. An army of disgruntled fans expressed their feelings through booing and some actually threw things.

"Losers!"

"Hey!" I shouted. A hotdog with mustard got thrown at the back of my head and splattered onto Lyle as well. Both of us turned around to see this buffoon sipping his drink and giving this that innocent, absentminded, bullshit look.

"What's your problem?" I demanded.

"Your boy done fucked up our game." He thrust his fist and fumbled his words like the ape he was.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "My boy?"

"Yeah, you're his little bitch who keeps distraction' him."

"Excuse me?"

"Um, I-I don't think that's accurate." Lyle chimed in, in an effort to stand up for me only to get a drink thrown at him.

"Stupid nerd." This asshole pointed and laughed in the dumbest way he could. I'd say he sounded retarded except that would be an insult to actual disabled people which he might be too, who knows?

Once this dumbass and his stupidity became too much, I shook my head and grabbed my bag. "Come on, Lyle. Let's go."

He followed after me at first, until I weaved my way through the crowd.

"Lyle?" I called out, though he was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh Lyle..." I repeated in my singsongy voice and chuckled while searching around for him. Every time I thought he was around the corner, I hit a dead end. Shit, this was impossible. I even found myself lost in the shuffle and once I broke free, a certain blond caught my attention.

It's Johnny, I couldn't help but smile and walk up to him only to see his sway to the side while sucking face with that same red-haired girl from before. I stopped cold in my tracks as his one hand was around her head as he really went to town. Who the hell was this bitch? No...This just couldn't be real. No. It wasn't real. Not after I forgave him for a dumb mistake he made, but this? Wow. I didn't even know where to begin.