Chapter 39

"Goodbye, Annie. Be careful going home."

"Goodbye, Miranda. Thanks for everything."

*

I returned home to the normal routine. Mom and what-his-name shouting at each other, my little brother AWOL, and – oh, what's this? – an eviction notice. Fucking great! I put on my headphones and cranked up the volume. My world was shit.

I woke up exhausted. Mom and her boyfriend were on the up again, so last night instead of screams of "I hate you, you fucking bitch," I had to drown out screams of, "Yes! Oh, god, yes!" all night long. I'm not sure which is worse.

As usual, I was the only one up at this hour. I peered at my pasty image in the mirror as I brushed my teeth. My dark circles were looking more pronounced and now I was starting to get bags under my eyes. I thought that only happened to old people. I also saw that I needed a haircut. God, I just wanted to go back to bed.

I decided to have a shower instead. I didn't feel any better about life, but at least I was awake – and clean.