Kannivalismós (Book Two of A Bloodline's Struggle)

The Big Question: Part II

PRESSURE! Can you feel it bearing down?

PRESSURE! Can you handle it?

PRESSURE! Will crush your bones to dust.

PRESSURE!

Animus 

"See you guys later, I hope you all had a good lesson and pray you've all got this done by the time you come back to class!" Mr Cross announces over the finishing bell, my mind telling me that the wait will be now over and that I'll be able to find out exactly what they all have planned. 

So with Noah and Amelia breaking away from me once we reach the locker area and they're finally able to finish their conversation for now, I'm digging around in my bag for something light to eat before sensing a presence behind me. 

Spinning around to see Ankara grinning at me with beaming aquamarine eyes and matching smile, we give each other the traditional hug like the other girls in the group until breaking away and instantly I'm demanding what the secret group chat is about. 

"Ah, they shouldn't have even told you that! Remind me to kick their asses when they get back." she informs me with a pointed pale finger in my direction, my eyes peering so deeply into hers that I'm fixated on the hazel rings around her irises.

"I will do no such thing considering they at least gave me something." I grin evilly back and earn a slap on the arm. 

"Ouch!" 

"Watch it young lady!" 

"Alright Jesus! What's with all the women mothering me in the group today, are you all close to your periods or something? Any hidden pregnancy-" another slap cuts me off as she's casually running a hand through her wavy baby pink hair.

"As a matter of fact no, that was yesterday and as of today I have finished." she shoots back nonchalantly which has me instantly walking away from her with her sadistic cackle following me. 

"Hang on at least help me find Dalton!" she calls after me with the sound of her running feet accompanying me, my eyes rolling as I cease my movement to wait for her to catch up.

"Fine just lead the way." I sigh while pointing for her to do so; her thanking me with a nod and slowing her pace so we're able to talk yet get there fast so we're not wasting time. 

"Good he should be coming out of class now and the best thing is, he has the same class after recess so he can just bring his things with us to our spot." she informs me as if it's a plus side, I only see it as more walking to be honest, though I laugh when I notice her having a bit of struggle stopping her hair from yanking on her septum piercing. 

Indulging her on how Amelia had the same problem and she fixed it with tying it up, Ankara does just that only into a bun this time, my eyes catching her largish stretchers that happen to have fake blood in them. 

Wishing that mine would hurry up and come in the mail, we are greeted by Dalton halfway to where Ankara said he'd be and turn on our heels to make our way back to our hangout spot. That and hopefully relieve me of the pain of wondering what the f**k they're planning. But I doubt that because they did say after school was the go. 

Meeting Blair, Mitch, Amelia and Noah at our spot, I demand where Esther, Beau and Liam are, my heart skipping a beat at the mention of Liam's name yet I'm instantly calming it down in favour of acting casual about it. 

"Turns out Esther and Beau wagged to go and smoke con-" 

"More like fuuuck!" Dalton yells across Blair who earns a high five from Noah and Mitch. 

"Real nice guys." I state bluntly before folding my arms and waiting for the sneaky cigarette to come my way. 

"Well they probably won't be back for the rest of the day so we have permission to tell you what we sort of have planned. That and Liam is also gone to sort out something for the party. So turns out you don't have to wait until after school to find out what we have planned for you!" Ankara adds with a beaming smile once everyone is calmed and ready to listen. 

"So we thought we'd f**k off for three days, celebrate your birthday and in order of doing that, we're taking you to a metal festival. They have some of your favourite bands and more playing, so it's going to be f*****g sweet." Dalton starts off after placing his beanie back on his head due to having it knocked off by Ankara accidentally on her way down into his lap. 

They're a cute couple and have been going strong for over two years now. I can see why I mean he's good looking with his tanned skin and sea blue eyes to go with his mocha hair, his face of course marked with a septum piercing as well as an eyebrow. 

"But that's if she can." Ankara adds quickly when all eyes settle back on me as they wait for my answer. 

"Exactly, it's all up to what your parents have to say." Dalton goes on with a flick of his head to keep his mocha fringe and bangs in place, though you can tell his neck length hair is getting in the way due to the way it's pushed up by his shoulders. 

"Thanks guys, I just can't believe you want to go this big for my eighteenth." I eventually get out once the initial shock is over, all of them scoffing as if it's the most ridiculous thing that has ever come out of my mouth. 

"Why the f**k not, we did it for everyone else remember?" Noah frowns though a small smile is playing on all of their faces including his when we all remember the crazy parties we've had.

"I know, but-" 

"What, it's just you? Don't give me that s**t; it's a good time to get f****d up and a needed one. I also hear your guy Liam has the sweet hook-ups." Mitch grins whilst making weird hand gestures as if he's some type of gangster, my cheeks instantly heating before throwing it to the back of my head when Liam's face comes into my brain. 

"But we aren't going to say more on that matter because I want at least one surprise for her." Ankara intervenes quickly and in a way as if to say "shut your mouth Dalton".

"Oh come o-" 

"Hey, you can at least ring your parents now." Blair grins with Amelia stating that's what Noah and I were on about today. Apparently Liam is the guy Noah's hoping to be the one to get whatever it was Liam was saying he could get. 

For some reason though I'm thinking weed and they're making a big deal out of it just to be cunts, but then again they're all so unpredictable that this three day trip away with them actually shocked me when they told me. 

"First of all f**k you Blair, I thought you were better than that, second of all I'm asking as soon as I get home because I know if I ask now, it will be no because they're at work and they won't have the time to hear me out. And if what you were saying is true and if I do throw the fact that I'm turning eighteen in their faces, then so be it I will do it." I murmur as my mind conjures up a million scenarios of how this talk could go down after school with my parents, and for some reason my brain isn't really giving me a fighting chance with them. 

I would do anything to get me out where I'm able to experience the world on my own, it will be a good thing in my eyes and for some reason I have a gut feeling that my birthday maybe it. 

"Good, because it will give us time to set things fully in stone, so give me or us a ring tonight and let us know what's going on. As in us girls, we'll be waiting because then we can keep the guys updated in group chat." she adds before turning her attention to the ones who told me about the secret group chat and yelling at them, Dalton cackling away while the others join in and Ankara eventually gives up on her fake scolding. 

                                                                                                      * 

"Hey Mum, hey Dad!" I call after confirming they're both home once spotting both cars are in the driveway. 

"Hey Ida!" they both reply from either the kitchen or living room. 

So heading to the living room first considering it's on the way to the kitchen, I let the floorboards and plain white walls accompany me until turning left, my eyes finding the space empty yet voices coming from the kitchen. 

Scanning the L shaped leather couch, coffee table in the middle, flatscreen built into the walls and the same plain white walls yet greyish carpet, I zone in on the entrance to the kitchen until stepping in and discovering Mum cooking dinner while Dad's making himself a coffee. 

Mum's the first to set her hazel gaze on me, her olive yet tattooed arm ceasing its movement from stirring something in the pot in favour of retying her plain brown hair back into another bun. 

"Hey sweetie, how was school?" she asks and pulls up the sleeve of her sweater when I make my way over to give her a hug, Dad next in line until placing a bearded kiss on the top of my head. "Hey Ida." he murmurs near my ear while I go on to tell them how my day was. 

"Hey Dad. So yeah, that's what happened but I also have some news to tell you guys." I confess while leaning against the kitchen counter opposite the both of them, mum automatically stopping what she's doing altogether to set her full attention on me.

The look on her face tells me that she knew something was up by the way I was so brief on filling them in on how my day was, but she has to understand what I'm about to blurt was the first thing I wanted to tell them as soon as I saw their face's. 

"What's up?" she frowns and moves a stray of plain brown hair behind her stretched ears, much like Mr Cross's and most likely mine in the far future once I've reached the point of having enough of them.

"I was wondering because seeing as how it is my birthday, would I be able to go away for three days with my friends to a metal festival? Like we will leave on the Friday and be back on the Sunday, but that's if you let me." I blurt out before I can even stop myself, Mum instantly sharing a look with Dad until Dad clearing his throat breaks the slight tension. 

"Do you know roughly how far away it is?" Dad questions whilst folding his equally tattooed arms across his chest, his russet eyes every now and then stealing glances at Mum before fully resting on me when I go to open my mouth. 

"An hour or so, but as I said it is totally up to you." I go on when Dad blows out his olive cheeks and smooths his mocha quiff back, the sides and back cut close to his head and making a scruffy sound when he rapidly rubs the back for a second in thought. 

"I don't want to touch that subject just yet, let it sit with your Mum and I. But I promise you will get your answer tomorrow." he explains though you can tell he wants to mention his past with Mum and the reasons of why he doesn't want me to go. 

So heading to my room not upset one bit considering maybe a bit of time to think on it is the best thing, I still can't beat the letdown feeling that's lingering in the back of my brain at the fact that they are thinking on it and that means a big no in my eyes. 

What if they say no and my eighteenth turns out to be the biggest f*****g failure ever? Like who doesn't do anything big for their eighteenth? I'm sure Mum and Dad did when they were younger! 

My thoughts are interrupted when I get a message from Esther telling me how sorry she is she ditched school but she has news to tell me. So ringing her I wait for a few seconds until hearing her pick up on the fourth ring.  

"Hey! Just the person I've been wanting to speak to, so you excited for what we have planned for you?"

"Sure am, but I want to know, did you and Beau do anything?" 

"No we were actually trying to score some more weed for when we go away. Then we got stuck playing Xbox an-" 

"You guys are legit meant for each other. Like not only are you bestfriends, you aren't awkward like Amelia and Blair when it comes to their crushes." 

With her laughter sounding on the other end of the phone even when I take it away from my ear to press the loudspeaker button, Ankara's name pops up and instantly we're adding her name to the call. 

"So, what did your Mum say?" 

"Don't know yet An." 

"Alright, well care to enlighten me?"

"Wouldn't you two rather wait for Blair and Amelia Ankara?" 

"Nah Ida, might as well tell us now." 

Just as I'm about to open my mouth to answer Esther, the other two girls pop up in the call and we're now all here to hear what I have to say.

"My parents said they have to think about it, but apparently I'll be getting my answer tomorrow." I assure the four of them with Dalton joining in and pretending to act like a girl.

"f**k off Dalton and clean Ankara's room why don't you? You know, make yourself f*****g useful why you're there besides f*****g her." Esther shoots back evilly, the rest of us joining in until hearing Dalton leave the conversation and eventually calling it quits myself with the promise of telling them my answer tomorrow.

That and Esther better be there as well considering she too has to feel the pains of school like the rest of us. 

"Alright, well hopefully Liam's there tomorrow so we can watch that blossom more before we're off for three days." Amelia states as the others agree and chortle evilly. 

"Cooooool, well I'm going now because you're a pack of d***s. So love y'all and speak tomorrow." I call down the phone in a flurry of words when they're all try to get something in. 

Hanging up and laughing, I shake my head before getting my s**t ready for bed yet can't help but think about Liam and how if he is supposedly going to be at my birthday, then I can only imagine how that's going to go down when they all find out if something happened between us or not. 

"Only time will tell hey?" I sigh while glancing up at the ceiling in my room.