LOOLA

Now Til Her

The water was freezing cold, my skin jumping as I splashed water into my face. I was trying to wash off who I was. I did this every morning. As I looked up at the mirror, I could see my reflection. Ebony hair stuck up in random places and was partially damp from the water. This brought out my already-prominent jawline. My eyes, orange as the summer sunsets, were as sharp and deadly as a blade. My Twenty-One Pilots t-shirt matched my black pants. In all, I obviously did not belong in the golden walls of my father's house.

I'm not complaining or anything, but I just don't belong here. I mean I like it here, and I'm grateful and all, but I sure don't fit.

“What time is it?” I wondered aloud, looking at my black Rolex watch.

“8:00 AM,” I said, flinging my head back in annoyance. Usually I would have to be on the computer taking my classes online, but it was winter break, so there was really no need.

I stalked out of the bathroom past my parents' bedroom, the luxurious blue carpet hiding the sound of my army boots clomping along the hallway.

As I opened up the door, the familiar sights of my room flooded back to me. Now technically speaking, I should be a brat, because I come from an uber rich family. A brat though, I think would have slushie machines and useless junk. I didn't have anything like that. Instead I had a black leather couch, a loft bed with my computer (school) underneath, and an older TV with a VHS player on top on the other side of the room. The only other thing I had in my room was a very large bookcase with various books and an assortment of snow globes.

I walked to the VHS player and pushed play. Immediately, Beetlejuice started playing. I turned the volume up and went to flop myself on my bed. Once there, I just stared at my snowglobes, listening to Barbara talking to her husband.

The snowglobe I coveted most was from San Francisco. Inside, the snow was black. It was supposed to represent the smog that had taken over. I absolutely love the thing.

By the time I turned my attention back to the TV, Barbara was blowing out her fingers.

I wondered what I was going to do after the movie was over. Probably just sleep. I could already feel my eyelids getting heavy. My life sucked. Then I fell asleep.

* * *

When I woke up, it was to the maid closing the door. I got up and stretched my aching arms a bit, a yawn escaping my mouth. I pulled off my shirt and yanked on a fresh one so that my father wouldn't yell at me for being lazy. As I walked down the hallway, I saw my parents door was standing open, meaning they were already in the dining room eating their breakfast. On the way there, I stopped by the kitchen and I saw Douse, a small middle aged woman with graying hair, who had impressed my parents enough to get a job working for us. She was making omelettes with cheese and waffles. It smelled absolutely amazing. I snatched a waffle and got out of there before Douse could even look at me.

As I walked into the dining room, my mom and father were at the table. Mom was reading a fat book while Father read the New York Times, no doubt looking at his stocks. I walked over to mom and kissed her cheek. She smelled of her violet perfume.

“What are you going to do today?" She asked in her chirping voice, placing her book face-down on the table so she wouldn't lose her page. I ran my hand through my hair and thought for a moment.

“I was thinking about going to the mall," I snuck a peek at Father. I didn't want him to think I was a sissy because I was going to the mall, so I should straight with my shoulders back, and put my hands behind me in my 'army' pose.

“Are you sure you have enough money?" She asked, eyebrows furrowing in concern, "do you need anything? What if you need new shoes, and your blazer's looking a little shabby-”

“He's fine Holly! He's a grown man. He's 16, he can take care of himself. Can't you?" His relentless stare bore into my mind, making it almost impossible to answer him back.

“Yes sir," I said, straightening what little was left to be straightened. As my father went back to his paper, my mom patted my hand. 'Have fun', she mouthed, and sent me to the door. But right before my hand was on the handle, my father called out.

“Get yourself a girl while you're out, won't you?”

“Yes sir," I repeated as I eagerly left the room.

As I made way to the garage, I thought about my father's words. He had meant what he said. He always did. He wanted me to get a girl, today. How was I supposed to do that, though? I had never really payed attention to girls. Or anyone for that matter. I didn't even have any other brothers or sisters. So, as I thought about what my father said, I put together a list of my dream girl's qualities.

She would have red hair and green eyes that would pierce you. I was at my car, a cobalt Chevrolet Impala. She would bring an air of excitement to my otherwise dreary life. I was putting the keys in the engine.

She would be cunning and clever. I was backing up the car. She would always know how to react and would have the ability of the Blarney Stone. I was rolling down the driveway. She would be able to stick up for herself. I was heading down Main Street. She would be good with kids of all ages. I could see the mall. She would be a badass. I got out of my car and started walking to the mall, daydreams of a redhead badass still floating in my head. I was so absorbed in my little daydream, I didn't notice a group of guys headed my way. It wasn't until one of them pushed me that I actually looked up.

“Little rich guy actin' all tough, eh?" The tallest one said with a sneer on my right. The others snickered. I tried to ignore them and keep walking, but one to my left pushed me into the tall guy.

“Get wrecked," I heard one of them say behind me.

“Leave me alone,” I said, trying to walk ahead into the mall. No one seems to notice that I was surrounded by men with obviously bad intentions.

“You really gonna act tough, little white boy?" I tried to ignore them, I had learned to subdue my rage because of my father. But then, out of nowhere, one of them punched me in the gut. All the air seemed to rush out of me, and as I struggled to get air back in my lungs, I could barely register their laughter. One of them kicked me over. Then I heard a voice that didn't belong in this group. It was a girl voice, demanding and confident, not wavering once.

“Leave him alone!” I could hear a few guys snicker, and I could tell from the tightness in the air that at least three of them were considering running. My lungs were slowly healing.

“What? You all think you could take me on?” Her voice stayed strong as she said this. There was obviously no doubt that she thought she could take them all on.

“FIGHT ME MATE! YA BASTARDS! COME ON!” she screamed, I could tell by the sudden quietness of the group that they were all a bit freaked out, then by a few gasps that she had actually pulled out something, maybe a knife. Then I heard a few running. I was so close to being able to breathe.

“COME ON!” She kept pushing, the rest of them ran off.

“YA BASTARDS! COME BACK HERE AND FIGHT LIKE A WOMAN!” She yelled after them, prompting them to run faster. I could hear her footsteps getting closer. She touched my shoulder.

“Are you alright?” She said in a much kinder tone than she had used a few seconds ago. I looked up and I saw my f*****g dream girl.