I don't want to take a shower because it feels too much. I go in anyway though, and the cold hits my face like a wake-up call to the reality which is I'm running late for school. Sigh. I lather soap in my hands and pat my face rhythmically.
Oh shit?! How long have I been standing here?!
Ugh!!!
I don't bother to completely wash off the suds before grabbing my towel and hurrying out of the bathroom. The cool AC air hits my face and I immediately regret leaving the bathroom. It all suddenly feels too much for my skin. I glance at the clock and it's been almost fifteen minutes since I'd undressed and stepped into the bathroom.
THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?! STOP STARING AND GET YOUR ASS READY FOR SCHOOL!
Don't yell at me. I'm trying, I think wearily. Tuesdays...
I frantically hop around trying to get the waistband of my skirt go up past my hips.
"Anya?"
"Yes dad?!" I breathe exasperated as I realize the zipper wasn't even undone.
"Hurry up. You're running late."
"Yeah, okay."
"And also, Nikki called. She said she's gonna be here in a minute to get you. Hurry."
HUH?!
She did what now?!?!
My heart does a little flip and I pause. My skirt just falls down to my ankles. In the mirror, I look like a Hello Kitty demon that got run over by the train of Hell Express. My face is white and my hair is flying all around my head. My Hello Kitty jersey is unironed and my skirt just sits there on the floor at my feet frustrating all my efforts.
"Uh... Anya? 大丈夫?今,気を失ったの?どうしたの?静かだね*?"
(To all you non-Japanese peeps out there, he asked if I'm alright and if i'd just passed out or sum cuz i suddenly grew silent)
NOO!!! I want to say. I am NOT okay?!!?! Panic builds up inside me and I suddenly can't breathe. I start sweating hard now, and I'm beginning to appreciate it when the AC felt cold. I'm not willing to face Nikki after ghosting her for an entire day! She's gonna be so upset, and I'm gonna get an earful of her making sure I know that!
"Ahem?!" His tone is serious now. "Anya?!"
"何**?!" I snap, immediately regretting how rude I sound. I hear my dad take a deep breath.
"The doorbell. Go get the door."
"Uh..." I blurt out, hurriedly patting down my hair with one hand and pinching my cheeks with the other (to at least look semi-sane and not like a vampire born of bestie disloyalty, of course ^^). "Get the door for me! Tell her I'll be down soon."
"Um... okayyy? Are you sure you're alright?"
Ding-dong!
"YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! I am! Go!"
The next few seconds are a blur of me patting sunscreen on my cheeks. I feel like I'm suddenly teleported into the hallway with my backpack swung on loosely and my skirt seated perfectly on my waist. My feet are only halfway into my sneakers as I sprint down the stairs. Nikki is in the living room talking to my dad with big gestures and loud expressions, but I really can't hear what she says.
"I'm here!" I announce awkwardly.
"Annie!" she squeals and hugs me. She pats my cheeks in inspection. "Are you okay? You look sick. Are you still mad at me?"
Shit!
"Uh, no..."
She turns my face to hers and peers deep into my eyes with a rather disapproving look. Finding all this deeply unsettling, I look away from her, all of my skin feeling very, very itchy for some reason. Nikki sighs and lets go of me.
"Alright, Mr. Tanaka, I think we'll be leaving now. We're already running late." She turns back to me. "Fix your shoes." I obey without hesitation. "Have you eaten?"
"I'll eat when we get to school."
Nikki shrugs in oh well. "Bye, Mr. Tanaka. Bye, Larry!" She waves at them.
I turn to see Larry standing on the landing staring sort of confused at us. But he waves anyway. So does my dad.
I sprint out the front door after Nikki just in time to see her slam the back seat door of a red Toyota Camry parked in front of my house. I'm momentarily confused until I realize whose car it may be.
Oh, the misery!!!
"Hurry up!" she yells as she pokes her head out the window. "Get in the front."
Reluctantly, I reach for the door handle and slide in. My claustrophobia and front-seat-phobia both kick in at the same time and I feel sick, dizzy, disoriented, and nauseous.
"Hey," Aidan says and smiles oh-so-brightly.
Oh, really now?!
My hands fly to my mouth, I lean forward, and...
IUEK!!!
All over the carpet and dashboard to everyone's dismay and discomfort.
*** translation notes***
*Are you okay? Did you just pass out? What happened? You're being quiet
** What?!