There wasn't much mischief to be had, it seems. News of the Council cracking down spread quicker than I could run.
Disappointed, I went to meet with the Leader of the East Side. The war isn't going to end soon whether I'm helping or not. Her goal is unification and not subjugation. Meanwhile opposite can be said for the West Side.
Senna was in a meeting with Nessa and Shadow. her right and left hand people. Nessa, I knew, was a snake. I didn't even like her sister Nikki.
Shadow is a large and gorgeous black furred wolf. I've got a little crush on him. But his eyes are only for the leader. Senna.
I actually knew Senna in Day life. I'd met her in middle school. I vaguely knew what Shadow and Nikki's names were in Day as well, but not positive. plus I don't need to worry bout them.
"Ah, Little Bit." Senna greeted me.
Even though we are the same age I call her Mama and she calls me Lil' bit or rascal. Most think I'm her secret child. It's because she is a large wolf and I look like a puppy. Our coats are opposite. Mine is black with a fuzzy tan-ish brown over coat, like a pup. And hers is tan-ish brown with black over coat. It suites me to be considered her child. Innocent and all. I am her secret spy.
I can tell you why I look like a pup. When the vampire's mother, a witch, found out I lived she placed a curse on me. It stunted my physical growth in both Day and Night.
Anyhow, since I was in my animal form I cosied up to the large wolf, acting cute. "Heya Mama," I greeted, "what we talkin' bout?"
Nessa looked uncomfortable. "Why don't you go play with Nikki," she began.
"The West Side has some of our people." Shadow said.
"What?" I asked. "Why was I not called for?"
Nessa said, "For what? You're just an annoying puppy."
I growled at her. How dare she give me shit when I deal everyday with nothing but shit!
Shadow intervened. "Lil' Bit has always been a part of our discussions since Senna, our Leader, brought her here. Stop butting heds with her unnecessarily."
Senna was watching quietly with a thoughtful look on her face. Probably thinking bout my suspiscions towards Nessa.
"Ok. So... We have a plan to get them back?" I asked.
Crickets. Jeez, what would they do withput me?
"It's getting close to 5. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Lil bit." Senna said. Ending this meeting. That means a phone call after school while I'm cooking.
I nodded and left to return 'home'. I'm already missing the Night.
As soon as I reached home I mentally changed my hair, eyes, and clothes back to normal. Sneaking in the back door and slipping into my pajamas again. one hour of sleep left before hell. I mean school.
Alarm goes off at same time as always. I get up and do my usual routine. Interrupted by my mom still being up playing her game.
"Mom? It's past 6." I say. She seems surprised but assures me she will soon go to bed.
I check the fridge, then freezer. Today I take out ground beef. I'll make hamburger helper. Three Cheese. Wait, no. Shit. Not enough milk for that. Hmm. Beef pasta I guess. Ew. Emily won't be pleased.
I finish my routine then wait for the bus. Reading already, since my mother is on the computer. This book is almost done. I'll need to beg to go to the library today. Or maybe I'll be able to get to the school library during one of the classes. Haha.
I was almost late to the bus stop today. Got lost reading a spicy part of the novel. Mmm those rated r scenes...
Um. Well. Looks like I'm not going to school today. There goes the bus. The driver didn't even pretend to stop. Oh well.
I go back inside. Mom turns and looks at me. "Bus left me again." I say. I drop my bag in its usual place and think bout the library. Then my old school that I had friends in. Why did I make this decision. So stupid.
I start thinking of my friends I left behind at different schools. I wonder if Addie got to live with her mom. If Danny ever told his parents he wanted to be an artist. If the hot brothers Larry and Ted think bout me.
I try to pull my thoughts from my old friends. Out of sight out of mind I know. They never tried to contact me, even with my email and social media accounts left for them. Guess we weren't as close as I thought.
I heard my sister getting up. Guess I need to make her breakfast. Maybe I'll have some eggs, too. And toast. Though, that will mean less bread for Dad's lunches...
"Mom, hungry?" I asked.
"I could eat." My mother concludes.
And so I made breakfast for 3. I felt guilty, though. Cause if I didn't eat this there'd be more for another day or another meal.
Too late to worry now. I cleaned up the plates and cooking things after our meal. Emily happily chattering about different things.
You'd never think that the age difference is barely two years. I am 16 and my sister is 14. I took her out to her school bus and waited for it with her. Mom didnt have to pretend to do it at least.
"We need to go to the store today." My mom says to the room. She does that. Makes statements. You can respond or not. I chose to not. I straightened up the livingroom. Then returned to yesterday's chore of laundry. If I'm gonna be home I have to do chores. I don't even know what's worse.
After a good chunk of chores got done I went outside. I love being outside. Even in this sweltering heat.
I'm listening to my favorite alternative rock station. Pretending to have an adoring audience I'm singing and dancing for. I look around periodically to make sure no one sees.
After a while I go inside. Mom finally went to nap. It's close to 2 pm now. I ease her door shut and pull up some anime to watch. I love this one. The demon is so sexy and his charge is so adorable. Even with his attitude problem. Course I'd have an attitude issue, too, in his shoes.
At around 4, I start making dinner. Emily will be home soon after all.
I select canned green beans to go with dinner tonight. Mom would be mad if it was corn again. Dad'd like it, though.
After Emily and Dad are home and have eaten Mom brings up the need for groceries again.
Dad says, "And why can't you take Ariella and go? I just got off work!"
Of course, this starts another fight. Usually several a week. I watch them wearily. Dad tends to get violent..
The phone rings. Senna- Er, Laya calling most likely. I quickly take the cordless phone outside and tell her I'll call her back I have to go grocery shopping.
I quickly head back inside. Dad is seething and snaps, "Lets go." I put up the phone and hurry out to the car with my backpack. Skirting around him in case I made him mad, too.
He slams the front door and comes the the car. Mom opens the door and yells at him bout slamming the door.
He gets in the car and grumbles. Spouting out the mouth bout my mother being lazy, worthless... Blah. Blah. Blah.
I nod and make noncommital sounds. We reach the store and quickly start shopping. He doesnt want to 'waste time'.
He starts seeming to have calmed down. I causiously ask if we can stop by the library.
"Didnt you just go last week?" he says.
"No. Two weeks ago. I can look for another western you like to read...." I reply.
He thinks bout it and declines getting a western book but says we can go for 30 mins.
I'm relieved. He doesnt seem as angry anymore. I start letting my guard down.
As quickly as I can I scour the YA section. Then move on to Romance section. I select at least 10 books. Returning the ones I finished reading.
The librarian says nothing. Scans the books and sends me off. I hurry outside and apologize to Dad for the wait. I took maybe 10 mins max.
He gets into the driver seat again, he'd waited next to the car. He starts talking bout work and other things, like his past.
I listen to him while waiting to return home.
As soon as we get home and get the groceries sorted, Mom says, "Oh. Ariella, Tanya called."
I get excited. Then remember I still need to call Laya. I make the decision to call Tanya first.
Tanya is my best friend. She knows me best and I know her best. We share a secret from our families. Aside from the Night stuff.
I dial her number and listen to it ring. Her mother answers. I grimace in disgust. "Oh, Aria. I'll get Tanya." She moved away from the phone and yells, "Taaanyaaaa. Phoooone caaalll. Its Arrriaaaa."
I wait a moment till my bestie answers. We talk about everything. How sucky school is. What we're doing for the weekend, its Thursday after all. We then begin to talk about the Night. We make plans to meet up at Night sometime. She wants to go to a blood party that she knows people at. Then her mom says she needs the phone to call so and so. So we hang up regretfully. We miss eachother.
Next, I check the battery life on the phone. Yup. We're good still. I call Laya. Laya and Tanya don't get along. Tanya hates Laya and Laya is indifferent. When I get Laya on the phone we give some idle chit chat before getting to business. I sketch my interpretation of the blueprints to the West Sides compound our people are being held at. I take in positions of guards, the scheduled rotation of them and so on.
Then comes the planning. I devise that I should sneak in through the drain in my lycan form. Meanwhile Laya- I mean Senna would bring a small part of her army to the Southern gate. Flashy and all. Shadow would be let in by me at the Western door. Then I'll work on the chains and such that hold out people.
With a plan hammered out I say good night to her and end out call. I put the phone up and get ready for bed. Glad to not have to rush to do chores.
Then I hear it. Mom and Dad are fighting again. Its about money and the computer. I'm shaking. I know better. I know how this will end. But still I go out and defend my Mom as Emily goes to our room for cover. Smart girl...
I don't even recall what was said. I remember finger waving, being hit and sent to my room. They werent fighting eachother anymore.
I fell asleep crying and cursing my stupidity. Why do I bother to defend her? I really am stupid and worthless.