“SIMONE!” I shout, fully awake andhorrifiednow.
She giggles on the other end. “Sorry! I couldn’t help it. He’s the only thing that keeps you happy these days. I can’t even compete.”
“Oh, please. You’re still my number one.”
“I better be. Chicks before di—”
“Simoneee,” I groan. “It’s too early. Now help me pick something to wear. I don’t want to do it.”
I flip the camera around so she can see the options.
“I’m staring at a pile of black clothes…”
“Okay?” I say, frustrated. “Pick.”
“At this point, Lydia…your idea of closing your eyes and randomly choosing would be more effective.”
“Fine,” I pout. “Eeny, meeny, miny—”
“You can’t be serious,”she says, interrupting my profound process of choice.
“I give up. I’m going back to bed.”
“Lydia House. You take your tail in that closet, grab a pair of leggings and a comfy crop, put them on, brush your teeth, and go have an amazing first day of junior year…because I can feel it…this year is going to be different for you. I just know it deep down.”
“Well, that was insightful,” I deadpan. “You should really look into becoming a motivational speaker.”
She places her hand over her heart as I watch her brush her teeth. “Maybe I will.”She pauses to spit out the toothpaste and then continues. “People would probably pay a lot of money to listen to me.”
“I would pay a lot of money tonotlisten right now.”
“Rude.”
“But I loveee you,” I sing-song.
“Mmm, I love you too.”
I see a text pop up on my phone from Eli telling me he’s here.
“Okay, Eli just texted that he’s here. Gotta go!”
“Call me when you get home today. I want to know how your day went.”
“Okay, Mom. Will do.”
She shakes her head and laughs. “Bye!”
“Bye.”
I hang up and call Eli quickly.
“Morning, babe.”
I smile into the phone. “Morning, I’m unlocking the door with my phone now. Just come up. I’m still getting ready.”
“How many times did you hit that snooze button?”
I fake think about it for a moment. “Like once? Okay, maybe four times.”
