Kurt Cobain
A whole year has passed since Vincent and I officially became friends, though I already consider him my best friend. We started middle school four months ago, and we made sure to take the same classes. We decided this together so we wouldn’t have to be apart too much. After spending all of last year looking out for each other, the idea of being separated now felt terrifying. At least until high school, we promised to stick together.
Since uniforms aren’t required anymore, this morning I could finally wear my new purple dress. My backpack still sits open at the foot of my bed, waiting for me to finish packing the books I’ll need. I also need to remember the money for lunch my dad left on the kitchen table.
As I rush around my room braiding my hair, I search for the daisy clip Vincent gave me. But before I can even tie off my braid, Asher’s cries echo from down the hall. My baby brother is only seven months old, and before Mom can wake up irritated, I hurry to his room and close the door behind me. I lean against it and I sigh.
Asher’s in his crib, crying harder by the second—until he sees me. His cries soften, and I smile as I scoop him up. He still whimpers, clutching a lock of my hair and trying to put it in his mouth. He’s hungry. I adjust him in my arms and head downstairs to make his bottle.
With Grandma not here yet, I can’t leave him like this. I sit him in his high chair and flip on the TV, hoping to findHow to Train your Dragon, his favorite cartoon. Dad insists he’s too young for screen time, but I don’t know any other way to calm him. Luckily, I find the show and quickly prepare his bottle.
When I return to the couch with him in my arms, I feed him gently, rocking him as he relaxes. But a glance at the living room clock makes my stomach drop—I’m late.
I consider waking Mom to take over, but she’s exhausted, and Dad works so hard for us. The least I can do is help. I don’t want tension to cloud the morning or scare Asher.
I keep rocking him until the front door opens and Grandma steps inside. Relief washes over me. “Grandma!”
She sets her bag on the table and takes Asher from my arms, continuing to feed him. “Princess, go finish getting ready. The bus comes in ten minutes.”
I nod and dash upstairs. In my rush to shove all my books into my backpack, I forget about my hair entirely and can’t even remember if I brushed my teeth. Slinging my green backpack onto my shoulders, I hurry down—only to trip over one of Asher’s toys and slide the last few steps on my butt.
Grandma stands quickly with Asher in her arms, checking to see if I’m hurt. I burst into laughter and she chuckles after letting out a sigh of relief.
Sure, my ass stings, but it was funny. Maybe I should try it again sometime with Mom’s old ironing board, like a sled.
I scramble up, grab my backpack and snag my lunch money from the table. I put on my sneakers, and, after quick goodbyes to Grandma and Asher, I run out the door and cross the short distance to the Coopers’ house.
As always, I slip around to the back door and push it open, stepping into their cozy kitchen. The Coopers are both at the stove cooking, while Percy laps water from his bowl. The smell of pancakes and bacon fills the air.
They turn to me with warm smiles as I place a tiny bouquet of daisies on the table. “Good morning!”
Percy bounds over, knocking into me and covering my face with slobbery kisses. We all laugh until Chris calls out the word “chow,” and Percy abandons me for his breakfast. Daniel wipes his hands on a towel and hands me a sandwich—two pancakes wrapped around scrambled eggs.
I take a huge bite just as Vincent shuffles into the kitchen, his curly hair as messy as ever and his backpack slung over one shoulder.
“Nova’s late. Can I go check on—” He freezes when he sees me. “Oh. There you are. We’re late.”
I nod, mouth full of pancakes. “Thwu Miagsts...”
Daniel arches an eyebrow, confused, while Chris bursts into laughter. “What was that, sunshine?” he asks, handing me a glass of orange juice.
Before I can reply, Vincent does it for me. “She said ‘two minutes.’” And then adjust the straps on my backpack. Daniel returns to the stove while Chris checks his phone. “Geez, kids, the bus will be here in less than ten minutes. Are you two ready?”
Vincent nods. I... definitely am not. Chris notices my half-braided hair and sighs. “Wait, Nova, you can’t go like that. I’ll fix it for you.”
I shake my head quickly. “No need, I can fi—”
But before I can stop him, I trip over my untied shoelaces. The pancake sandwich slips from my hands and splats on the floor. Wide-eyed, I drop to clean it up, but Daniel beats me to it, gently pulling me back to my feet.
“It’s fine, sunshine. Nothing happened. I’ll clean everything now,” he reassures me, kneeling to clean the mess himself.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. “I woke up late and didn’t get anything done in time.”
My mood sinks fast. Why do I always make a mess? Why couldn’t I have just gotten up earlier? Percy nudges me, licking my hand, and I smile faintly at his kindness. Animals are always gentle.
Chris returns with a brush and purple scrunchie. Before he can start on my hair, Vincent speaks up. “I’ll do it.”
Chris hesitates. “You sure?”
