The Atheist Agenda

⋉ chapter six ⋊

"Steele Beauchêne is annoying." Arisu states, splayed across the living room couch.

"This is about the second time I'm hearing of this Steele," I say. "I assume he's Nova Beauchêne's brother?"

My older sister shrugs. "I suppose so. He just hates me for no reason." Then, a sly smile inks across her face. "Now that I think about it, I know why he hates me. It's because I transferred here a month ago and my GPA beat out his."

"Stop being a snob," I scold.

Promptly, a thick couch pillow smacks my head. "You're such a dork." She muses as I jerk back in surprise.

"No, you." I counter, heading for the staircase. "Anyway, gotta dash."

She wrinkles her face at me. "What?"

I don't answer, more concentrated on getting to my bedroom. After navigating the winding hallways, I stride to my bathroom, opening the mahogany cabinet that holds my sole prescription.

Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Capsules

60 capsules

TAKE TWO DAILY

After intaking a large amount of sink water, I uncap the lid and swallow my second pill for the day.

"Can someone order some veggie pizza?" I hear Mom shout downstairs.

I burst out of my room, hoping to reach my phone in time. If I don't order the pizza, Arisu will, and she never orders veggie. "I got it!" I exclaim, racing down the steps.

Arisu smirks when I get down, her iPhone already in hand. "I got it under control, Ren."

I know better than to complain because we all know that secretly, Mom likes when Arisu orders pepperoni instead of veggie. None of us are very good about being healthy. "If you're ordering pizza, then I want to choose what show we watch." I say pitifully, picking up the TV remote.

When Al Jazeera appears on the screen and I don't change, Arisu groans. "Ren, this is boring. Can't you do homework instead?"

"I finished my math homework while he was teaching it to us."

She narrows her eyes. "11th grade can't be that easy."

"Well, it mostly is..." My intestines twist into a knot as I remember our Biology Project and the requirements of the grading rubric: If both students don't contribute during the presentation, their scores will be docked fifty percent.

"What's wrong?" My sister asks upon noticing my pained expression.

"My Bio project requires public speaking." I say. "And I have to meet with my partner in the library to work on it."

"Are you serious?" Her eyes become wide as I nod in response. "Do...do you want me to come? For...support?"

"No, that's stupid."

Disgruntled by my reply, her eyes bore into me. "You want to know what else is stupid?"

"Steel Beauchêne?" I offer with a grumble.

"Steele Beauchêne!"

Before Arisu can continue her vengeful rant, the front door flings open. "I love the Midwest!" Dad declares, setting his briefcase on the floor. Mom suddenly appears, like she always does when Dad returns, and helps him out his jacket.

"Why?" I question disapprovingly.

"I went to Burger King for some fries," He pauses upon noticing Mom's judgmental glance. I wonder if Mom realizes vegetable pizza isn't considered a healthy alternative to anything. "Uh...anyway, they gave me free refills. On my drink. Unlimited! It was incredible."

"Yay! We're set to endure chronic racism, nosy neighbors, and tornado alley, but at least we get free drinks!" I squeal.

Dad furrows his brow. "You're roaming through dangerous territory."

Mom touches my shoulder. "Ren, have you taken your medication? I know sometimes when you don't, you get into a bad—"

"Nope!" I interrupt, wrenching away from her grasp. "Let's not blame everything on my psychological issues for once, alright?"

The doorbell rings before anyone can respond. After retrieving our dinner, Arisu opens the pizza box and inside is—surprise, surprise—not vegetable pizza.

"Is that pepperoni?" Mom asks incredulously. "I told you to order—"

"Vegetable? I thought I did! My finger must have slipped." Arisu "explains".

While Mom bickers with Arisu over her "mistake", and Dad watches on in amusement, I head for my room again. That's enough family for now.

I have more important things to worry about. Specifically, that tomorrow, at 5PM, I am due to meet Nova Beauchêne. Thinking about it sends my insides reeling.

I snatch my observations journal and a pen as I flop onto my bed.

I have to meet Nova Beauchene in the library at 5PM.

This is my fault, but I regret it with my entire core. I planned on telling Mom and Dad but now I'm somewhat irritated with them.

I don't have much to write. Today was largely uneventful (except for the library thing). Then again, this isn't a diary. An observations journal isn't a book that simply recalls the past. It is far more intriguing than that. More methodical. More scientific.

Also, I have quite a Biology class. Mr. Caron, Nova's redhead friend whose first name I can't seem to remember, isn't allowed to do the assignment. But of course, we're in Misery, USA (A.K.A. Missouri). I wouldn't expect less.

It was so entertaining to watch the class shift once Mr. Cardsmith said the word 'evolution'. Everyone froze, like he had just called upon the devil.

I chuckle at the memory, adding one last detail for good measure.

Things are bound to get interesting.