WHAM!!

Welp, there goes the hinges to my door.

“GET UP!!” Trey bursts obnoxiously into my room like the police would a wanted criminals hideout. A strange warm, puncturing feeling of - wait...

I spit the liquid from my face sitting up on my best guard, “What the hell, Trey!?” Really, a water gun, at 6:30 am? And is that stream of liquid…..yellow? Before I know it I’m tackling him to the ground.

“Chill, Saph it’s just lemonade!” He somehow squirms from my grip and out of my room slamming the door. Great, now I have sticky lemonade all over me.

I haven't even gotten the chance to fully wake up yet! Trey runs full speed down the steps, waking the entire house. Amazing job, Trey, maybe you should try those quick skills out on the basketball court. I groan and stomp to the bathroom to prepare for my shower, and just for that, I plan on taking up all of the hot water. I hope you enjoy a cold shower, Trey. This will probably be the highlight of my entire morning.

I walk into the kitchen to pour myself a simple bowl of Chex. Only to find out Theo, Trey’s baby brother and my annoying little step brother is using my favorite bowl for a toilet seat.

I cover my face, “THEO!” My fists clench and my jaw tightens, this was obviously a setup. I sense an early rising, patronizing suspect about 6 '0 with blonde hair, and a water gun filled with lemonade for a weapon of choice.

Pathetic.

“Pot-Pot!” Theo says with a sly smile.

I growl, now I’m angry, “Dude you are 5, don’t play games with me!” Only Trey would give him the right idea to defecate in my china bowl. Boys are so sick! With the ounce of patience I have left, I lift him off of the bowl holding him inches away from me to carry him into the bathroom. I throw my bowl away and disinfect my hands of the filth.

Inhale….annnnddd exhale.

I didn’t even get to do my Pilates this morning thanks to these two morons. Faint footsteps and low humming enter into the kitchen area. John, my step dad.

Mãe divorced my papai about a year ago. It’s funny because whenever I saw them, they both seemed so in love, and I was for sure papai loved me! One summer, he and I went camping in the Great Lakes in my pre-teen years. I was 10 years old at the time. He was always that someone that I could go to for all of my problems and secrets. A listening ear for a noisy mind. He was gentle with mãe as well, and a very caring heart with a bright green-eyed, tight lipped smile. But I guess the whole show was just for my good conscience as their only child. A forced affection that could no longer be hidden behind the other skeletons in their closet. I was in a lot of mental anguish around that time. It isn’t easy living in a split household. I found out about the separation through mãe, 3 weeks after he quietly moved out. As time went on, it was as if I was a forgotten memory to him. He never called, never texted and he never said goodbye. Shortly after, mãe started dating this...guy.

We met at a formal dinner, and he introduced himself as John, a tall lean blonde man with a few degrees and certificates in the medical field. And a trust fund about the size of Mount Rushmore. I was very unimpressed and I made it my business to prove as much. With no luck, he then introduced me to his annoying seeds. Then he and mãe tripped...sorry, I meant fell helplessly in love and got married. Everything happened so fast and the quicker her happiness came the quicker mine left. John actually has no idea how much I really hate him. He arrogantly threw him and his sons at our feet and replaced my papai within a few months’ time. Now, that I am impressed by. Not by the genius of it, but the damn lack thereof.

“Morning, Saph!” John says with a cheery smile, on a mission of filling his mug with black coffee. The sharp aroma jumps out of the pot as he finishes pouring. I don’t want him to talk to me and I don’t want to talk to him. I step by him, grab a fresh bowl and quickly remove myself away from his musky man smelling air bubble. “Look, I’m sorry if Trey and Theo gave you a rough time this morning with the pot prob-”

“It’s fine.” I interrupt on the count of my previous mental statement. You’d think after 3 years that he’d get the idea. White men. So persistent in the areas that they are undesired in. Must be tainted in the gene pool. I move past him again, discarding the milk from the fridge. Four footsteps approach me. I continue to pour in false oblivion of John being directly at my side, even though my anxiety is shooting through the roof. I snatch the silverware drawer open to plop a spoon into my cereal. John finally gets the hint and leaves the kitchen, walking back up the stairs. Once my bowl is empty I rinse the remnants of what I couldn’t manage to pour into my mouth, into the sink and head upstairs as well. I grab my things from my room in a swift swoop of my arms. As I make an effort to reach for my backpack, my mirror stops me in my tracks. Crinkly dark brown and black hair, a solid slim fitting sleeve shirt with a tartan plaid blanket scarf, a coat of long-suffering lip gloss, dark-denim ripped skinny jeans and khaki colored wide calf boots. I turn expecting my curves with my hands on my hips. These were a perfect choice and Hollister is now my new best friend. Last year I gave them the cold shoulder, but this year may definitely change my opinion for the better.

With my backpack full of my essentials and school supplies ready to go, I shut my room door at the same time mãe approaches me with begging eyes holding an ear-splitting crying baby.

Aargh, I am way past Ugh! What now!?

“Filha, can you please change Avalina for me, I’m almost late!” Mãe tries to rock Ava’s restless body in her arms.

“Ay, me too mãe!” I complain above Ava. I drop my bag to the floor without hesitation lightly taking Ava’s tiny body into my arms. Good God! That good morning poop is nothing to **** with.

Mom kisses my check, I regret having full hands. Now I can’t wipe off that uncomfortable wet spot away. It’s going to make me yawn in irritation.

“Obrigada, meu amor, I’ll be right back I promise!” Mãe’s voice fades as she jogs down the hall and into her room. I sigh and hurry into what mãe calls the ‘banheiro de família’. She speaks fluent Portuguese, as I, on the other hand, am your average English speaker. It takes too much effort to be bilingual, I’ve only picked up a few words here and there. I understand what she’s saying but I can never speak the language as fluently back to her.

“Shhh, shhh it’s okay baby, I got you.” Ava is probably the only gift that John has ever given me. She’s precious, and usually not a screamer like this but thanks to Trey she has an early start today. Thankfully, Ava is only five months or else at this point this binky, and my bed and this diaper would be MMA wrestling. With a quick change of her diaper and some singing and subtle rocks back and forth, Ava has stopped crying. Her lips pop, pucker and smack and in no time her precious eyes are closed. She’s a lighter skinned baby with tiny curls on the top of her head. She has the tiniest pink lips with the daintiest hands that catch a good grip on my hair and fingers from time to time. At first I didn’t want to have this chore spinning over my head, but Ava seems to have been my only peace thus far this morning.

Mãe click-clacks down the hall with a freshly pressed Royal blue blazer, black dress pants and pumps. She fixes her silver bangles on her wrist, fluffs her hair and takes Ava with relaxed shoulders.

“You are a blessing, Saphyre.” Mãe sighs planting yet another kiss on my cheek. “Call me after school, okay.”  For the very first time this morning, I can say I smiled. She heads down the steps accepting Johns helping hand with the other of his holding her briefcase. Lawyers. They can never catch a break. Especially with an uprising in crime and so many other court-of-law affairs these days. With mãe’s reputation as being one of the most established lawyers here in Chicago, there’s a high demand for her presence in the most difficult cases. Yet so far she has only lost one. Definitely not my line of work.

I grab my coat and keys from the closet, “I’m gone, Trey!” I shout, opening the door to the house and shutting it behind me. He can find his own way to the school on a quarter tank of gas. The boy should learn to keep better watch of his fuel gauge. I hug my arms against myself quickly pressing the button to bring my car to life. With shuffling feet I manage to open the car and seat myself in the brisk seat. I should have at least had some hot tea before I left the warm house into the freezing cold. The entire city is covered in snow, both clean and dirty. You’d think it would make it look 10 times better. Instead, the streets are covered in brown,very  unaesthetic snow blotches. The only white snow visible is on owned properties, decorated with holiday lights, blow up statues of Frosty the Snowman, Santa and many other Christmas icons. I back out of the driveway quickly heading off to school. 2015 Cadillac ATS. My baby, otherwise known as Kitten. A present sent from my dad by one of his and mom’s mutual friends. Supposedly, I used to reference to this guy as an uncle. That was way back when...I have not the slightest clue. I guess I used to be a really up-beat person. During my pre-teen years; I had a complete family that broke apart, 2 best friends Kaisha and Aster that left as fast as they came, and so much love that I paid no mind to what a little hate could ever feel like.

Here I go, feeling sorry for myself. I mean Aster left so long ago. It’s funny because I hardly remember him. The little moment and memories we made together fades in and out. I think I remember some highlights! Sometimes I get these involuntary flashbacks when I’m in places that reminded me of him or if there is a familiar circumstance that was shared between the two of us. One thing I can never remember though, is the way he left.

I slam on my brakes, almost flying through a red light. Deus, I really do need to get a grip and focus on what’s at stake here. My life if I don’t get to school safely. There’s ice and sludge all over the road despite the plow salt. So unlike the other aggravated cars behind me, I will be taking my Saint Mary sweet time. I’m in no rush to get to school...well-maybe to see what Xander’s wearing today. A little crush I’ve had for a while now. A secret crush, of course, since middle school. I believe his sister is the only person aware of this. But he’s way out of my league, I’m a regular at the school, without any athletic or academic status that I’m privy to. Xander, on the other hand, is good at any sport that you can name or think of….

Okay maybe not Equestrianism but one can dream, one can dream!

Everyone adores him anyway so why can’t I? I know that sounds subservient and I don’t seem to be that kind of person but when it comes to anything that has to do with Xander, I comply. Our families are very close, their mother has been my mothers friend since law school, which in turn brought Xander and his sister Gia closer to me. So we have practically been friends ever since we knew the meaning of the word. Trey and Xander just recently got close.

I pull into the school parking lot, keeping in mind of the mindless millennial's crossing to get into the building. In no time I’m in step with the rest of the crowd with folded arms bumping into a shoulder now and then to get into the warmth of the brick building. Providence High School. It’s a very dull name for how vast the school really is. It gives our rivals the wrong idea and it gives us a better advantage. Ritually, I take a seat in the commons area at the most desolate spot that I can find in the full room. Just a typical morning, but with the addition of the excitement for the game today. I think it also helps that it’s Friday. To name a few groups, there are the preppy girls who wave and giggle at every team player that passes, nerds that gather in groups to sprawl their last minute homework out on the round tables, jocks that stand at every corner of the room in groups of 3 or more in their bulky Red and Black Raiders Varsity Jackets. I can’t lie, the varsity jackets have a special place in my heart. There are other groups like tomboys, goths, hipsters, the National Honor Society and Student Council Members but that’s really the gist of the place.

Yet with all of the various groups, I fit into none. Exactly the way I like it. I rest my bag on the seat next to me, to preserve it from any other smelly kid that might want it. Okay, and to also keep it from touching the filthy ground, no offense to the hard-working janitors. The seats are actually very comfy, but no such comfort could overshadow the smell of school lunch. Not that ours is bad, but it isn’t good. I look around to see each couch and stool very much occupied. Looks like a full house today. That’s my cue to press my headphones into my ear and turn on something calming.

Jon Bellion, serenade me!

I pull my phone out of my bag to check my grades. They’re usually all A’s but lately I’ve been struggling with AP Calculus BC. It’s my third year of taking AP courses but none of them compare to the level of difficulty as this one. I somehow manage to keep a pretty standard grade in it. That grade can change in a matter of a few tests though, so it’s imperative that I stay on top of things. A hand taps my shoulder and I immediately jolt out of my haze. Phew! It’s only Gia. She’s a brunette adopted into Xanders family since a baby. She’s never complained about it, but it did make people question how they could ever be related with totally different skin tones. Gia has olive skin and voluminous hair that can be pretty tough for her to handle some days. She’s petite, stretching at an average height of 5’5 feet. Although her sass conveys much different.

“You busy?” She asks moving my bag into her lap to sit beside me, her outfit of choice is quite interesting. A spaghetti string heather grey crop top with a plaid black and white cardigan hanging to her calves. And to finish her favorite choice of black jeans and...are those boots.

“Ummm, what are those?” I ask pointing at her feet.

She makes and effort to lift them onto the table with a bang, “Like ‘em, they’re Dolce and Gabbana!” She flashes me a pearly smile as if she’s just showed me a new puppy.

I tilt my head to get a better look, “That’s a pretty big heel.”

Her eyes roll, “Duhh,” she slips her feet back under the table, “most panel boot heels are, besides, I’ve been looking at these for ages now, which I’m pretty sure I told you about a week ago.”

I search in the air, “I don’t think I recall.”

She groans with her hands in her hair, then flutters her eyes at me with a wicked smirk, “Remember when I said I would buy a red and black pair of those exclusive Sorrento high tops fo-”

An instant light bulb turns on, “Oooh yeah, those new shoes for Xander, I wonder if he’s wearing those today?”

“Mm, it clicks now, huh?” She scoffs positioning her hands in the make of scissors, “You’re a sad excuse for a friend, and therefore cut off!”

My smile grows, I remembered the entire conversation. I just like to get on her nerves, so whenever his name is brought up in our conversations I pretend I only remember that specific part.

“Speaking of Xander…” Gia mumbles. Air gets caught in my throat as the Seniors of the basketball team saunter into the commons area. They somehow captivate entire rooms every time they travel in packs like this. The leader never changes though. Xander. He looks even better on game days. His short sponge curled hair seems as if it was cut this morning. His varsity jacket conceals anything layered underneath with a choice of blood red pants, topped off with the shoes Gia gifted him. He runs his hand from the back of his neck to the front while laughing with Kevin, Trey and a few other teammates.

“Gods above and below, Kevin looks good today.” Gia fans herself. The couches nearest to us begin to empty so that the team can take their supposed rightful seats. The thing I like about the jocks is that they never force people to give up their seats, the kids just move out of reverence. So the boys acknowledge them and everyone goes on about their day.

“You know you said that yesterday,” I say quietly under the new murmurs that bounce off of the red and black brick walls. I place a single earphone back in my ear.

“And?” She remarks flipping her hair over her shoulder to get back to speed texting. “You think the same way about Xander.”

My face goes red with embarrassment, “Shut up, he’s right there!” I hiss

“What, it’s not like everyone doesn’t already know.” She says. I stare at her coldly and she finally looks up from her phone, “What?”

“Is it really that obvious?” Not an ounce of heat has drained from my face. Her eyes widen and she nods. Hard. I rub my arms together subconsciously.

“But you look hot today, Saph, you always do.” She pats my arms with her fake sympathy.

I offer her the evilest squint that I can conjure, “Don’t touch me.”

“No seriously, you’ve got some Red Raider eyes on you,” Gia says quietly, I gape at her and she laughs at my humiliation, “Cut it out, don’t you people at all?”

“I people just fine, thank you very much!” I lie, I actually lack a lot of abilities when it comes to being social much less being flirty. Or much more…

“Just act you,” She says picking her phone back up, “I mean, not in the awkward and unsociable way.”

I offer her a weak punch to the shoulder causing her to chuckle to herself. Out of pure curiosity, I look up to see the team laughing and socializing with each other. I do enjoy watching people bond, it’s a beautiful thing that we humans do and create when we interact. I blink only quick enough to see Xander looking in my direction. I turn away with no hesitation. Deus, I have to be quicker than that. Although I could have sworn I saw him smile in my direction. My face warms as I press the other earpiece into my ear in efforts to drown out the inner embarrassment. Maybe that smile was meant for another friend.

Sigh, who cares Saphyre?

Nothing has changed. We haven’t said a word longer than ‘hey’ to each other since the end of middle school. He gradually drifted away from me and went on to better things, friends and whatever else. It’s okay though, I mean, I still have Gia and she’s like a sister to me.

“Anyway, I think we should branch out a little more.” Gia comments staring down into her phone. I smirk in her direction and make a sound of mockery, “For real, we have to be the lamest pair since Dumb and Dumber-”

“That was not a lame pair.” I emphasize

She rolls her eyes, “Of course you wouldn’t think so, hence why we are so lame.”

Well, I guess her point serves value, “Whatever you have to say, it better be impressive.”

“I say we follow the spectator bus to the game tonight, you know, kick it with the guys for a change.” She offers.

I smile and quote, “And just when I thought you couldn’t get any dumber, you go and say something like that, and totally redeem yourself.” Saying that alone made me laugh. Gia on the other hand buries her face in her hands.

She prays up to the sky, “Why do the gods punish me like this.” I haven’t stopped laughing, the ridiculousness I have to endure just to go to bed by the end of the day, “Where was I, oh yeah, my strategy has promise,  we should find a way to talk our way into going with them today, it’ll be way better than burying your nose into some calculus book all night.”

“Not so, for your information, my ritualistic Calculus nose-burying, late night studies are very important.” I retort

Another eye roll, “Yeah if your going to school to become a professor, ugh, why do I even bother.” Gia gives up and snatches her phone from the table, “I’ll see you around, Saph.”

Great, now I’ve done it, “Gia, wait!”

She sets my bag down onto the chair and crosses her arms, “What?”

Yep, she’s pissed. Here’s the part where I wish I didn’t sell my soul to the best friend gods. I wouldn’t have to worry about guilt tripping later on for not giving a **** about her feelings, “I’ll do it.”

Her head tilts to the side and she throws me an unbelieving smirk, “No Pinocchio?”

That’s just our little saying for ‘no strings attached’ “No Pinocchio, I promise.”

She closes her eyes and shakes her head with a smile, “Alright if you really will go to the game with me then…” She approaches me cupping a hand to my ear, “I’ll talk to Xander for you.”

I cover my mouth, “You’ll really do that?”

“Why not, it’s so much easier if I do it.” She beams, she’s only doing it to get closer to Kevin, but I could care less about that harmless motive. I guess since Trey’s on the team it gives me another good excuse to go. I’ll just have to cram in a lot of homework and studying before 6:00 pm.

“We’ll go in your car, two high school girls in a Cadillac is like every man’s dream.” Gia giggles, she actually isn't wrong about that. I am, in fact, the only highschooler I have seen at this school with a Cadi as their first car. Then again, it was a gift not a purchase.

“Sounds like a plan.” My muscles are tightening with anticipation. Or is that an oncoming anxiety attack for future events? I rise to my feet grabbing my backpack from the opposite chair.

“Pick me up at 5, okay!” She says walking in Haley’s direction, she’s the prep squad leader. Sometimes, I do wish I was as social as Gia so that I could feel comfortable around people. Although I have reason to believe that having a jock for a brother gives her a pretty good social status. No, Trey does not count as a jock brother, he’s very much overshadowed in my opinion. I walk past the team and other groups as well to head out in the hallway away from the noisy commons. I prepare for class 10 minutes early every day to avoid the rest of the students. I could never get used to being pressed against my locker because the hall is packed like a can of sardines. That’s the key essential ingredients to piss me off. Solitudinous and peaceful is more like it. I breathe and rotate my locker combination. It pops open towards me in a sort of anxiousness.

That makes two of us, locker.

I shuck off my coat and bag. I’m that weird girl who has a locker shelf with her school colors on it to attempt to show the least bit of pride. Internally I have slim to none, but that’s not out of spite, just disinterest. I place my books onto the shelves in class hour order, humming along to Celtic Woman. Yes, I listen to operas, so what? As you can see I am not the average high school kid. I try to keep my locker pretty well kept, do to the fact that I don’t like searching for my books in a crowded area. I grab my Texas calculator, Calculus textbook and folder.

“Hey.” A large hand closes me in at my right. I jump, turning around with my books clenched tightly to my chest. Astonished by two things: I didn’t even hear him coming , secondly because of all people, it’s Xander.

I pull my headphones from my ears, “H-hi.” Of all times, my throat is dry as all hell right now. He’s way too close, yet he’s smiling, his brown eyes are piercing my soul and I don’t know if I can stand much more of this. I have Gia to blame for this.

“What’s up with you these days, we never talk anymore.” Xander stands up a little sensing my uncomfortability. He’s like a tower. An almond-toned, sweet smelling tower. His arms are almost too big for his varsity jacket. He’s a very intimidated person but I have never seen him harm anyone in all the years I’ve known him. Well, besides the times that him and Aster used to get into fights but that was such a long time ago.

I clear my throat looking away, “Nothing I-” I restlessly slide a hair behind my ear, beckoning saliva to my throat.”I was just getting ready for Calculus.” Gather your shit, Saphyre, jesus!

He smirks, “AP Calculus huh, I heard it takes serious guts to take that course.”

“Not so much, it’s quite simplex actually, that is if you pay attention.”

“Cool, cool, so what makes you come down here so early all the time?” Xander says looking down the empty hall.

I look up at him, so much for being 5’3, “I like the silence and I hate being pushed around by the crowd, it’s kind of annoying.”

He rubs the back of his neck, “Interesting strategy,” He smiles at me, I look down immediately. Doesn’t he know that’s dangerous? “I heard you’re going to the game tonight, you know we’re playing against our rival.”

“Actually I was forced to submit, but, yes, I’ll be there to watch you all helplessly get blown away by Windy City.” I laugh, and this makes his smile.

“Ouch, such provocative language.” The bell rings just as he finishes his sentence. Oh great, I let this boy ruin my morning routine. I’m helpless!

I turn to the direction of the auditorium, “I gotta go.”

“Wait, Saphyre!” He grabs my shoulder and I almost drop my books. It’s been a while since we have had physical contact. A long time. “Maybe we could hang out some time, you know, for old time’s sake?”

My heart skips a beat, “Y-yeah that’d be nice.” I walk away before he or I can say anything else. I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life. You’re so right Gia. I have a lot of work to do on this socializing thing.

Okay, I don’t want to dwell on it like an awkward girl that doesn’t get any attention but, HELLO! That was the strangest conversation I’ve had since the evening I met John and his sons. Granted, it was much better than that. I beam to myself like a child, arranging my belongings onto my desk. He actually talked to me today.

“Someone’s happy for a change,” A girl, I believe her name is Susie, says. She looks like your average school girl; blonde shoulder length hair, bubble gum pink colored t-shirt and blue jeans. She seems to think that she has to set an example for the dress code because she’s the Senior Class President.

I shrug, “I guess.”

Susie smiles and pats my shoulder, “It looks good on you.” She nods with an approving look before making her way to her seat above me.

Well, that was new.

Today must be a very approachable day for me.

For three years, I’ve been nothing more than a lost ex-friend to Xander. What has changed? I mean the way he approached me...that’s not how we used to speak. We never stood that close to each other. My mom would always stress when I was younger to give people their personal space. And I abided by that rule to the T...well sometimes. With my best friend, Aster, we were what one would call 2 peas in a pod. Of course, back when I was 12, I had no idea what the meaning of true love was. I just thought it was stupid. It reminded me of disney princesses who would just throw their love at men they only knew for a week because they did them a favor.

As time went on that changed for Aster and I. The fact that we grew up together, protected each other and only were out of one anothers line of sight when we were sleep made our bond blossom. He wasn’t a huge fan of Xander…

 Well, okay they hated each other. Aster, then was a lot like how I am now; quiet, uninterested in socializing, and quite violent. Some were convinced he had anger problems, which made the elementary go to drastic measures to enroll him into anger management courses. I thought it was very unnecessary but what’s my word to an entire school board? Whenever we played together, he never got violent, it was when some other guy, mainly Xander, would attempt to replace him that he would get angry.

He’s gone now. To where, I will never know.

The teacher checks the mic in the front of the class. I always choose the 6th row to the top, whether the class is full or not. As long as she doesn’t mind, although some days I get convinced that she doesn’t even notice that I’m here.

“Good and wonderful morning, Raiders!” Mrs. June announces, her red glasses glint off of the projector light shining from the back of the auditorium. A low-toned good morning floats through the entire room. “Oh, come on, I need a little more enthusiasm kids, it’s game day, and it’s friday!” Only a few whoops and hollers are heard but the rest give her identical responses to the ‘good morning’. “You guys really do suck.” This at least draws laughter, it even makes me laugh. Mrs. June is only this energetic on Fridays. We don’t care what day it is, we hate being here on any day of the week. AP Calculus is a pretty full class, actually. It’s at least 45 of us in here, a few athletes maybe 10 and the rest of us outcasts or club members. One thing’s for sure, we keep Mrs. June young and free from the grey hair gods.

  “Mrs. June?” a student calls out with a hand raised.

Mrs. June smiles straightening some papers with her desk, “Yes, Mr. Kronowski?”

Whoever that is.

His hand lowers, “Don’t you think since it’s Friday that we could just catch up on some homework?”

Now that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. “Yes Havi, that’s a brilliant idea.” She extracts exciting murmurs and a couple laughs from around the class, “After you take this pop quiz, YAY!”

  “AWEEE!!” The students complain drastically as she rounds her podium to approach the first row.

 “Pass these papers back to the people behind you, shut up, and you may begin your quizzes.” The students do as told and almost too quickly I’m handed the stack of remaining papers. What a quiz...if 2 stapled papers and 30 questions count as a pop quiz then, hell.

The class turns into complete silence immediately, as Mrs. June does not tolerate any noise during quizzes, tests, or exams. I silence my phone and begin as well.

Here goes the beginning of all A’s headed down the drain.