Wake Up, Delilah

No matter what Delilah did, she was still trapped in the loop. She burnt the museum to ash, hoping that was the key to this mess but she is still stuck holding the mop. She tried going to school different ways, heck, she didn’t even go to school a few times and none of that worked. Whatever she tried to do was completely erased from the universe the next day and she woke up still stuck on repeat on a Friday. Delilah thought for sure that she was nothing more than a song on replay. She even tried to stay up all night but no matter how many energy drinks she has, drowsiness always creeps up on her and she falls into a slumber and then everything plays all over again, and again. 

The girl stomped down the stairs. The same song from the past, who knows how many Fridays she experienced, still on the radio. Mom was humming along to the beat of “Save a Prayer” by Duran Duran and noticed a furious Delilah standing in the door frame. 

“Well good morning-,” 

“Yeah, good morning, what side of the bed did you wake up on??” Delilah crossed her arms. Her mother stopped packing her bag on the table as her brows knitted together.

“Excuse me. How did you know I was gonna say that?” 

“I just do- I have to get to school.” Even though Delilah lied, she rushed to give her mom a kiss goodbye on the cheek and ran out the door, leaving her mother in a confused state. 

The girl wasn’t venturing to school, but perhaps her job at the Upside Down World instead. She had a plan already installed in her head. A plan she gripped with hope. One to get her out of this mess. Her older brother’s car was in the driveway and she was tempted to use it but she didn’t take it. She quickly glanced at the scratch on the back left and cringed a bit. Every day after school, or everyday after school on this day, Jared would question her once again on why there’s a scratch but she lies every time and for him being a scholar, or on his way to become a lawyer, Jared believed his little sister. 

She ran past her best friend, Tessa, who was on her way to school. Tessa called out for Delilah and at first, Delilah didn’t want to look back because she knew if this plan didn’t work, everything would reset tomorrow and she could talk to her then. Annoyance built up inside because she knows for a fact that Tessa is going to ask questions about last Saturday. How many times can Delilah make up an excuse for not being at the party when she actually was? 

“Delilah?! What are you, being chased by a serial killer or something??” Tessa waved her hands in the air then landed on her hips. Delilah slowly came to a halt and turned around as she adjusted her bag because nervousness was starting to make a presence. Tessa looked the exact same; narrow glasses, long auburn hair, a purple jacket over a white tank top. That image of Delilah’s friend was imprinted in her head. 

“No. Look, Tess, I would love to walk to school with you but I have a-,” She paused for a moment and went over the two options she had which were to lie or tell the truth. “I have a doctor's appointment that I need to get to so.. catch you later!” She quickly wrapped up but Tessa grabbed her shoulder. 

“Can you at least answer a question I have??” Delilah rolled her eyes. 

“No! I wasn’t at that stupid party last week and no I was nowhere near your boyfriend!!” She snapped and ran off. Tessa’s face muscles pulled into a frown. She was in a tie between being stunned by the fact that Delilah read her mind and her sudden outburst of anger. She never expected her high school friend to act so hostile, especially on a Friday right before Easter break. 

The Upside Down World. A children’s museum where she grew so much hatred for. She knew something happened to her that caused her to fall into a never ending, nightmare of a time loop. On the original day, Delilah went all day being normal until she came to work. Drowsiness and a pounding headache hit her like a truck. She needed to leave early because of it and then after she fell asleep, the whole day started up again and again. 

The museum wasn’t opened yet but Delilah didn’t really care for consequences anymore if she’s stuck in time. She gripped onto her backpack nonetheless and made her way inside. Aliens and UFOs decorated the place. The alien mascot, August, stood by the front desk and stood there motionless. Delilah had witnessed the many times children have gone out crying because of the eyesore the thing is, but yet some children have a blast taking selfies or making fun of it. She headed towards the cafe, the place she came to know the most of in the entire museum. Delilah carefully weaved in and out of the space-ship themed tables and entered the kitchen. For a split moment, Delilah swore she heard a door creaking but she instantly pushed the noise aside to continue her mission. She glanced around until she saw what she came here for; the ax. She isn’t here to hurt anybody, it’s the museum that’s in danger. She thought that maybe burning the place wasn’t the answer because it was the fire that caused destruction. Not Deliliah. She then stole a good sized salt shaker from the deep cosmic marble counter as her backpack fell to the floor. The ax was almost like on display for it being in clean, good condition in a glass box. There was a fire extinguisher right next to it but wasn’t concealed away. 

She lifted up the heavy shaker past her shoulder but paused for a moment. Delilah fiddled with the buttons on her light blue shirt and raised the shaker again. She thrusted her arm with all her might and shattered the glass. Her knuckles turned hot and stung. Shards littered the floor and on her boots as she dropped the shaker. Carefully, she took the back of her hand and moved the excess glass away. The girl grabbed the ax. Her hands held the heavy thing and she was about to throw the ax into the wall but something stopped her in her tracks. 

“Delilah Hillson!! What are you doing?!” A voice echoed throughout the cafe. Delilah whipped around to be face to face with her mother. Anger swam in her eyes as she glared into Delilah’s hazel ones. She furrowed her brows. 

“I have to do this! Please, leave me alone!!” She pleaded but then two figures came into view. One being Tessa and the other being Jared. Tessa’s eyes were big as she gripped onto her jacket. Jared had his hands on his hips as he stared down at Delilah. 

“Do what?! You lied to me, and Tessa about where you were going! We’re going home. Now!” She gripped onto Delilah’s arm but she pulled away. 

“No! You don’t understand! I-,” 

“What’s gotten into you today?” Jared questioned. Delilah rolled her eyes. 

“Nothing! You won’t understand! Please let me do this!” She picked up the ax once again but Jared came over and took her hand and lowered it to the ground. 

“You don’t have to do this!” 

“I think she’s having a breakdown..,” Tessa quietly said. 

“Why did you lie about going to school today, Delilah?? Is there something going on that I should know about?!” Mom crossed her arms. Delilah dropped the ax as Jared backed off. She looked at the ground. She muttered a no but it was so soft no one seemed to understand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get that?” She questioned. 

“No! I didn’t lie and nothing’s going on!” She clenched her teeth and eyes narrowed. Delilah knows that she is one to lie. She wanted to disappear all of a sudden. Delilah actually wanted to feel drowsy for once to repeat the whole thing so she could wake up in bed and everyone’s memories wiped clean, but she was wide awake instead. 

“Delilah, yes you do lie! I caught you in lies since you were six! Why did you lie about that?! Mom called me from Casey’s house to come find you!” Jared accused. Delilah’s throat was tightening. 

“Just leave me alone!!” She turned back around and faced the remnants of broken glass. She wanted to be like those little pieces. 

“You lied about the party last week.. didn’t you?” Tessa spoke slowly. Her good friend was smart for her age. Delilah harshly sighed. 

“Yes.. YES! Yes I do lie. There. Happy?” She slowly turned back around. Everyone was crowding her as if she was some famous person. Her eyes started to crystallize. “And I’m.. I’m sorry.. I’m sorry for dragging you all into this mess..,” Delilah wiped her face with her polyester sleeve. 

“That doesn’t explain why you’re at your job? Do you not like your job??” Mom wondered. 

“It’s not about the job, mom.. I’m sorry for lying about not going to school today..,” Delilah changed her focus to Tessa. “And Tessa.. yes.. yes I did go to that party and-and.. your boyfriend kissed me..,” Tessa’s soul almost left her body completely. Her mouth gaped. “I didn’t want to tell you because you have such a good future ahead of you and I didn’t want to bring you down but now I realize I.. I realize I’m a horrible friend to you..,” Delilah’s voice trailed off into a cracking mess. Tessa’s blue eyes were wide as clear beads fell from them. They left a mascara streak down her face, giving her the illusion of being a clown when she really wasn’t. 

Delilah then looked up at her big brother. He had a pity look plastered on his face. His own hazel eyes were soft at Delilah. 

“I was the one who scratched your car and I’m very very sorry please don’t be mad at me..!” The words flew out so fast, when they were out she thought no one got them all. Jared’s gaze shifted to the floor. He sighed. 

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner??” 

“Because..,” For a moment, Delilah didn’t think she could finish the sentence. She sniffled hard as a cool liquid started traveling down her face. “I lied about everything because I wanted attention but then I would feel very guilty about it and bury it away and lie about it..,” A waterfall started coming out of her eyes. Her mother frowned. Jared put his hand on her shoulder. “I wanted the attention you have, Jared.. I’m-I’m sorry..,” She cried.

Over the past few months, Delilah picked up how people were around Jared. Everyone liked him. He’s very smart and things came easy to him. She wasn’t jealous of him, if anything she was happy for him, it was just the attention that she desired. She envied him. Her eyes were puffy and stung. Her face and sleeves drenched from salty tears. 

Her mother came closer. 

“It’s ok.. we’re gonna get you out of this..,” She spoke. Jared hugged Delilah and she still continued to break down. Then out of nowhere she couldn’t see, nor hear correctly. It was all muffled and she couldn’t stand on her two feet for some reason. Then everything faded to black. 

Delilah bolted upright from her bed. She glanced around with haste and came to a realization that she was not anywhere but safe and sound in her own room again. She sighed. Defeatment ate the inside of her. The girl knew she had lost. Delilah got up and didn’t bother checking her phone because she knew nothing had changed. 

As she made her ways down the stairs, the sweet aroma of pancakes smacked her in the face. There was no Duran Duran song. Instead it was a Lady Gaga song instead. She gasped a little as she picked up pace to the kitchen. Her entire family was there. Her mom wasn’t packing away her computer, no, she was making breakfast. Her father was in the living room watching the morning news and Jared.. Jared was on his phone at the kitchen table. 

“It’s not Friday..?” Delilah piped up. Her brother and mom turned to her. 

“It’s Saturday today.” Her mother answered and went back to the stove. Excitement filled Delilah. She jumped into the air. 

“Yay!! Isn’t Saturday the best day ever?!” She exclaimed as her family looked at her with confusion. 

“I guess.. Wow I guess all that sleeping gave your energy back.” Jared said. Delilah smiled but cocked her head to the side. He put his phone down. “You don’t remember..? You fell off a ladder and hit your head pretty hard yesterday at work and been past out since. I’m surprised mom and dad didn’t take you to the hospital.” He shrugged and gazed over to the TV. 

“I guess it did.. I guess it did..,” She quietly said to herself, still with a grin on her face.