Finding Truth

Chapter 1

I groan hearing my mom yell from the bottom of the stairs ''Samantha Marie Wilkinson, if you don't get down here to set up for school right now you'll be late!" I realize that's my cue to finally roll out of bed and stop scrolling through social media. This online learning from a dumb little virus is such bull shit I mumble while throwing on some leggings and a hoodie.

Grabbing the edge of the counter I lean in towards the mirror getting a good look at myself. There's heavy bags settling right under my eyes and it's obvious my entire face is puffy.I know I haven't been getting too much sleep, but damn I look rough. And for the life of me can't figure out why.

I've always been a heavy sleeper but lately I just toss and turn to no end. I tell myself I'll go back to sleeping normal when finals are over but I can't shake this feeling I won't be getting a good night's sleep for a long time. Just thinking about it sends a chill through me causing me to shiver and stand up straight.

It's fine I tell myself, well, more like trying to convince myself. Nothing a little concealer can't fix, for now. Bright side though, it's Friday which means I can sleep all I want tomorrow.

I make my way into the kitchen to grab a bite to eat knowing I'll be late logging in for school either way.

As soon as I take a step into the kitchen it feels like my breath was knocked out of me. I can't help but notice the grim look on my moms face as she sits at the island staring into space with her hands clasped together.

"Hey mom, what's going on with you? You only have that look when you can't wrap your head around something."

She just looks towards me and says "You'll be eighteen and graduate in a week. I don't want to lose my baby girl. It feels like it was only yesterday you were running around here in diapers."

I can tell she's telling the truth but it also feels like she's not telling me the whole truth and something else is going on but I just let it go. I'll have to dig deeper into it another time when I'm not already late to class.

Letting out a sigh I just look at her. "Mom, come on, no need to get all emotional on me this early in the morning." I joke through a shaky breath.

"I know. I know. I was just thinking about you all grown up. Now, go get set up for class missy." She says standing up and lunging at me to try and tap my ass into gear.

Jumping to the side I barely miss her hand and raise mine up in defeat before jogging out of the kitchen.

Walking down the long hallway to the office I realize just how big the house I've grown up in really is. Five bedrooms, six bathrooms, my dads office, my moms office, which I'm using for school work, and all the other rooms filled with things to make it feel like a home.

Keywords here being 'feel like a home'. Even though every room is filled with furniture and items, almost nothing relates to our family. There's barely any family photos around the house and absolutely nothing to link our family to other relatives.

It's just mom, dad, and myself living here. Although most of the time it's actually just myself and my mom when dad is out of town for business, which makes it feel extra empty.

Thinking about it makes me wonder if my mom and dad wanted more kids and that's why the house was so big, or if they could just afford it from dad being a politician. Guess that's a question for another day.

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I'm logged into class on my laptop, notes and my textbook scattered on the desk but all I'm able to do is stare down at my phone in my hand. I can hear my teacher speaking in the background but I can't focus.