SHATTERED

Chapter 4

I came up with around six excuses for Sally's actions, on my way home. They are as follows:
#1. She forgot
#2. She changed her mind about me
#3. She was afraid to spill her guts to a stranger
#4. She got lost
#5. She got detention
#6. She played me

I refused to believe the last one but couldn't rule it out too. All my anxiety to know Sally Kingston's secret had melted away as I reached home.

I turned the door knob and went inside, shutting the door behind me.
The house seemed awfully quite."Paul?" I called out my brothers name.

My brother was 5 years elder to me, hence in his final year of high school. I loved him a lot but I've never told him this and also never will. I can assure you the feeling is mutual for him and me.

I checked the kitchen, the living room and also the dinning room but there was no sign of him. I went upstairs to my room, kept my bag and changed before I looked for him.

I washed up and put on my jammies. I brushed back my hair into a bun at the top my head and left for Paul's room. His room's door was open and he lay on his bed, snoring softly.

My lips curved into a smile at the site of him. He had football practice in the morning, that's what probably had wore him out.

I close the door slowly, as to avoid waking him up. I went downstairs to make lunch as mom would be home soon.

Both my parents are working. My mom is a high school chemistry teacher and my dad worked in the senate's office. He is the production manager for outdoor publicity. So basically, I'm alone most of the day, except my brother.

We took turns making lunch. And today it was my turn. And I was making my special/secret pasta recipe also known as Miranda Ulva's Meci Beaucoup pasta. That's just french for very good pasta.

I started making lunch and when I was halfway through it, I heard the door open. "Hey sweety!" My mom called out as she walked into the kichen. "Hows the lunch coming?" She asked. "Its Meci Beaucoup Pasta day." I grinned at her.

Regina Ulva a.k.a my mom was a shot slender women in her early fifties. She wore hardly any make-up and always wore pants to school. She was always a studious person, even when she was a kid and hence, expecting me to be like her.

"I'll just freshen up and come." She walked towards the staircase. I continued with my cooking. The dish was ready to be served. I switched off the flame and started laying down the table.

"Can I so anything to help?" My mom asked as she inhaled the aroma in the kitchen. "Can you fetch some glasses as well as water bottles?" I asked. " Sure." I heard opening of cupboards and fridge. Soon the table was set. "Where's Paul?" My mom looked around as if she could spot him. "He's in his room. Asleep. I'll leave him some lunch." I informed her.

I told her about Sally and the stood up and also about Marcy. My mom was the coolest and also my best friend. I could never lie to her no matter what. She always helped me with my problems be it studies or personal. She was only strict about cleanliness and studies.

"Well, what do you think? Should I talk to her tomorrow or just drop it?" I asked her. She though while she was chewing and said "I think you should drop it. See, she was the one who wanted your help not the other way around and so its her decision to talk to you about it or not. It was wrong on her part to leave you hanging but its better not to confront her about it."

See, that's why I went to her for advice. I asked her how her day was and she told me some hilarious stories.

My mom went into the study saying she had to prepare for tomorrow's class. I cleared the table, putting the plated into the sink. It was Paul's turn to do the dishes. I kept away the leftovers and retreated to my room.

I took my iPod and plugged it into the speaker. Turning the volume to low, i laid back on the bed and unknowingly feel asleep.

I woke up disorented, unaware of the time. Its was quite in my room as the iPod had stopped playing. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the clock on the opposite wall. It said 6:11 pm.

I've been asleep for around 3 hours. I get of the bed and stretch my arms dramatically. I let my hair loose, straightened them and then tied them again.

I heard my stomach rumble, so I headed downstairs to grab a glass of juice or a snack. When I reached the kitchen, I heard bleeping sounds and saw my brother in a wrestling match with the microwave.

"What are you trying to do? Kill it?" I asked him sounding confused. "It won't heat the damn pasta. You do it" he gestured for me to take his place. I stepped up and pressed the 'Auto-Reheat' button on the top and it automatically started.

"How would you survive without me?" I mocked him. He ignored me and peeped inside the microwave as if he would see it being heated.

I remembered my purpose of coming here and opened the snack cupboard to grab a packet of wafers.

I leave my stupid brother and go to my room. I open the bag of wafers and set it on the table along with my books. I chose the playlist on my iPod and sit down to complete my homework.

Soon, I was done so I went downstairs to help mom with dinner. Dad came exactly after I had just set the table. We make light dinner conversation and then go to the living room.

After half an hour of watching late night talk shows, I retreated to my room. I went online and blogged and blogged.

I watched some videos online and then went to sleep, thinking about Sally, after all, the day started with her.