Not What You Expect

Chapter 1

It's gonna be a good day. I'm capable of moving forward. As I talk myself into having a good day, I sit up under my blankets. Their supple weight bunches around my torso as I blink myself awake. When the room around me slides into focus, I see all the familiar things I love. The blue walls, the grey carpet. Even the burn on the door handle from many years ago. The dark wooden furniture gives the room a more sophisticated feel, and I smile. With a shake of my head, I notice a warm spot on my lower body.

My cold limbs protest as I groan, stretch, and yawn, realizing it is my dog. This dog, Merlina, has an interesting story. When I was young, my mom took my brother and me on a trip to Boston. I loved it there so much, that I wanted to live there for a long time. We went in the autumn, so it was cold, very cold. Well, one day we were walking around and we came to her, then just a scruffy white puppy starving and sick. She was tied to a stave in the ground by a short chain that didn't allow her to move but in a circle around the stick. We called Animal Control, and they got her safely out, but she wouldn't go with them. She came over to me and nudged me with her nose like a cat. Then she did something unexpected: her eyes started to glow! I mean, I think they did, I don't really remember, but I remember thinking that this might be a wizard trapped in a dog's body.

I had a crazy imagination back then, and I convinced myself that it really was a wizard. So, when they came to take her away, I of course inquired as to where they were taking her. I heard "the pound" and I started freaking out. You have no idea how that messes with a kid's mind, telling them a superior being is gonna be taken to the pound. Anyway, I ask how, if, we can save her and the officers said the only other option was adoption. Of course, I begged Mom to let us. And Rex, who has always loved dogs, joins in. Mom reluctantly agreed and so we took her home with us. During the drive home, I kept calling it "Merlin" because I was still convinced it was a wizard in disguise. Also, I talked to it constantly, and I learned something new that trip: it's okay to want to protect something good.

However, I would've loved to see my face when I found out it was a girl. Therefore, Merlina.

"Dog, get off me," I grunt, and push Merlina off my bed and she hits the floor with a thump.

I peer over the side of the bed and notice incredulously that she is still asleep. My dog is crazy. I chuckle a little, flip on the light switch, and my room is flooded with light. I slide my feet from under my warm blankets onto the plush carpet, walk over to my closet, and debate with myself momentarily about what I should wear. I settle with the usual leather jacket and jeans. School starts again tomorrow. Shuddering with the thought, I drag a comb through my dark hair.

"Hey bro, get up! We're going to Callum's place in an hour!" My twin brother Arexis yells from across the hall, obviously missing the fact that I am fully dressed already.

"Rex, I'm only going because you can't drive, you know that right?" I ask skeptically, seeing his dirty blonde hair sticking out in all the wrong places.

"Oh, really? I thought you were going because his sister's hot. Duh," Arexis sarcastically comments, running his fingers through his hair.

"It's your fault you didn't even take your driving test," I quietly mumble. This could hit a nerve, and though we are 18, it might end in a fight. The physical type, where we both end up bruised. Luckily, he seems to have not heard me, which is probably better anyway. I sit down at the table with a glass of water for breakfast.

"Hey, you need food, hon. I know you're not hungry but please eat something," my mom rushes in and says this without stopping on her way to grab her phone and keys. She's dressed up, complete with full makeup and a new hairdo, which likely means she's going to an all-day conference.