Across the Lake

Chapter 4

"Where did you go?" Claire would ask as my mom would walk through the door. My mom was refusing to answer. I'd slowly walk out of my room as this conversation would start up. "Where's dad?" Claire would ask as my mom would start to break into tears. Claire would share a blank expression on her face, as she turned away. "I'm going to go read a new book." She'd say as she walked away into the living room.

     My mom would storm back inside her room and shut the door. At this point I felt something bad happened. I felt the deep emotions hitting my gut as I was clueless on what to do. I'd walk up to Claire as she would frantically shut the book. She'd look at me and take a few seconds to start speaking. "Are you alright?" She'd ask me as I sat right next to her.

     "I just want to know what's going on." I'd say as I felt the tears slowly run down my face. Claire would wrap her arm around me and tried to stay strong as she usually does. "Don't worry about it! Go hang out with your friends!" She'd say as I still felt like something was going on. I got up and headed outside as Claire would look on sighing. I'd walk up to Paige who was sitting by the lakes to start a chat.

     "Hey." I'd say as Paige would turn around. "Oh hey, you're outside later than usual." She'd reply as I tried to hide how I was feeling. "Oh you know, I was having so much fun last night." I'd say, clenching my teeth together. "Hope you at least had fun!" She'd say as I stood there fighting back my tears. "You look really stressed out." She'd say after a few minutes went by. "I'm fine, It's literally nothing." I'd say as I felt tears race down my face.

     She'd wipe them off for me and look at me concerned. "I think you're lying to me." She'd say as I broke down on the spot. "Blaire, what's wrong?" She'd say as she bent down to comfort me. I'd continue sobbing as she would be confused on what to do. "Do you need something?" She'd say in a panic. I'd try to stop myself from crying, and got myself on my feet again. "I'm fine." I'd say as I walked away, she would turn and look right at me, with a look of concern.

     I'd walk for a long while, not knowing my location, and not caring at this time. I'd see the sun begin to set as I would sit down by a random tree. "Why are you so upset?" Laurie would walk right up to me. I'd sit there looking at the ground still, not able to say a word. "I'm guessing you need some time alone, I get it. I'll check back on you." She'd say as she slowly walked away.

     I'd hear my sister calling out for me and I quickly jumped up. I walked out as she ran up to me. "I know this is tough, I want you to know to always talk to me." She'd say as she quickly hugged me. She would still fight back her emotions to stay strong for me. "Did mom at least tell you what happened?" I'd ask as she would let go of me and sigh. "I don't honestly know yet." She'd say as we started walking back to the cabin.

     "I promise I'll let you know if she does." She said as I felt some comfort. "I always believe you." I'd say as she turned her head and tried to contain herself before looking back at me. "Thank you." She said as she walked off to the side of the cabin as I was going in. I'd look out the window as I'd see her walk around the cabin before coming back inside.

     "Are you okay?" I'd ask as she closes the door. "Of course." She'd reply as she walked back into the living room. I looked back and felt she was lying, but I wouldn't intrude further. I walked back into my room as I'd overhear my mom sobbing in her room. I'd grab my guitar and start playing a song as I sat back and closed my eyes. I'd try to enter my imagination and go into a place where I could feel happy.

     I'd think about performing in front of a crowd, seeing my face lighten up from all the cheers. Feeling the moment awaken in me as I continued strumming my guitar. Seeing my dad in the audience, along with my sister and my mom. Feeling better than ever before. That's when I'd hear Claire come into my room as I opened my eyes and put my guitar to the side. "I'm checking in on you, I know things are uncertain, but don't let it bring you down, okay?" She'd say as she gave me a hug.

     I'd hear her as her voice would crack. As she let go I'd see her biting onto her lip as she left the room. This would bring me down because I'd never see her like this my entire life. I didn't want to see her actually break down. Knowing deep inside of me that something awful has definitely happened, and my mom was too upset to say it to us yet. Claire knows it, I know it. It was time to hear it from my mom herself.