Exposure

Chapter 1

Everyone else ready to get out of Giles High School couldn't possibly look more eager to leave. Everyone but me. My hair sways backwards from the heated breeze. I irritably smooth it back down. You would think that I, Ivy Maed, would be drowning in enthusiasm. High school was over. I had finally conquered all four years. But not a single ounce of excitement is in me. The thought of leaving school makes me want to cry rather than celebrate. I open the door to my car, clambering into the driver's seat, and throw my backpack onto the back seats. How can anybody be so excited to leave high school? They were leaving behind the best four years they would ever have in life. Well, that's how it felt to me. Now I have to look ahead. I have NYU to look forward too. I've already been accepted, I have my roommate and the deposit taken care of. I just have to get through the summer, and I plan on having the best one yet. It's my last one in this town.

I roll the windows down slightly, letting the musty air out of my car. My eyes close for a brief moment, thinking of all the memories I've made. My mind drifts back to the senior prank, the countless pep rallies, my wonderful teachers that I would never forget. The car ride home is always relaxing. It gives me time to catch up on things, and daze off into a life that was more normal for myself.

Not that Giles isn't normal, it is the most normal, boring town I've ever come upon. And that's what makes it so unsettling. At a first, Giles is nothing more than hills, suburban houses, and irresponsible teenagers. But living in Giles is a different story. There are so many untold secrets. Sneaky teens from rich families getting high or stealing alcohol from the local grocery store are just some of the many untold secrets..

My cell phone buzzes, throwing me out of the relaxed state I was in.

"Hello?" I ask. Although I didn't need to. I already know who it is. I can tell by the low muffled voice, and the sound of machinery in the background.

"Ivy, hun, can you pick up Danny from school?"

I roll my eyes in annoyance at the voice on the other end. "Why can't you do it, Dad? Oh yea, you're staying late at work again aren't you?" I ask, making an assumption which I know will be confirmed.

"You know why I have too. And you can do me a favor once in awhile. I have to go. I love you, Ivy." He hangs up before another word can leave my mouth.

"Love you too, dad," I mumble under my breath. This is the fourth time this week that my dad will be coming home late from work.

As I pull into the Giles Middle School parking lot, I see Danny waiting for me in front of the school doors. She leans in and sits in the passenger seat.

"How did you know I was coming?" I ask. Danny pulls out her iPod from her pocket.

"Dad used his cellular device to call my cellular device. It's called communication through phone." She slips her headphones into her ears. Her light brown hair sways back over her ears, making the buds disappear.

"You don't need to be such a bitc—"

"If you swear, you owe me five bucks."

My eyes squint slightly as I glare at my sister. Danny's hazel eyes glare right back at me. They tell me in the most irritating way that she has me right where she wants me.

"Since when was that a rule?"

"Dad set it last night." Danny smiles to herself. I've always hated that devious smile. It only showed on the 8th grader, soon to be freshmen devil known as my sister. And after this summer vacation, we were going to be living in a house together.

"I can see this is going to be a very fun summer."

Awhile after Danny and I get home, I lie on my bed hoping that Dad will arrive home in the next half hour. My sister, who is right next door, blasts music from her radio just to piss me off, and it's working. Through the thick wall, I hear Danny screaming the lyrics of the song playing on the radio. Of course the little brat would become even louder. For a fourteen year old, Danny is pretty immature. But she once told me that for being a seventeen year old, I was too mature. That isn't always true. I like to have fun and forget about my worries most of the time.

"Danny, please turn your music down!" I scream. A few moments go by, and the music only gets louder. I grab a hair tie from my jewelry dresser and run to Danny's room as I throw my hair up in a ponytail. I try to calm myself, knowing that every time Danny and I get into a fight, she usually wins. I rush over to the radio and unplug it from the wall.

"Can I help you with something?" Danny asks, sarcastically. I honestly want to slap her.

"Yeah, can you be a little quieter in here, please?" My eyebrows raise expectantly. As if Danny was magically going to get the message to quite the hell down.

"I could, but I'm not going too."

"Why are you such a jerk?"

"I'm not a jerk, I'm just living life to the fullest." Danny goes to plug the radio back in.

"Uh huh, like you even know what that means." Danny once thought that YOLO meant 'you only love Oreos'.

Before I can react, Danny has her hand pressed against my stomach, pushing me out of the bedroom. I can feel my face growing hot, and I walk away before I end up donating to her swear jar. Light streaks across the white hallway ceiling, and the light crackle of rough gravel can be heard from upstairs. Finally, my dad is home. I stroll downstairs, thankful that the torturous night is over. My eyes scan the time on the microwave. It's 10:00 o'clock. This is the latest he has ever been gone.

Carefully walking through the dim kitchen to the front door, I feel the wall for the outside light. I turn it on as soon as I feel the switch. When he walks through the door, my stomach immediately flip flops. The overpowering smell of alcohol and cologne fills the kitchen.

"Dad? Where were you?" His hazel eyes connect with mine but lazily shy away.

"I was out, Ivy. I uh, left after work." He is definitely drunk, but not slurring words, falling over, vomiting drunk. But it still makes me a little uneasy. My dad never drinks enough so that you can smell it on him.

"Were you drinking, Dad?" The answer can't be more obvious, but I'm hoping for something else. He sighs.

"Yeah, alright. I went out for a little drink. But I'm fine. I'm sorry I worried you." Of course he can't lie to me. I'm his daughter. Besides, he hasn't gone drinking in a while. Trying to get wasted once in awhile isn't that bad, I guess. I mean, it's the only thing to do in Giles.

"Why? You've never had this much to drink, Dad." He sighs and rubs his fingers through his hair.

"What's wrong?" He sits at the dining room table. I seat myself in the chair next to him.

"I was thinking of your mother." He looks away from me and I can feel tears forming in my eyes. He hates to see me cry. "I was thinking of you and Danny too. This must be hard on both of you." And he's right. It's not easy for me or Danny when our parents are going through a divorce. Especially when the court hasn't settled things yet either.

"I'm managing, Dad." That's a lie. Ever since the divorce, I've been struggling. Danny doesn't help the situation either. Come to think of it, ever since our parents split, Danny hasn't been acting the same. She's been acting out. Lying about where she is going, and ended the school year with horrid grades, Mom would say.

"I know. I just wanted to say sorry. I'm sorry for working late, but if I don't, the bills won't get paid." He pauses. "I know your sister has been a pain in the ass."

I couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, but aren't all teenagers?"

He kisses me on the forehead. "I'm glad I have you guys with me. And I'm glad you're helping me out." He rummages through his pockets. "Here's some gas money. I owe you." I could feel my face light up. Getting gas money is like giving a brand new puppy to a three year old. I wrap my arms around his neck.

"Thank you, Dad!"

"You're welcome, honey." I lean against the counter and we stand there together for a few moments. He breaks the silence. "What, do you want more gas money?" he asks with a smirk on his face. I laugh.

"No, but if you're offering-"

"Get your scrawny butt in bed," he cuts in. I do as I'm told and walk up to my room. Before entering, I peek into Danny's room. She lays curled up in her bed, and fortunately for me, her music is turned down."Goodnight you, little devil," I lightly whisper before leaping into bed, and finally being able to doze off.