Different Bounds

Chapter 2

"So what did she say"? Heather asked over face time, slowly munching on a granola bar. "I don't know, I stomped away before she could respond" I answered,  we had been on the call since early this morning.

"Noelle"! Her yell made me turn down the volume, "You could at least wait for her answer"! Her face turned stern. "Well I already knew what she was gonna say", I picked up my eyebrow pencil. I had to hurry up, or else I was going to be late for the new school year. "Okay, anyways I gotta get off here", I turned to look at her. "What! Why"? She couldn't hang up, we were on the phone for maybe 3 hours and gossiped the entire time, but I didn't wanna stop talking yet. "What happened to walking to the station together"? I pouted. "Sorry noley, but my dad and I are stopping by the dollar store" great-

"Yeah yeah.. go have fun looking at the 25-cent aisle-"

She laughed, rolling her eyes, "I'll be sure to pick you up tomorrow". I smirked, "With a bouquet of red roses and white chocolates"?

We exchanged a laugh and ended the call there, allowing me to put my phone on charge. Looking down on it, my lock screen caught my attention as it always does. It was the only nice picture I had on my camera roll, and it was a small family photo we took last year with Heather added. We all matched with a funky look,.. sigh.

Maybe 6 years? Or more? I wouldn't know when things changed. You don't really notice when it does until you look back and realize things just aren't the same as they were. When I look back, all I see is a lot of hardship.

Hardships come and go though. Nothing is permanent.

I stretched my arms above my head and stood up, it was about time to leave and Mom was going to hang out with us after school today. Finally!

She is always at work, always being called in. But this time she promised that she would spend the day with us. I grabbed my tote bag, which I fought tooth and nail for at the local mall this summer, and headed downstairs.

I didn't even reach halfway down the stairs when I smelled the overwhelming scent of coffee. Perfect! Just what I need for the first day back! "Mom! Can you pass me a coffee cup"? I asked, making my way into the kitchen. My mom turned to hand me the cup, "Here, but don't drink too much, I want seconds". I nodded. "Mommm can we please get McDonalds this morning" Johnny was laid out on the counter. I finished making my coffee, watching mom argue with Johnny. "I don't care that all your friends get McDonald's almost every morning".

"Yeah Johnny! Like you need anymore fast food", I laughed while he shared a heated face. "Come on guys, I have work in less-"

We all three froze in place, me and Johnny connected our eyes before looking back at our mother. I spoke first with a tight tone, "what do you mean work"? Her gaze avoided mine, guilty. Johnny huffed, and I chuckled deep in my throat, my head shaking at her. "You promise".

Her breathing quickened, eyes darting around as she was obviously searched for an excuse she knew wasn't going to work. Even he was tired of her going back on her word. "Listen kids, I have a job that puts food on the table and clothes on your bodies" she said, turning her expression to a more stern one. "Yeah, but you don't have to go every time they call you in", my point turning hers into mush. She turned back in annoyance, "I'm sorry Noelle, but it's important I go in as much as possible". I let it slide right past, not really caring about her response. "More important than spending time with us", my finger pointing between me and my very upset brother. "Yes"! Her response wasn't thought about carefully and it showed in her surprised look afterwards. I had no words for it, I only let out a short laugh that turned into a heavy sigh, "come on Johnny" I said, grabbing my coffee and throwing him his backpack, "wait- Noelle, Johnny" we slammed the door before she could speak up some kind of defense that was a half apology. Her apologies meant about nothing anymore these days, I was beyond tired of them and even my younger brother was starting to notice, AND HE IS TEN?!