Dears At My School

Alex

I was packing my bags when my mother came into my room.

"Alex, can you watch your little brother really quickly? I need to go on my jog." my mother asked me

"Yes ma'am" I uttered, continuing to pack my clothes as my mom sat Max on the bed.

I continued packing, hearing the door clothes, hearing the door shut letting out a sigh. I began finishing it. I stood up from the spot where I had been sitting for an hour. Stretching my back I saw my brother Max playing on his ipad. I began looking around my room seeing what I'll be leaving in a few days. My fathers old record collection with his old record player that still could play a tune. My book shelf with notebooks I used throughout my life. And of course my secret drawers filled with my diaries so only I can see.

I hear the car starting, knowing where my mother was going. I raced outside to see my mom's car but it was already down the street. No, use of yelling 'don't get drunk with your homewrecker' if you knew she already was. I started to walk back inside hearing my sister crying, I walked towards her room her dirty blonde damp in her crib. She was hungry. I walked to the kitchen to get her bottle, sighing seeing no more formula.

I step towards Max's room to grab his jacket and shoes and made my way to him. I sat down to struggle putting his shoes on and put his coat on. Gabbing to mine and sliding it on, I went to my sisters room grabbing her hoping a pacifier would settle her until I get more formula. I pick her up in my arms cradling her and called for max.

"Max come here" I shouted. Not even a few minutes later he comes to me talking about batman. I go around the hallway closet looking for the stroller and not finding it. Mother must've left it in her car. Welp, the grocery store shouldn't be more than a block down. So I took my keys off the key holder after getting to the entrance. I grab Max's hand and set off to the grocery store walking at a speed of pace so I don't drag max.
We made it to the grocery store and immediately went to the baby aisle to pick up some formula. After securing the goods I went to the pasta aisle picking up some microwavable macaroni and cheese. Hearing a scream and gunshots I get on the floor and crawl to the back of the store in hopes of staying hidden. Once we get there I cradle both Max and my sister, Claire in my arms holding them close and praying to whatever god is real that we make it out. Hell, I don't care as long as my siblings make it out.

More shots are firing repeatedly as I close my hands around my sister's ears. Hoping one of us doesn't lose our lives. But I know someone will.

There I hear the gunshot tearing through skin. Phantom pains hit my system. I look down, kissing each of my siblings.

"Ale-Alex are you okay?" Max stuttered into my arms.

"Yes, just stay quiet, okay everything will be fine." I said nearly sobbing.

I hear a sound of a police radio hearing 10-24 they're coming near us but I dare not move.

"Hey, you okay over there" someone says.

I don't move an inch till Claire starts crying. I try to calm her down by shushing her. Hearing the man call over his radio "send the paramedics in" I stand up wobbly on my feet but regaining balance. I picked up Max and the groceries and made my way to the door. I walk out to see the first responder's, they stare at me with Claire still crying. I start to make my way down the block only for the firefighters to stop me.

"Hey, hey, hey you need to come back, we need to check you over." a firefighter said.

"No, I need to feed Claire and max" I said mumbling.

"You can feed them over there okay" he said mumbling "who's Claire

"Mhm" I said, looking down and covering the Baby with my jacket.

C'mon nice and easy, now can we check you out." He said as he guided her to sit down.

"I need water" I began to ask. They began to hand me the bottle of water as I pulled the formula out the bag. I began filling up the correct amount feeding it to Claire.

It feels like the air has changed around me. I looked up and saw everyone looking at me.

"What?" I Asked.

"You had an infant with you." One of the paramedics asked.

"Yes, this is Claire she's 5 months old"

Right then CPS pulled up and started to step out of the car.

"Fuck," I whisper. I see they stop to talk to another girl around my age, I sigh before receiving the okay and booking down the block ignoring the soft calling of stop.

I made it home, not letting go of the two I went to hang my keys up and start on the macaroni and cheese.

Once it was done I sat Max down to eat while I put Claire to sleep.