𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗 ── a. banks¹

𝟬𝟬𝟭. rainy days & movie nights

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Chapter one — rainy days & movie nights
TW: foul language

October 2nd, 1992
Cassie Conway

MUDDY PUDDLES SPLASHED BENEATH my Converse as I walked home from a long and tiring day at school. My brother walked next to me as music blasted through our headphones. Mine played Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac while Charlie's playing an Elton John song I haven't placed yet. As we were walking, we walked into a deep puddle that covered the sidewalk. The muddy water splashed on both of our shoes.

Charlie was frustrated and exclaimed, "Damn it!" He proceeded to rub the mud off his brand-new Nike shoes. I couldn't help but laugh because my Converse had seen more than any pair of shoes Charlie had ever owned. My Converse has been painted on, drawn on, and stepped on countless times since I got them in the first grade.

Charlie shoved me and said, "Shut it, I know you're laughing," causing me to stumble into more mud. I retorted, "I hope you know you're just giving me more room to draw on," as Killer Queen by Queen started playing on my headphones. I turned up the volume up as Charlie opened the storm door and held it open for me, and I leaned against it to keep it open. As Charlie unlocked the front door, thunder rumbled in the distance.

"I hope the power stays on," I said as Charlie opened the front door and held it open for me. "No kidding," I added, locking the door behind me before walking through our small family room and dining room. When I turned, I saw Charlie's nose already in the refrigerator.

I said, 'You're so weird,' before walking upstairs to my room. As I opened the door, I spotted our black tabby cat, Jinx, lying on my bed, curled up into a ball on top of my pillows.

My mom adopted Jinx when he was only seven months old, and we all instantly fell in love with him. Although my brother Charlie and I had originally wanted to name him Shadow, my mom decided to call him Jinx instead. He usually spends most of his time in my room, but he also likes to wander around the house as if he owns the place. As I walked into my room and set my backpack down, I heard a faint meowing sound coming from my bed. When I turned around, I saw Jinx stretching out on top of my bed.

"Well, good morning J," I said, petting his head lightly. Jinx rubbed his head in my hand as I scratched it lightly. He started to purr under my touch as I smiled and kissed his head lightly before standing up to slip on my painting jeans. The jeans had either a small design, paint spill, or a star on every spot on the denim. They still looked nice, but I would never wear them out. With a pop of my knee, I looked through my cassette tape bin to decide which one I wanted to listen to while I painted before watching MTV later tonight.

"AC/DC or Led Zeppelin?" I asked Jinx. I looked back at him and saw him grooming himself, so I grabbed my AC/DC tape. I sit down at my desk and put the tape in my boombox. Jinx jumps into my lap as I unwrap the saran wrap from my paint tray. I grab my paintbrush and wet it lightly before drying it on one of the paper towels I had in my room. When I dipped my small fingernail into the paint I had poured last night, I broke the shallow surface before feeling the cold liquid on my fingertip. I wiped my finger on a blank spot on my jeans before starting to paint on my canvas.

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    AS I WAS FINISHING the last stroke of white paint on my canvas, I picked up my detail brush to clean up any imperfections. Suddenly, my door swung open, and I was surprised to see my twin brother standing there. I turned my head towards the canvas and noticed a white streak that had ruined my work. My jaw dropped in disbelief as I realized what had happened.