Before I go to sleep

Chapter 1

My eyes open slowly, my breath suspended as I listen to the rain falling outside my window. I blink several times and my sight adjusts. Jumping out of bed I walk over to the window. The sky was tar-black and the large clouds were moving towards me. The rain poured down meeting the ground with a calming noise. The twisting of a doorknob, the sound of water running, and the silent yet noticeable sound of feet touching the cold hardwood floor can be heard. Everything sounds loud.

The leaves outside my window capture my attention. It was as if they were dancing with one another, they dance in the breeze like lovers, young love at a homecoming dance, or someone's who's giddy on going on their first date. The leaves are dancing in perfect rhythm every swirl is magnificent it is a dance meant to last forever and ever. I smile for a brief second before pulling my eyes away.

The photos hanging on my wall the ones I took a while back remind me of my past. Every photo is a reminder of what I lost. But every photo is also a reminder of the beauty captured, the happiness, and the thrill at being able to capture every single moment by a click of a button. Being able, to have the camera in my hands made me feel in control. I felt like I could stop time.

Looking at the clock on my nightstand I notice that I have approximately twenty-minutes to get ready for school. My steps are slow as I reach my bathroom. I managed to shower and brush my teeth in less than ten minutes. I quickly drape on a long-sleeved black shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Not knowing what to do with my hair I just leave it down. I look around my room and scanned for the items I need. Throwing my black messenger bag across my body I quickly throw my sketchbook, binder, and my two favorite novels of all time "Pride and prejudice" by Jane Austen and "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott FitzGerald inside my bag. I'm almost out my bedroom door before I remember my camera; gently I place it around my neck.

Dashing downstairs I go straight to the kitchen. My mom and dad are at the table eating breakfast. She's still in her pajamas: a t-shirt and lounge pants.

"Good morning," I say in as chipper a tone as I can muster.

"Good morning, sweetheart! Can I get you some breakfast? We've got eggs, bacon, and fruit... anything sound good?" My mom asks cheerily.

"Actually, I have to get going or I'm going to be late for school," I say.

"Well your dad is out on the patio. Go ahead and tell him you're ready to head out," she points to the French doors. I pull open the doors to the patio.

My dad sits with his back to the doors, facing the water, reading the newspaper. He must have heard me answer my mom because he sets down his newspaper.

"Good morning. Are you ready to go? And how did you sleep?" he asks going back inside the house.

"Yes and like a rock," I lie.

Double checking my bag I realized that I'm missing my most valuable possession. My younger brother's photo .As I searched frantically around the living room for the photo, I felt something rubbing against my leg. It was Garu, my golden retriever. I had rescued Garu from a shelter for abused dogs. I knew from the moment I saw Garu that he was special. I fell in love with him immediately. We understood and comforted each other. When I first adopted Garu, we've both been suffering from nightmares, but that had stopped three years ago. Garu nudged his favorite toy, a squeaky bone, and looked up at me with pleading eyes. There was something about the big guy that, I just couldn't leave him sad. I picked up the toy and tossed it out into the air.