Silent Eyes

1, Anticipation

Monica's bedroom was in complete disarray, with clothes spilling out of the closet and shoes scattered all over the floor. Every drawer was wide open, and the harsh light illuminated the chaotic scene. Amidst the mess, Monica rummaged through her belongings, tossing some items onto the bed while discarding others that failed to pique her interest.

She was in the process of packing for her upcoming flight to Santorini, Greece, but she was far from finished. As she moved around, Monica stumbled upon a pair of sandals and briefly contemplated throwing them into her luggage. However, after a moment of consideration, she decided to leave them behind, opting for something more stylish instead.

Just then, her phone began to ring, and Monica rolled over to check the caller ID. A bright smile lit up her face when she saw her dad's name on the screen. "Daddy!" she exclaimed with delight. "What's up? I thought you and Mama were out shopping!"

Her father's voice beamed through the other end, filled with joy. "Well, you know your mother," he replied. Monica laughed, well aware of how her dad must have been exhausted. Going shopping with her mom meant spending the entire day in stores while her mother deliberated endlessly on what to buy. It was enough to drive her dad crazy at times.

"Let me guess," Monica chuckled. "You're hiding in the men's restroom, aren't you?" When her father didn't respond, she burst into laughter. Collapsing onto a pile of clothes, she sighed, "Oh my goodness, you crack me up!"

"Monica," her father scolded, feigning irritation. "This is no laughing matter! My feet are killing me, goddammit!"

Her laughter subsided, and she gazed up at the ceiling fan, blinking softly. "I've been packing all day," she sighed. "I still have no idea what to bring." Listening intently, her father nodded in understanding. "It's Greece, honey. Just pack your summer clothes, and don't forget to bring your mace!" he suggested. However, Monica chuckled and flipped over onto her back. Leaning against her arm, she hummed thoughtfully, "Daddy, mace is actually illegal in Greece."

"Okay, how about a taser, then?" he inquired. Amused, she smirked and replied, "That too." He let out a sigh, likely rolling his eyes, and Monica couldn't help but silently giggle. Her father, a retired police officer, was always overprotective, ingraining the words "be on the lookout" into Monica and her brother's minds. It didn't matter if they were in the safest place on Earth; he would always prioritize their safety. But that's what Monica cherished about her dad-the unwavering dedication to protect his family.

"Are you feeling nervous?" he asked her after a brief pause. Monica pursed her lips, contemplating the question. Then, shaking her head, she sat up straight. "No, not really. I'm excited and ready to experience new things. I'll definitely take lots of photos and buy some cool stuff!"

"And remember, stay away from creepy guys!" her dad added emphatically. Monica made a playful grimace, rolling her eyes. His protective nature was kicking in, and she knew she had to reassure him, or he would keep repeating the warning to infinity. "Yes, Daddy, I'll stay away from creepy guys," she promised. Her dad beamed with pride. "That's my baby girl."

They talked for a while until Monica noticed that it was nearing midnight. She still had a lot of packing to do and needed to get enough sleep for her flight the next day. Yawning, she stretched her arms. "Daddy, I have to finish packing," she said. "But I can chat with you tomorrow morning." Her father seemed disappointed yet understanding at the same time. "Okay," he sighed. "Just please, please be safe, and I love you."

Monica smiled softly. "I love you too, Daddy." The call soon came to an end, and Monica was once again faced with her messy bedroom.

With newfound determination, she packed a few summer dresses, shorts, and tossed some sunglasses into her suitcase. Monica gazed down at her bag, impressed with her selection of items. She had packed essentials for hygiene, cute clothes that would blend in with Greek culture, and even remembered to bring her laptop charger. She felt more ready than ever!

Now she needed to tidy up her bedroom. However, as she looked down at the clutter, Monica found herself lacking the motivation. She pouted and eventually fell back onto her bed. She told herself she would clean it tomorrow morning, but deep down, she knew it was a lie. The room would remain a mess until she returned from Greece. And perhaps, just perhaps, she would then gather the energy to clean up.

Monica lay on her bed for a while until she heard a knock at her door. Sitting up, she frowned. Getting up from the bed, she stumbled over the clothes, exited her bedroom, and headed towards the door. "Yes?" she shouted. It was Marcus on the other side, and he shouted back, "Girl, if you don't open this door, I'm kicking it down!"

She opened the door to see her brother grinning from ear to ear. Grimacing, Monica crossed her arms. "Now, Marcus, what are you doing here?" Marcus brushed past her, barging into her house, and Monica turned, shutting the door. "I didn't even invite you in." Finally, Marcus stopped and placed his hands on his hips.

"I came here to bother you," he revealed. "To make sure my little sis doesn't end up as the next clueless American stuck in a foreign country." Monica tried to appear annoyed, but she couldn't help but smile and mentally scold herself. Marcus never failed to make her laugh.

"You and Daddy can be so annoying," Monica said, plopping back down on the living room couch. Marcus joined her, snatching the remote from her hand, and his goofy smile met hers. "I mean, he's right. We're not flying out to bail your ass." With that, he turned on the television, and Monica wanted to kick his skinny ass, but she knew she would lose the fight. "You're such a pest," she could only manage to say.

The siblings watched TV while catching up on life. Marcus had just started dating a new girl, despite breaking up with his previous girlfriend just a week ago. Monica felt disappointed in her older brother, and she made that clear, but he brushed it off with a simple shrug. It was getting late, and she wasn't going to let Marcus spend the night. "You need to leave," she declared.

Feigning hurt, Marcus placed a hand over his chest. "Ouch." Eventually, he got up, rummaged for his car keys, and slipped out the door, bidding a final "Bye." Monica was now alone, and she reclined on the couch, feeling tired.

As her eyes grew heavy, Monica closed them, succumbing to the exhaustion that had been building up. Gradually, her muscles relaxed, and she instinctively curled up into a comfortable position. It didn't take long for the weariness to overtake her, and Monica drifted into a peaceful slumber. The promise of tomorrow awaited her, filled with anticipation and new experiences.