The Quality Of Mercy

Chapter One

"Mia!" my brother, Jonathan yelled from next door. "What?" I say, slowly stepping around my room. "He's going to come! Don't you worry." Jonathan said reassuringly. I commented back, "You don't know a thing about being a teenager! Leave me alone!"

I quickly block out that horrifying memory. Jonathan is dead, Dad is dead. No boys. Well, except Evan. He never came that night. I wish Evan was here. Me afraid in Evan's big, comfortable arms. They're so welcome, so warm. So- "MIA! It's time to leave for your first day at UCLA! LET'S GET GOING!" Mom enthused from downstairs. "Woah, way to be excited, Mother." I say glumly. "How can you not be excited?! It's your first day at-" I cut her off: "College. Yes, I know. I'll be gone for a few years. Calm down." I stumble out of my room and down the stairs. "Hey hey. Are you drunk?! On your first day!?" I laugh. "No Mom. I will not do that on your special day." "Your special day, you mean." "Yeah. Whatever." I reply boringly.

We huddle into the car and drive to UCLA. And so we do, but we get gas, snacks and other things for the road. "Are we there yet? Woohoo Canadas Wonderland!!!!" Delorice pipes. "No. We're not going to Canada's Wonderland, silly. We're not even in Canada. Not even close. But soon, we'll be in Los Angeles. I'll miss your big sister!" Mom started, tears building up in her impeccable green eyes. Just like mine. "So... we're not there yet?" Delorice asks like its the first time. At this time, Dad would probably laugh and say 'No no, Deedee. We'll be there in about.. ehh.. twenty minutes. Okay, baby?" And Delorice will say back, "Okay, Daddy!" and start singing to whatever terrible tune is on the radio. I'd hit her hand and tell her to stop, she'll stick her tounge out and say "NO. MOMMY, MIA IS BUGGING ME!!!!!"