Storm

1

My skin felt hot. My eyes burned from the sunlight. I felt the tingle of a beginning sunburn on my forehead. I sat up, disoriented and briefly confused. Then I realized, I'd fallen asleep again. I placed my hands on the hot granite beneath me and pushed myself up from the rock. I came to this particular spot in the woods whenever I needed to relax or think. I had oh so cleverly named it Think Rock when I was 11. I slid off the giant boulder and caught myself before I stumbled forward into the dirt, still slightly unstable from my nap. I had sprinted here from my house in a blur, wanting nothing more than to get out of my so called home and think about anything but my parents. After a few minutes of thinking though, I had fallen asleep.

The hot May sun was relentlessly baking my fair skin as I began my walk back to my house. I walked slowly, dragging my feet and stopping whenever I found an excuse to observe a leaf or play with a insect, anything to increase the amount of time I could spend away from home. But to my despair after walking painfully slow for about ten minutes, the corner of my house came into view. I couldn't see my dads car anymore which probably meant he'd left again. I was fine with that; the house would be quiet with no one there for my mother to yell at.

I loved both of my parents whole heartedly. My mother was this amazing, strong, independent, confident woman and my father was a sweet, compassionate, level-headed, open minded man. But it was a blessing and a curse. They were both amazing people on their own and I had great relationships with both of them but together they didn't always work. Their relationship had its flaws and I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if they got divorced.

I walked into my kitchen and slipped out of my Birkenstocks, kissing my mother on the cheek.

"Are you okay?" I asked, gently touching her arm as she busied herself with mindless house hold chores.

"Fine. I'm fine." She said nonchalantly.

"Mom-" I began.

"Your room is a mess. Why don't you go clean it?" She interrupted. I took a hint and nodded, grabbing my shoes and walking upstairs to my room.

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My dad called me downstairs an hour later, briefly after getting home.

"I picked up dinner. It's on the table. I'm going back out for a meeting with Steve." My dad said kissing me on the forehead briefly before pulling on his jacket.

Steve was Dads assistant. Dad was self employed and sold products for multiple companies. He'd hired Steve a while back to just help things run more smoothly. We were pretty well off thanks to Dad, especially since my mom didn't work.

I walked into the kitchen to see Chinese take out on the table. My mom sat picking at some lo mien noodles while my little brother, Philip, inhaled some Peking chicken. I grabbed a box of rice and opened it, scooping a spoon full of chicken on top.

"I'm going to go eat outside," I said closing the box and grabbing a pair f chopsticks off the table. I walked over and grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge before slipping on my shoes. My mom looked at me quizzically before sighing.

"Okay. Be careful." I nodded and opened the back door, slipping outside. My mom probably thought I was just going to sit on the back porch, but I walked passed our outdoor table and stepped into the grass, then began my trek to Think Rock. I walked for a few minutes, observing the woods and breathing in the fresh pine needle scent. I approached my rock and caught whiff of a pungent scent. But it wasn't the Chinese food in my hand. I slowed my steps and opened my eyes, becoming more alert. I heard a sigh and some twigs crack, then saw movement up ahead. I took a few more cautious steps before stopping.