Mysterious adventures in the shadow of trees

Chapter 1: Pay attention

-Sofia-

"Sofia, you never take a break from your phone," my parents would mumble to each other.

I continued scrolling, looking for more makeup products to try. However, I stopped when my eyes began to feel sore.

When I looked up, I noticed that half of the picnic food that I chose was gone already!

How long have I been on my phone?

"Do your eyes hurt?" my dad asked.

"Okay, okay you win. What do you want from me?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"I'm just saying that we brought you out here for a reason: to enjoy nature. You're constantly surrounded by technology at school and home; it's not every day that you get to just breathe in the fresh air and be in the moment."

I am always anticipating the future, which would be when my purchases arrive at my front door... Bless online shopping!

I blinked my eyes shut.

But my father is correct. Gah, I despise it when this happens.

I unwillingly nodded and reminded myself that if I continued to stare at my phone, the food would all disappear. I glanced around the table to review my options: a loaf of bread, apple pie, granola bars, and toast.

All was good. I was sitting on a bench in a forest and ate, spending valuable time in the environment. I then went to pick up my phone and began scrolling again. Then, the most horrific sight caught me in my place: I had no service.

My eyes were still sore, so I put the phone back down. Face down.

I subsequently started to enjoy nature. I took a long breath, inhaling the woody perfume and diverse odors, maybe from the many species of trees. I was dwarfed by a redwood. The texture was rough, with parts that looked like bamboo twisted together like a twizzler. The trunk was red-brown in color, thus the name. Bunches of green leaves protruded from various sections of the stem.

I only knew what kind of tree this was because I read an essay on redwoods and sequoias in fourth grade. I didn't have a computer back then. So much had changed in the last five years.

The sky began to cry quietly as I made my way to the top of the redwood. My bread was surrounded by water droplets.

If I keep on staying here in the open, won't there be bacteria growing on my food?

"Oh no! It's raining! We have to go back home," my sister Scarlett exclaimed.

My eyes danced on the stage because it would mean that I could continue browsing on my phone!

Know-it-all: What happened to respecting and enjoying nature?

Me: That's something for a bright day.

Scarlett held onto her handmade apple pie as I grabbed the loaf of bread and granola bars. With the rain on the way, an inner voice warned me to spend extra time with family, especially while cooking and baking, because the rain may spoil it. Nonetheless, my mother interrupted my train of thinking. "Who knew it was going to rain today? The weather prediction said that it will be sunny all day! That is why I wasn't carrying an umbrella."

Something didn't feel right though. It felt like I was missing something.

I already got my necessary food, so what else am I missing?

My eyes darted around; I couldn't believe my phone was still on the table when we began walking down the path hopefully to our car! It had always been my number one priority when packing, not food.

What's gotten into me today?

The air grew damp, and the drizzling rain spit on my face, which had makeup on. All my hard work disintegrated into the atmosphere. This was why I didn't like going outdoors.

Without thinking, my arm came up to my face and wiped the makeup off!

What a disaster! I never sacrifice my clothing like this!

The sky darkened as if numerous tall trees hovered over us. Afterward, a burning question kept repeating in my head: How are we not at our car by now?

I didn't bother asking my family members because I somehow transformed into an observant person. For instance, I realized that my mom was trying to use Google Maps to find our way, my dad was trying to look for any familiar signature trees or architecture, and Scarlett and my brother Thomas were giving drastically different signs of which way to go.

"I think I saw a cottage somewhere around here. Maybe we should ask the mysterious person in there for help?" Scarlett suggested.

"But what if there's an armed person in there?!" Thomas asked, frantically.

"In the middle of nowhere trapped in the woods? Where on earth would they get a hold of weapons? It's so lonely out here," I added.

"Well, if you think you're so smart, Sofia, how about you think of a way home?"

My family was going to hate me for saying this, but I also hated myself for even thinking this way. I never did. I didn't know why today was so different than previous days! Everything spiraled in my mind; I just couldn't think straight anymore.

"We're waiting," Thomas commented.

I sighed.

"What? It's not like you're patient at home either."

He had a point. "I don't know what's gotten into m-," I began but Scarlett cut me off.

"Alright sis, hurry up, okay? We're all going to be drenched because of your sloth mouth!"

Since when did she become so rude? She had always been protective of me and our family. That's it.

"You're going to hate me for saying this, but I was thinking that I could stay here."

"In the rain?"

I nodded.

"Are you insane?!" Scarlett's face turned from shock to furious to calm. "Anyone else have other ideas?"

"What if a bear showed us a way?" Thomas asked eagerly.

"A bear? We're gonna be his lunch! Why are you two not thinking rationally today? I'm talking about you, Sofia."

That makes sense. Thomas has always been that strange kid.

A thought struck me. "Dad, did you get your wallet?"