𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧 𝐌𝐞 | 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 #𝟏

CHAPTER 2: Time to Explore

Alexandra 

The ride from the airport to Arwas was a blur. Orientation wasn't until the 15th, so we decided to come on the 14th to spend at least one day with Arwa. It was about a twenty-minute drive and I was asleep for nineteen of those minutes. By the time we arrived, all I wanted to do was jump into the nearest bed but my manners wouldn't let me. I see Arwa standing in the driveway of what appeared to be a modern farmhouse, right next to it was a huge tree with a tire swing and apricots littering its base. We tip the driver, unload our luggage, and make our way to Jas's grandmother. Almost immediately she embraces Jasmine in her arms kissing her cheeks.

"I'm so happy you're here sweetheart, you can't begin to know how much I missed you." She turns her eyes to me, and I begin to speak, "Thank you so much for allowing me to...", suddenly she grabs me and now I'm trapped in her embrace, she smells faintly of sandalwood, it's comforting. After about two minutes she lets me go, "It has been too long my dear, the time without you made me realize Hallmark is only fascinating with you talking about how horrible the acting is. I missed having my two girls with me." I can feel the tears start to form but I push them down. Jas takes my hand as we walk through the door, and gives me a tour while Arwa goes to her room to get some sleep. She was so excited that she stayed up until we arrived, and even though it was only nine, that was way past her normal bedtime.

Upstairs are 3 bedrooms with Arwas's room located at the very end of the hall. Evelyn, Arwa's best friend and roommate, tried to stay up and wait for us but eventually fell asleep which was understandable. The room Jas and I are staying in has a basic layout, two beds on each side of the room both with floral bedsheets, a side table holding a lamp right in the middle, a closet on the left wall that is fairly large, and a desk below a huge window on the right wall that happened to be facing the neighboring house.

I have the urge to stick to my routine and shower but I'm just too tired. I go to the restroom across the hall, which Jas showed me during the tour. I brush my teeth, wash my face, and decide that will have to do for today. I change into my pajamas which consist of an oversized twilight shirt with Edward's face on it and black shorts, then jump into bed.

- Beginning of dream

I skipped recess to talk to Ms.Martinez about the book I just finished. She had introduced me to The Magic Tree House, which became my absolute favorite series. Yesterday she gave me Midnight on the Moon, no.8 in the series, and I already read half, as we discussed I munched on the turkey sandwich she had packed for me.

Now I was back at home with only a few pages left when I start to hear John call for me, "Alexandra, can you come downstairs please," his voice was calm but shivers still ran down my spine. I close my book and make my way downstairs. When I get there I see my mom on the couch going in and out of consciousness with a needle on the seat next to her, like usual. John is sitting at the dining table eating cinnamon toast crunch with the box next to him, and in that second my heart stops. He motions for me to come sit down, and I take the seat facing him.

"I bought this cereal two weeks ago, correct?" I nod, "Why do you think I placed it on top of the fridge?"

I claw my nails into my hand to try and stop the shaking, "So no one...no one would touch it."

"Bingo! So imagine my surprise when I go into your room and see bits of my cereal on your bedroom floor," he stares me down waiting to catch me slip up on an excuse.

It was 3 am last Tuesday and I hadn't eaten in days. I came to the realization that John had been laid off from his job that week, which meant he wasn't going to waste any of his money on the Lunchables I usually ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ms.Martienz was still on vacation which meant no sandwiches from her, and my lunch account, like always, was at $0. I mustered up all my strength to crawl down the stairs and into the kitchen, originally I came down for water but I looked up and saw the cinnamon toast crunch looking down at me from the fridge. I knew what would happen if I touched them but I was desperate, and as I climbed onto the countertop and grabbed the cereal all I could think about was finally having food in my system.