Elayne

[22]

The soft chirping of birds brings a smile to my face as I lie in a sleepy haze. It feels as though I haven't heard them in ages, though it's only been a day.

Waking up to their twittering and the rustling of leaves, my mornings always begin with a sense of freshness. It rejuvenates me, preparing me for the day ahead.

That's what I love most about this little town we live in. It feels really good to live surrounded by nature and I feel really lucky about it.

When we first moved here, I often felt sad, especially with Mom away for days at a time. I had nothing to do after school but stare out the window.

Then one day, I decided to take a walk, and that's when I came across the small stream in the woods that led me to the lake, which is my favorite spot now.

It was in that moment I fell in love with this place, with its quiet serenity. It of course did not take away the loneliness I was feeling, but it definitely gave me peace. From then on, I focused on my surroundings and started spending more time in nature.

Still smiling at the thought, I slowly open my eyes, only to be met with a mop of black, wavy hair beside me,whose owner seems to be sleeping peacefully next to me?

I blink in surprise, staring at the hair, trying to shake off my grogginess. Then it hits me. It's Mavy, asleep with his head down and that I now live with my brothers and no longer in the small town.

I facepalm myself, when it dawns on me that I was dreaming.

Releasing a sigh, I glance around to check the time, but furrow my eyebrows when I realize this isn't my room nor Mavy's.

Whose room is it then?

I roll over and lie on my back, still looking around the room with furrowed brows, trying to piece together how we ended up here.

As I think, my eyes land on the abstract painting hanging above the headboard of the massive California king bed we're lying on. making me tilt my head and stare at it in awe.

Just then, yesterday's events suddenly came rushing back to me, making my eyes widen. I bite my lip as the memories flood in: the fight between the twins, me leaving the house, my brothers finding me, the flashbacks, the dream, telling everyone about Mom...

Oh my God!

How could I've forgotten all that?

My eyes widen even more, if that's possible, as the full realization hits me. I can't believe I told my brothers everything about Mom. I've never shared any of that with anyone.

No one was ever supposed to know.

I try to steady my erratic breathing as I replay everything I said yesterday, crying like a baby in front of them.

I was surprised that they didn't scold me, unlike Mom, who would always tell me to stop acting like a baby whenever I cried.

Because of that, I've always tried to keep my emotions in check. But yesterday, when I finally told them everything, I couldn't control the dam of emotions anymore.