Shades of Gray ♡ Michael Nesmith

Chapter 1

I was rudely shaken awake by my one of my older brothers, Matthew. "Wake up! Breakfast is ready and mom will be mad if you don't eat!" He yelled intentionally into my ear. I swatted at him and grumbled.
"Shoo, you." I mumbled and pulled the covers tightly over my head in attempt to block out his screeches. "You sound like a banshee." I told him with a hint of a smirk on my lips. With that comment I felt the harsh slap of a pillow on top of my head.
"Natalie! Wake! Up!" He said smacking my head repeatedly with the pillow until I sat straight up glaring at him. "Good morning beautiful!" He grinned waving like a loon. I launched forward in attempt to grab at his neck. He screamed like a little girl and ran out. I felt the harsh slam of the cold wooden floor and my face.
"Ugh, why ground? What have I done to you?" I mumbled and rubbed my head sitting up. "Look at me.. I'm so tired I'm talking to a floor." I grumbled and shook my head. "Damn you Windy for talking with me so late." I sighed. Windy was my best friend. I could practically talk with her about anything! It just happened that last night we had talked over the latest Monkees episode. We both had a burning love for the four men. We found them absolutely adorable. I loved Mike while she was more of a Davy's girl. She seemed a lot sadder when we talked, but I brushed it off thinking she had just failed a test like usual.
With a reluctant sigh I climbed to my feet and shut my door. Mornings weren't my favorite thing. All I wanted was to sleep forever and not have to worry about school, or homework, or..anything for that matter. My eyes instantly shut from the blinding ray of Texas sunlight. With a few rubs with my fist, I was able to see again. I sighed and checked the thermometer that sat near my window. '80 degrees' it read. I groaned and shook my head. "I'm praying it doesn't get any higher than that." I walked over the closet to search for something to wear. I pulled out high waisted shorts and a flowery blouse. I changed quickly as I heard my mother's yells for me to come down and eat. "I'm coming mom! I'm coming!" I called as I dragged a comb through my hair and puffed it up a bit. I pulled on my flats and rushed downstairs to the table. Everyone was sat down and waiting on my tired arse.
"Good morning darling." My father greeted and kissed me on my cheek. I smiled at him and nodded him a good morning. I grabbed a slice of toast, a couple spoonfuls of scrabbled eggs, as well as a muffin.
"You better eat that all Natalie." My mother warned. "They're are starving children who'd give anything to eat like that." She waved her fork at my food.
"Mom, I will eat it. If I don't I'll send it to the kids that are starving." I chuckled and started to eat. My brother, Lyle, slid a glass of orange juice towards me.
"Wash it down kid." He laughed and winked. I tried not to choke as I almost laughed. See, I was the youngest of three boys. Lyle, Matthew, and Matthias. Matt and Matthias were twins. They were 19 and were in their senior year of high school. Lyle, he was 21. He's just extremely lazy and right now has no aspirations in life. Then there was me. I was in my junior year of high school, so if you're guessing that makes me 17 or 18. Nope, I'm 16! I skipped a grade for being one of the highest ranking kids in my forth grade class. So, they chose to move me to fifth. Anyways, back to my brothers. I always looked up to them. I wanted to do everything that they did! When they go out with my father to round up the cattle on the farm, I was at my father's pant leg pleading and begging to go with them. I didn't care how many cuts I got, how messy I got, if I got teased for being 'tomboy'. I had fun with my father and brothers. I looked up to the four of them.
Suddenly, I was ripped from my thoughts about my brothers and father by my mother's sweet gentle voice. "Boys, Natalie..there's something your father and I need to share with you." She said looking at all of us. She slowly took my father's hand and let out a big sigh. I was suddenly overwhelmed with worry.
"Mom, is something wrong?" I questioned looking at her and then at my graying father.
She instantly shook her head. "Oh heavens no! This is good news. You all know how I've been looking for a new writing job?" She asked. We all nodded our head, staring intently at our parents. "Well, I got a job! But it's not here in Dallas..its..its in Malibu, California." She said looking at all of us. My face flushed white.
'Malibu. We are going to California. Malibu is wear the Monkees are! But I have to leave Windy and all my other friends." My mind rushed with thoughts much like this. I started to become choked up. "H-Have you found a house?" I asked with a crack in my voice. With no words my mother nodded. My head fell into my hands. "I can't leave my friends! Malibu is filled with snotty stars, and stuck up kids! I don't know anyone there except a TV band and I doubt they are actually in Malibu!" I explained and looked at her.
"Honey, I know you are upset about this and it all being so sudden, but we have no choice. We bought the house and we have to leave the farm by Monday." My father explained setting his hand on top of mine. I counted in my head. That was five days to pack and I couldn't do it that quickly.
I looked at both my parents and then my brothers whom seemed excited that they were going. I slowly stood and itched my neck. "Well.. okay. I'll get packing." I mumbled blankly and walked upstairs. As I got to my room, I collapsed into bed and groaned. I didn't want to leave the farm. I grew up here! I had so many memories here! I have friends here that care about me. In Malibu, there was just going to be fakes! I didn't want to be around people whom only cared for themselves and not others. I turned onto my back and stared at the ceiling. "I guess I should say my goodbyes first.." I sighed and got up. I trotted down the stairs where my mother was clearing the breakfast table with the help of my brothers. "I'm going to Windy's." I told her and grabbed my keys and opening the screen door walking out and letting it slam shut.
I looked around the farm land that I grew up to know. Knots in my stomach had started to form as I fumbled with the keys in my hand looking around at everything. I was truly going to miss it here. I slowly dragged my feet to the beat up red pick up truck that had been handed down to me from Lyle, who got it from our Uncle Howard. I got in and put the key in cranking it. It turned over a couple times until finally it started with a loud groan. I sniffled and totally didn't realize the tears that dripped down my cheeks. "Shoot." I mumbled and wiped my face with my hands. Pressing the gas, I took off down the long dirt driveway that separated my family, from the other townsfolk.
Driving through town, I looked at the shops and the people that passed them or were in them. Many had sweat stains on their shirts from the heat. It was crazy hot and I was hoping that it would calm down soon or we'd get some rain. Windy, didn't live that far from me. She was in her own little farm that was away from the busy town. I pulled into the long driveway and parked my car outside the large farmhouse. I huffed and got out walking up the steps and knocked. A collie ran up and jumped on me. "Hey, Roady." I said rubbing his head and looked up as Windy's mother Gretchen Walters, opened the door.
"Oh, Natalie!" She said hugging me and holding me tightly. "I heard that you are going to Malibu." She told me and held my cheeks in her hands. "We are sure going to miss you around here darling." I cracked a smile and nodded.
"I'll surely miss you, Roady, Willis, and Windy." I told her sincerely. I looked over her shoulder as Windy stood on the stairs watching. I walked over and hugged her tightly.
"Shucks! I can't believe that you're leaving! Awe, we won't be able to go to prom together! Promise me that you'll send photos and letters?" The tall, dark haired girl asked.
A wide grin formed on my lips. "The only reason you want pictures is just in case I meet the Monkees isn't it!?" I laughed.
She instantly pretended to look offended. "I have no idea what you are talking about!" She flipped her hair and turned her back to me. "How dare you assume ma'am!" I laughed and dragged her down the stairs.
"Let's go!" I yelled
"What where!? Are you kidnapping me and taking me with you!?" She gasped dramatically as she rested her wrist on her forehead.
"Boy do I wish I could that! But you're coming to help me pack!" I looked at her as she climbed into the passenger side of the the truck.
"Well alright, I guess that'll have to do." She sighed and blasted the radio that played the Beatles. The whole ride home, we sang like lunatics and shared many laughs.
'Man..goodbye is gonna be hard.' I thought.