Hidden Talent

Chapter 1 - The Party

"I'm home Aunt Christy," I shouted out, making my voice vibrate throughout the empty house as I slammed the front door close behind me.

"In the kitchen," Aunt Christy shouted back. I dropped my book bag on the floor while throwing my keys in a small bowl, which sat on top of a small coffee table that was near the door.

As I made my way down the hall towards the kitchen, I smelled something burning.

"What did you try to make," I asked Christy, playfully scolding her once I entered the kitchen.

She turned towards me with a plate in her gloved hands with what looked like burnt cheese and red sauce oozing out on the sides. "Lasagna," she answered sheepishly. I just shook my head with a smile on my face.

"We discussed this already Chris. We are not eating anything you make because it's either burnt or it's considered food poisoning." I said as I slid on one of the bar stools that was placed under the kitchen island, overlooking into the kitchen layout.

"I know," Aunt Christy pouted, acting like a five year old child. "I just wanted to cook something on my own and make it taste as great as you would usually make it."

"I would appreciate it if you left the cooking up to me since you do everything else around here," I told her as I slid off the bar stool. I walked up to her and gave her a big bear hug to make her feel better. "You work and take care of the house, while I don't do much especially since I'm taking a gap year before going college, other than going to the gym for my classes. I should really try to find a job now that I actually think about it."

"Thanks. Your hugs always make me feel better." She smiled at me. "And you just got out of high school not so long ago, so don't worry so much on finding a job. I'm not saying not to get one but to take it easy and try to find one you like rather than rush into one. Now go to your room. I'm going to order pizza and clean up this mess I made. I'll call you down when it's here." She shooed me away not even letting me protest or say another word on the subject.

I went up to my room just like she ordered but only because she was giving me a pointed look just daring me to protest. But, of course, I did not. Wimp. You may say that but I'm not looking for my death wish and that's what I'm going to get if I dare go against Chris. She may seem warm and friendly, but trusts me, she could go all ballistic on you if you go against her decision.

I opened the door of my bedroom. Clothes littered the floor causing me to almost trip on my way across my room to my bed. Christy says I should clean it up, but I just respond by saying it's my work out obstacle I've made since my doctor said I had to work out more. Although, I believe I work out enough, running away from my aunts dogs should be more than enough, one reason I don't go to the backyard. I dropped myself on my comfy, cozy bed like dead weight. "Mmm," I sighed into the comforter of my bed, exhausted.

"I could just...sleep....now." My eyes began to drop from tiredness but all that vanished in just one second.

My bedroom door banged against the wall making me jump and becoming aware of all my surroundings. I looked towards the door to see who was making such a ruckus when I was about to take a nap. And there, in all her craziness, stood my best friend Eco.

"Ecoooo," I groaned in annoyance. "What do you want I was going to take a nap before you came making such an uproar."

"Get ready we're leaving in thirty." She said as she walked up to the door of my closet. She pulled the door back causing another bang that echoed throughout my room.

"Why do you have to be so louuud," I whined.

"No time for complaining. Go put this on." She tossed the clothes at my face.