Imagine {On Hold}

«Chapter 1 - Change of Plans»

«Mary's POV»

I rolled over in bed and slammed my fist down hard on my alarm clock. I missed the clock and hit the wood of my dresser. I cursed under my breath as I sat up and examined my now red hand. Again, I tried to turn the alarm off, and I did successfully. Slowly getting out of bed I realized today was the last day all of my family, excluding my dad, would be together.

Sean was going to dad's to go California. The lucky little brat. They're going there to go camping, hunting, or to do some other manly sport of some sort. I don't trust my dad, neither does my mom, so we got him a cheap phone to call us everyday. Sean, not my dad, is the sweetest person ever. He's the best little brother I could ever wish for. He has short brown hair and brown eyes.

My other brother, who is a year older than me, is Zachary, but he goes by Zack unless he's in trouble. He always protects me like I'm a porcelain doll or something worth money. He's always spending money on me, standing up for me, and helps me in some way all the time. I swear, it gets annoying being the middle child sometimes. He has longer dirty blonde hair that's pushed up in the front and he has hazel eyes.

My mom, Amy, is the sweetest lady you'll ever meet. Even though we're poor, she will give our last box of Mac N' Cheese to a neighbor who doesn't have any food. She'll always support someone's decision if it's someone she loves. Mom is always making outfits for me to try on since I live to wear dresses and skirts and other fancy clothes she makes to sell.

My dad-oh, my dad-he's just a bad person in general. He's a kleptomaniac. He's stolen from my family and never pays child support. Sure, he was in a few small wars, but I just think he's crazy in general. He has a mustache and a beard. He looks like a scared person and to me, he is one.

That leaves me. I sat up and ran my fingers through my dirty blonde hair. Like Sean and Zack, my eyes are brown, but they're so brown my eyes are almost black. My brothers were born around Christmas time, like everyone else in our family. Except for me. Everyone's birthday is in either December or January, but mine is in mid-June.

Today's the last day of school. I checked the clock and it said 6:30am. Zack was just going to drive me to school so I could get my report card then leave. Sean was leaving with dad at 8:30, so I had about an hour to get ready.

Here is our plan: Zack takes me to school at 7:30. We arrive back at the house about 8. Mom helps Sean finish packing and he and dad leave at 8:30. At 9, Mom leaves for work. At about 10 Zack leaves for work, leaving me by myself in our apartment. What? I have to know the plan. It's my OCD. My mom, older brother, and I always joke around and as I it's my CDO kicking in. Get it?! Because OCD means everything's in order... Maybe I should be quiet now...

Anyways, I pulled on a short sleeve V neck black shirt and a pair of my black jeans. I ran my brush through my think hair one more time before bobbypinning a small braid on each side of my head. I slipped on a pair of my multi-colored converse high tops. They weren't rainbows, just kind of- starry, I guess.

I ran down the hall passing my mom's, Sean's, and Zack's bedrooms. Mine was at the end while mom's was on one side and the boys' we're on the other side of the hall. Right next to mom's room was the bathroom a long with the shower. In the living room our cat, Sophie, was curled up on the couch fast asleep. I petted her for a moment, making her purr.

Making my way into the kitchen, right by out living room, Zack said, "We have a bit change of plans."

"How big of a change?" I asked as I pulled a couple plates from the cabinet. Zack made pancakes for us both. I glanced out the window and noticed mom's car wasn't here. She must have already taken Sean to his school. He just finished fourth grade.

"Well, my boss wants me to go out of town for a better pay than what he can pay me. Mom's going out of state for her job, so neither of us can watch you."

I groaned dramatically. I was best at acting. "Does this mean I have to go with dad?"

"No, our cousin and his friends are going to watch you." He slapped 3 pancakes onto my plate along with some turkey bacon. I hated bacon made from pork, it just made my stomach upset.

We sat at the table. I pulled the milk out of the fridge and started to pour us each a cup. I asked, "Which one, Z?" My nickname for Zack was Z and his for me was Em. Like M, but with an extra letter.

"His name's Louis. I bet you'll like him. He's just a couple years older than me, but when we were little you and him got a long great. I remember you two runnin' around singing Mary had a Little Lamb and he followed you around like a sheep." I blushed, but he continued. "He's from England and so are some of his friends."

"When will they be coming?" I shoved the last bite of my bacon in my mouth and gulped down the last of my milk.

I put the dishes in the sink as Zack grabbed his keys and said, "After Sean leaves and after mom leaves for work."