The room was eerie silent as I ly still, flattened like a pancake on my cozy queen sized matress, I not dare to move, afraid of loosing my comfort level, so instead hands crossed on my pounding chest I glare up at the ceiling in pure awe. The glow in the dark stars no longer enchance me instead leave a cold dark shawdow upon me.
My dad and I had put them up when I was only about 7 and a half. We had laughed as the latter tipped and he joked about falling off. We shared a pack of twizzlers red licorish, the kind that are so delicious and mouth watering you can't resist but to take just " 1 more" until the whole 500 gram package is now emptied.
I remember how they used to give my comfort as my dad sung me to sleep. He would rock me in his arms for hours , caressing my long blonde hair. Long story short they no longer comfort me the same, no since things changed, and neither does his floating memory, instead it haunts me like a warrior pounces on it's prey.
My head was buzzing, my ears ringing as I realized my alarm clock, the one placed on the other side of the room had gone off. My mom put it there for days like these where I felt leaving my bed was impossible. "shut up, " I grumbled but of course it didn't
"woof woof!" great I thought shaking my head and pry my covers off my sweating body. Now Mya is up. Mya and Banjo are my two foster dogs right now. we take animals from the Humane Society and care for them until they get adopted out. we also have 16 cats, 6 birs, 105 fish, 2 lizards, and a sugar glider called Honey. So you get the picture, we're animal lovers, especially my older sister Rayna, who is studying to be a marine biologist, that is how we ended up with a 3,000 gallon fish tank in the middle of our open concept home.
Mya continues to bark and cry until you take her and Banjo for their morning walks, which yours truely is responsible for. I throw on my garfeild pygama shorts and head to the bathroom. It's only 5:38, but for me that's sleeping in. I'm used to it, and so is mom. Rayna doesn't wake up until 7 , she usually feeds the fish and cleans the tank then get's ready and heads to school for 8:35 . Myself on the other hand, am responsible for grooming and feeding all the animals, walking the dogs, going for my early run, showering, doing my hair and makeup, eating breakfast and making my lunch, straightening my hair because mom is always lecturing me about wearing it down and heading to volley ball for 7:45.
I splash cold water on my face and jog down the steep set of stairs. On the counter is my usual friday allowance, $100 smackaroonies, but I work hard for my money and besides $50 of it is being put away towards my college fund, which not to mention starts in 2 years, I'm terrified.
" Jazzy?" my mom calls her voice raspy,
" Yes mom, your meds are on the counter , now i told you how many times? you need to take your sleeping pills before bed. You were a wreck last night." I sigh as I hear her cough, mom has cancer and isn't doing so well lately .
I worry about her, she constantly reminds us how she's fine, but I know otherwise. The doctor she has is too sweet and won't tell Rayna or I how ma's really doing, she fears the dreaded look of worry on our faces.
" I know sweetheart," she murmurs and smiles a longing worried smile at me. At times like these she usually reminds me how everything will be okay, but she doesn't today. I close my eyes wishing dad were here. He would know what to do, where to go, what doctors to see; but instead Rayna and I are left to care for mom alone.
"you're beautiful," she says taking my hand in hers. "And so strong," she props my chin up and I look her in the eyes and gives me a weak smile. "I'm sorry " she whispers kissing me gently on the foehead.
" Mom I-" I begin but she places 1 finger to my cold lips. her touch is warm and sends jolting shocks throughout my body.
"I know," her voice is soothing , like a lulaby. I ly my head in her hands and allow her to brush her fingers through my thick sweating hair,
"Thanks," I barely whisper before she leaves up to her bedroom. I proabably won't see her for the rest of the day, she needs alot of sleep nowadays..
I head into our large marble counter , ceramic tiled kitchen. I open the left side of our double door fridge and grab the plumpest peach in sight. I bite into it all letting the juicy goodness over power my taste buds. I make my lunch and grab the dog leashes off the key hook. " Mya , Banjo," I call in a loud whisper, hoping they wont bark and wake ma up.
"wooooooff!" Mya hollers, but Banjo is silent as I slip over their choke chains. "hush girl!" I spat, If mom wakes up I know I'm screwed.
"shhhh" i repeat almost like a baby, her whining dies down as I continue to comfort her.
"okay girl ready?" i ask and can tell she's holding back her yipe. I pat her black muzzle.
I head out of the house and towards Maple street park , three blocks down.
"careful Banjo" I remind him, if he pulls to hard the choke chian digs into his warm fur and pierces his flesh.
By the time we get to the park I feel like my arms are going to pull out of their sockets.
My head feels heavy and drained and all at once there he is: Jonah Parkers, only the cutest guy at Sarasota high. And his alone, walking his dog too! His eyes are a deep ocean blue, his arms rough and muscular. His spikey brown hair and cute freckles take my breath away. I am so consumed in his eyes that I don't see Mya slip out of her lead. Banjo moans and lies down covering his eyes with his paws as if to say "oh brother"
I immediately chase after her, "Mya!" I scream, but she continues galloping, further and further away, until I can no longer see her in the distance, oh my god! I think, the train tracks are over there!
