I'd Rather be a Gypsy (On Extended Hold)

Chapter 1

I look up to the dark sky as it slowly brightens; the dark gray blanket above lightens shade by shade, the storm clouds become more apparent quickly as the sun rises in the horizon but the sunrays can't peak through the thick storm that's brewing. I walk down the road in a zigzag pattern, the beat of a sad pop song playing in my head. I look down as my bare feet walk along the dark and empty asphalt, my black heels swinging in my hand because my feet started to ache before I even made it half way through my journey home. Tonight started out fun and carefree but it ended in disaster, like always.

You would think that by now I would know better, that I would interrupt the tedious and destructive pattern that exists and runs my life. But it's better to relive the destruction just so I can also relive the distraction and the feeling of being careless. Honestly, I could care less how this all ends as long as in the end I forget my heartache.

I look up and realize that I've made it home. I walk up the front porch steps and thankfully the walk home has sobered me up a bit, making me able to stay light on my feet. I reach down into the flower pot next to the front door and dig out the hidden house key. I dust it off and then slide it into the lock, only to find that it was unnecessary because the front door was already unlocked. I open the door in confusion; dad never leaves the front door unlocked. I close the door, submerging myself into the darkness. I throw my heels onto the hardwood flooring and lock the door behind myself.

Suddenly the parlor light flicks on, nearly giving me a heart attack. My dad is standing in the doorway leading into the parlor from the hallway. He just looks at me and the look in his eyes make a lump form in my throat; it's as if he doesn't recognize me. I listen as footsteps approach the parlor from the hallway and my brother, Mason, soon appears from the hallway and stands next to our father. Mason narrows his eyes at me.

"Where have you been, Audrey?" Dad asks, crossing his arms over his chest. After an awkward silence I come up with nothing. I finally get up the courage to open my mouth.

"I've been out." I say with my hands at my sides whilst a feeling of discomfort overcomes me. I've been avoiding them for months, nearly six months straight actually. I only come home when they are in bed and lock myself in my room, segregating myself from them. I leave the house once I know they've left in order to be unseen. I've been like a ghost in this house, only using it as a place to shower and sleep when I don't have a place to crash. I only come back here once every week or so.

"Well that's pretty obvious!" Mason snaps, irritated with my vague answer. "How about this: I don't care where the hell you've been! Why have you been gone?"

"Calm down." Dad tells Mason, his voice hard. Mason ignores our dad and just stands there waiting for my reply.

I just look back and forth between Mason and dad and I can feel all of my emotions rushing to the surface, getting ready to explode. I know what they're thinking and this is why I've been avoiding them. I knew this conversation was bound to happen, I'm not ignorant to think that they would be okay with me coming and going as I please without taking them into consideration.

"You've been running around in unmarked territory with that rogue bastard for months and don't lie and say you haven't! Pack members have seen it and people are starting to talk!" Mason bursts, taking a step toward me, daring me to deny it.

I look away from him, not able to meet his glare. I shrug. I won't deny it; it is what I've been doing.

"This is getting pathetic! Just because you can't get your way doesn't mean you can stop living your life and turn your back on the pack!" Dad stays quiet as Mason runs his mouth and keeps going. "You lost your place in this pack because it's as if you've fallen off the face of the earth!"