Hannah ||
It was a morning like ones I had many times before. Dragged from the bed, I had woken up at noon and was handed a sandwich as I lay on the couch watching a movie that was on. Katie was hard at work cleaning up the kitchen when I heard a loud noise symbolizing that someone had either left or returned to the house. Katie placed the plate she was cleaning in the sink as I turned around to look at her. Her face had contorted into confusion which caused mine to do the same thing, furrowing my brows like she had. She then walked out of my view around the wall.
"Oh, you're home! Come on, I just made Hannah lunch I can make you guys something." I could hear the anxiety in her quavering voice. I wondered who it was that was here causing her anxiety. I wasn't sure if it was the person or the loud slam of the door when they had come in.
"Thanks babe, but you don't have to make anything. I can make it myself." It was obviously Jack that was soon walking into the kitchen to where I could see him. I felt my head tilt as my facial expression remained emotionless. Where was Carson?
"Oh, no, please let me make it. You must be exhausted." She was trying too hard to please everyone. I knew exactly what was going to happen, like it had many times before but as tired as I was I remained in my place on the couch. I turned my head away then as Jack took Katie into his arms as if he were trying to calm her. I knew what would follow and being as he was my brother and she my best friend I found it weird to be around so, changing my mind, I took my blanket -still wrapped around me- and sandwich and fled the scene, rolling my eyes so far back I'm surprised they didn't pop out of my skull.
I'm not sure who ended making the sandwich because I went ahead and took a shower after I ate to give myself a kick start. I stayed in the shower until the water began to get even the slightest bit cold. Finally, I got out and changed into something I could wear for the rest of the day. I wasn't planning on doing anything spectacular today so jean shorts and a t-shirt were my choice. It was going to be hot today though.
As I was looking at my outfit in the mirror, my small pug pushed open the door came snorting into the room. I figured I should let her out and called her so that she would tag along beside me as I walked to the stairs. I stopped at the stairs for a brief moment thinking I heard voices. When it was silent I shrugged and continued down the stairs. After letting out Tubby I found a note on the counter. Sprawled in Katie's messy handwriting was:
I will be back ASAP.
Went to the barn.
-Katie
Of course she went to the barn. Suddenly the thought crossed my mind that maybe she had taken Jack with her. Maybe Carson and I had the house to ourselves.
Tubby let out a small whine from the other side of the door launching me from my thoughts. I quickly went to let her in then charged up the stairs and went to the door of the room Carson was staying in. I was about to burst in when I heard the sound of Carson's voice.
"I don't know any way to describe it Jack! I can't stop overthinking about everything! I thought this had stopped!" Carson sounded so entirely distraught but my thoughts went straight to what he was actually saying.
"Look, I understand you're already upset Carson but you need to tell me the truth about what you're thinking about!" Jack sounded annoyed yet worried for his friend.
"I'm not lying Jack! I am overthinking everything! Just like I did back when we were kids! Back when it was so bad I took medicine!" Carson exclaimed. I could hear him heaving now and my heart dropped at the desperate sound of his sorrow.
