Dancing in the Rain

1: The Boring Life of Samatha Porter

I wish I could just run away from all my problems, without having to look back. It would be so easy, climb out my window, down the oak tree in front and just, go.

But, it wouldn't be that simple. I would leave my little brother, Ivan, who is 6, my parents, and my widowed grandmother all to themselves, Samantha-less. So, to make all seem alright, I put up a brave facade. A smiling, freckled, violet-eyed face.

So, with my facade in place I lazily roll out of bed and checked the long mirror stood in the corner. Oh goodness. My jet black hair is a frizzy mess and my forgotten mascara is all over my face like war paint. I stood slowly and walked to the bathroom where I completed my morning routine. Shower, dressed, hair, contacts, and finally a touch of mascara to top it all off.

Finally all freshened up, I walked downstairs to get some breakfast. Grandma J sat at the small table sipping some Diet Coke and reading the morning paper. I wrapped my long arms around her shoulders and wished her good morning. "Good morning Ms. Samantha Jane Porter," she smiled as she pat my arm. "Anything good today?" I asked her. She pointed to a steaming plate of eggs and sausage on the counter.

I rushed over and hungrily ate it before Ivan could come and try to seal a bite or two. As if by magic, Ivan came barreling in, but not without his Star Wars X-Wing fighter toy he never left the house without. Ivan was only 6, while I was 16, with brown hair and eyes. He was dressed in his new basketball t-shirt for the first day of school.

Oh, the first day of school. When everyone is scrambling for a place to belong for the year. As always, I will be left to myself and be a "loner" for the next year. I sighed as I tried to not remember the last 16 years of my failed social life.

I looked outside at the pouring rain. It was always raining here. Here was Cincico, Vancouver. If our town was fond enough of tag lines on signs ours would probably read,
WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL
CINICO VERMONT
WHERE IT'S ALWAYS RAINING

Yeah, something like that.

I snapped myself out of the aimless fantasy of town signs and rain and began cleaning up breakfast while Grandma J read more of the newspaper. "Ivan!" I called, "We have to get going!" "Ok!" He smiled as he scrambled to get his things together. I leaped up the stairs, two at a time, to get to my parents room.

I knocked and walked in. "Sam! You ready to get going?" My mother asked as she pulled on a jacket. I nodded. "You know there's a new neighbor coming into the neighborhood! They're moving in a 3 doors down!" She said excitedly. I smiled at her and gave her a hug. "Love you Mom!" I told her. She smiled and hugged me a bit tighter.

Eventually she let me and go and I bounded down the stairs once again to drive to school with Ivan. As we headed out the garage, the rain had condensed into a light drizzle. Ivan and I walked to the car and drove past the moving vans, the workers, and the new neighbors,  to school.