Run, Don't Walk.

This is my second try at my first work in a whole new direction. I'm kind of new at this, but please comment or share your critiques or ideas. Thanx!! XD!

ONE:

"If you could change one thing in your life to make it different, better for you, what would it be?"

I stare at her for a moment, thinking about everything that has happened in my life and somehow gotten me here. I know she's only trying to help, and she is very nice, but Malerie just doesn't get it. It doesn't matter to me that she has a degree in psychology. I don't care how many fluffy pillows she crams onto the small sofa in her office, or that she stocks her mini fridge with my favorites: Mountain Dew and Boba, every week for our hourly session. Why can't she see that? I don't want to be here! Is it that hard to understand? I just don't get-

"Alyce!" Her annoyed voice rings out, breaking me from my reverie. "Just answer the question, please. We only have an hour and we've already used forty-two minutes and thirty-nine seconds of it. So, for the love of Mary, just tell me."

It wasn't a very complex question, and in reality, there's probably alot I would change about my life. Like the fact that my father left when he found out my mom wasn't having a boy. Or my mom's complete dependency on alchohol. But there is one thing I would really like to change.

"Alyce! Just try to focus, o-"

"I wish my little sister was never born." There. That felt good to get off my chest. I mean, it's not everyday you hear someone say that who actually means it. And it may not sound good, but it's the truth, and my mom taught me never to lie...before she married any form of alchohol.

Malerie just stared at me, shocked. Flipping her short blonde hair back, adjusting her glasses, and folding her hands delicately over her already crossed legs, she asked the silent question. "Why?"

I did the best to explain myself. "Well, mom's always giving her so much attention, and going on and on about how she hopes Bryleigh doesn't turn out to be like me, and I don't even know what that means! I think I've turned out fine, considering I've had to basically take care of both mom and myself, when I'm not at the mall with my friends. Oh! And speaking of that, did you know that Chord is finally talking to me? I was shocked, too. Believe me. But now everything is looking up and everyone loves me and life is just GRAND! And-"

"Alyce, as touching as this is, I think I'm going to have to ask you to please leave. Our time is up today. Thank you."

Okay. So, while trying to put her just-a-little-too-harsh tone aside, I look down at my vibrating phone, alerting me of a text.

Alyce, it's mommy. Come straight home after your session. Its urgent.

Ahh, my life. Why can't she tell I'm supposed to be going to my session with Malerie, then heading to the mall to meet Darcee and Chord, just like every Friday afternoon? But, no. I can't do that. So, not feeling the least bit accomplished or sorry for my selfishness, I walk out to my Jeep, get in, and realize something. It doesn't smell right. Now mixed with the familiar scent of lemon blossoms and lavender, is a hint of cigarette smoke. Looking around for the cause of odor, I notice a locket on the floorboard.

Dangling it in front of my face, I take in the small gold chain, the heart shaped locket with a little sign of wear on the front. Opening it up, I see the picture of a handsome, middle-aged man, and a woman holding a baby. Seeing the woman takes me aback, but I can't put my finger on the familiarity.

My phone ringing breaks me out of my trance. When I answer it, all I hear is the sound of my five year old sister's cries and my mom's panicked voice.

"Alyce! He's here! He's coming! Get Bryleigh out, keep her safe, please baby. I need you to do this for me. I love you." And the line went dead. Knowing that for once my mother wasn't having another of her little episodes, I slammed the key in the ignition, punched the car into gear, and flew toward home.