My Sunflower [h.s]

f i v e

( THANKS FOR THE COVER GOES TO FOOKINLOUIS BC IT'S BEAUTIFUL! NO ONE HAS EVER MADE A COVER FOR ME BEFORE!)

A week goes by and I continue to receive messages. 'H' also remains anonymous. I have yet to find their identity, and it's quite frustrating.

After school releases on Friday afternoon, Vie drives me home and I see my mother's car in the driveway. Vie gives me a strange look, but doesn't push it. We say our goodbyes and I walk to the door, preparing for any situation. I hear yelling from the inside. My parents must be arguing.

The last time I can ever remember them fighting was right before Mom switched to the nightshift at work, almost three years ago. The scene unfolds in my head as I lie down in the grass in my front yard.

Solana had just gotten home from her last day of third grade, and I from eighth. Mom and Dad were supposed to take both of us out to Hamilton's for a treat, but when we returned from Solana's bus stop, they were fighting. I heard glass shattering, and I knew it was bad. I opened the door and quickly yelled, "Solana and I are going to the park!" then slammed the door. I didn't want Solana to hear what was going on in there. She was only eight. She wouldn't understand.

The whole time, Solana asked about the ice cream. She thought we weren't going anymore, and then she began to cry. I told her it was okay, that we would get a bigger surprise, maybe. On the walk back to the house, I saw Mom pulling out of the driveway and racing down the street.

I sent Solana to her room and saw Dad sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. "Is Mom leaving?" I remember asking. He shook his head no.

Now that I think about it, she basically did leave. She sleeps all day, and stays out all night at her job. She's not really here.

But now she's really in the house at three o'clock in the afternoon, and she's arguing with my Dad again. I take a deep breath and stand up, making my way to the door. I can be brave this time, and hopefully I can shut it down before Solana gets home.

"Hey, I'm home. Sorry I'm a few minutes late, we got stuck at a train." As soon as my parents see me, the yelling ceases. Mom's pale face is covered in years and dripping mascara. Dad is breathing heavy, his face returning to it's normal tan shade rather than the red it was a moment ago.

I stop, and look at Mom, trying to act surprised that she's here. "What are you doing here? Don't you have work?" I check the clock on the wall. "Are you alright?" I ask in a more serious tone, obviously referring to her makeup stained face.

Her blue eyes dart from me to Dad, and back to me. "We'll talk about this later, Mike," she spits. Mom stomps down the hallway and to her bedroom, slamming the door. She kind of reminds me of a teenager. Dad takes a look at my confused expression and pulls me into a tight hug.

"I love you, Grayson," he says quietly while holding my head close to his chest and stroking my hair.

•••••

I really want to know why Mom and dad were fighting, but I know better than to meddle in their personal business. If they want to tell me, they will. If not, I will just have to find out.

Solana got home shortly after Mom stomped off to her room like a brat. She didn't seem phased by the car in the driveway, so she must not even realize Mom is home. If she knew, she would march into the constantly dark bedroom and tell Mom all about her day.

Dad puts on a brave face and asks Solana how her day was, and gives her a small after-school snack: apple slices with creamy peanut butter and cinnamon sugar. It's her favorite.

Dad calls me to the living room while Solana munches on her apples. "Your mother and I... What you heard earlier, try not to worry about it. It's nothing. Just a spat." His aged green eyes stare into my golden ones and I can't help but believe his words.

"Yessir. I assumed so. Usually, she's not home, so it's inevitable that you guys argue sometimes," I say smoothly. Dad nods and lets out a sigh of relief.

"Good, good. You won't tell your sister, right?" he asks a little quieter. I don't know why he could consider I would say anything to Solana.

"No, of course not," I nearly snap. Whenever it comes to protecting her from any kind of harm, I become Mother Bear. I may only be sixteen years old, but it's my life missions to keep Solana away from the real world as long as possible.

•••••

Anonymous:

Hello, beautiful. I hope your week has been great, and I hope you have a lovely weekend. Continue to smile and spread your loveliness around to others. Much adoration, And have a great day/night, xH.

(pls remember vote/comment/share this story. also, what's your favorite song right now? mine is december by neck deep. -e)