Unexpected Changes From Unexpected People

Chapter 3: Serena's Unexpected Visitor

When she got home that night there was a suitcase and an overnight bag in the den by the couch. She looked around the antique room, along the back wall there was a built in book shelf and across from it the wall was almost completely window. The right wall was decorated with pictures of the family and there was a door leading into the study. All of the walls were covered with wallpaper to make them look modern. The furniture was all modern having been bought at the beginning of the year. The whole house was updated every year.

            So daddy’s going out of town again even though he just got back home, she thought. Oh well. I ought to be used to it. “Hey Blondie. How have you been?” her brother asked her surprising her. She turned around almost falling as she did so because her legs were getting twisted, as he hugged her.

            She went into the study and got a piece of paper and wrote good. My voice is still here, just rusty. There was a new kid at school and this is how we’ve been talking. I haven’t spoken to him but he’s trying to get me to. But how have you been?

            “Good,” he replied warily not knowing what to do. She nodded and encouraged him to continue. “I’ve made a few friends, but I’m glad that you met this new kid. How did it happen? I know you’re shy.” He replied as the doorbell rang and he got up off of the chair he’d been sitting in to go get it.

            She got her homework and then sat down on the couch that was in the study to work on it. The study was similar to the den. There were three roll-top desks all built in the corners in the room, one in the front and the other two in the back. Then there were bookshelves that were aligned in the middle of the room. In the corner where there wasn’t a desk a couch along the wall and two chairs pointed towards the couch but at the corners of it. She was erasing a mistake in her math homework when her brother came back in the room and acted like he was going to sit on her.

            “Well I’ll never do that that again. What happened Serena you used to love fooling around like that. What did you poke me for? And if you write down your apology I’ll kick your butt.” He said playfully.

            “Sorry,” she replied her voice cracking because of being used so little, “I didn’t mean to. I was trying to erase something. Your butt was in my way. You keep your butt away from my math homework and you won’t get poked.” She replied starting to laugh.

            The laughing stopped seconds later when they both stared at her. But she was surrounded by two people she trusted and at least one of them understood her. So she didn’t care. She looked at them shrugged and went back to her homework. “So, Serena? You going to stop writing and start speaking? Sorry, but I don’t understand what happened to you. You would never shut up when Uncle Dan was alive.” Her brother asked.

            “I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened either. Guess he was my voice. But now I’m uncomfortable speaking. I’m much more intelligent than most of my class. I’m afraid they’ll make fun of me. I guess as long as I’m not in school or around classmates I can talk, but in front of people who can’t accept or won’t accept me I’ll freeze up and I know it. “she replied her voice still faint.

            “Well it’s a good thing, and I know if I don’t warn you, you’ll be mad, so mom and dad are having another party to night. But are you going to introduce me to your friend?”

            “ Thanks, and if he stops staring into space long enough,” she joked, as they looked over to Xavier who was staring at her as if he’d seen a ghost, “ Xavier, Xavier, Xavier, you there?” she asked waving her hand in front of his face.