Meeting You

Chapter 1

I sneaked in through the kitchen door and tiptoed on my mother's expensive linoleum floor, careful not to leave it muddy from all the hiking I had just done with the boys.
I breathed in a sigh of relief when I'd finally snuck in and flopped onto my bed. You know that feeling you get just before you get busted? Yeah I felt it while pulling my shirt off...right before my mother burst through heading straight for me. Her hair was dishevelled and her eyes were blotchy. I cringed and took a few steps back.

"Where have you been?" She breathed.
Uh-oh. That voice was for when I was really in trouble.

"Uh..out back planting daffodils."
Really Jordan. That was the best you could come up with? I mentally slapped myself.

"Foolish! Out back planting daffodils in a blazer, heavy ripped jeans and boots?!? These are freaking Timbalands for crying out loud. All for backyard gardening? Stupid!" She yelled and hiccupped.
Ouch. When my mom got offensive then it meant she'd been fighting with my dad. That explained the runny nose and hiccupping.

"Mom. I'm sor.." I started.

"And what is this? Your boobs are way too big for this bra. Where are all the bras I got you?"
She yanked off my shirt and pulled at my 'lucky' bra.

"Mom.."

"Jordan! I've had it up to here with all your boy issues." She pointed at her neck when she said 'here' and I almost laughed.

"What boy issues?"

"Shut up! Tomorrow you go to camp."

"What?! Mom its my..."

"No negotiations. None. You. Go. To. Camp. And that's final." She stormed out and banged the door. I stood for a moment and huffed, a tuft of hair rose off my forehead and fell back into my eyes.

Before I could even fall asleep, the yelling started. My parents were always at it most of the time. I was getting used to it...almost.
I slowly climbed out of bed and into the hallway, to my brother's room. He wasn't asleep. I knew because we all never could whenever there was a fight. I climbed in the bed and he pulled the covers over me. I fell asleep to the sound of his breathing and music blasting from my twin's room next door.

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The table was its usual noisy state because my twin brother, Riley, always brought friends to breakfast. Of course my mother would allow him but not me. Everything was always no. Tomboy this. Tomboy that. Tomboy always. I gritted my teeth and attacked my cereal. Then my mom dropped the bomb.

"Jordan's going to camp."
I looked down into my cereal and tried hard not to punch my mom in the gut.

"What? Why?" Riley spoke first.

"Because. Your sister has a condition. She's totally crazy. She simply refuses to become like her supermodel sexy mother."

Leslie choked and spluttered milk all over the table. Dad snorted. And Riley's friends laughed. I lifted my head only to check if my mom was drunk or not. She was. How embarrassing. It was only just 8.00 am.

"Well anyway she leaves on Friday. Friday, Jordan. You need help. Before its too late."

I rolled my eyes and dumped my bowl in the sink. My best friend, Nicki, was outside waiting for me on her car. She and I were volunteers at the rundown aged home. We helped out on weekends and holidays. I really liked it because it was peaceful and I was learning about Jesus. Natty, an old beautiful grannie was my favourite patient. She liked me because I had red hair like her dead granddaughter.. or so she said.

"Jordie! I missed you. Come here." She wheeled herself towards me. She was not exactly paralyzed but there were days that she just didn't feel like walking.

"Awww Natty. I missed you too. How's your heart?"

"Beating. I'm not dying now."

"Amen."

"Yes amen. You're learning a great deal from me that will help you in the future. What did I say about Jesus?"

"Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Nobody goes to the Father except through Him."

"Right. How's your family? Sit my dear." She gestured towards a bean bag in the corner.

"My family's the same as always. My parents had a fight yesterday though. My brothers and I have learnt to deal with it. Now that I'm praying more and more I'm calmer. And Leslie and Riley love to hear about the things that I say about Jesus except I'm not so sure they believe yet. They seem confused sometimes. Its just nice to hear that there's someone out there who died for you and loves you no matter what."

"Mmm. How about your parents? Have you tried talking to them?"

"Not really. The only time my mother and I have a Congo is when I do 'something wrong'. And my dad is always busy." Tears sprung into my eyes but I quickly blinked them away. I hated to cry in front of people. It made me feel weak.

"Oh dear. Life will turn out fine. Just relax."

"I hope so."

My family was a house of churchgoers. We all dressed up on Sundays and trooped down to the town church but we never really got anything. Its until I met Natty that I actually began to listen to all the sermons and go for weekday masses and read the Bible and stuff. My brothers listened and even prayed sometimes but they were completely into it like me.

"Jordie?" Mattie handed me a cup of iced tea and I took a sip before I remembered.

"That reminds me. Nat, I'm going to Camp Attitude on Friday."

"What? Why?"

"My mom and the issue about my tomboyness."

"Are you really going?"

"Yes. No arguments and besides I want yo leave home for a while. I'm tired of all the fights."

"Poor child. I guess you are after all."

"I hope. I'd really like to make some new friends too."

"It'll do you plenty of good." She smiled and proceeded to tell me about things were with her family. Natty made me forget about all my problems and just laugh freely, at least for a few hours.

:p Blurgggh! So this is my first story. uhh...maybe its a bit boring but come on its only the beginning. I'll update soon...pinky promise. :) TOODLES!