Changing the World

Chapter One: Writing

I was sitting at my desk, looking down at a blank piece of paper. Thinking of what I could write down.

I need to come up with something. This is ridiculous.

The clock kept ticking, minutes would go by and it just kept getting later. I looked at the time, it was going to be midnight.

I should be asleep...

I stood up to look outside my window, searching for something to inspire me, then I look up. "Oh! The moon, I can write about, uh...an astronaut landing on the moon." I sit back down and adjust my seat, pick up my pencil then again, I freeze.

Dang it brain! Just work for me this once! Maybe I need some water...

I get up and slowly open my door, creep downstairs and grab a water bottle. I open the lid and slowly drink.

Okay, an astronaut on the moon. Should it be a girl or a dude? Or maybe it will be a failed mission and the people need to figure out how to bring he/she back ho-

My thoughts are interrupted by a male voice, "What are you doing up this late?" Startled by this sudden intrusion and spit out some of my water and cough, "Why...did you sneak up on me?!" My dad shrugged, "I heard you coming downstairs and was going to check on you, make sure you're not sneaking out."

Sneaking out? If I wanted to, I would have already been gone.

I wipe my face from water and spit, "No, I would never do that. I just couldn't sleep so I came to get some water." He looks upstairs then back at me, "You always turn on your light when coming downstairs? We gave you the room with the most lighting, whether it be from the sun, moon or city." I just shrugged and went back upstairs, "I'm going to sleep now, good night."

Ugh, he always questions me like I'm some sort of troublemaker. What's his problem?

I close my door and turn off the light. I lay down with my back on the bed and phone above me. "I should check what's been going on today, then maybe sleep. I hardly use my phone so I must have lots of notifica-" I drop my phone on my face.

Owwww! Why did I do that for? That hurt...

I notice I have only one notification, my friend, Julie messaged me, asking if I'm free tomorrow.

I suppose I can go, it has been a while since we've spoken, plus it would get me away from my dad.

I send a message back despite knowing of the hour. I place my phone next to me and close my eyes, "A little bit of rest shouldn't hurt."

Five hours later:

I open my eyes and check the time.

Meh, it's not even time to be awake. I guess I can try writing again. You know what they say, second time's the- wait...it's third time's the charm.

I sit myself at my desk again and stare at the paper.

Alright. Time to...start...writing. Hmm, about an astronaut.

I scratch my head a little, then look around. "Maybe the topic is a little too much." I stand up and do some stretches.

Getting the blood to flow. Should be a good start, it may help me come up with something.

I continue to stretch a bit more, then sit back down. "Alright. The astronaut sits in the shuttle. Waiting for the countdown to start, he checks if all the buttons are pushed, dials are twisted, and switches are flipped. He then relaxes his body as the countdown begins. 10, 9, 8...The astronaut closes his eyes and remembers his family...3, 2, 1. Blast off! The astronaut opens his eyes and the massive thrust of the engines push him into his seat. In an instant, he is in the air, flying towards space with a thrillin-" A knock at my door is audible, "Hey, are you awake in there?! I hope you didn't sneak out and just barely now get back home." My father spoke from behind my door.

Ugh I swear! He interrupted my drinking and now broke my train of thought! And why does he keep thinking I'm going to sneak out?!

I stand up and open the door. "No, I've been here the whole time! You just interrupted my new story." He barges in my room and I jump back, "H-hey! You can't just come in like nothing!"

I'm starting to hate him!

He picks up my paper and reads it, "What is this? This is just garbage, a complete waste of time." He then rips my paper in half. I scream, "Nooo!! How could you?! I hate you!" I run off crying.

Why? Why would he do such a thing? That was my paper, and he called it "garbage"! He is ruining my life and now broke my heart...

I ran into the bathroom and locked myself in, turned off the lights and cried. I have never been so hurt in my life, it was such a struggle to come up with that story.

Maybe it's time I actually run away, write my own story away from this house. I just want to escape.

An hour goes by and the house is silent, I slowly open the bathroom door and creep into my room. I notice there is a letter on my bed so I pick it up and quietly read it.

"Hello Crystal, I have to apologize for my rude behavior. I have a lot to answer for but your mother and I both agreed to sit down and have a talk. We need to get some things off our chests. Sincerely, Dad."

What's the point of this letter? I don't want to see his face right now, and I don't even know where they're at. I guess I can talk to mom, she is more understanding.

I send a text to her, the message reads: "Mom, I saw the letter on my bed. I want to talk with just you, not him." A couple of minutes go by, then my phone makes a noise, I see she messaged me back, her message says: "Well, we need to tell you something important, both of us. When you feel like it, please tell me. Thank you sweetie."

Important? What is so suddenly important? It better be an apology because I will be upset if it's not.

I agree to their terms and walk downstairs, I see them both siting on the couch.

I was not ready for this.

I quietly sit down in front of them and look down at the coffee table. Then he speaks up, "We wanted to talk with you because, well, I got a phone call from a man asking to see you." My stomach jumps as my mouth partially opens, "W-who wants to see me? I don't know any man." My mother sighs, "The man who called, is your real father."

WHAT?! They aren't my real parents?! Why didn't they tell me this sooner? I feel sick...

I clench my jaw and grind my teeth, "Oh." My "parents" look at each other in shock of my reply. Then he speaks again, "He said he wants to meet you but is away on a business trip so he cant come get you, but he did leave the address to his house. Apparently, your real mother is unable to pick you up but she will be waiting for you there." I stand up, "Well how will I even be able to see them? Are you two going to try to keep me locked up here?" Then she stands up, "No no, we will support your choice. If you want to live with them instead, we'll help by giving you money for travel. The only thing is, it's on the other side of the country."

Whoa, okay I thought it was going to be easy. This will be one big trip, but hey, I will be away from this bully of a "father" and I will be able to write more.

I nod my head and agree to go. I'm old enough anyway, I can take care of myself. They both acknowledge my choice and leave to their room, the next time they step out, they have money, a map and the location. I take the items and head into my room to pack up.

Oh shoot. I forgot about Julie. She'll miss me, and I'll miss her. I should see her once more and explain before I leave.

I send a text to Julie about meeting her soon to which she replied back almost instantly. I felt relieved, then after I finished packing, I placed all my stuff into a corner of the room.

It is time to make a step in life and do something. I just hope it will be worth it...

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Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I plan to work on this story as well as my other story, "The Mystery of Shargora City" more often. I'm excited to bring you a more focused first person story in the eyes of Crystal. I hope to hear from you all, thank you so much and see you in the next chapter!