Chained

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

For some people, mornings are a signal of a new day of work, school, or just chilling at home. For me it’s my warning of another day in hell. Another day I have to put up with my obsessive mother, snobby, bratty, older sister, and my annoying turd of a little brother. Dad doesn’t bother me as much, but that’s only because he spends most of his time in his office, writing his songs.

This morning I got up to find Nina staring at me. Nina is my sister’s cat, which she never takes care of. Nina hissed in my face and whipped her tail in my face as she turned around. I swear that cat is out to get me. Ever since Alexa, my sister, brought her home that cat has made sure I woke up with a mouthful of fur every morning. I groaned as I got up, and checked the time, 6:30 am. I rubbed my face and went to the bathroom o get ready for school.

When I was done, I got dressed in my usual black attire, and went downstairs. Alexa and Jordan, my little brother, were already eating their bowls of cereal. They were both dressed in their school uniforms, and eyed me as I reached for the Cheerios.

“Going to another funeral, Z?” Jordan asked. I sighed as I poured the milk.

“Ever get board of the same old joke, JoJo?” I asked, using the nickname he loathed so much. He pulled on his midnight blue blazer, and concentrated on getting the spoon into his mouth.

“Why do you wear so much black?” Alexa asked, putting her bowl in the sink. “You look like some Goth or Emo chick in those clothes.” She added, flipping her perfect blond hair behind her back.

I rolled my eyes at her. I don’t look anything like my brother or my sister. Both were blonds, with blue eyes, and both very tall, like my mom. I looked more like dad, with black wavy hair, and an average height, but dad’s eye color wasn’t like mine. He had dark obsidian eyes, but a shade of blue around the iris. Mine are just an ordinary brown.

I looked down at myself, and looked over my clothes. Back T-shirt, black jeans, black sweater, black converse, and last time I checked, black socks and undies too. I assure you, I’m not Goth or Emo I just like the color. I always have, but that doesn’t really mean anything. Does it?

I looked at Alexa, and saw she wore her black skirt with her white dress shirt, as always. But she always made the uniform look sluttier than it really was. She wore her skirt higher, and her shirt was unbuttoned so that you could see her cleavage, and the black tie she wore hung loosely around her neck. I never understood how she pulled this off, without getting sent home.

“I’m off to work. Lex, make sure Jordan gets to school on time today.” Mam said walking through the kitchen. She was in her usual blue scrubs and gray sweater. Mom is a nurse up at the hospital. She picked up an apple on her way out.

“Oh, and Zyra.” She turned back to me. “Please be on the school bus today.” She said. I just nodded and she left.

“To make sure you got on the bus today, I promised your mom I would walk you to the bus stop.” Dad said, coming into the kitchen. I sighed.

Yesterday, I ditched school, and got on a city bus and not the school bus. I didn’t have a really good reason to ditch, I just felt like it. I hadn’t done it before and I wanted to see what it was like. It was my first and last time. I swear, but mom doesn’t really believe me.

“Come on Jordan. Let’s get you to school.” Alexa said, grabbing her bag and purse. Jordan chugged down the rest of his breakfast, and ran out the door after Alexa. Dad kissed Alexa’s cheek as they left, and came over to sit by me at the table.

“Want some coffee?” I offered.

He yawned and shook his head. I continued to eat while dad watched me. It was nice to see dad out of his office, it was a rare sight. But I sort of hoped he’d look – well, cleaner. He had his sweats on, his hair was messy, and he starting to grow a beard. I don’t really care what he looks like, but I’ve never actually seen him all dolled up.