Throw Away The Key {ON HOLD}

A Cell of White Walls

I propped my chin on the palm of my head and stared out the window. Blurs of green and brown trees whizzed by and gave an exasperated sigh. We-my father and I-had just left the airport after I landed my 8 hour flight from England to the United States.  The Good 'ol land of the free.

Except I felt far from free. My dad noticed my repugnant mood and gave an addressing sigh. "I know this is hard for you, Bear," I flinched at the nickname. "But I couldn't just leave my job, you know how long we have planned this." My dad was the CEO of an extremely invested car company, and it made my family super rich. I opened my mouth to say something, but thought better of it.

Earlier I had asked him over the phone before I left for my flight why I couldn't stay with my brother Alec, or why he couldn't move to England himself. Both were foolish, but it was the last stab I had at staying. He had said over the phone, "Your brother is going off to Medical school, and won't be able to take care of you. The only option is for you to come back." I hung up without saying goodbye.

Now I'm riding shotgun in my dad's red Porsche driving back to my hometown. I didn't speak, only stared out my window thinking of the warm welcome my fellow classmates were going to give me. I snorted resentfully at that, earning me a questioning look from dad. They were probably going to dump me in some trash can and laugh as a welcoming gesture. You see, I was bullied to some extent in my Freshman year, all because of some stupid rumor that I begged all of the boys on the football team to be my boyfriend and they all said no, and whoop-de-do, the proud nickname 'Brynn the Broke' was bestowed upon me. Isn't that crazy? The thought that the freshman that I was actually had the guts to ask the entire freaking football team out. You won't believe how overjoyed I was when dad gave me the opportunity to travel to England. In fact, I remember running around in my backyard jumping and cheering. Honestly, it wasn't the bullying that pissed me off, it was the whole school actually believing the rumor that broke the camel's back.

Before long the car ride was over, and I stepped out of the car and looked around. The house didn't change much, in fact it didn't change at all. My house wasn't what you would expect from a multi millionaire like my dad, but we really didn't need a big house. He had enough money to buy a small island, three mansions, a personal helicopter and yacht, and still have enough money for 3 more generations. After my mom died when I was 8, it was just my dad, Alec, and I. There was no need for maids or fancy gardens in our family. We were taught that chores can help you in some cases. I even learned to cook a thing or two. Plus, dad wanted us to have some humility in us.

The house was a two story, with a black gate and cement fence surrounding it. There was a balcony above the garage, where my dad parked his Porsche. It may seem unprotected, but believe me when I say this place was rigged. There were hidden cameras in the lamps on and above the porch, as well as ones surrounding the pool in the back. Hidden audio recorders buried in the grass, and silent alarms that alerted my dad at night when a door or window was opened. With all of that, it was almost impossible to sneak out. Notice the word almost.

My brother and I figured out a way to disable the cameras leading on the left side of the house with one of Alec's friends, along with the silent one on my balcony door. I remembered when he found out how many cameras were set up after sneaking out to go to a house party in my freshman year. Dad found out and he was sent home drunk. Alec was grounded for a month after that. I chuckled at the memory, an amused smirk tugging at my lips.

I got my bags out of the trunk and followed my dad to the front door. He opened it with his key and stepped inside. I followed. Like the outside, the inside was pretty much the same as when I left. Same dark cherry wood floors, and same marble countertops in the kitchen. The only difference I could spot was the living room. There was now a fireplace below the Flatscreen TV. I guess dad got one built during the winter we were absent. He was always complaining about how cold it got and that he was never warm enough.

I placed my bags in the doorway and went outside to get the rest. After lugging all my bags inside, I took the smaller ones filled with makeup, books, and my guitar up to my room. I opened my door and gently set my black guitar case down on the floor.

My room had modern white walls and was the one that opened up to the balcony that was opposite to the doorway. A queen size bed sat freshly made opposite of the large floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stocked with books, succulent plants, and on the right one, my favorite light blue Polaroid camera that Alec got me for my 13th birthday. A Flatscreen Tv sat on a white dresser that separated the two bookshelves. My white desk was pushed to the left corner beside my bed. A lamp was plugged in on top and a cork board hung above the desk. A gray plush chair was pushed under the desk.

As I got closer, I noticed the string of Polaroid pictures tacked up on the cork board, each tied together with a light blue ribbon. There was one that showed me blowing out my candles on my 13th birthday, laughing along with my friends. Another with me in a white lace sundress on a beach, My dark brown hair flowing like a curtain behind me. final one showed me swinging on the swings in the park. This one was more recently, when I was fifteen. Alec had taken the shot, and I felt a hard pang in my chest at the thought of him. I suddenly felt very small.

I sighed and laid down on my bed. It seemed as if my room's white walls stretched on forever, and I was trapped inside them. I closed my eyes, suddenly aware of how exhausted I was. I guess that screaming baby on the plane kept me from sleeping. But it was also the thought of me going back to school without my brother. I shuddered to think of how they would react to me coming back. Alec was always the one protecting me. I think it was his position as captain of the football team at RavenWood that kept most of the bullying at bay. But now that he was gone, it was only going to go downhill. That thought sat in my stomach like a stone. But things were different now, I knew how to protect myself. It wasn't going to be like last time.

   I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. I stood up, taking my acoustic guitar out of the case and tuned it. I never got much time to play in England, there was always something else to do. I took the pic out of my mouth and strummed the strings, listening if any of them were out of tune. Finding they were all good, I began to play. I strummed a simple tune, one with only a few chords. I was out of practice, but I felt myself beginning to relax as the music filled my ears. I closed my eyes and smiled, letting my mind wander.

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"Catch me if you can!" I squealed with delight. Alec laughed and chased after me. The cool grass felt good on my bare feet. My pigtails bounced as I ran through the flowers. I heard laughter, and turned to see the faint outline of my mother in the back porch doorway.

"Mommy!" Me and Alec cheered in unison, stopping our game of tag. We ran to meet her, reaching up with our arms. She smiled and crouched down to hug us. She kisses the top of my head and tickled my sides. I laughed, wiggling and squirming in her grasp.

"How are my children doing?" Her voice was sweet and melodic. Her voice always reminded me of honey, or a birdcall. We both said we were good and she smiled her dazzling smile. "Well I'm glad. Your father has made dinner, your favorite! Spaghetti." Alec and I cheered and followed her inside.

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Well, there you go! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, and tell me what you thought. What do you think will happen in the next chapter? Tell me some ideas to improve!

After awhile, crocodile! (^*^)