Broken Home

Chapter 1

I squeeze my eyes shut when I hear the sound of my annoying, blaring alarm, I sit up and slap my hand against the snooze button. The usual awakening sound of pots clanging and the smell of coffee, was replaced by the clock my dad got me for Christmas. I tug on my two sizes too small robe and stumble down the stairs. I shiver when I reach the cold tile of the kitchen. As I open the freezer, the cold air blows in my face I sigh, could Seattle get any colder? I unwrap the plastic from the waffles and put them in the toaster. I open the cabinet and I grab my mug and Amanda's favorite mug, for a second or two I remember the distant memory of this mug, this was a time when my family was still whole and happy.

I hear Amanda stomping down the stairs and she storms into the kitchen, her golden blonde hair is a tangled mess, her small hands cover her clear blue eyes.

"I don't wanna go to school!" She whines.

I smile at her sleepy face."Your not the only one, but we have to go."

Amanda wraps her arms around me and snuggles her face into my robe."But mom and dad aren't going to take me."

I squeeze her briefly "I'll be here for your first day of seventh grade and everyday you need me. Mom and dad are gonna be working in the mornings from now on. I'm sorry Amanda." The waffles pop up from the toaster, Amanda runs over to the cabinet and grabs two plates and syrup, she grins at me with her gap tooth smile

"You made my favorite breakfast!"

I smile back at her using her favorite nickname "Anything for my bear."

We eat and talk about what teacher Amanda wants and how excited she was. Amanda finishes her meal and kisses my cheek, she runs upstairs to get ready for school. I pick up the plates and clean up, I scrub the dishes clean while lost in thought. I remember when Mom would hum her favorite song and Dad would sing the lyrics, that was a lifetime ago now it was different, my parents despised each other and couldn't even be in the same room together without arguing. I run up the stairs and go into my messy room, I peer in my closet and rifle through my clothes. I finally pick out the outfit that will define me for my senior in high school, I lay out my black skinny jeans and my burgundy knit sweater. I look at myself in the mirror and see the dark circles under my emerald green eyes, my olive complexion made my sweater look blood red, my wavy dark brown hair framed my thin face. All of a sudden a good memory hit me.

"Oh Andy your hair is so beautiful, your going to be a heartbreaker with a face like yours." My mom says as she braids my hair.

I scrunch my nose "I doubt that mom."

My dad enters my room "I wouldn't, you take after your mother. But no boys for you! You're only thirteen!" My mom finished braiding my hair and walked into my dads arms, I looked away and heard a them whisper three words to each other. Little did I know that they would never say those three words again.

Amanda struts into my room, showing off her outfit "Wha'dya think?" I gasp loudly  "You look gorgeous bear!"  Amanda grins her dimpled smile "Sure, Sure." She spins on her heel and skips off to her room. I walk to my messy bathroom, I brush breakfast off my teeth, I apply some concealer to cover up my . I grab my worn out backpack and run down the stairs. I grab my keys and Amanda's lunch bag, I yell up the stairs "Amanda! I'm leaving now!" I stepped outside, rain fell softly, each droplet alight on my face reminding me of the first day I heard my parents arguing.

The bus dropped me off a block away from my home, it started drizzling the rain washed away the sweat and dirt from middle school sports. I was about to open the door when I heard my parents yelling.

My dad's voice rung out "I did not cheat on you Sheri!"

My mom's voice cracked "Then explain the extra phone, the lipstick stains, the perfume! Why are you so late from work?" I opened the door and tiptoed to the kitchen, my dad slammed his hand on the kitchen counter "I told you I was working late!"

Mom snorted "I called they said you left an hour ago!" This time an eerie silence rang through my home. I heard my dad's footsteps get louder, I ran back outside the light 'pitter patter' of rain turned into wet thuds as the icy water raced to meet the ground.  My hair was soaked in seconds, I hoped the rain would wash away the pain and drown my thoughts but it never did.

Amanda races past me and grabs her lunch snapping me back into reality, she yanks open the car door and slams it behind her. I manage a smile and jump into my car, I crank up the heat and turn up the radio. I pull out of the driveway and race off to Amanda's school.