Beautiful Things

Chapter 1-Leaving

I HOPPED INTO THE bed of my brothers 1989 Chevy truck, dragging up the bag that held my hunting rifle behind me. I heard the truck start-a loud grumbling sound that could be recognizable anywhere-and I secured the gun in the old aluminum safe that was once my grandfather's. I jumped back down, allowing our hound dogs to crowd into the trunk before closing it off.

"You good?" I heard my brothers voice call from the front of the truck.

"Yeah!" I called back, jogging to the passengers seat and slamming the heavy old door shut behind me. I turned to face my brother. "This is gonna be a good trip. I have a feeling," I said enthusiastically, pulling my oversized camouflage jacket on and tying my thick brown hair into a messy bun at the top of my head.

   "Yeah, it will be," my brother-and partner in crime-punched my shoulder.

I smiled, facing towards the window. I stuck my hand out, allowing the fall wind to buffet against my skin. It felt good, like the old times.

"It's so weird without Dad.." I trailed off, my eyes softening at the familiar yellow horizon. I was glad we were finally headed out of the state, but this trip would also promise hurtful reminders.

"Yeah," Brian's knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. I immediately knew I shouldn't have brought Dad up. "Dad would've loved to see us like this. Together."

"Not fighting," I chimed in, trying to lighten the mood, and pressed my cheek against the cracking leather seat.

"Not fighting," Brian agreed, smiling his crooked smile that all the girls back in New Hampshire adored.

I gazed up toward the mountains, wishing I could capture the color of the sky; all orange and pastel pinks. Thinking fast, I turned my phone on and pointed the camera at the sky. I clicked the shutter button, and smiled at what the result was. It was slightly-more than not-blurred, but I knew what it was and that's all that matters. I clicked open my messaging app and sent into my group chat labeled "people I love." I wasn't expecting any immediate responses since it was so early, so I shut my phone off and tucked it into my boot.

Soon after, I fell asleep. Maybe I wasn't so cut out for waking up before four in the morning anymore.