CHAPTER ONE
Today is my 15th birthday. My father died on this date, four years ago. I am sitting patiently on my bed, in the bedroom that I share with my 3 older sisters. Anna, the oldest, Katelynn, who’s 17, going to turn 18 in 4 month. Then there’s Ella. She’s a brat. Case closed.
All of us are around the same height. Except me. I’m a measly 5’5” to the rest of the family's 5’9” to 5’11”. Like always, I’m the different one here. But I tend to get used to being the small one here.
Today for my Birthday, mum told me that she has a big surprise for me. I’m not quite sure what to expect out of this, but for some reason, I have a feeling that things are going to change.
I followed my mom into the basement, forming skeptical thoughts in the back of my mind, but trying my best to ignore them. My basement is mostly covered from floor to ceiling in black tarp, it has been ever since I was banned from training. Behind the tarp is my collection of knives, swords, guns, and almost every other weapon you can think of, hanging on the walls. I so desperately wanted to just reach out and rip all of the tarp off to display the beauty of my old friends. I miss them.
To my surprise, mum stopped right in the middle of the floor. She sighed ever so slightly and turned to face me. The look in her eyes... regret. She opened her mouth to speak to me, but then quickly shut it again, deciding to choose her words with more caution. I am now standing a safe, yet manageable distance from mum, hoping that she doesn't see the look of mourning in my eyes. Mourning for my best friends. For the days that I took for granted. The days when father was alive.
She seemed to have noticed my discomfort and walked closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. Comfort. That's what she thinks I need right now. But not from her, not from anyone but father.
"Akecheta?" Mum asks, a pleading tone in her tinny voice. "I want things to change here. I want you to be happy." She took another step forwards, taking hold of my hand. ion a motherly way, which I personally thought was really weird, but whatever.
"Akecheta, I have decided that we are going to sell all of your old belongings in this room to pay for all of the kids to go to college." Wait, WHAT?!
"Mum, you can't!" I yelled dropping her hand like a hot potato.
"Why?!"
"Because our family needs it, Akecheta! There is more to life than just you and your belongings. There are other people in your family that need the money more than you do, and you have to understand that." she stated, trying not to let her head explode.
I couldn't believe my ears. Did I really just hear that right? How could she? Doesn't she know how much these things mean to me? Of course she does, and of course she doesn't give a shit about what I think. Even if it really is all that I have left of my father. That and memories. At least she can't take those away.
Whatever, I've had enough of life for today. I stormed up to my room and slammed the door, wanting so badly to build a dam to stop my emotions from falling into the abyss to come.
