Being Happy

Chapter 1:Reminiscing

This is my first story, I hope you guys like it. If you do, please comment/vote :)

The first chapter is kinda depressing-ish but I promise it will get more upbeat. It's more of a humor story than a sad bawl your eyes out story. :)

Song for this chapter- Come Home by One Republic :)

     It was a sad day when the tragic event occured. Althought it was a year ago, it seemed as if it was yesterday. It acted as a mysterious cloud, looming over my mind, threatening me with it's dark thoughts. I should probably begin by telling you what happened. This was when my father died.

*One Year Ago*

     I remember distinctly the day it happened. It was 5PM, I was nestled into the crevice of the couch at home waiting for my mother, the music of my ipod blasting a cheerful tune, contrasting greatly with the miniature storm outside the window. The wind howled as the trees shook, the sound of the crowns of the trees as they collided against each other created an eerie melody.

     Frustrated, I yanked off my earphones, proceeding to observe the tempest as it worsened. The screeches of car tracks burning through the wet asphalt roads made me jump. I looked away, and noticed the tv remote lying reclusively on the table. Needing a distracting factor, I eagerly snatched it up and pressed down the ON button. 

     A couple minutes later, I was completely engrossed into my episode of Doctor Who, until the lights flickered. My eyes jumped away from the television set, and up at the tiny chandelier attached to the wall. This was just one of my mother's fantastic finds at yard sales. We may not be rich, but we're resourceful and make use of what we have.

     Suddenly, the lights burned out complete with a buzz. At first, being a completely paranoid person, I thought it was one of the aliens from the tv show coming to attack me. Gingerly, I crept off the couch and peeked out the window. In the blistering rain, I could vaguely make out the shapes of the other houses. They seemed to be dark as well, which helped contain my fear. 

     A bright light shone through the dim afternoon haze, pulling up closer and closer until coming to a complete stop. A couple seconds later, I heard the sound of dull heels stumble through the living room door, gracefully as always-wait..stumbled? My mom never stumbled. 

     She rushed into the room, her green eyes ablaze with pain and shock. 

     "Amber..." She faltered, her lips shook as she struggled to find her words "There was an accident...your father..he's lost alot of blood, we need to go to the hospital now."

     I stared at her. For what seemed like the longest minute of my life I stared into every aspect of my mother's soul through her eyes. My body tensed, and feeling numb, I foced myself to move. Every step was torture, bringing another question to my mind. 

     The car ride to the hospital was agonizing. The determination was set in my mom's eyes, she sped down the alleys, the rain flowing like a waterfall across the windshield.

     Then there he was, inside the white room. The crevices of the tiles were tinted yellow, showing faults in this imperfect setting. I lingered at the door as my mom went to ask the state of damage my dad was in. I watched his chest constrict, rising up and down painstakingly slow. His breath wheezed and became a whisper through the respirator. The anticipating beep of the machine filled the room. Tears welled up in my eyes as I took my shaky steps towards his bedside.

"Hi, button." He breathed out, his eyes struggling to stay open as his lids fluttered helplessly.

"Dad..-" I choked, my tears cutting me off as I strained to stay on my feet.

"Please...do one thing," his voice barely a whisper, yet filling the room, like a ghost echoing down a hall. His arm fought to reach for my face. Stroking my cheeks, he wiped at the tear tracks, only to be replaced with new ones.

"Be happy." 

     Flatline; and his breath was gone. Mortified, I clutched his hand, searching for the warmth, searching for the love.

"PLEASE DAD PLEASE! YOU HAVE TO FIGHT PLEASE! Please...daddy...please.." 

     I raced out of the hospital, and into the plummetting rain. The water pierced my skin and made my senses race, yet I've never felt more weak. I found myself standing in the middle of the park across the street, staring at my dad's favorite statue. It was Aristotle, his favorite philosopher. Aristotle once said, "Happiness depends upon ourselves." Everynight, he would come home, and whisper this into my ears. All he ever wanted was to see me happy...

*Present Day*

    I blinked, as the tears dripped down onto my hands. I snapped back into reality. Reminiscing wasn't always fun. I stared blankly into the mirror, gazing at my features. My brown waves were shoulder length and framed my face. My lashes were long, excentuating my hazel eyes. I was 5 foot 6" but I often shyed away from others, seeming small and helpless.

     Sighing, I walked out of the bathroom. The long oval clock hung heavily from the wall, reading 7:01. Shit, only ten minutes to get to school. Grabbing my cardigan and backpack, I headed out into the  chilly October weather. 

     I often found myself staring outside the window during schooltime. More precisely, I found myself looking at the hospital across the street where my dad took his last breath. I've memorized every single detail of the building. From the smooth marble walls that shone in the light, to the chipping of paint from the golden handles of it's glass doors.

     Turning my attention back to the class, I looked at my classmates. I used to know all these people. My depression had made me reclusive. At first, everyone had been sympathetic when I refused to talk to them, but soon, it became frustration. 

     The bell rang. I passed through school as a ghost, and life passed me faster than I could blink. I relied on the memories of the past to get me through the days of the present. Surrounded by people, I felt alone. 

     Trigonometry, English, History, and French passed me in a blur. I was a good tester, but I never had the attention in class. I was told I had so much "potential." Don't get me wrong, I hate school. Honestly, I'm not one of those asians who memorizess a trillion digits of pi just for the heck of it. But still, I tried at home, because I had nothing better to do. My social life was down the drain, I was a wreck, I was unhappy.

     When I got home, I hurried up the stairs, and into my room. Pictures littered the walls, but the most important was the calendar, I made another circle, marking the 358th day I've been without my dad. Then, because I am a big fat baby, I proceeded to cry about it. 

     The front door creaked open, so silently I couldn't hear it from downstairs. Suddenly, my mom burst through my door, looking at me uncertainly.

"Amber, you can't keep doing this." Her lips said, but her eyes disagreed.

I made a half grunting sound, hoping she'd accept it.

"We're leaving. I got a job in California. We can leave this place, start over."

I cocked my head and stared at her. After what seemed like forever, I replied, "You know how easily I get sunburned, your daughter is gonna be a tomato."

She grinned, "That's a chance I'm willing to take."

I smiled. I've had a year to mourn, It's time for me to trust my dad, and be happy.

I hope you like it so far, there's more to come! If you liked it, please VOTE/COMMENT :)