I awoke in a sweat, panting so hard I couldn’t seem to catch my breath. I quickly turned on my lamp on top of my nightstand and grabbed my notebook and pencil. I started to scribble down the details of my previous nightmare before they faded away, just like they always do. I set my notebook back down and glanced at my alarm clock. 5:29 A.M. I mind as well start getting ready for my big day today. I flipped on the lights and started stripping out of my sweat soaked pajamas. I set them in the laundry hamper and got in the shower.
Getting out of hot water into freezing air left me feeling refreshed. I messily threw my long blonde hair up into a high ponytail. I put on a crop top and some shorts, my legs and bellybutton were visible, I wasn’t sure that, that was allowed at my new school, but I didn’t care. I looked like what my friend, Shanelle, would call a hot mess and walked downstairs to the kitchen. I went towards the counter while my Aunt Loriane started the dishes, she was faced backwards and I was planning on sneaking up behind her.
I lived with my Aunt Loriane since my parents were both dead. She was really nice to take me in as her own child, whom she loved and nurtured every day. She is a sweet young person with short auburn hair, she is tall and she is extremely fun to be around.
“Are you ready for today?” she asked me. I still didn’t know how people can know you’re behind them without them looking at you. Instead of trying to sneak up on her, because that was beyond pointless, I just sat down at the counter.
“Sure, I guess so.” I replied. Right then my twin bother, Cole was tiredly walking, half falling, down the stairs. Cole has blonde hair and electric blue eyes, he is tall and lean. Those last two features run in our family.
“How about you?” she was asking Cole. He was walking lazily towards where I was sat with his hair tousled and only wearing his boxers. Of course he only wore his boxers, Cole is really similar to me except for the little fact that he’s a boy and that he is way stronger than I am and sadly probably ever will be.
“Not yet, but I will be. Can you please tell me why I need to change schools just because Cathy messed up again and got herself into trouble for like the eight millionth time this past year?” he whined. He was talking about me because sadly I got into, once again, another reason for us to change schools.
“Cole?! It wasn’t my fault Sherily started punching me!” I replied defensively.
“Well it was your fault that you killed her.” I started to get fed up with Cole. Aunt Loriane turned around and put our bowls of cereal in front of us with an angry look on her face.
“Enough! Cole, Cathy, knock it off now! First thing, Cathy did not kill Sherily she just shocked her, and second, if you guys bicker one more time I’ll make you guys sleep in the basement. And I don’t think you want that, do you?” Aunt Loriane asked us, and of course we shook our heads no. I grabbed my bowl of cereal and started eating quietly, hoping that no one noticed the silent tears that streaked my cheeks. When I was done eating I got up from my stool and put my bowl down in the sink and went up to my room.
The closer I came to my room the more the tears came until I finally reached the door. By that time the tears were coming down in a downpour. I entered my room and couldn’t help but sob at the thought of what I had accidentally done to Sherily. I heard I soft rap at my door, probably my Aunt. I decided not to answer, but the door opened up anyways. I could help but choke out my sobs.
I was sitting on the ledge of my window waiting for her to say something. She didn’t say a single word but I did hear her coming up behind me. “I didn’t mean it.” To my surprise this was Cole, not Aunt Loriane.
“Go away. I don’t want to talk to you right now.” My voice sounded gruff and scratchy from crying so much. Then he sat down next to me and hugged me.
“Please don’t cry. I didn’t mean it; I know you didn’t kill Sherily. I just don’t want to have to leave everything behind again.” his voice was muffled because his face was dug into my ponytail and he still wouldn’t budge his grab on me.
“You can let go of me now.” He seemed surprised even at himself for being caught hugging me that long. I turned to face him, just as I suspected, his face was a bright shade of crimson red.
“Sorry. I know it gets awkward since we’re 15 now. I just hate how much trouble you always get in when it wasn’t your fault and then we have to move once again.” He said it in a defensive way, almost protective over me. I kind of liked that for once it seemed like he didn’t hate me.
“I know, I need to be more careful. You should start to get ready.” I realized that he was only half dressed; he wore pants but no shirt.
“Yeah, I’ll go and leave you alone to finish getting ready too.”
“Hey, I am ready to go. I’ll just through on some sandals and I’ll be fine.” We live in Washington now, not the Dominican. I knew better but I wouldn’t let the cold bother me much.
“I was talking about you shirt and how you’ve outgrown it,” he told me off like I should have known better.
“Cole? For your information that’s the style, it’s called a crop top.”
“You’re seriously wearing that to our first day of school?”
“Yes, what’s wrong with this shirt?” I asked right back at him.
“Oh, nothing at all Cathy. Nothing at all.” He got up and walked out of my room without another word. Well, one problem down, just one more to go. Here I go for my first day at a new school in the middle of a year. Of course I won’t draw any attention at all; all I need is a sign on my forehead that says, “NEW BAIT.”
