Whirl | book one

17: trust

Song: Cherry Hill by Russ

Chapter 17:
~trust~

"You know what your name means?" My mother asked as I sat in her lap, playing with the material of my dress. Her fingers pulled gently at my hair as she braided the unruly strands.

I shook my head, trying to look at her.

"Dew of the sea." She hummed into my ear, tying the end of the braid before brushing it over my shoulder. "And remembrance."

My eyebrows pushed together as I frowned in thought, "What am I supposed to remember, mommy?" I asked in a small voice.

She kissed my chubby cheek, and for a second I felt as if she was holding something back. She seemed...sad. Why was mommy sad?

"This, Rosemary. You need to remember this, baby. No matter what happens to mommy and daddy, you need to try to remember everything we've taught you. Can you do that, baby?"

I was at a lost, my mind too young to comprehend what she was asking. All I knew was that mommy was upset and I had to do what I could to make her feel better.

With my small hands, I grabbed onto her youthful face, her pretty brown eyes watching me intently. I gave her the most reassuring smile, "Okay, mommy. I love you."

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"Wake up!"

I shot up, looking around with a frantically beating heart beat. Teddy sat beside me with a grin on her face, her brown eyes twinkling with laughter.

"Asshole." I yawned, stretching myself awake.

"I see you're still tired." She cocked her head to the side and looked at me in thought. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I brushed her off with a scoff, "For the millionth time, I'm fine." I lied.

I had no idea what I was.

"It's just a touch of insomnia at night—it's a lot better now." I continued with a long exhale, readjusting myself so that I was facing her with my head resting on my hand. "Stop worrying, mom."

She shook her head, looking away from me. "Alright, whatever. I'll stop pressing." Teddy grumbled as I stuck out my tongue at her and sat in a more studious position.

"Why are we the only ones in the class?" I wondered, looking for another face.

"There's an assembly every second Friday. I forgot about it." She shrugged, picking at her nails while I nodded and pulled my backpack strap over my shoulder.

"I need to pee." I told her, standing up with a stretch as my body ached in protest.

"Have fun." Waving me off, she scrolled through her phone without enthusiasm.

Chuckling, I made my way down the hall, humming a tune I couldn't remember the name of. It was weird walking through the vacant halls, the last time I did was that first day here. I realized with widened eyes that it had only been two weeks since I started school, yet it felt like I had been there longer than I was at my hometown.