Grey Skies

Chapter 2

Note: So I know I said that I'd update after Wednesday but I lied(it's a pretty good lie though huh?) anyway, I was supposed to be studying for my bio/history exams coming up but ha ha...my brain has been victimized by the Ap English exam today so if I start speaking a different language by the end of this chapter know that it is because my brain is turning into jello. Okay I'll stop now! Enjoy!

Chapter Two

The door is already unlocked so I step inside and take my shoes off in a corner. A pair of my old vans are still placed in the same spot on the rack of shoes. I regretted not bringing them with me but seeing that nothing happened to them was a relief. As I walk in, the familiar smell of my mother's cooking and my family's laughter puts me at ease. I poke my head into the living room where my aunt Ellie fights her husband playfully as everyone else laughs. Knowing him he probably said a joke she didn't appreciate.

The furniture in the room had been replaced. The cozy brown couches that had been my favorite place to lay and watch tv were upgraded to black leather that lacked a feeling of comfort. The glass coffee table between them all was covered with small dishes of cookies and chocolate. My mother preparing everyone's cup for coffee has yet to notice me peeking my head into the room. Kale, my aunt's husband, roars with laughter that bounces off the walls of the room. I roll my eyes knowing if anyone was going to bust my chops it would be him.

The first to notice me is Jase who screams my name and runs toward me. I crouch down and wait for his embrace and as soon as he wraps his arms around my neck I pull him up and give him a kiss. I can only hold him for a few minutes before my arms grow tired. His blonde hair is spiked into a mohawk with gel. Chocolate is wedged in the corners of his mouth and his sticky fingers rub off on my shirt as he holds onto me. I smile and kiss him once more and then hug Katie who stood beside him patiently. I look them both over once I pull away and can't help but notice that they've gotten taller. Katie, seven now, reached just below my chest, and Jase two years younger, reached just above my hip.

My parents, and everyone else in the room welcome me and Sarah back with hugs and kisses. We sit down on the carpet across from everyone and listen to them talk. My father, with graying hairs more apparent now continues to stare at me as I sit across from him. I smile back but then decide to look away, and pretend like my dad isn't looking at me trying to figure out if I was his same little girl from before I left. Whether I followed his rules or not. Or if I decided to go out every night to parties, doing things with guys that he'd never want to imagine.

He'd be happy to know that I didn't go out much. I didn't like the idea of being crowded in an area with a bunch of people I didn't know. Drunk people. The few times that I did go resulted in me leaving with a terrible headache. I didn't enjoy the loud music. I was a terrible dancer. I was the epitome of a bad time out. Of a debbie downer.

"It's so good to see you Sarah," my mom says, looking Sarah over. As her eyes stay trained on Sarah, I take the time to note changes in my mom. Her brown hair had a slight tint of red that was only faintly visible in the light. It had grown from her shoulder to just above her breast. I liked her hair long. I liked her hair in general. "Are you transfering over too?"

"Oh no, I just came to spend the summer with Iris and take time away from Texas." To take time away from Cory. I look at Sarah as she continues talking to my mom. I wish she was transferring with me. Having her go back to Texas near him and his manipulative choice of words worried me. I feared that she'd fall back into his arms and then call me months later with the next fight. Nothing about it was healthy. If Sarah, of all people, ended up stuck with a troublesome relationship I didn't even want to contemplate my doomed fate. My own selfish reasons, beyond Cory, want her to stay too. Sarah keeps me sane; she is more reasonable than I ever will be; and she shows me every aspect of a situation.