Pure Heart (watty awards 2012 finalist!)

Chapter 7.5

edited by D.G

Chapter 7.5-

                I got home at nine.  I peeked through the door and once I noticed my mom wasn’t there, in the living room, then ran up the stairs.  I didn’t want Ma to figure out that I’m hanging out with a guy she wasn’t comfortable with.  All she’d do is give me one of those speeches of blah blah blah.  I tried pushing out the thought of my day with Noah because apparently it’s making me too happy. Wouldn’t want her being suspicious.  After all, I’ve been pretty dopey these past days.

            When I reached the room, I locked the door and changed.  I couldn’t push the thought away.  I tried so hard, but it just didn’t work.  All I could think was Noah, Noah, Noah.  I felt a surge of happiness wash over me.  Still in my tank top, I blasted up the music and started dancing.  Swaying my hips from side to side.  My hands swayed above my head.  I sang to the lyrics as loud as I possibly could.

   Hey I just met you. 

   And this is crazy.

   But here’s my number

   So call me maybe…

            I scooped up my pillow and hugged it, danced with it, until I couldn’t dance anymore.  I hurled the pillow on the bed and jumped on the bed like an animal.  The music was still on.  So I just listened and closed my eyes.  I imagined myself holding Noah’s hand and running on a grassy field like in those corny movies.  The thought made me laugh out loud. 

            I got chills and decided it was time to put on my shirt now.  I couldn’t find my ‘Leave me alone…Can’t you see I’m sleeping’ shirt, so I took a plain long sleeved shirt.  I already had shorts on, so I strolled down the steps, glad I was finally able to control my emotions.   I looked for Ma.  She wasn’t in the living room.  I checked her bedroom, still, no mom.   Weird?  She’s always home.  Mostly.  I checked the clock.  Ten fifteen.  Oh well.  She probably went for grocery shopping at Pathmark or something. 

            I checked the kitchen for something to eat.  Nothing. My stomach let out a loud and angry growl.  I patted it. “It’s ok, Casey will find you something to eat.” I assured my stomach.  I opened a couple of drawers before finding a bag of Sun Chips.  Garden Salsa.  My favorite!

 I opened the bag wildly and munched away silently.  I heard a garbage can topple over outside.  My breath caught.  My mind sensed something bad.  As I walked over to the window  I felt my heart beat faster and faster.  I was in those horror movies where the main character walked toward a closed door, scared and not knowing what lays behind it.  I could feel my heart beat in my thought and I felt a sweat bead tickle down my back. I shuddered.

I was in front of the window now, ready to open the blinds.  I took a deep breath. I let it out.  I reached my hand out and grabbed hold of the string and pulled.  The blinds opened violently and I traced the street in front of me.  I looked from side to side and again. 

I kept looking until my eyes caught onto a figure on the side, walking up the street. Oh no! Please don't be Mr. Strange, please! I prayed for it not to be him. I don't want my life to turn around again, just when I started liking it. I looked again. More closely this time.  I didn't notice I was holding my breath until I let it out when I noticed that the figure wasn't Mr. Strange. In fact, it was a female.  A female?! I tried to see through the dark, and wished I'd have night vision or something.  Somehow I saw better and I saw my mother.

"Phew!" I sighed. I started feeling more calm. And as I turned around to open the door, my eyes noticed a dark figure now standing next to my mom.