Chalk and Cheese (Offbeat #1)

Chapter 1

Someone was shaking my bed. Ugh, Can't they leave me alone? I just wanted to sleep some more. It's too much I guess.

"GO AWAY!" I groaned.

The shaking stopped for a few seconds. I rolled over and popped open my eyes. I could trace a figure hovering over to my right. I rubbed my sleepy eyes until they were able to function again.

Well, duck! It was my beloved brother Denver who looked like he can't control his laughter.
I have no idea why he's up so early and is ruining my sleep. I mean, WHY CAN'T THEY LET ME SLEEP?

"You better tell me there's someone dying or else I'm going to get out of the bed and strangle you to death." I finished with a menacing tone.

That only made the asshole erupt into laughter. Denver has this way of laughing. It is very contagious. I couldn't control the smile stretching my lips, so I start laughing too.

Sometimes I wish I could hear him. To find out what laughter feels like. To find out how words are formed. You know sometimes I yearn to hear my own voice. Denver used to say all the time that I have this honey dripping sweet voice. I know he's kidding but duh he's my brother. He's as protective as he's annoying. I wouldn't trade him for anything. He's been my strength all this time even though he gets on my nerve ninety percent of the time. Brothers huh?

We continue laughing like mad people until I stop him.

"Seriously Den, tell me why're you here? I want to sleep. You know that thing where you lie down and close your eyes and dream about something?" I was not exactly mad, just sleep deprived.

He was then right on my face with the biggest smirk on his face. HE'S DEAD.

"Ha ha Esme. Don't pull your smarty pants up now. You asked me for a favour. Now let me remind you. You have some kind of a big test today and you wanted me to wake you up so that you could be there on time because that hairy professor hates you. This is what you said if I'm right." He was standing there scratching his chin and do you even want to know what I was doing?

"OH GOD! You silly bitch!! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Oh god I'm really late, aren't I? Shit that professor hates me. Oh god I'm going to fail this semester. Shit what's the time Den? Oh no my room's a mess--"

"Esme, Esme. Now look at me" He held my shoulders so that I could look into his eyes.

"I've packed your bag and got your dress out there. The only thing you have to do is go take a shower, fill your belly and deal with mom. And you have 30 minutes left to do all this".

Seriously, this is why I love him. But still he should have told me sooner. Asshole.

"Thank you Den, I owe you." I kissed his cheek and ran into my bathroom to take the world's fastest shower.

I got dressed and ran down the stairs. My mom was setting up breakfast on the table. She's this super tidy person and I'm the exact opposite. Denver and My dad were helping her. I quietly walked over to them waiting for her to start the lecture.

She finally noticed me and placed my plate harder on the table.

"Esmeralda Elizabeth Cage, Welcome."

Oh god. She's already annoyed. I usually do a lot of other things to get her this annoyed. Looks like it's my A game today.

"Good morning Mother. Good morning Daddy." I muttered more to myself and took my seat.

Yes. You're right. My mother is super scary, you don't even wanna know.

She just rolled her eyes and asked the others to take their seat.

I didn't dare to look at her until she touched my hands.

"Esmeralda." She called.

"Yes, mother." I looked at her, focused. She hates our attention being else where when we're talking to her. 🙄

"Have you prepared for your test today?"

"Yes."

"Is your car full with gas?"

"Yes."

"Have you signed up for the librarian's post in the local middle school?"

"Not yet, I'll--"

"Do it today."

"Yes mother."

"Then I think we're done here. Stop munching on your breakfast. Be quick for your test."

With that she got up from the table and went on to do her motherly chores. I don't share a warm relationship with my mother. It was all fine until that terrible day. She stopped talking to me altogether. It took her a lot of convincing from my dad and Den to even utter a word.
Now she's become this closed off woman and I don't like it one bit. But yeah, it's better than nothing.

As far as my dad is concerned, he plays nice. But it's mother who has the final word.

I quickly ate my breakfast, grabbed my backpack and hurried towards the door when Den pulled me towards him.

"Hey Shitface, are you okay?" He asked with concern.

"Yes Den. It's okay. I'll be okay." I smiled at him while kicking his legs.

He then crouched down to look at me in the eyes.
"Esme, when going gets tough---" I didn't let him finish as I shoved him out of the way. He stood there laughing at me.

I left him there but not before finishing what he said.
"The tough gets going."