You Found Me Here

1. Goodmorning

                                            

            Ugh It's morning again, I whisper under my breath, as sunlight hits my eyes. With a sigh I slip out of bed and head to the shower. A couple of minutes pass, and the bathroom is covered in mist and steam, from the hot water. Morning showers are my favorite. The water feels amazing against my skin, it relaxes my muscles and cleanses stress lingering on my body.  I relax against the shower, and wonder if mom left for work yet.

       My mom is a traveling nurse. It's a really cool job, she gets to travel all over the world saving people's lives, and meeting the most amazing people. She used to work in a  local Hospital for a month. After that she got offered this position. Working as a traveling nurse is awesome, but I barely get to see her, i'm not complaining okay I am. It's hard, I am the only child, and we used to be really close. She would come home and tell me stories about her job, and we would make snack foods,and watch movies, or talk all night about absolutely everything. I miss that. The water starts to get cold, so I decide to dry off. As I am getting ready my phone rings.

"Right on time" I say bored.

A deep chuckle greets me, and I quickly realize it's not my best friend Ellayne.

"of course babe" says the caller

I grab my purse finalizing my outfit. Today I am wearing a black crop top from Pacsun, with blue high waisted shorts, and my favorite pair of short black Mule heels. I focus my attention to the phone.

"Galen where have you been?" I wait for an answer, but only hear whispers and mumbling.

"Galen, hello..?"

I decide to head to the kitchen to find some food. I wait for an answer as I try to decide between a healthy simple breakfast, or pancakes and eggs, the complex meal. I lay the phone down on my glass kitchen table, and head for the fridge. Before food I turn my phone on speaker. I decide on eggs and pancakes. My first class starts at 11:00 am, so I am in no rush.

"Hello? Laney darling?" I jump forgetting about the phone.

"Galen Zeno, where have you been all week?..Ugh did you forget I graduate tomorrow?"

Silence

I wait for an answer, and fire again.

"You forgot didn't you?"

I feel sad, knowing my brother might not make it to my graduation. Galen and I have known each other a long time, he is basically the brother I've never had. Ours mothers were best friends, and worked together for years. Galen has been with me through thick and thin, he knows me better than I know myself.  Knowing he might not make it to my graduation makes me sad and disappointed. Galen works for social Media. His job is to take amazing photos around the world, and post them on Instagram, he uses other platforms but YouTube and Instagram are his main sources. He has been gone for months and he promised me he would be back, in time for graduation.

"Laney dear sister, you really think I would miss your graduation" he tests me.

My emotions subside.

"You better not, anyway where are you?"

I finish cooking my breakfast and head to the table to eat. I hear other voices through the phone as I began eating my delicious warm eggs, and pancakes. I am not the best cook, but when it comes to breakfast food I am a chef in the kitchen.

"I am in Seattle, Washington" he finally answers. 

I take a bite of my food, and moan. It tastes like heaven. Scratch that, it tastes like the best breakfast I've ever had.

"Ohh Seattle huh, I guess that's pretty close to home" I respond relieved.

"So what's the mission there?" I question, while cleaning up my plate.

"Nothing related to work, just helping out a friend"

"A friend huh" I tease. 

"Not like that Lo" He responds amused.

"So like wha..t" I start but hear a strangers voice, through the phone.

"Galen let's go dude" I hear through the phone. 

"Sounds like your friend needs you, and I should head out too"

I look out the glass window facing the ocean and take in its beauty.  

"I miss you Lo, and I am so proud of you, I really am. I can't wait to come home." I smile. 

I  think about our friendship, and how lucky I am to have someone I call a brother.

"I miss you too, text me when you get home?" I hear a car door close and a deep voices mumble.

"Yeah of course I will call you as soon as I get home, it's probably going to be late" He pauses and I wait in silence. 

"Okay well just let me know, but safe travels okay" I look at the clock and panic, it's 10:15 and I promised Ellayne I would meet her at her house at 11:30.

"Have a great last day, I love you Lo" I smile and quickly respond. "Okay, I love you too, bye" I end the phone call, excited for my last day of High School.

I quickly drive to Ellaynes house and I make with a minute to spare.  As I open the door I am welcomed with a grumpy Ellayne. 

"Where have you been? I called you!" she sounds annoyed.

I move to the living room, knowing the house like the back of my hand. I lay my bag down and relax on the couch.

"Sorry el I was distracted, Galen called and I lost track of time" I sigh and stretch out my arms for a hug, knowing why she's upset.

"Did he call again?" I ask feeling upset for her. 

Ellayne was dating von a heartless boy who didn't know he had it good until he lost el. When they began dating el would always say it's too good to be true, or Von was too perfect for her. I didn't trust him. He treated her right, and she was happy with him. I don't understand why he would break up with her, when he obviously loved her. I feel for el, but I also think she should move on. The breakup is recent, so I just listen and support her. She sits next to me, and accepts my hug. 

"Yup" she sighs leaning her head against my shoulder.

"I miss him" She whispers I lean my head next to hers and we sit in silence.