The Shattered Hourglass

Silence

My tears ran down my face like a roaring waterfall. My sobs were drowned out through the thick grassland. Ahead of me was a calm river that seemed endless. Just above me were the electrical power lines, and you could hear the buzz of electricity. A few trees were sparsely scattered in the vast region of grass that I sat on.

This was my happy place. This is where I went when I needed to be alone. Sometimes my best friend, Jayden, would follow me here. He's so kind to me, and actually treats me like a human being.

Before I get off track, let me introduce myself. My name is Allison Grine. I come from a Puerto Rican family, and live with my mom, her boyfriend (Marcus), and my younger two brothers. We lived in a small house. My brothers and I really dislike my moms boyfriend. He gets drunk all the time, and is an all around asshole. We just miss our actual Dad...

Just an hour ago, my mom told me the worst news. She was pregnant with Marcus' child! She's so happy about the new baby. But for me, I see it differently. I see it as she left our broken family, to go start a new one with Marcus. How could my mom just do that?

But can I really call her my mom? I've been the person who takes cares of my brothers. I've been the person who walks them to school, picks them up, and helps them with their homework. I'm the one who has to get the groceries because my "mom" is too busy with Marcus. I pretty much run the house, the only thing she and her jackass boyfriend do is pay the bills.

I'm just so frustrated. I really want to understand my mom, what makes her do what she does. Why she neglects her own children. Why she's always locked up in her room with Marcus.

Anyways, when she told me about her pregnancy, I couldn't stop crying. She actually thought that I was happy about this! I stormed out the house before she could say anymore. And now, I'm here sobbing.

A few minutes ago, I texted Jayden. I told him to meet me here. What I didn't tell him was why he had to meet me here. But the thing about Jayden is, he won't ask if you don't tell him. He understands people and their emotions, unlike my mom...

I put my head in my hands and cried. My blue jeans were probably stained by the grass now. My white vans seemed to be getting stained as well. At least my favorite shirt was clean. I really don't know why I liked this shirt so much. It was plain pink, with no design. And my dark brown hair fluttered with the wind.

Crying isn't something I normally do. But now I was balling my eyes out...

Then I felt a sudden tap on my right shoulder. I dug my head out of my hands and my brown eyes met Jayden's brown eyes. He seemed out of breath, his chest rising and falling quickly. He was half Irish, and half Japanese. He had short black hair, and wore a plain white t shirts, khaki shorts, and red running shoes. He was six feet tall and really skinny. In his hand was his blue lacrosse stick that was strung with white string. And inside the stick's pocket was a battered, pink, lacrosse ball. He and his stick were inseparable. I remember last year when his mom came home with it. The look on his face was priceless, I've never seen someone so happy.

"I ran here as soon as I got your message." He said out of breath.

He stood for a moment, then sat next to me. I rested my head on his shoulder, and stopped crying. Jayden closed his eyes and zoned out. While I watched the calm river flow.

"Thank you so much for everything..." I said to Jayden in a raspy voice.

He nodded his head gently. "For you, I would do anything."

We had some small talk. We were best friends and we practically knew everything about each other, so there was nothing new to talk about. He asked his Jayden questions like "Why don't you move in with me?" Or "How do you think peanut butter is made?" His stupid questions were what made him so unique. I always chuckled after he asked. Then, after about a half hour, Jayden recommended we go back to his house. I didn't complain at that idea. It was getting hot outside and I needed some water.