Aberrant

Chapter 2

I jolt awake. “Ah, thank goodness . . . It was only a dream,” I sigh with relief. I glance at the clock on the fireplace mantle. “10 A.M.?” Sunlight is trying to peek through the heavy curtains. I swing my legs so my feet hit the floor. I curl my toes against the cold hardwood. I stretch with a yawn rubbing my neck and fumble into the brightly lit kitchen. I look around the kitchen and see a small piece of paper on the stone countertop. “Aunt Jody,” I guess.

It says, ‘Didn’t want to wake you. Elise is still at Mila’s today so you don’t have to worry about her. Not sure what time I’ll be home. Have fun at your movie tonight! Love ya! -Aunt Jody.’

I smile and shrug. Aunt Jody’s hectic work schedule often takes her away at unexpected times, but she did what she could. I grab a granola bar out of the pantry and munch on it while I plop back down onto the couch. After I finish the granola bar, I turn on the radio and listen to music softly. “I’ll just shut my eyes for a minute,” I think letting my eyes close.

I wake up four hours later, and realizing how late it is, I groan and heave myself up from the couch. “I better get up and shower.” I look down at my clothes. “I still have on the clothes I wore yesterday,” I think to myself. I turn off the radio and walk upstairs to my room. My backpack is still sitting on the bed where I left it. My phone is in the side pocket and has a green light blinking indicating that I have messages. I glance at the messages. I have one from Marissa and a couple from Emma. Luckily the one from Marissa is short.

It says, ‘Had fun last night! Left when Jody got home. Enjoy your night out tonight, Mouse! -M’

I smile and chuckle to myself. Marissa is not only my sister-in-law, but she’s also one of my best friends. Ever since Brady had started dating Marissa in year three of high school, I had had a feeling that they would get married. Marissa was and is everything my brother ever wanted. She’s smart, caring, kind, and sweet. Not to mention that Marissa is beautiful. Her curly honey-gold locks always curl perfectly around her ivory face. Her blue-gray eyes are lined with long lashes. Everything about Marissa screams perfect to me. Whenever I’m with her, the inferiority I feel almost crushes me it seems.

My thoughts are interrupted when my phones buzzes in my hand. Emma’s contact picture is flashing on the screen, and I answer it and press it to my ear. “Hey, Em!” I exclaim.

“Hey, Mouse. Did you see my messages?”

“No, but I was just about to look at them when you called me. So, what’s going on?”

“I can’t go to the movie tonight,” she sighs, “I got a call this morning asking me if I could fill in for Charlie in the fields.”

“You’re already starting on planting?”

“Yeah, all of the farmers are this season. It shouldn’t affect you guys though because you have orchards instead of fields.”

“Yeah, i guess not. Well it sucks that you can’t come with us tonight. I guess it’ll just be me and the boys then, huh?”

“Yeah, think you can handle ‘em, Mouse?” I can almost see the mischievous smile on her face. I smile and shake my head.