After the Shooting

Chapter 12

       5:00 am. Great. I can't sleep at all. I go downstairs and get myself some warm milk. Dad fell asleep with the tv on again. It's the news, as usual. I don't pay any mind to it until I hear Savannah Sullivan's voice.
"Can teens really change gun control laws?" She asks.
I grab my milk and sit on the couch next to dad, who's asleep and snoring.
"An Instagram post by student Naomi Parker has gone viral. She talks about how she lost her twin brother in the tragic Washington Heights shooting and talks about how things must change. Her post has gotten the attention of many students and people, causing more protests and rallies and activities for change." Explains Savannah.
I have to be dreaming. Savannah Sullivan is talking about me. She's talking about me being the face of change.
"I always knew you had it in you, sis." Says a familiar voice.
I turn around and can't believe my eyes.
"Nat?" I gasp.
"What's the matter? You act like you haven't seen me in forever!" He chuckles.
Hasn't it been forever? My brother looks like the shooting never happened. His hair is freshly cut and perfect. His curls are done nicely in a fade. His jawline is sharp and perfect. His smile is still as beautiful as I remember. His majestic hazel eyes are so mesmerizing to me still. Seriously, no one in the Parker family has eyes like Nat's. His body is still muscular and strong. His caramel skin is perfect and smooth and not flawed whatsoever. He still looks fine. You can clearly tell he's 5'11.
"But-Naomi, I'm fine! I don't say this enough but I'm so proud of you." Smiles Nat.
"But, you're...dead." My voice cracks.
"Yeah, dead inside. Haven't I always been? I'm fine and I'm always here." He smiles.
"But, but, Nat, you're dead! You're not here anymore! You're gone!" I exclaim.
"I'm not dead, Naomi. You're insane. I'm alive and I'm still healthy."
"But-no more buts! Sis, I'm always here for you. Don't be scared, remember that." He says.
I can tell I'm getting teary-eyed. He comes up and hugs me. I hug him back, never wanting to let go.
I wake up and look around. It's 9:00 am. Am I crazy? Is Nat actually dead? I walk into his room which is right next to mine. He's not there. It's still messy, just how it was the day of his death. My hope vanishes. I should've known it was only a dream.
That's when I feel muscular arms hug my waist. It's weird because no one's in here with me right now.
       I'm always here for you. Says Nat's voice.
"Nat?" I ask.
He's not here. I'm really insane.
       You're not insane. Chuckles Nat's voice.
     "Nat?" I ask again.
     Maybe I'm still tired. I mean, I didn't sleep all that well last night.
     "Morning." I sigh.
"Hey, baby,' smiles mom,' you want some coffee?"
"Yeah, I didn't sleep last night." I sigh.
"Why?" Asks dad.
"I just had a dream about Nat." I respond.
"What was the dream about?" Asks dad.
"Nat. He, he was alive. It was like the shooting never happened. He was still here." I explain.
"Your brothers always here with us, Naomi." Smiles mom.
       Ding-dong! Our doorbell rings.
      Mom answers it. We see Savannah Sullivan at our front door.
     "Mrs. Sullivan,' mom starts,' what do you need?"
     "Your daughter, Naomi." States Savannah.
     "Can you wait right here for a minute?" Asks mom.
     I go back to eating my toast and pretending like I wasn't eavesdropping.
    "Naomi?" Mom asks.
    "Yeah?" I lift up my head with a mouthful of toast.
    "Savannah Sullivan is outside right now. She wants to see you." Mom says.
    "See me? Why?" I ask.
    "Beats me,' she shrugs,' why don't you go find out?"
    I get up from my seat and go out the front door. Savannah instantly perks up when she sees me.
    "Naomi, hi! So glad we can meet again!" She smiles.
    "Nice to see you too, Mrs. Sullivan." I smile.
    "Please, call me Savannah." She smiles.
    "So, what did you want to see me for?" I ask.
    "I was thinking about interviewing you." She says.
    "Right now? But I look like crap." I remark.
    "First of all, you do not look like crap and second of all, you're adorable. I want to give you a real interview, just you and I. Our most professional cameras and people will be there. What do you say?" I ask.
"That sounds great." I say.
"Awesome! So, your interview is on Tuesday at eight in the morning. Just come to the studio and we'll get you situated." Smiles Savannah.
I can't believe this is happening. I'm getting to make a change, one step at a time.