Finally Shining Through

Chapter 1 - How It All Started

Boom! The sound of the front door slamming at 5:32 pm could only mean one thing - Dad was home and he wasn't happy. 5 quick seconds later I heard him shouting in what seemed to be a serious discussion that was apparently driving him mad. Being my curious self I wanted to know what it was all about but as I made my way towards the spiral stairs the yelling over the phone increased so I decided to let his anger reside before getting myself a fresh plate of smoking hot answers.

I went back to my room, scooped up my favorite teddy that was lying on the floor, and hopped straight onto my comforting Baldacchino Supreme bed that had cost $6.3 million reigning as the most expensive bed in the world. When I had found out the price, I flipped out at my parents hoping to get them to simply return it and buy me a regular TempurPedic but they had expected my usual 3-4 hour long argument about buying me overly expensive things and they still insisted that the best must have the best even after.

And who am I to be in possession of the most expensive bed in the world you may ask? I am Makayla Sky Brown, the 17 year old daughter of the world renowned CEO of Z-Tech, Keaton Joseph Brown and famous model, singer, and actress, Natalie Brown. (Trust me, I'm not bragging about that.)

"KK? Are you in there sweetie?" That sugar coated voice was the unique one of my mother on the other side of my bedroom door. "Knock! Knock, knock, knock!" I rolled over onto my back debating in my head whether or not if I should respond. Then I sat up straight with a jolt at the last knock. "Yea mom...I'm in here." I answered. "Honey, dinner is going to be an hour late. Your father and I have to run out quickly to a brief last-minute meeting." she warned. "Okay mom." An unsure silence washed over the both of us. "I'll be fine. Isis will keep me company. Just remember to lock the doors on your way out." I assured her. "Okay. We'll be back asap and if you need anything, make sure to call Kirsten. Bye." she finished.

As soon as I heard various steps and the front door shut, I called for Isis, ran to my "me" room, and got into a gleeful and preppy mood. While I lifted up my laptop and got comfortable in my favorite purple, white, and black polka dot bean chair, (yes, a bean chair not a bean bag) she came running in.

My apologies if I haven't introduced you. Isis is my white teacup maltese. I got her as a gift for my 8th birthday after years of begging for a puppy. (my favorite old picture with her to the side --->)

I rubbed her back and then waited for the YouTube webcam to load. "Heeeyyy guys!!!" I excitedly drawled to the camera. "Today's topic is.....stereotypes!!" "Woof! Woof!" she barked into the cam. I giggled at her cuteness and continued.

After 10 more minutes of laughs, mimicks, true but not fact things about stereotypes, and video editing, I heard my mother calling me. I ruffled Isis's head, put her down and made my way towards the stairs. "Are you sure we have to tell her now? I mean, honey, I'm not sure-" my dad cut my mom off while rubbing soothing circles onto the back of her hand with his thumb. "It's for the best, we both know that." he began. "Natalie, we have to. We knew this would happen sooner or later. The time is now Nat." He pulled my mom in for a hug. 

I wiped the worried and confused look on my face and replaced it with a smug one. "Sorry for interrupting your 'moment', guys." My dad turned around breaking away from the hug and laughed. "The romance movies are invading my little girl's brain." he gloomily proposed and pulled me in for a hug.  I had a feeling this hug was more than he was letting on but I just played along. "You know it, dad. You know it." I patted his back, broke away from the hug and swiftly turned to my mom.

"So, what's going on? You called for me, right?" I hesitated. "Yes, honey." she began and glanced at my dad. "Since your father has to travel to Europe for a year, due to business-" her stuttering was stopped quick by my dad. "You're going to be living in Yorba Linda, CA." he stated in a business-like manner but in his eyes I could see that he was very heartbroken and worried.  I knew I had no choice and even though I became crestfallen after those words left his mouth, I acknowledged that they didn't want for this to happen but it was for the best. "O-okay. Is there anything else?" I bravely said. My mom sadly walked up the stairs on the verge of tears.

My dad lifted my hand in his and searched for emotion in my eyes. "Sweetie, I'm really sorry. I know that this isn't the smartest move for our family but it's critical for the com-" At that point I was the one who cut him off by raising my hand and shaking my head no. 

I hated when people tried to comfort me when they knew comforting wouldn't make a difference. I hated that I was trying to be strong and hide my emotions for them and he decided not to cooperate. But what I hated most of all, was the words that would've dripped off of his tongue if I hadn't cut him off.

"Seriously, dad?" I questioned icily. "The company?" A stray, emotion-filled tear slowly ran down my cheek and I burst. "It's always the damn company! You ALWAYS choose the company over us! Why does the 'company' get all of your attention?!" I shouted fiercely. Cold, hatred, and rage filled my eyes but a sad, broken smile was plastered on my face. "Do you know how many times, mom and I stayed in the house feeling forgotten or stood up?" "Hon," he started. "No." I stated. "She has rescheduled so many times to stay with me. She even took a vacation to spend with me in order to get my mind off of YOU. Do you even know how it feels? You were away on a business trip during my last birthday!! What type of father are you?" 

I turned away and began to stomp up the stairs. "Makayla!" he called after me. I stopped but remained in my position. "I'm sorry. If you want to come along on the trip, you can. It's your decision, hun." I inwardly laughed at his attempt to make things better. "It's not about that. I'm angry because you left me so many times alone to only IMAGINE what it would feel like to have a dad who cares. You know, the company seems to have a great, caring father - I want one to. I'll go to Cali, no problem. But thanks for being my invisible dad, even though I never wished for one." 

Then, I fumingly ran to my room.

So how are you guys liking it so far? Should I continue? 

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