The Thing That Holds Us Back

New Year, New Me

    It was warm, still summer, and I was outside with my cousins. We were walking around the neighborhood, just like old times.

    Is this real? I hear a loud and blaring beeping noise, all my cousins and I look around to see what it is. What the actual he—

    Suddenly, I awaken from my sleep, seeing my older brother, Miles, holding a bucket of ice above me. He dumps it all over me while I'm in my soft, comfortable bed.

    "MILES!!!" I scream as I jump up and sprint out of my room after him. He may be fast, but not fast enough. I pounced on him as we made it through the living room, and he face-planted into the couch.

    "Gotcha JEFFREY," I said as he stands back up, recovering form the fall.

    "Don't call me that, idiot!" He exclaims, heavily breathing from me chasing him earlier. "You know how much I hate my middle name," he says, rolling his eyes at me.

    "Dude, it's the first day of school, why the crap did you have to wake me up like that?"

    "Come on Ari, admit it, that was pretty funny."

    "Sure it was Miles," I reply sarcastically, "what time is it anyways?"

    "Ummmm... I think around 6:00am."

    "Oh shoot! I gotta get ready! Are you driving us this morning, or are you still grounded?"

    Miles was always getting in trouble with our mom, and why he always felt the need to go against them on everything, the world may never know. Recently, he had gone off to a party, and came home at 2am all high on something. My mom has sort of given up in way on parenting him, cause he's already 18,  and he'll be graduating this school year. I mean, he is an adult, but he isn't the smartest one at it.

    "Nah, mom said today's an exception. I'll drive us, what time should we head out?" He asks.

    "I think around like 7:45," I say as I head back to my room to get ready.  I already set out my outfit on my dresser the night before, just in case I woke up late or something.

    My name's Aria Brice. I've lived in Texas for a few years now, but I grew up in a small town in California. It's just my mom, brother, and I. I have an older sister as well, but she's off at college.

    When we moved, we left behind all my family. It's kind of sad not having family to hang out with during holidays and breaks, but it's nice being able to hang out with friends more. Plus, my grandparents are pretty crazy, always arguing and stuff, so it's nice to have a break and only see them once every couple years instead of every month.

    I think I like it better here rather than in California, just because people are nicer and more humble I guess. I feel more in place, like I belong here. My friends at school are AMAZING, seriously. I don't know what I'd do without them.

    After I finish getting ready, all dressed up in my new ripped jeans and crop top with checkered vans, I head downstairs for breakfast. Usually I just grab a banana or granola bar, but on the days I have cross country practice, I don't eat breakfast. Luckily, cross country doesn't start up until next week... and I am so not ready for it.

    After I grab a banana and head out the front door, I see my brother waiting for me in the car.

    "Could you have taken any longer?!" He says.

    Dang, when did he get so moody? He must be on his man period.

    "Miles calm down! I'm here now, so let's go."