The Magic of Music

Chapter 2

 I sat in my room thinking about that incident for a long time, but eventually, I slowly meandered over to my closet to pick out an outfit. I wasn't in the mood for anything special, so I grabbed a black pleated skirt, a grey long sleeve shirt, and a white t-shirt. Then I went to my winter coats and picked out a fluffy black one. I would put this on later. Entering the hallway, I saw my dad's bedroom door cracked open slightly, and the thin bit of light that shone through fell upon two figures in bed. I sighed and tip-toed down the stairs. I didn't want to wake him, because if I did, that would be the end of it. I walked past the bowl of oatmeal sitting on the table. The spoon was rusty, and the oatmeal was gloppy and very cold. There was no steam rising from it. I hurried past it, grabbing a granola bar from the pantry and dashing out the door into the freezing snow.

I slid into my fluffy winter coat and trudged through the snow and ice. Since my dad was too busy, he couldn't take me to school. And it wasn't even guaranteed that his rust bucket old car would work anyway, so instead of waking him up, and risking another beating, I walked. My hands were about to get frostbite, and my toes already had frostbite, but I just grabbed a pair of gloves from the side pocket in my jacket and traveled on.

All of a sudden, my feet went out from underneath me, and I was flat on my back on a patch of ice that was hidden under the snow. My knee began to grow a bruise, and there was snow in my hood.

"Are you kidding me?!" I cried, "Can this day get any worse??!"

Just as I said it, a car came flying past me on the road, sending up a spray of sleet and mud, drenching my gray coat and making me even more freezing.

"Great..." I groaned, getting up and brushing off my coat. I stood there for a while trying to get the snow out of my hood, and I wished my mom was here....

"Hey Serenity, need a ride?" Said a familiar voice.

I glanced to my left and saw a big white car next to me, with my best friend Harper leaning out the window, waving.

"Harper! Are you sure? I can walk...." I said.

"Serenity, get in the car..." Harper gave me one of her 'yeah, right... you need help' looks, and I sighed, opening the car door and sitting down. Harper gave me a big hug, not minding one bit that I was covered in mud.

"Hello, Serenity." Harper's mom looked in the rear-view mirror so that she could see me, "Why were you walking to school alone?"

I looked down at my lap, "my dad... he was uh... with a girl."

Harper looked at me and gave me a pat on the back as if to say 'it's ok...', and her mom sighed.

"Listen, sweetie," Harper's mom sighed, "if you ever need a ride to school, just call Harper or me. We'll be glad to drive you."

She started up the car engine, and I turned to look out the window, watching the trees and roads flash by us. It was about 6 miles to the school from my house, and I could have easily walked it... I mean, I do it all the time. But today I was feeling especially down and needed a friend. I was glad Harper's mom was there when I needed her most.

"Hey, Serie, you ok?" Harper whispered, touching my shoulder lightly. I responded quickly to the nickname, looking at her with a sad expression written on my face.

"Yeah, I'm ok..." I sighed, "I just wish I had a dad who could support me. Not one that gets drunk every night or cheats on girlfriends with dumb blonde bar girls." I felt that Harper and her mom were the only people who would listen to me. Who would express their concern for the state of ignorance that I live in?

"It's ok," Harper smiled, but I could tell she felt bad for me. A lot of people do. She gave me a big hug, "You always have my family to run to."

"But I don't!!" I cried, "the last time I did that, my dad came to your house. He took me away from you, and when I got home, he was furious! And that happened a few times..."

"Sweetheart, if it gets more serious, call the cops, or a child care program." Harper's mom looked into the rear-view mirror again, and I saw her face. It was painted with a sad look.

"I can't do that either..." I looked down at my lap, "he acts all perfect around cops, giving me hugs and hiding the alcohol under this secret floorboard in the stairs. Believe me, I've tried."

Soon we were at school, and Harper gathered her stuff and practically leaped out of the car, but I stayed in my seat for a while, thinking. Harper's mom waited patiently for me. When I was ready to get out, Harper's mom tapped me lightly on the shoulder. I swiveled my head around to look at her.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked, politely.

"Oh! Sweetie! No!" Harper's mom shook her head, "I just wanted to say that we are always here for you and if you want me to do something about this... I can."

"Thank you." I smiled, gathered my stuff and got out of the car swiftly so that she wouldn't have to wait for me any longer.