Stormy Skies (On Hold)

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Saturday, July 4th

Sophie

            “Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie Sophie!” My name becomes a sound of mush as Rena the human alarm clock jumps on my bed.

            “Rena, get off!” I grumble. She obliges, but doesn’t shut up. Instead, she moves to Rebecca’s side of the room and jumps on her bed. I sit up as Rebecca begins to stir.

            “Rena, get out of our room! What time is it anyway?” I rub my eyes sleepily and look at the clock. It reads 7:00 A.M.

            “Mom wants you up! It’s the barbecue today! We have lots to do! We have to prepare the food, and get firecrackers, and put up decorations, and prepare goodie bags...” Rena continues to blabber as she bounces out of the room.

            “What was that?” Rebecca asks groggily.

            “Just our wake up call. Come on, let’s go downstairs.” I swing my feet around my bed and stand up. The thin carpet feels scratchier than usual. I have a feeling this day will be less than satisfactory.

            “You know, I’m excited for the barbecue today. I want to get to know your cousin more. Do you think she’ll be there?” Rebecca says from behind me. There’s a creak as she gets out of bed. From the corner of my eye, I see her appear on my left.

            “She might be there,” I say nonchalantly. Adrianna does not concern me. She shouldn’t concern Rebecca either. I’m hoping if I act like I don’t care, then Rebecca will take my example.

            “Well I hope she’ll be there! She seems nice,” Rebecca says. I try to control the emotions fighting to display on my face.

            “Eh, she’s okay,” I shrug and walk over to the closet. I grab a red and white striped shirt and a pair of blue jean shorts. I’m not really in a patriotic mood, but if I don’t dress up, Samantha is sure to make me go change.

            “I don’t understand why you act so uncaring towards your own cousin! I would be jumping for joy if I found any of my family members!” Rebecca insists, oblivious to my discomfort of the subject. I turn on her.

            “Will you please stop talking about her?! I don’t care for her and I never will!” I blurt. Rebecca looks startled. She turns red and looks away.

            “Sorry Sophie. I didn’t know.”

            “It’s ok. Sorry for bursting out. Adrianna and I had a fight recently. We’re not really speaking anymore,” I explain. Rebecca immediately brightens up.

            “Well, if that’s all it is, I can help with that! I’m normally not very good at solving problems, but my friend Shelley at the orphanage was a pro! I’m sure I’ve picked up a thing or two from her!” She rambles for a while; then abruptly stops. “What is it you two were fighting about?”

            I can’t possibly tell her the truth. “It’s a long story,” I say.

            “I have time!” She replies. She sits on her bed criss-cross and rests her chin upon her hands. She looks up at me expectantly with wide eyes. I shake my head at her.

            “Samantha probably wants us downstairs,” I say.

            “Oh, she can wait!”