Bring Us Home

Act 2: Her

I woke up with a start, my heart pounding in my chest, a cold sweat running from the scalp to the nape of my neck. The nightmares have gotten worse with no real reason actually. I turned over on my side and checked my clock which read the time to be 6.50 a good hour behind the time I should actually be waking up. I made my way to the bathroom and after washing my face proceeded to stare into the mirror, the person who stared back still amazes me. I was obese until the last day of middle school but as we went into high I wanted to change that, so I worked out and dropped a few pounds I'm no model material but I'm much healthier than I was. My Auburn hair fell in curls around me, my dad always told me that I got my mother's hair and nose but we both shared the same sky blue eyes. I tied my hair in a quick bun and after brushing my teeth decided to go get breakfast. As I headed downstairs the smell of waffles and honey tickled my nose. I'm guessing today was dads turn to cook, mom hates it when it's his turn cause he always spoils us with either pancakes or waffles and bacon or he just gets takeout from the breakfast menu at the diner down at Becker street. As I reached the bottom of the stairs I see dad as he whoosh's around the kitchen in a hurry to make breakfast and leave for work. He turns around and jumps on seeing me but quickly regains his composure.
" Mornin' Josie.  Slept well?" he asked.
" Yeah, dad sorta. Didn't catch much of it but still" I replied.
" Aahhh the nightmares keeping you up again huh? It's ok, we can get it checked out by a doctor if you like." he said.
" No I think I'm ok" I replied.
Just before dad could insist on it we heard the skittering of tiny feet bounding down the stairs. That's my younger sister Britney. She was starting her first day at middle school while I was going on with my first day at high school. Both of us aren't exactly related cause I was adopted into the family after my mom overdosed on LSD and died. It scared me to see her lifeless body slumped on the floor. Completely still. It went on for hours until the police came. After that, I was placed in an orphanage and after a short 4 months got adopted my the Cranhalls. It took a while but I got adjusted to them and came to even love this new family as my own. I can't imagine what I would do without them. So I became Michelle Cranhall.

Dad sets down a plate in front of me snapping me out of my thoughts. I push down two spoonfuls of what was on my plate and bolted upstairs to get ready for school. I tied my hair in boxer braids and pulled a cardigan over my crop top. As I ran around my room packing my bag I hear the faint honking of the car horn. As I look outside my window I see mom standing with a huge neon sign that reads" LETS DO THIS SHIT" in big letters. I roll my eyes and run downstairs to join Britney and go. We both kiss dad goodbye and run out and into the car.
" Hey kids ready for the first day of the rest of your lives" she asked.
We both reply in unison," AYE, AYE CAPTAAAINNN!!!".
"Alright let's move out." She hollers back. We all break into a fit of laughter that lasts all the way upto the school lot. As we pull into the parking lot I hop out and as I turn to close the door, mom tells me to enjoy and loosen up.
I reply " Another new year but it's the same old me". Little did I know that I was very,very wrong.