Crash Course in Love

Chapter One: Memories Are Forever.

 Chapter One: Memories Are Forever.

[September 22. 5:46 pm]

- Ambrie. 

"Ambrie, put that cigarette down." My sixteen year old brother, Jacob, instructed. I buldged my eyes as I let out an annoyed sigh. Whenever I smoke, I enjoy being left in solitude, and Jacob knows that -- so why is he bothering me? 

Ignoring Jacob's commands, I continued to swing my dangling feet in the air, as I sat on the edge of the rusty balcony that was built in front of the Orphanage. I held the cigarette tightly in between my index and middle finger, twirling the stick around in boredom.

I sat the cigarette in between my lips as I inhaled, staring at Jacob from the corner of my eye. He raised his eyebrows, stepping a bit closer as he observed me -- acknowledging the fact that I absolutely hate it when people watch me smoke.

I pursed my lips, only parting them a bit as I blew out a puff of smoke in Jacob's direction. He waved his hands in the air frantically, releasing a few coughs as he attempted to swat away the smoke. "Give it to me," He spoke sternly as he charged towards me, his hand out in the open.

I resisted. "Get away from me."

"Ambrie Renee Perez, don't make me ask you twice." 

I chuckled, "Ooo, you called me by my full name, I'm so scared." Jacob placed his hands on his hips, tilting his head to the side. "Stop trying to act as if you're my Mother, because you're not. I don't have to listen to you."

"Well, someone has to take charge. And since Xavier is too care-free and unresponsible, I thought I might as --"

"Can you shut up?" His voice was like a bee buzzing in my ear, it was extremely irritating. The one thing I hate about Jacob is how he never knows when to shut his mouth. He doesn't realize that not everyone cares for what he has to say.

I swung my legs back over the balcony and ascended up the stairs to the double doors that lead to the inside of the orphanage, or shall I say, the hell hole I'm forced to live in until I turn eighteen.

But I came to a halt when I felt Jacob grab a hold of the collar of my white Hollister shirt, then yank me backwards. He snatched the cigarette from my possession, then nonchalantly dropped it onto the pavement, stomping on it with his shoe.

"You're only fourteen years old, you shouldn't be smoking." He informed me, as if I don’t already know that. Jacob has always tried to help me quit smoking, but he never succeeded. Jacob doesn't smoke, so I'm guessing he doesn't understand that smoking isn't something that you can just quit doing over night, it takes time and patience. But it's not like I want to stop smoking, anyways. I've been smoking since I was twelve years old, and I doubt that I'll ever stop anytime soon.

After my Mother died in the tragic event they called 9/11 and I was forced to move in with my Aunt, I went into the great depression. And although I was only three years old at the time, I still understood what was going on, and I was still affected by it.