Echo

Chapter 2

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Published: 4/8/20

Edited: 5/18/21

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      Living on the edge of Lakewood City was one of the few things I truly enjoyed. Yes, I had nothing against the city itself. The buildings were tall and the city barely slept – although it slept more than New York. It was an escape from the downside of the city. I didn't have to worry about noisy neighbors or neighborhood gossip. The peace and quiet was the best part of living outside of the city and its suburbs.

      My parents thought living outside of the city would be the best place to raise us. They had once told me that they wanted to raise their children to be able to run outside without having to worry about the dangers of the city life. I respected their reasons and partly agreed with them.

      My family's house always reminded me of an old yet modern home. I admired how it always gave me a warm feeling just by seeing it. The house was not grand our mouth dropping. It was a two-story house with a roof. John pulled up onto the driveway, parking behind Dad's car. We exited his truck, the gravel crunching beneath our feet as we walked up the driveway.

      John opened the door as I walked up the porch. "Mom! Dad! We're home!" John sang as I closed the door behind me. The smell of Mom's homemade pasta was practically mouthwatering.

      I strolled straight down the hallway and turned left, following the delicious smell into the kitchen. I sat on a stool in front of the bar as my Mom cooked. Mom had a rose printed apron on over her white blouse and brown pencil skirt. Her reddish-brown hair was styled in a bun.

      "Staring won't make dinner ready, Evelyn," she teased smiling at me. I pouted wishing that it was possible. I was hungry after the first day of classes. Even with the lunch I had, it never seemed to be enough brain food.

      "Man, not only did you get roasted by Mrs. Stern but now by mom!" John laughed as he gave mom a hug. What is it with roasting me? I glanced at John strangely. Mom really didn't roast me exactly.

      "What? What happened with Mrs. Stern, Evelyn?" Mom questioned her green eyes narrowing at me. I explained to my mom how I read my essay today. I told her how my teacher thought it wasn't fit for the theme and that I was singled out.

      "I remember you wanted me to read it. I thought it was very well written," my mom said, as she washed her hands. I nodded my head, glad that she assured me of my hard work.

     "Oh! Where's Vivian?" I asked.

      "She is upstairs in her room."

      I walked up the steps to the second floor. It was easy to see which door was Vivian's. She had her door decorated with many different materials, making it look like a picture of a castle. I knocked on the door, "Vivian! It's Evelyn, who happens to be your awesome sister!"

       "You can't come in unless you know the secret code!" My sister's young voice said. Vivian liked to have a special connection with everyone. Mom would be the one to sing her lullabies and read her bedtime stories. Dad would bring Vivian to work and let her spin around in his chair. John would take her out to ride the horses. And as for me, it's different.

      "I, the mighty wizard of Pixie Land, is here to see the Pixie Princess," I dramatically said. A second after that, the door was opened revealing a six-year-old girl with green eyes and red-ish brown hair like mom. Vivian had her pink knitted sweater, fairy wings, a prink frilly skirt, and ballerina shoes. Oh, let's not forget the tiara.

      "It is about time you arrived. You missed the tea party with Prince Teddy, Puffy the Dragon, and Wally the Book Worm!" She said as she grabbed my hand pulling me into her room. Pink was everywhere. The walls, the bed, the sheets, the carpet, the pillows – it was pink! Thank goodness the dressers were a pale color. I never went through a pink faze as a child – but Vivian was obsessed with the color.

      I spent the next hour with my little sister. It was our thing to play her made up adventures. But it was also my thing, too. Hearing her talk about how much Prince Teddy loves her, but she secretly pretends that she doesn't love him. With a blue and yellow wizard hat on my head and a blue bathrobe covering me, it was safe to say I loved every second of it.

      It was dark outside by the time mom told us dinner was ready. Vivian and I ran down the stairs and into the dining room. Mom's special – world winning, in my opinion – pasta was placed on the table. I sat in my usual seat which is across from John and beside Vivian's. Mom sat at the end of the table opposite of Dad.

      "Have I ever told you I love your cooking?" I grinned into the pasta. Mom chuckled at my excitement. The Marin's dinner table was always skilled with the clanking of utensils and laughing of jokes. It was a traditional routine for each of us to tell how our days went. Most of the chattering led to laughter, and rarely bickering. I was certain I was lucky to be given a family like mine.

     "Goodnight, Vivian."

      I kissed my little sister's forehead as I tucked her in. Vivian yawned a goodnight as she drifted off to sleep. I quietly closed her door and walked to my bedroom, which was the last room from my siblings. I was too tired to take a shower. "I'll just shower in the morning," I muttered to myself.

      I stripped from my clothes and climbed into my pjs. I stopped in front of the closet to look at myself in my full-size mirror. My hair was a little past my shoulders. Sometimes I think my hair is a red mahogany color – it's kind of weird. Thinking about how weird my hair is brought back memories. I used to get teased on about my hair. It wasn't the color it was just that my hair was hard to maintain. It always ended up being a giant frizz ball. I can put special hair products all day and it would still be frizzy. I can't forget about my gray eyes. Out of my whole family, I was the one with gray eyes. It made me feel all alone, but at the same time I knew it was normal for some children to end up with eye colors different from the parents.

      I climbed into bed; I was halfway with being comfortable until I remember I did not even start homework. I groaned in annoyance. I was to busy spending time with Vivian to even remember. I sighed as I forced myself out of bed. I grabbed my books, deciding to just do homework on my bed. It was only 10:00 PM – I can get it done.

      I was so tired once I finished my last assignment. It was nearing midnight. I decided it was best to sleep. I stared at the ceiling waiting for sleep to take me. Soon my eyes felt too heavy to keep open. I closed my eyes hoping a nice sleep was waiting for me.

     BOOM!!!