Squeeze the Day

🍋F O U R T E E N🍋

THE WEATHER WAS the perfect metaphor to represent my mood. What started off as a sunny and happy day contorted into a dark and dreary evening. Thick, grey clouds filled the skies, and the sound of rumbling shook the house. Cher was right, a storm was definitely brewing.

I sat in front of the window in my room, staring at the world outside. Harsh winds blew from every direction, shaking the trees, and the once white clouds were nearly black as they littered the entire sky. I wasn't a meteorologist, but this storm did not look good at all.

A clap of thunder echoed through the sky, making me jump as I felt it shake my bones. Watching the storm form just made me feel even more alone than I had before. My parents weren't here, my best friend wasn't here, my boyfriend wouldn't even talk to me, and the only person who I could hold a real conversation with had a swollen jaw because of me.

I snapped out of my thoughts when my phone rang. "Hello?" I answered without checking the caller ID.

"Maxine." It was my mom. "We heard there's a hurricane headed your way."

I let out an inaudible gasp. No one said anything about a hurricane.

"We're just calling to make sure you're safe and indoors."

"Yeah, we're in Cher's house."

"Cher told me about her meeting. Are you kids alright? Did you stock up on food? Do you have extra batteries, and flashlights, and—"

"Mom, we're fine," I assured her. "We just did a grocery run, and I'm sure we have everything we need. Don't stress about us."

"I'm sorry," she said sympathetically. "I'm just not used to being gone for this long."

I felt my mouth forming a frown. "Me neither."

"I have to go, sweetie. Take care of your brother, okay?"

"I will. Bye, Mom." I hung up and sighed as I glanced outside. I was really not looking forward to what Mother Nature had in store for us.

Instead of idly sitting in my room, I decided to be proactive and make sure we had flashlights lying around. I had no idea how bad this storm could get, and the last thing I wanted was to be in a pitch black house with Shane. I changed into a pair of shorts and slipped a t-shirt over my tank top, and then I tied my short hair into the best ponytail I could muster, though bits came out because my hair was too short for one. Despite it being the evening, it was even hotter than it was during the afternoon, and I was sweating.

I walked down the stairs, making a beeline for the kitchen to grab a nice, cold bottle of water. I popped off the cap and took a long swig, ignoring the drops that trickled down my chin.

"You're acting like you haven't drank in days."

Shane's abrupt entrance took me by surprise and I jumped, spilling the water all over me. Heaving a sigh, I pulled my now drenched t-shirt over my head, leaving me in just a tank top. Shane looked like he was about to say something, but I left before he could. I didn't even get far when I stopped in my tracks, doing a complete one-eighty degree turn when I saw his face. The side of his jaw was a mixture of purple and blue, and I felt queasy at the sight. Unwilling to stand there any longer, I left.

Austin and Oliver were sitting on the couch in the living room, both of them actually getting along as they played a video game. I walked past them, not wanting to ruin this rare bonding moment, and I found the door for what I presumed to be the basement.

"What are you doing?" Shane called from across the room.

I really didn't want to answer, but considering this technically was his house I supposed I had no choice. "Looking for flashlights."