Why Teenagers Shouldn't Hunt Monsters

Chapter 2: Highschool Hell

 7 Years Later

"Gustave!" I screamed impatiently. "I'm leaving in two minutes."

I paused. "Okay!" came his response. I let out a half sigh, half-laugh, and I walked into the kitchen.

"Hey mom"

She shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts. As she looked up at me, I recognized her signature "Stepford Smile". I felt myself slipping and getting lost in my thoughts, I guess I take after my mother more than I realized. I blinked, trying to clear my mind and vision, remembering she was still watching me and anticipating what I was going to tell her. For another second, I stood still and looked over her, to this day I'm still in disbelief about her appearance. Now, I look a lot like my mother, and I mean a lot. But if you saw us then, you wouldn't have been able to tell. She was a good few inches shorter than me and was unrecognizable from her years prior. Like me, she had naturally dark and curly hair that definitely can be classified as "do not brush unless you want to look lie the personification of static electricity". But now it was cropped short and her curls were more like those depressing squiggles that small children drawn. And she was much thinner and more frail-looking than I ever remember her being, it was hard to look at her most days, knowing what she'd become. And yet, here she was, smiling at me. It was eerie and sad. Yes, most definitely sad.

"Come On!"

Well, I guess Gustave is ready. "Oh so now you're quick," I said, knowing he felt my piercing glare even whilst waiting in the hall. I sighed "I'll meet you outside".

Turning back to my mother, I noticed her holding out a pair of brown paper bags.

"You haven't made us lunch in years",

"well, today is a special occasion. The first day of school in American deserves celebration"

I've heard game hosts with less forced enthusiasm.. Nonetheless, I humored her, taking the bags while returning her plastic smile.

"Hey!"

Damnit Gustave, "I'm coming," God forbid I speak to our mother.

"Be safe, don't talk to strangers, wear your cross, watch your brother, you know the drill," she reminded me.

"Yes, yes, yes, I've done this a million times before".

"I know..." she hesitated, "just...have a good day"

I nodded, and with that, I left.

later That Day

*Tick, tick, tick*

Five minutes.

*Tick, tick, tick*

Three minutes.

*Tick, tick, tick*

One minute.

*Tick, tick..."

"riinnnggggg"

Ah, lunchtime. The time to do homework, eat food and keep my brother from getting his ass kicked. At least mommy dearest chose a good little k-12 school, that way I cant even use my studies as an excuse for not babysitting. Speaking of which....

'Sonya!" I heard a voice call from down the hall. I could hear his footsteps getting louder and louder until...

*Slam!*

"Must you always try and tackle me?" I asked, looking down at him.

"No, I just thought you were a monster that looks like my sister".