leaked (l.h.)

22

I managed to get home not too much longer after I left, probably because I found myself sprinting the entire way home. The sun, slowly falling behind the tree covered horizon, didn't wait for me to get home before starting to disappear. But I made it before it was completely down.

"You're home early," my Step-Dad says as he cooks his usual popcorn, his unspoken nightly routine. Right before bed, the smell of popcorn fills the house. And my Mother's apple-scented candle competes with the salty, buttery fragrance. Almost. "I wasn't expecting you until, like, midnight."

"No, I wanted to come home before the sun went down," I say, feeling the pain in my calves after such a far walk. I'm out of breath, a sweating mess. And as I walk over to the fridge to grab a glass of water, I can tell that he noticed.

"I could have driven you home if you wanted me to," he watches me as the popcorn pops in the microwave. "There's no shame in asking for a ride."

"Yes there is," I shake my head. "I'm almost eighteen, and I still can't drive."

"Oh hush," he scoffs. "Your Mom didn't get her license until she was, what, twenty?"

"Nineteen," she walks in right on time, smiling when she grabs one of her tabloids off of the table. She's almost ready for bed, but she won't sleep unless her husband is beside her. So until then, she likes to sit beside him as he watches fishing shows on the TV. 

"I don't mind though," I shrug. "I like walking. Just... not at night. And usually Luke drives me home."

"You two seem to be connected at the hip," He says as he brings the bag out of the microwave. "It's weird, him not being here."

I smile softly as I look down at my feet, shrugging as I feel the curls fall down over my shoulder. They're soaked in sweat, but still intact. "His boys came over to visit, and I was getting tired."

"You've got to fix your sleeping schedule anyway," Mom adds. "School starts up in, what, two weeks?"

"Oh god," I frown, dropping my head as I fill the glass up with water. "Don't remind me."

"And you're sure you don't want to transfer?"

"No," I sigh softly. "This town is too small. It's generous to assume that people all around hasn't heard about me."

"Well," my Mom sighs. "Like I said, you've got a year or so left. Then, you're free."

"Right," I nod, bringing the glass up to my lips. I take a soft sip, letting the cold water soothe my aching body and burning lungs. "Well, I'm going to go get ready for bed. Goodnight, guys." 

I walk upstairs, and when I reach my bedroom I check my phone. Nothing, he must have not read it yet. 

I strip down, walking in the shower to wash the hot summer evening off of my body. The smell of sunflowers from my body wash fills the bathroom with it's sweet scent, and as I feel the suds on my skin I close my eyes. Jesus Christ, I'm really going to have to go to school again. 

I slip on my favorite oversized tee I had bought at that damn secondhand store, some NASCAR race that I don't have the slightest clue about. It's long on me, resting on my mid thigh as I stand in front of my vanity mirror. I slip on my panties and quickly run a brush through my black hair. 

I walk to my bed, pulling down the blanket and climbing into the cool bedsheets that smell like sunflowers. 

I listen to my parents as they, too, find themselves succumbing to their exhaust. Their bedroom, right across from mine, is filled with hushed voices while they get ready for yet another day in paradise. They both have work in the morning, and like usual Luke will walk over before breakfast. Or maybe, like earlier today, his brother will allow him to borrow his car. But he always seems to find his way over despite whatever obstacles stand in the way. Rain, shine, Luke finds his way here. And I've always got pancakes on the griddle by the time he gets here.