Amity swept the kitchen floor. She was home for the school season and not feeling happy. Her dad and stepmom were out of town because her stepmom's mother had passed away (which Amity saw on a note left for the pet sitter). Amity doubted they even knew she was there. She had a spare key with her at Camp Phoenix for if she came back. She bought homeschool workbooks and was basically just educating herself since her dad wouldn't pay registration fees for public school.

She set the broom against the wall and opened the pantry. It looked like they were going to be gone for a while considering that the only things left in there were many packets of instant noodles, half a box of crackers, and vanilla cake mix. She sighed and made a mental note to go to the store and use up the little amount of money she had left. She cooked noodles and sat on her phone as she ate. When she finished, she grabbed her bowl and set it in the sink.

Amity turned the faucet on, a thick stream of water bursting forward. She looked around under the sink and grabbed the last bottle of Dawn soap, squirting it into the bowl. The mixture of water and soap mixed and turned frothy, the bubbles eagerly piling high. She turned off the faucet and grabbed the sponge, rubbing the bowl vigorously. She turned the faucet on again, rinsing the soap out. She turned it off yet again and pulled open the dishwasher, which was completely emptied. She stuck her bowl in and slammed the dishwasher shut. She grabbed her phone, turned on her heel, and made her way upstairs.

Amity's door was the same as she remembered. On a blue slip of paper, her name was written in cursive and easily glued on. Doodles she had made in Sharpie from since she was little up until before she left for Camp Phoenix still adorned it. The doorknob was still rusty. She opened the door and grinned happily when she realized that her room was also still the same. The bed was messily made, the baby blue sheets ruffled and uneven, and the cherry red pillow about to fall off the side. The TV was still mounted on the dresser, untouched and dusty. Video game cases littered the ground and her action figures were neatly assorted on her bookshelf. The light hanging down from the ceiling was encased in stain glass, illuminating the room with its bright colors when she flicked the light switch. To the right side of her bed, framed pictures of her and her sister were surrounded with torn-out journal entries stained with tears, the ink smudged. Behind the pictures was a small statue of the goddess Nike, Amity's birth mother. She had draped a necklace over it, the chain golden and adorned with emeralds, a large mystic topaz hanging from it. Cases of candlesticks were stacked against the wall, a box of used and broken crayons from when she was little laying on top of one of the cases. As she was standing in the doorway, her eyes roaming around as she observed her room, the two pitbulls, Custard and Missy darted in. Amity poked her head out of the door, spotting the two cats, Rabbit and Bunny, cuddling. She turned back around to notice that the pitbull puppy, Pocahontas, had come in, too.

Amity smiled and sat on the bed. She started when she heard the front door open and close. Shit, the pet sitter is here. Amity shooed Custard, Missy, and Pocahontas out of her room, closing the door quietly. She heard the pet sitter baby-talking. After about ten minutes, Amity heard the door open and close again. She opened one of the cases, pulling out a mint green candlestick. Tears rolled down her face when she saw her sister's initials carved in it. She wiped her face, then left the room. She squatted down to pet Rabbit and Bunny, who immediately burst into a chorus of purrs. She stood up, brushing fur off her shorts, and made her way back downstairs. She checked the fridge, only to find half a block of cheddar cheese, an almost empty tub of cottage cheese, three eggs, a new carton of milk, and a recently-opened jar of jelly. She felt soft fur brush against her leg and looked down to see her third cat, Pandora, looking up at her. Pandora meowed, then took off running. Amity smiled.

She sat down on the leather couch, reaching behind her and tugging at the soft purple blanket. She pulled it over her, fluffed the pillow and propped it up at the end of the couch, laying down and resting her head on it. She switched the TV on, watching it until she fell asleep.

~o~

Amity awoke in the morning, yawning and stretching. She switched the TV off, rolling onto her back and staring up at the ceiling. She lied there for a few minutes, then got to her feet. She poured herself a cup of milk and grabbed the cottage cheese. She finished what was left rather quickly, tossing it in the garbage and draining her cup. Still hungry, she pulled chicken-flavored instant noodles out of the pantry.

Once she finished, she scrubbed her cup and bowl, sticking both in the dishwasher, along with the spoon she used to eat the cottage cheese.

She hurried out the door, locking it behind her. She clambered onto her dad's motorcycle, zipping up her jacket and securing her helmet. She grinned as she sped off. Amity kept calm through busy intersections and crowded streets. She passed the funeral home. She tried not to think about it too much, but she still regretted the day that she had to attend her own sister's funeral. She finally made it to the store. She raced inside, determined to make it quick. She pulled out her list to check it.

Eggs

Butter

Heavy whipping cream

Bread

Fudge bars

Protein bars

Protein

Shampoo

Conditioner

Body wash

Deodorant

Choc. Chips

Potato chips

Coconut milk

Cane sugar

Decaf coffee

Coffee creamer

Choc. almond milk

Yogurt

Slivered almonds

Peanut butter

"Good," Amity murmured. She took off towards the front section. She crossed off shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and deodorant. She quickly got everything else, then headed straight for the cash register. The cashier had bright orange and frilly hair down to her waist, a nose ring, and bright green eyes. She worked quickly, throwing the items into the bags.

"That'll be eighty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents," the cashier muttered. Amity pulled out all her money and gave it to the cashier. After paying, she grabbed her stuff and headed back outside.

She stuck the bags into a large basket she brought and took off.

As soon as she got back, she started unloading the groceries. She started when the front door opened and closed. She improvised and stuffed everything under the kitchen table, sliding under it, her breath hitched in her throat. The pet sitter grabbed the dog food and cat food out of the kitchen, turning and leaving, not even noticing Amity and her pile of groceries. Amity let out a sigh of relief as she left. "That was a close one, eh, bud?" She said to Custard, who was giving her a peculiar look. She reached forward and rubbed his neck. He wagged his tail and licked her face, making her giggle.

She slipped into her room. She clambered onto her bed, stacking an empty wooden box on it. She climbed on top of it, unafraid of the rocking. White body paint in her right hand and a paintbrush in her left, she opened the skylight and climbed onto the roof. She sat on the edge, her legs hanging off. Amity hung her head and let the tears flow freely, thinking about her sister. Lilly. She had passed in a car crash.

Amity wiped the tears off her face with her fist, then squirted a large amount of the paint onto the roof. She dabbed the paintbrush in it and started painting her arms. She didn't care what she was painting, it was just abstract. The brush moving delicately across her arms, painting designs she didn't pay attention to, adding little details. Escalating up her arms and to her shoulders. Switching to the other arm. She finished painting and moved to her face. Abstract. Carefree. Her hand going where it wanted to. She finished and abandoned the paint and brush on the roof as she slipped back down through the skylight. She looked at the designs on her body. "Every detail tells a story," she whispered to herself.

She grabbed her phone and noticed a text. From her friend, Valentine.

Amityyyyyyyyysan summer is over! you back yet?

Amity quickly typed a response: Back! Yes!

Oh, good, Am! I missed you! wanna come over and hang out?

Sure, Val, be there soon.

Amity didn't bother washing the paint off her body. She slipped out the door, slipping on her black jacket and helmet. She climbed onto the motorcycle and took off.

~o~

Valentine opened the door. Her eyes widened when she saw the henna-like white paint on Amity's body. "You look great, Amity!" She squealed. "Is...the paint dry?"

Amity nodded. Valentine leaned forward and hugged her. "Where were you that whole Summer?" She asked.

Amity grinned sheepishly. "Summer camp."

Valentine giggled. "Oh, that's right! Silly me!" She then looked really confused. "Amity, you're fourteen, right?"

Amity nodded.

"Then, why are you driving a motorcycle...?"

Amity's face turned guilty. "Oh, well, it's the only way to get around...and it's not like anyone notices! I'm good at driving it!"

"But, what if you were caught?"

"I wouldn't be! Trust me!"

"I don't trust you, Amity. But, oh well, guess I have no choice."

"Exactly," Amity purred, stepping inside.

Valentine slammed the door shut. She whirled around. "Tell me the truth," she snarled.

Amity blinked, taken aback. "W-what?"

Valentine took a threatening step forward. "Where were you actually while you were gone?"

Amity bit her lip. "You won't believe me!"

Valentine grabbed her arm. "Amity! Please just tell me! I feel like I have a liar for a friend! I believe in a lot of crazy stuff! I'll believe you!"

Amity pulled her arm away, dropping to her knees and covering her face. "No!"

"Please! Please, Amity! Why won't you tell me?" Valentine pleaded.

"It's none of your business!" Amity shouted, turning her head away.

Valentine shouted, "AMITY!"

Amity's head drooped, defeated. "Fine."

Bowchickawowow. My babeh, Amity. I HAVE FINALLY IMPROVED MY WRITING, THANK GOD. THIS WAS SO HORRENDOUS AT FIRST BECAUSE OF THAT PRAISE THE LAWDS IT'S BETTER NOW *tears of joy*

-Jazz