"A month huh…" I thought to myself.
"It doesn't seem that long ago…"
I tossed myself to the other side of my bed and rested my head on my cupped hands. Tilting my head to one side, I studied a picture of my parents located on my nightstand. I frowned at their happy faces. They were both looking to a younger me in the picture.
The photo itself was torn up and faded; only showing a section of the original image. However it completely DID NOT hide the fact that I had the chubbiest of cheeks. Like tan marshmallows on my face. Never mind. I'm sulking too much to think about food.
"But they are gone now…" I said aloud, heaving a sigh.
I let my face splat into my blankets and pulled the soft fabric closer to my face. I tried to cry- I always tried to cry- at least I felt like I should be crying after my parents deaths. But I had used up all the tears I had stored away. It's so pitiful of me being this depressed.
I threw myself back to my original position on my bed. So many thoughts were swimming around in my brain I'm surprised it hadn't burst.
"A new house, a new family, a new school, and, hopefully, new friends. I hope they will all work out- No! I know they will! It's a new beginning for me!" I shouted triumphantly, only to be reminded by my own echo that I had been talking to myself... again.
I glanced at all of the remaining boxes of my things on my carpet. I then looked at my clock and groaned melodramatically.
" Annnnnd it's only 9:30 a.m.… one more hour till I leave this place... Ajwnf." I made some kind of weird noise as I rolled onto my back. Not quite sure what it was but it was a noise.
I studied the rotating ceiling fan, trying to entertain myself, sort of. I got dizzy from that so I wandered into the kitchen and threw open the fridge door to search for food. Remember earlier when I said I was too depressed for food? Well, ya, I lied. Food is love, food is life.
"... WHY IS THERE NO FOOD!?"
And que a mental breakdown. There was nada. Nothing!
I groaned again and melodramatically sagged down to the floor till I was on my knees.
"Ughghgh…" I moaned loudly, hoping that someone would hear me. I almost felt like a little kid wanting attention. Correction- I was like a little kid wanting attention.
My attention span was completely drained by that point so I simply got up from the floor, only to hear my current guardian calling my name as he walked into the kitchen. He was the one and only, my older brother, Shion.
He smiled at the distressed look on my face. Yes, he's THAT kind of person.
"Hungry?" He asked playfully, clearly knowing the answer.
"What do you think?" I responded, smiling teasingly. He ruffled my short hair and took a few dark brown strands between his fingers.
"What do you feel like getting? The usual?" he asked with a soft smile.
"Yes please!" I exclaimed. Just the thought of a mouthwatering burger cooked to perfection made me drool. Yes, I know I'm very smooth.
He chuckled and then grabbed my arm delicately, "Let's go then, kiddo!"
I was a bit sad to be leaving Shion. He was the best brother you could ever ask for but he was in college and didn't have the time, nor the money, to take care of me. It was because of this that I had made the decision to live with my Gran instead, to take the pressure off him, ya know?
I knew wasn't going that far, so I would definately get to see him, but still, it was going to be lonely without him…
I shook my head out lightly. I shouldn't be depressed right now. This could very well be the last few moments I spend with Shion for a while.
I stepped into his car and buckled up. Shion's car was relatively empty, despite all the packing I was doing. I then saw my older sister, Haruhi, packing all of my things into her car.
Shion noticed me watching Haruhi slave away over cardboard boxes full of my stuff and things and smiled again.
"I made her put all your junk in her car, instead." he said with a stupid smile as he started his car.
"Good. Cause your car is a mess!" I said picking up old newspapers from the floor.
"Hey! It's not that bad! I just haven't had time to clean it!" He snapped in protest.
"Make time then, you hoarder!" I shouted playfully.
He grunted and then his usual smile returned. We pulled out the driveway as Haruhi's shouts could be heard behind us. She was totally gonna hit us when we got back. But, like me, she could be easily bribed into content.
… … … … … … … … … … Later that Day … … … … … … … … … …
I slurped on my cream soda as Shion and I made small talk. He would casually open his mouth wide and say 'ahhh' when he wanted some fries, so I had to feed him while he drove. We arrived at the apartment complex shortly, where the three of us lived together.
Haruhi noticed us as we stepped out of the car and narrowed her eyes at Shion and I. I stared back at her as I continued to nonchalantly sip my soda. She then proceeded to hold out her hand, the other on her hip. Shion laughed and pulled out a burger from the bag, placing it in Haruhi's hand. Satisfied, she gripped the burger and smiled at us before gesturing for us to follow her to her car.
We all ate together in the parking lot, talking and looking back on all that had happened to us thus far. And, trust me, it was a lot.
Then, we talked about me.
Shion and Haruhi frowned at each other and then both glanced at me. I couldn't help, but smile back at them.
"I'll be fine! You two don't have to worry about a thing, ok?" I said with a reassuring smile, swinging my legs back and forth as I sat on the hood of Haruhi's car.
"It's not that-" Shion began with a deep sigh," I'm just gonna miss our little sister..." He said playing with my hair. I smiled and looked at Haruhi. She had gone back to finishing her burger with a glazed-over look in her eyes.
With a soft sigh, she wiped her mouth with a napkin, taking some of her pink lipstick with it.
"We gotta go now, Ayumi." She said, forcing a smile.
Shion and I frowned and nodded our heads simultaneously as we all stood, collecting our trash. I would like to acknowledge the amount of control it took to not dump everything in Shion's car.
Most of the ride was silent, except for unsuccessful attempts to start a conversation by Shion. I stared out my window, gazing at the unfamiliar passing scenery. I rested my forehead against the window and drifted off into a deep sleep.
… … … … … … … … … … Later that Day … … … … … … … … … …
I only woke when I felt Shion's muscular, yet gentle hand shake my shoulder. I rubbed my eyes drowsily, only to see his smiling face.
"We're here, kiddo." He said, still smiling. I could tell it wasn't genuine and that only made me more uneasy.
I nodded silently in response and got out of the car. I attempted to straighten myself up, trying to fix my bed-head and wrinkled blouse. I was determined to make a good first-impression and, hopefully, not look like I just rolled out from under a bridge.
Shion patted my head, silently reassuring me that I looked fine. He then frowned and bent down, hugging me tightly.
"...I can't believe I have to say goodbye to you, Ayumi."
He pulled away reluctantly from our embrace. He had tears stinging the corners of his eyes; it was rare that Shion ever cried. Even I felt a lump in the back of my throat steal my voice as my eyes glazed. I really didn't expect it to go down like this.
"I'll be fine... Don't worry about me." I said rubbing my eyes, struggling to keep my voice from cracking.
"It's not you I'm worried about! It's me! What am I gonna do with you gone?!" he said choking out a laugh, still smiling. I couldn't help but laugh with him, too.
Haruhi joined us and hugged me tightly, rubbing my head. As the eldest in our little family, she took the position of acting like the mother. She hesitantly whispered shaky goodbyes to me, kissing my forehead repeatedly.
I swallowed, the lump growing bigger. I felt a sob build up in my throat, but, just like tears, it didn't come out.
With a sad smile, I waved to Shion and Haruhi as they pulled away in their car. I watched their car drive away until the bumper was no longer in view.
The reality had really set in.
I was alone in a new place and had no idea what it had in store for me, good or bad.
So, as you can see I'm in the process of rewriting this cause let's face it- it was PRETTY bad in the first draft. But I promise it'll be better! And the journey will continue!
Stay creative my friends~