There was a rush of steps upstairs and a loud thud.
"Erin, pop the toaster, quick! I forgot I'd put it in a second round!"
"Got it, mum." Reluctantly leaving my bowl of cereal, I strolled into the kitchen and pressed the eject button on the toaster.
Thoroughly burnt.
I gingerly took the charcoaled bread out of the toaster and placed it on a plate, shaking my hand and blowing on my fingers to ease the pain.
*BEEP BEEP BEEP*
"You've gotta be kidding me…" Lauren sighed deeply, shooting a fierce gaze towards the kitchen ceiling as she shoved an angry spoonful of cereal in her mouth.
"Aaaaand there it goes again. We may as well just remove it," Nathan grumbled, none too happy about the loud incessant beeping.
The sound of a door opening was followed by footsteps and dad's head popping around the corner. "Sandy?"
"You know it," I responded with a bit of cheek. Dad just shook his head with a small chuckle.
"Either that alarm goes or my sanity does," Lauren spat, gesturing with her spoon towards dad.
"You know we can't do that. I mean, it may only be a required safety measure to make it less likely that you'll die in the case of a fire, but it's still important."
"Well, if we can't scrap it, maybe we should name it, seeing as it's pretty much part of the family at this point," Nathan suggested, eyes focussed on his bowl while he scraped up the last dregs of his breakfast. "It might also make it more of a joke and less of an obnoxious bastard."
I raised an eyebrow with a smirk, walking to the bench to grab a tea towel so I could fan the smoke away from our loudest family member.
"Just make sure the name isn't boring. It needs to be something funny or stupid." Lauren immediately turned her head sharply towards our dad with a fierce look. "But when I say stupid, I don't mean something like 'Beeper'. Yea, it's stupid, but it ain't funny or good. Rejected."
The words forming on his lips died as his face fell.
My persistent fanning finally shut the damn thing up so I could return to my cereal. It was as I anticipated, though. Soggy. However, I wasn't about to go wasting perfectly edible food, plus I was hungry and couldn't wait until something else had been fixed up.
"What about Bl-"
"Shut up, dad. I don't trust your suggestions."
He wilted under Lauren's harsh glare, choosing to remain quiet for fear of her verbal abuse.
"Eugene?" I mumbled out half-heartedly around the cereal mush in my mouth.
"No, boring."
"What about Pompadour?"
Everyone looked at Nathan with a stupid look on their faces. "…what the fuck?" Lauren blurted out.
"Lauren, language." Dad exchanged a stern glance with her before turning back to Nathan. "But seriously, what the fuck?"
"I mean, it fits my requirements I guess, but still, what?"
Nate shrugged his shoulders, spoon clanging against his empty bowl as he pushed it away from himself slightly. "Well, I was just thinking that if we're personifying it, it would be a pompous person that likes listening to their own voice. And then building off 'pompous' to make it weirder and more abstract, you end up with 'pompadour'."
"Oh, fine brother of mine," Lauren purred as she leaned closer to him, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder, "I like how you think. Approved."
Nodding his head, dad added, "Now all we need is to buy some googly eyes, a moustache and one of those 'Hi my name is' nametags and it'll be perfect."
"Uh, you do know you're not meant to put anything, even paint, on the fire alarm, right?" I reminded with a smirk.
"Psh, whatever. It'll be fine as long as we don't cover up anything important."
I giggled, unable to hold in my laughter after thinking about how crazy we're going to look when we have visitors and they see we put eyes, a moustache and a nametag on our fire alarm. "I guess we'll have a great conversation starter then for when people visit."
Thudding was heard once more as mum raced down the stairs.
"Sandy, you did it again," dad commented as she raced past him.
"Oh shhh. Now, what's the damage?" She stopped in front of the toast sitting on the bench and visibly drooped. "Ah. That's the damage."
"See, mum. This is why you don't put your toast on, particularly on the second time round, and then just go to 'fix up your hair'. It hasn't worked yet and won't work in the future," I reprimanded her over my shoulder, still intently eating my breakfast.
Mum was by the sink, scraping off the burnt bits with a knife. Her face morphed from a frown to a pout, then resignation was clear.
"I know, sweetie, but I always think I have time. Cos what else am I going to do while I'm waiting for the toast to pop? I can't just stand there!" With her sad attempt at toast in hand, she walked to the back door. Opening it, she took a step out. "Here you go, birdies. Enjoy," she said as she frisbeed the toast onto the lawn.
Lauren chuckled, collecting her and Nathan's bowls and heading to the kitchen. "You'll never learn, will you, mum?"
Mum smiled back sweetly with a bit of cheekiness in her eyes. "You know it, hun. One day, I swear. I will make it in time one day."
"Okay, that's great mum, but could you please finish getting ready so we can leave? We do have school to get to," Nathan retorted.
"I still have time, though." She looked at the clock. "…Okay, I have less time than I realised. Peter, dear, could you pack the kids and myself some lunch boxes while I finish getting ready?"
Before she could finish, dad was already in the kitchen getting out three containers to put some food in.
Finishing up my breakfast, I ventured upstairs to brush my teeth, check over my hair and uniform and pack my school bag. I hauled it back downstairs, feeling very much like a pack horse with how heavy all the bloody textbooks were, nabbing my freshly packed lunch from the kitchen bench.
"C'mon Nate, you packed and ready?" I asked as I stuffed the container into the only space left inside my bag.
He sidled up beside me, grabbing his own lunch before walking out of the kitchen and towards the stairs. "On it right now, Erin. I'm no issue. Mum on the other hand…" Nathan trailed off.
"I know, I know. Just at least let me eat this banana for now, then I'll brush my teeth and be good to go," Mum whined out.
"Then we'll be in the car, mum. I'll start tooting if you take too long," I semi-threatened with a grin. "See you later, Lauren."
"Later, Erin. Enjoy school," Lauren called over her shoulder from her newly camped position on the couch with a chuckle.
As I walked past the study door, I poked my head in and said bye to dad who was busy on the computer.
"We're leaving now, dad."
"See you later, sweetie."
Nathan had unlocked the door and yelled a loud goodbye into the house before exiting. I followed, closely in tow as we ventured to the garage. The boot opened and in went his bags with little regard for their contents. I placed mine a little more carefully, hoping to minimise the damage to my books. I didn't like them and wanted to burn some, but I could still get some money back from them.
Nathan picked his usual position of shotgun, so I clambered into the back seat. As I adjusted my dress underneath the seatbelt, the driver side door opened. Mum threw her bag at me, getting me to put it on the floor of the back seat for her.
"You did lock the doors, didn't you, mum?" Nathan asked as she put the key in the ignition.
"Yes, I di- Actually, I don't remember whether that was today or yesterday I remember doing that. Hahhh, guess I better go check." Defeated, she removed the keys from the car and went to check the doors.
Moments later, she returned to the car, landing heavily in her seat.
"So-"
"No, they weren't locked," she said with a pout.
One car karaoke session later and we had arrived at school. Nathan and I hopped out and went round to the boot.
"Mum," Nate called out.
"Gotcha."
The pop of the boot signalled it was open. Nathan grabbed his bag first, hauling it on his back and almost toppling himself in the process with the combined force of the momentum and weight.
"I wish the text books weren't so heavy," Nathan complained.
I chuckled. "Welp, sorry to say but it doesn't get better as the years pass."
He sighed heavily, picked up his other bag and slung it on his shoulder, seeming a bit unbalanced and side-heavy now.
I watched on as he said his goodbyes to mum, going to the passenger door, opening it up and squishing in to let her give him a kiss on the cheek. He may be a cynic and sometimes sound a bit bitter, but he loves his family and would occasionally indulge mum like this.
"See you laters, alligators," mum chirped out in a cheery tone while I collected my bag from the boot and Nate retreated from the passenger seat.
Deciding to play along, I responded with a sing-song, "In a while, crocodile." I couldn't really see her face from where I was at the back of the car, but I could tell she was smiling from how her cheeks had puffed up.
With the boot being slammed shut, she knew we were finished in the car, waiting a few seconds for us to get on the footpath first before pulling out and speeding off.
I followed after Nate, a few steps behind him as we walked into the school grounds. Students of all ages mingled about around us, most chatting away happily, while a couple of the year 7 kids ran around playing some game. What energy they had. They didn't yet know the pain of finals.
We quickly arrived at the courtyard, needing to split ways to get to our separate year levels' classrooms.
Nathan had already begun going off to his classroom, so I called out after him, "See ya, Nate."
"Later, Erin," he returned, a wave over his shoulder as he walked away.
I found my friends and we chatted for a bit just about this and that, cut off by the bell ringing too soon. The school day that came after drawled on just like usual. Some talk of SACs that were upcoming, obviously all being in the same week, as was organised by the teachers of every single damn subject. Not going over or checking homework that was supposed to be due today. Feeling sleepy from all the information I had to sit down and listen to.
And just like that, the school day was over. Nathan had football training at the nearby oval tonight so was coming home later, being picked up by mum on her way home from work.
Quickly stuffing the books in my locker into my bag, I speed walked to the bus stop in hopes of getting there early enough to be able to fit on the first one that came. Arriving seemingly early enough, I whipped out my iPod and stuck the ear buds in, listening to some music to pass the time and feel less awkward while standing in the approximate line that had developed.
A song and a bit later, the bus showed up and it was a shove fest as usual, barely managing to hold my bus pass against the scanner long enough for it to register because of the pushing I was getting from some annoying year 7 kids. A bit peeved by their rudeness, I was already in a state of not wanting to be on this bus anymore, but I was not walking all that way home. I just had to tough out the noise and crowd until my stop, then I could be home in the peace and quiet.
The cool breeze outside was almost heavenly, especially when compared to the warm, humid air of the sardine tin on wheels. The stroll home was nice, doing a bit of head bopping and shoulder moving to the music, but it would have been so much nicer if I didn't have to carry all those textbooks.
Unlocking the door, I walked in and immediately plopped my bag down inside it.
"I'm home," I called out, not really knowing whether anyone was home.
Turns out, no one was. Lauren left a note saying she was at uni doing some work for a group assignment and to still make dinner for her. Dad added a little footnote to this.
"Gone out to grab some things ;)
Dad."
Seems he wanted us to look crazy as quick as possible.
I grabbed my bag and dragged it upstairs, unpacking it in my room. Wanting to be freed immediately from the horrid sack, I took off my school dress and traded it for a pair of blue jeans, a black graphic t-shirt and my favourite black sneakers. Has my wardrobe and like for the colour black been somewhat influenced by my sister? Probably.
I shoved my wallet, keys, phone and bus pass into the closest bag at hand, having decided I was going to the shops to grab something to cook for dinner.
Going back downstairs, I had a glass of water and a snack to tide me over for the time being. While munching away, I also grabbed a couple of shopping bags which I folded and put in my own bag.
As I went to unlock the door, my mouth opened, about to say goodbye to everyone in the house, but it stopped short. Instead, with a smile firmly carved into my face, I turned back to face the interior of the house and called out, "Goodbye, Pompadour. Don't make any trouble while I'm out."
Bypassing all the retail stores, I went into the nearest supermarket, beelining towards the meat section to see what was on sale. I saw some beef mince that was discounted and decided to get that, suddenly really feeling Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner. Going back to the fresh produce I passed by earlier, I grabbed some carrots, a zucchini, mushrooms and an onion before moving on to the isle with pasta sauce. On my way out, I passed the chocolate isle, sneaking a glance in.
"It should be okay to just grab one…"
I went and grabbed a chocolate bar before heading to the checkout, sneaking it past my logical self.
Shopping bag full, I walked back into the main walkways of the shopping centre. I observed the nearby food places to see if I wanted to grab something to eat before I headed home, and let's be real, that's absolutely what I was going to do. Seeing a sushi place, my stomach decided it wanted something from there, feet moving as my stomach commanded.
*thump*
My bag dropped.
I'm sorry, you what mate? Good thing I noticed, or I would have lost a bunch of money as well as my easy way home.
I leaned down and grabbed it, standing back up to place it on my shoulder when my hand just let it go.
"Oh, come on, hand. You're really gonna do me like this?"
I leaned down to pick it up again when everything spun. I landed on my knees, one hand gripping my bag handle, the other holding my head. First it was light-headedness and dizziness, then it changed to heavy-headedness and intense pressure. My brain throbbed in my skull, dulling the sounds around me, blurring the images in front of me.
Feet passed by. All kinds of shoes. None stopped. They just kept walking.
Breathing intensified, my body trembled. My very bones shook within me, almost vibrating. The heat evolved, hotter and hotter, sweatier and sweatier. I felt about ready to burst, and wouldn't I relish it. Much more than this humiliation on this grotty floor.
I jumped, tense from the cold hand that suddenly landed on my shoulder.
Muffled mumbling reached my ears. They were probably saying something to me, but I couldn't make anything out. I didn't want to bother this person, so I just waved them off slightly and tried to stand up. Didn't work.
My sad effort just ended with me even further on the ground, face first surrounded by my scattered belongings and groceries.
The hand was back, still cold on my shoulder. There was mumbling once more, but one part I could just make out.
"Are you alright?"
Wanting to respond to try and ease their worries, I weakly opened my mouth and responded.
"Yes."
I immediately began to feel weaker, the energy required to speak apparently being a massive toll on my body currently, but I still felt the need to speak to this person.
"I'll be… just fine."
And then I was out. I couldn't feel or hear anything. The shoes were gone, the cold hand was gone, the murmurs were gone, the grimy floor was gone. All that remained was a continuous echo of what that person asked me.
Again and again, it echoed in my head. I'd never fainted before, so was this what it was like to faint?
The echoing dulled and loudened, dulled and loudened, crescendoing to a dramatic skull-splitting finale before stopping dead.
I saw light through my eyelids and my body tingled with the warmth of the sun. Slowly opening my eyes, I was met with a far too bright, blue sky.
"Are you alright?"
I turned my head to the side to see a lady standing there, looming over me. She was a kind looking older woman, a head of grey hair surrounding her currently concerned face.
She must have been the person who put their hand on my shoulder.
Propping myself up on my elbows, I smiled meekly and replied. "Yes, I'm alright. Thank you for your concern, but I'll be fine now."
Her faced remained set in its expression. "Are you sure, dear? I can't exactly carry you anywhere, but I could at least get you help."
"No no, that's quite alright. Just your concern and kindness are enough." I smiled back more warmly this time.
She looked like she wished to protest, but simply sighed. "If you insist, dear. You go home right now, though, and get some food in you before having a good long rest. It wouldn't do for a young lady such as yourself to go passing out on the street again."
"I do insist. Thank you."
The lady reluctantly stepped back before slowly turning around and walking away, glancing back every so often. I just waved her off as she walked down the street away from me.
Looking around, I suddenly processed a couple of the things she'd just said.
"…the street? Wait, why would I be in the street? Wouldn't they take me to a sick bay area or something? And hasn't she already gotten me help? She must have if I'm no longer inside the shopping centre."
I was honestly just a bit flustered, trying to piece some things together. Why the street? Where are my bags?
"…where am I?"
A/N: Wow, I can't believe that this finally exists. This has been in my brain for aaaaages (like with every single other fic idea I have…), but I finally got the motivation to write. Don't know what the updates will be like for this, we'll both have to find out how often they happen. I'm probably not gonna have a bunch of author's notes in this fic, I just really wanted to say this here. I might instead have some author's notes in my profile up the top near or in my updates section, so have a look there if you're interested. I want to keep them out of my chapters for the most part just so I don't ruin the flow of reading with my comments. Anyways, hope you enjoyed this little intro before we get into the real meat of the story. Till the next update, whenever that is.