A Treacherous Path
Brooke trudged along the sidewalk shouldering her backpack. Yes summer break is finally here! No more homework, she thought to herself happily. Thank god for Friday.
Cars zoomed past beside her on the busy road as she walked home from school. She used to it though, and didn't even notice the noise anymore.
Just then three boys from school passed her. One of them with a red jacket knocked into her shoulder and sent her staggering a few steps. One of the others who had a white baseball hat turned and glared at her as they walked as if it were her fault that she was in the way. Whatever. It doesn't matter.
About three minutes later and the boys were way ahead of her, jostling and yelling at each other, a bus full of her fellow middle school students sped by. On its way past a few kids pointed at the window, recognizing her, and pointed and laughed, calling her names. Idiots. They think they're so cool. Thankfully I'm almost home and won't have to deal with this any longer.
Brooke stopped at the crosswalk and pushed the button to cross. C'mon! This light takes forever! Finally. The crosswalk light turned white, signaling it was okay to go. Cars stopped at the stoplight that had just turned red. One was blaring rapper music that made her want to throw a rock at the people.
Brooke continued walking for four more minutes and came to a stop at the front door of her house. It was a white one story with two windows that looked onto the front lawn from the living room. It needed a paint job though. She picked up the flowerpot next to the door and unlocked it.
Ah. Yes, wonderful air conditioning. Brooke closed the door and started rummaging through the fridge. She settled on an apple for a snack. She then checked the home phone that was placed on the marble countertop. One voice mail. Brooke listened to the message. It was from her step-mom Sara:
"Hey it's me I just wanted to let you know that me and your father are having our anniversary this weekend and have already left. So if you need anything just call and Mrs. Harvey is across the street. I hope you had a good day at school. Love you," she heard crackling on the other side and laughter, "Bye."
Brooke stared at her apple. Great, the whole house to myself.
…..Later…..
Brooke turned off the television. There's nothing good on anyways, she thought with a sigh. She glanced at the clock in her room, where it was on a nightstand next to her bed. It read 6:05 p.m. Huh. What should I do now? I could go to the park. No, Dad would have a fit if he found out I went there by myself. Because even though I'm fourteen I apparently still can't take can't take care of myself. Ugh. Parents.
Brooke looked at her bookshelf, trying to decide what book to read when she heard a quiet snuffling outside her window. Probably a stray dog. No harm in checking though, she reasoned. Brooke peeked through the blinds and immediately jumped back, screaming in alarm. It was definitely not a dog.