I Wonder...
Chapter One
Monday, February 11th
My alarm skyrockets with noise, waking me immediately. I struggle to grasp my glasses off of
my bedside table as my eyes adjust on the time. 6:15 AM; perfect timing.
I trip climbing out of my bed, being the klutz I am. I left my closet door open last night, making sure I’d take the outfit I wanted; a cropped jacket over a white laced Cammi and skinny jeans with a few rips… matches my ‘Monday Mood’.
After I had my outfit on and settled, it was time to work with my makeup and hair. I reached for my contacts; placing them on the blue-green oceans I call my eyes. The clock now read “6:30 AM”. I was about to apply a thin coat of silver eye shadow when Jack stepped in. He sighed as I looked at him through my mirror.
“Kaya, what are you doing?” Jack looked at me solemnly. I kept working, ignoring his question. I scooped up my jacket after my mascara was applied and pushed him out of my doorway.
He grabbed my arm. “Kaya, you know I don’t want you wearing makeup. You’re already beautiful.” I gazed into my brother’s deep green eyes. Trying to hold back the tears, he gathered me in his arms. It’s now 7:00 AM, and Brendan had already started breakfast. The overwhelming scent of syrup drifted past my nostrils, turning my lips into a wide grin.
Brendan knew just what to make, and how to do it. I ran up to him giving him a bear hug. He laughed and kissed my forehead gently. “Good morning Miss. How many waffles would you like to devour?” I let out a cute giggle, and he handed me plate with two crisp golden waffles. Then I carefully drizzled homemade syrup on them.
Brendan was pouring me a glass of Florida Orange Juice when I noticed the big red mark on his hand. And three bigger ones on the other side of his arms.
I stopped breathing for a moment. “Brendan…? What’s—what’s on y-your arm? D-did you,” I was stuttering. “—cut?” He stared at me, tears starting to slide down his tan cheeks. I noticed something was going wrong in his life, and I was destined to know what it was.
Jack started to cry as well. He mouthed something to Brendan, but I couldn’t make it out… Brendan was trying to say something, but he couldn’t squeeze out the words.
There was a knock on the door. Jack had left to open it. “Kaya! Mel is here!” I ambled towards the door and grabbed my backpack. She was here to get me on the bus. Time check; 7:15 AM.
Brendan pulled me into a long, tender hug, telling me he was sorry. He got up from kneeling and walked Mel and I to the bus. He hugged me again, and this time I was starting to cry. Jack hugged me and kissed me goodbye, saying he’d pick me up later.
The bus ride to school was always interesting, being in Connecticut only two months… But today it seemed different…
I wondered why all the way to school.
drama_mama_100