Chapter 1
RIINNG!!
The bell emitted its typical sudden, sharp sound, signaling the end of school for the year and the beginning of summer.
Immediately, the cheering and whooping of my fellow students surrounded me, as many bolted for the doors of our AP Biology room, not even bidding a final farewell to Dr. Silverstein.
I, unlike the majority of my inconsiderate classmates, headed for my gray-haired teacher after gathering my belongings, tucking my books and folder neatly into my pastel bookbag; though I was well aware that I wouldn’t be opening the worn-out thing again until September. “Have a nice summer, Dr. Silverstein,” I smiled slightly at my teacher, who returned the friendly expression, his worn facial features turning upwards thoughtfully.
Though he wasn’t the most popular faculty member among the student body, Dr. Silverstein definitely had his place in my set of favorite teachers. It could be easily argued that his classes gave one of the heaviest workloads, but being the nerd I was, that didn’t outweigh my love for science. After all, it WAS an advanced placement class. I knew far too many students who had decided to take the course the year before, only considering the college credits, but ignoring the responsibilities that came with it.
“You too, Izzy,” He reciprocated my smile, while simultaneously beginning to pack his satchel with manila folders of lesson plans. A brief moment of silence was passed between the both of us, as I silently watched him gather his belongings.
“Say,”
“Uh,” I started, not expecting a response. It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to be, my summer plans consisted mainly of studying for the SATs, perhaps working a job or two in a shop downtown. My older siblings were in town for the summer, and I was excited to see them after a long year of my face being buried in textbooks. Still, the idea of any extra second of being by all the bright colored posters regarding biochemistry and genetic engineering wasn’t quite appealing to me.
“What are you doing over the summer, Izzy?” His focus was directed on putting away his papers. He didn’t seem to care what order he arranged them in, rather throwing the last few sheets sloppily into his briefcase. I hadn’t seen my teacher ever so casual before, this was polar opposite from the serious, no-slack scientist I’ve seen in the classroom throughout the school year.
“I’m gonna spend more time with my family. My older siblings are coming back home and I missed seeing them all,” I replied vaguely, eyeing my untied Converse now. I didn’t want to seem impolite, but I kinda wanted Dr. Silverstein to get the gist that I wanted to get the hell away from this building.
“Ah alright, perhaps it’s best that I send you off now then,” My elderly teacher looked up for the first time, thoughtfully smiling, “You have a nice summer too Izzy, get some rest.” I managed to crack a smirk at this, recalling how I would stroll into this class, always with a extra large french vanilla coffee in hand from the Dunkin Donuts across the street. I gave my biology teacher a final wave before heading to the room’s exit, when I heard hastily behind me, “Make sure to check your email when you get home.”
I quickly twisted my head around, but I found Dr. Silverstein inches behind me, smiling slightly before heading in the other direction towards the teachers’ lounge to collect the last of his belongings.
I stood there, momentarily puzzled.
Did he just say that to me?
Finally, I shook my head, deciding make nothing of that weird encounter. It’s summer now, after all, and I probably wouldn’t see that old man ever again.
Smiling faintly to myself, I decided to head home, whistling a slow tune to myself. I pulled out my iPhone 6s and put on Ed Sheeran’s new album. The familiar beat to Bibia Be Ye Ye played through my earplugs.
“And spend the afternoon looking around for the things that I left on the ground
And say you’re with me tomorrow’s a brand new day”
Something told me that this summer was going to be different.
-
I rounded the corner of my block and I already could hear the faint noises emulating from the big brown house in the center of the street.
I came from a large family to say the least, with five brothers and two sisters. I was the 7th child, ranking me among the youngest of the household, but I wouldn’t trade my place for any other.
My family wasn’t poor, but we weren’t living like the Kardashians either. My dad grew up as an only child, and was raised by a single mother. As a young entrepreneur, he came to the west coast in search of opportunity to start his new business. He didn’t expect receiving help from his unsuspecting neighbor, a young mathematics teacher with a love for teaching and children. Overtime, the two fell in love, and got married.
My mom, unlike my dad, came from a large household, being the eldest daughter with two older brothers and four other younger siblings. But my dad didn’t want his kids to go through the loneliness he experienced as a child, and thus he begged my mom to have many, many kids. Being as deeply in love with him as can be, of course my mother agreed, but the two didn’t think of the costs it would take to support such a big family. As more of us were born, my dad found himself working longer hours at his hardware shop, and my mother had to take on more students to tutor after school.
Sometimes for days, I wouldn’t see my parents at all. But it didn’t make me lose any respect for them, oh no. If anything, it’s made me admire them more, for their hard work and love for us. Additionally, it brought me closer to my siblings, who are such powerful forces in my life.
I was babied: a lot. It’s something you get used to when you’re the youngest girl in the house and the second youngest in total. But if anything, it’s taught me to be respectful of my older siblings and more aware of the world.
Let’s start with my oldest brother. At age 28, Patrick had never been in a romantic relationship. Nor did he ever go to college. Nosy neighbors would gossip about his sexuality, saying how my parents ought to do something with him quickly before it was ‘too late.’ Besides me and Leon, my younger brother, he was the only ‘kid’ that still lived in the house. But Pat is one of the devoted people I know. It would be Pat that would comfort me if I watched far too many horror movies one night and would prepare me a cup of tea after endless days of exams. Pat was a third parent to me, and filled roles that my parents often never could, and no matter what other people thought, I could only look to him with respect.
My second brother, Barry, is a genius. He graduated a year early from high school and at the top of his class. Yep. From there he went straight to Dartmouth on a merit scholarship, and he had just finished up his last year at Harvard business school a few weeks ago. This summer, he found himself back in town working a local business internship.
My third brother, Steven, is obsessed with the gym and anything regarding bodybuilding. Some of his idols include Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Cutler. Name a martial arts movie, and he’s probably seen it. Last year, he opened a gym, Forever Flexing, in town with his girlfriend, Kenna. The two of them together look like the next Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union. They live in an apartment not so far from us, and come to visit frequently whenever they’re not coaching the next Dwayne Johnson.
My eldest sister, Julie, is what you would call the classic California beauty. With a killer figure and long, thick dirty blonde hair, every girl in high school envied her, while every boy would die to take her to prom. She was invited to every party, which was one of her favorite places to be. She was going into her senior year of college at UCSD, at the head of her sorority and the captain of the cheerleading team.
My other sister, Sonya is one of the most caring people you’ll ever meet. Since she was little, all she wanted to do was to take care of others. It took us by no surprise that she’s training now to be a nurse at UC Davis. Clear signals of this surely coming ranged from her always rushing to find the first-aid kit when one of us got a cut or bruise while cycling around the block, to skipping her own schoolwork to stay at home whenever somebody had a cold or the flu.
Then, there’s my brother Percy. Like Sonya, he always had a knack with service; overprotective with those he loves, and wanting to please others. However, we were all a bit concerned when he decided to join the Air Force right after he graduated high school. With stellar grades and an outstanding athletic record, people thought he would take after Barry or follow in Steven’s footsteps. Percy, only being two years older than me, made him one of my closer siblings, and I was especially concerned when he made that decision. However, they stationed him back at a local base for further physical training over the summer, and I was particularly excited to be spending more time with him.
Lastly, was my only younger sibling, Leon. Going into sixth grade, I often found myself imitating the overprotective behaviors my other siblings would impose on me. Nonetheless, I loved my brother dearly, as mischievous and annoying he can be sometimes. You know, as a result growing up among the youngest of your siblings... You get... Exposed to certain things faster than others... Leon represented all things innocent left in the world to me, and if anything, and I’d sacrifice anything else on the world just to keep him safe and happy.
I quickly fumble through the pockets of my denim shorts for my keys, finally feeling the familiar metal against my skin. Whisking it out, I push the middle one into the keyhole, turning until I hear a
Click!
The mahogany door swung open swiftly, revealing a familiar, well-muscled figure in the doorway.
“Izzy’s home!” Percy pulled me into a tight hug, with me laughing into his chest. I hear the rapid pounding of footsteps against the wooden floor. Peeking out of my brother’s embrace, I saw Leon’s feigned expression of excitement quickly fade into one of disappointment.
“Ugh, it’s just Izzy. I thought Stephen Curry was here or something!” I shot him a deadly look, but it was hard to look so annoyed at my little brother. We both erupted into laughter, before Leon grabbed my arm and started to lead me into the kitchen. “Look who else is here!”
I quickly was met with the faces of Patrick, Sonya, and Julie. I went to hug both of my sisters, not being able to seen them while they were away at college. Patrick faked a hurt look, but then broke into a smile as I went to give him his hug afterwards.
“Hey, I see you everyday,” I chuckled, taking a step back. I guessed Steve was out at the gym as per usual, but I still hadn’t seen Barry yet. “Where’s Barry?”
“He’s out at his internship, you know how things roll with him. It was just school, school, school and now it’s just work, work, work. Never stop achieving,” Julie rolled her eyes.
Sonya, always one to never say anything rude behind anyone’s back then quickly piped in, “Yeah, but everyone’s gonna be here on time for dinner! Even Mom and Dad! Patrick and Julie were helping me to prepare a feast tonight!” She eyed all of us in the kitchen sharply, “Remember, 6:30 sharp!”
We all burst out laughing. I gazed at the clock displayed above the microwave, which read in bright digital letters, 4:27 PM.
“Hey Izzy, do you wanna shoot some hoops with me and Percy? He really thinks he can beat me at a game!” Leon shot a competitive look at our older brother, who just smirked back.
“Yeah, I’m worried Izzy, I’ll need help to beat this little guy,” My marine brother played along, though his smile completely gave away his sarcasm.
Just when I was about to agree, I remembered Dr. Silverstein’s words from earlier today.
Make sure to check your email when you get home.
Even though I wasn’t even sure if the old man said that to me, and summer had just begun, something told me that it wouldn’t hurt to do so.
“Uh, hang on, I have something to do upstairs. You guys have fun though!” I knelt down and whispered into Leon’s ear, “Make sure to bust Percy’s butt for me!” I felt my younger brother grin against my face, before eagerly nodding. Meanwhile, I felt my older siblings’ puzzled stares on my face as I retreated from the kitchen.
“I’ll see y’all at dinner!” I yelled down the stairs. I jogged to my room, shutting the door. I noticed Dad had already gotten the couch bed set up, and the bunk above mine was already made. I used to share this room with my sisters before they both moved out, but with them both in college, there was plenty of room for myself now.
I plopped myself down at my desk, pulling out my laptop and opening my email.
Logged in as [email protected]
Password: *******0
Upon logging in, I noticed that received an email notification from Dr. Silverstein. I read the subject of the email, written in dark, bold font.
Summer Opportunity: Park Service.
Puzzled, I clicked the email to actually open it and to read the message.
Dear Izzy,
I noticed you have performed remarkably well in this course despite its challenges for the average student.
I believe what contributes to this is your interest in environmental science and wildlife conservation from what I observed in class, with your fascination in animal life and your shared experiences of you camping.
I found this summer opportunity that a colleague of mine has shared with me: I know it is rather last minute, as you most likely have other plans, but I think this would be a beneficial experience for you to have if you decide to take it.
- Dr. Silverstein
I scrolled down a bit to find a link attached to the email. Hesitantly, I moved the cursor above it, letting it sit there for a few moments, before finally clicking the blue font.
Little did I know that the text that popped up on my screen would give me a summer like no other.
SUMMER YOUTH VOLUNTEERING AT BLUE SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK
