If I Wait (Book One)

My alarm went off at seven in the morning the same way it did every morning. I shut it off and groaned, rolling over to the other side of the bed. Except for one tiny problem. I was on the other side of the bed. While I was sleeping, I managed to roll all the way to the edge of my bed. I yelped in surprise as I tumbled off of my bed. It was kind of funny even to me. Or it would be if there wasn’t a large bruise I could already feel forming on my back. I disentangled myself from the blanket and threw it back on my bed. I rubbed my backside as I limped to my closet. I pulled out a pair of white skinny jeans and my pink blouse. I grabbed my white blazer and my light pink flats then I took my clothes and softly walked down the hall to the bathroom.

In my house, we had a shower schedule because there were only two bathrooms and four people had to share one. My parents had their own bathroom which we were not allowed to use, so we just made do. Usually, I took the first shower then my little sister Angel, then Charlie, and if we were extremely lucky my brother Ollie would decide to bathe himself. I took my shower and got dressed as quickly as possible so, about 30 minutes or so. Yes, that is quick for me. I walked out of the bathroom still toweling off my hair. I was more than a bit surprised when a little head hit my legs.

My little sister Angel had fallen asleep leaning against the door waiting for me to finish my shower. She was jolted awake by the sudden movement. She sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily. “Looks like someone stayed up too late last night,” I said in a singsong voice and tapped her on the forehead. She sluggishly swatted my hand away. “It’s not my fault that I’m bad at algebra,” Angel complained. “And your showers take too long.” I laughed quietly. “Go take a shower we have to leave in about an hour.” She shuffled into the bathroom and stuck her tongue out me right before she closed the door. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Angel could be so childish at times. I turned around and lightly padded down the hall and tiptoed down the stairs. I started looking through the cupboards for the cereal when I heard someone sneak up behind me.

I grabbed the cereal and turned to face my little brother Oliver or Ollie for short. “Boo!” He yelled. I barely even flinched. “You really should stop trying to sneak up on me it almost never works,” I calmly stated and walked past Ollie to take the cereal to the table. “Yes but I live for the few times when it does work,” He argued, following me into the dining room. I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Now that is a very stupid reason to live,” I replied and pulled the grapes out of the fridge and placing them on the table in the kitchen. “Would you grab the juice and milk out?” I asked while I strained for the bowl on the top shelf. Oliver reached over my head and grabbed the bowl, handing it to me. “Sure,” he said and went to the fridge to get the milk and juice. I stripped the grapes off of the twigs and into the bowl. Oliver got out bowls, cups, and spoons without being asked and I smiled at him gratefully and brought the grapes to the table.

I was about to call Angel and Charlie down for breakfast but the were stomping down the stairs already. They went to go eat but I stopped them. “Go make your lunches first,” I told them, pointing towards the kitchen. They went with minimal grumbling, not none, but minimal. “Today is your first day back at school, you don’t want to be late,” I said cherrily, pouring myself a bowl of cereal. “Speak for yourself, I hope we’re so late we miss the whole day,” Ollie grumbled. I grinned widely at that. “Maybe if you graduated early-” I started and battated his hand away, laughing when he tried to flick me. “Well we can’t all be super genius authors can we! Some of us are normal people with normal intelligence levels!” Ollie ranted.

Mama walked in and laughed at our antics. “’Morning Mom! Just cereal this morning I was feeling a bit tired and didn’t cook,” I said, gesturing to the table. “What are you tired from, sleeping?!” She exclaimed, rolling her eyes and sitting down at the table.

“I was up really late last night talking with Ethan,” I explained and took another bite of my cereal. Ollie raised his eyebrows and snickered. “Oh shut up I don’t bother you when you text your girlfriend,” I grumbled and flicked his ear. “Anyway,” I began, turning back to Mama,

“Has Papa left for work yet?” I asked, changing the subject quickly. “Yes he left about a half hour ago.” Mama answered and poured herself a bowl of cereal. “Please make sure that they have all of their school supplies I have to go get ready,” Mama said and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “M’kay, I’ll text you when we get there,” I called after her.

“Come on guys, we’re going to be late for school!” I called into the house. The Angel and Charlie came running out of the house. “I call shotgun!” Charlie yelled. “No, I never get to sit in the front!” Angel argued. “Out of the way suckers, the oldest passenger gets shotgun.” Ollie strolled out of the house and plopped into the front seat. Angel and Charlie unhappily squished into the back seat. And thus the music wars began. They argued about everything! It was so annoying!

“Oh be quiet, I’m picking the music!” I said, switching the station. They started complaining and shouting and pointing. I got distracted and ran a red light, almost getting into an accident. “Stop shouting, we’re going to get into an accident. It’s my car so I pick the music!” I yelled and slammed on the brakes. They all grumbled and sat in silence. The rest of the drive to Lakeview Middle School was rather quiet, mostly because Angel and Charlie were trying to catch up on sleep and Ollie didn’t really talk to me and just messed around with the music. He stopped doing that after I swatted his hand a few times. Once I parked I honked my horn once and Angie and Charlie jolted awake. Ollie snickered and I ushered the two of them out of the car. “Bye gals!” I called out the window after them as I drove away.

My next stop was Ollie’s school, Eastmont High. Our parents used to let him take the bus to school but then he started skipping school and now I have to walk him in. He used to mind and ask me to stand a few feet away from him, but his friends think I’m hot so, whatever. I drove up to the school, parked and unlocked the car. Ollie just sat there, waiting for me. “Go ahead, I have some things to do,” I told him waving him off. He scoffed as he climbed out and leaned back in the open window. “Like what, sitting around in your pj’s and staring at a computer all day,” He mocked. I rolled my eyes. “I have an actual job and I also have a class today so- Begone with you,” I shooed him away. Ollie leaned back out the window and headed towards school. I smiled at his little “I’m cool, watch me” walk.

I drove to Laney College for my first class, making a stop at Peet’s along the way. I don’t drink coffee but they make killer hot chocolate. God, I’m so childish sometimes aren’t I. But this is pretty much what I do every day. I take my siblings to school most days so Mom can have time to herself and Papa leaves early so that leaves me to take them. I usually have a class in the morning and after my classes I head to the library to work until one. Then, after work I go get lunch and I sometimes go meet Mom and eat with her. But the real highlight of my day is getting to go home and work on my book. My books are pretty much all I live for. I love writing and reading because it gives me a chance to live someone else’s life even if it’s only for a little while. And most people in stories start off believing that they are normal or being normal until something amazing happens. It gives me hope for the future-My future. Gives my hope that everything will be okay, If I wait.

Word Count: 1531