I speed walk to my next class occasionally wiping my eyes making it burn.
I'm confused and I hate that, this might not seem like a big deal to others but to me it is, I've never gotten in trouble and that hug?
What was that hug!
I've only ever truly hugged two people like that and they moved away, why did I even hug him like that?!,
I was about to swing open the classroom door again but I took a deep breathe, opened it gently, and walked in and sat down.
I place my stuff down my brain not functioning properly.
After a few minutes the class started and I couldn't focus or take notes, I couldn't do anything.
All I could think about was that hug and how foreign it was to me, when class ended I flowed through the rest of my classes, not really thinking much about them.
Cheyenne was in some and she couldn't even find out what was wrong with me all the way to when it was time to leave.
"Cora, give me your phone number." Cheyenne said as she grabbed my hand and I instinctively yanked my arm away.
"Not you too." I joked even though I felt empty, I pulled out my phone as Cheyenne looked at me suspiciously as she typed my number in.
"I will add you to the group chat!" Cheyenne shouted as she walked away.
"What group chat?" I screamed but she was already too far away to hear me, I sighed and walked out of the building towards the parking lot.
I see my mother's car and I freeze bracing myself. I enter setting my stuff down as the car starts.
"I got a call today."
My mother spoke, her casual tone sending shivers down my spine.
"So care to explain the little tantrum you had today?" My mother looked through the mirror at me. "Somebody touched my hair today and I didn't like that." I muttered the pressure of her graze weighting down on me like boulders.
"Cora you're 17 turning 18 in August, don't you think your little too old to be acting that way?"
Her voice was calm, it would have been better if she shouted or at least looked a bit angry, it would've shown she cared but of course she didn't.
her eyes where fixed on the road and her voice was controlled like we're having a regular conversation.
"Even Chase won't act like that and he's 10." I didn't respond, I just stared out the window her words doing more damage than I would like to admit.
Everything is just all so, tiring.
We arrive home and I get out as I walk towards the door and unlock it.
"I'm home." I shout waiting for my siblings to come down. "Cora!" Sinit came crashing down the stairs like a maniac. "hi my love." I pick Sinit up twirling her around like the princess she is.
"Of course you're still in your school outfit, can't mom just do anything for once other than going out with her friends?.." I said to myself as Sinit looks at me with those adorable eyes. "Where's Chase?" "Upstairs playing his games!" "alright love go watch TV while I go change."
I put Sinit down as she runs to the couch and turn on the TV and I walk upstairs and I enter my rooom. I put my phone on my vanity as I change until I heard a ping from my phone and I go check out the notification. I picked up my phone and it showed I was added to a group chat named 'biology project', I remembered Cheyenne talking about a group chat, well they formed fast.
Cheyenne: This the group chat we are going to use for the project.
Liam: Who's number is that, it's not grace because I have grace's number saved.
Alexander: That's not the point here, where and when can we start working on the project.
Xavier: We can work at my house if everyone's schedule is free and we can start tomorrow.
My face becomes immediately gloomy, I don't even want to see Xavier's face and the last thing I want to do is to be at his house but before I could object the chat flooded with okays from everyone including Cheyenne, what a traitor.
I type an okay too and drop my phone as I go out of my room and walk towards chase's room.
"Is your homework done?" I asked as I enter his room and see him playing fortnite.
"Hush! Wait can't you see I'm doing something?" He commanded not even looking away from his game.
"suit yourself, I guess you're not getting any quesadillas," I shrugged as I slowly walk towards his door.
"Wait! Wait a moment!" He shouted, letting his character purposely die as he stands up with a big huff.
"Where's my quesdillas!" He said with pride his nose flaring up and his chest puffed out. "You will get them after you're done with your homework."
I said as I walked out before Chase could throw anything at me, I heard him groaning making me chuckle as I walked.
I come downstairs and I see Sinit playing with herself while the TV is still on.
"Hey love, what do you want to eat?" I said as I rolled up my sleeves.
"McDonald's!" Sinit screamed in excitement. "Is that what mommy gets you?" I asked grabbing a pan and a bowl of rice already having what we are going to eat in mind other than a McDonald's happy meal.
"Mhm, mommy gets me and Chase McDonald's A lot! It was really good, I want it again." Sinit stated as she got up and walked up to me. "What are you making?"
"Fried rice becuase that's what I'm making and quesdillas because chase requested them." I said as I put the rice under the running hot water to wash them.
"Oo can I help?" Sinit eyes sparkle as her tiny hands reach up towards me. "Of course, help me get the vegetables out of the freezer." I spoke as I dropped the washed rice on the counter and grabbed out a pot.
"Do you want me to add srimps too love?" I asked as I fill the pot with water. "Yes please!" I chuckle at her enthusiastic tone and we began cooking, making a mess in the process but we did not care and in total we took 45 minutes as we went on a lot of side quests. When we were done I layed everything on the dinner table.
Go call your brother that lunch is ready!" I requested as I open the fridge to pour us a drink. "Okay!" Sinit said as she ran upstairs like the happy little fluff she is.
I pour Sinit apple juice, Chase orange juice, and me cranberry juice and set them down in time for both Sinit and Chase to come flying down once they smelt how good the food is. "What movie should we watch?" I asked, grabbing the remote.
"Actually never mind before Sinit picks Mrs.Rachel and Chase picks the Minecraft movie." I mumble and I scroll on Netflix for while until I came across a movie called Annie that came out in 2014, I read the description and I got intrigued as I clicked on it to watch as I settle down to eat with Chase and Sinit as the movie starts.
The dining table was cluttered with plates and cups, the TV volume slightly too loud.
Annie's voice carried through the house, bright and hopeful in a way that felt almost unrealistic.
Sinit swung her legs under the chair, humming along even though she didn't know the words. "I like her hair!" she said with a mouth full of rice.
Chase scoffed. "It's not even realistic."
I didn't say anything. I kept my eyes on my plate, pushing the rice around with my fork while Annie talked about her parents coming back for her.
The screen flashed with warm lights and big smiles. Annie looked so sure. So certain that someone, somewhere, was thinking about her.
Sinit's voice rang out again. "She's gonna find them. I know it."
"Yeah," I muttered, though I wasn't sure who I was answering.
On the screen, Annie stared out of a window, hopeful. Waiting.
I swallowed, suddenly aware of how quiet the house felt despite the music.
Waiting felt familiar.
I stood up before the song could finish. "Who wants seconds?"
I asked, sounding cheerful even though I didn't feel cheerful.
"No thanks." Sinit said and Chase just shaked his head no.
"well I'm done so you guys finish up and clean after yourselves." I walked towards the trash, dumping my remaining food inside and washed the plate, placing it on the rack and I dash upstairs, entering my room and grabbed my phone scrolling on tiktok enjoying my time but slowly my mind drifted to Annie, giving me thoughts. her life was tough but she overcame it, and it made me wonder,
will I be able to do the same?.