The World We Knew

Chapter III

    Once my excitement from eating dies down, disappointment, again, fills my body. So I go to the music room and practice piano for a bit. The only reason why we even have a small music room is that my mother taught me how to play piano and she insisted that I need different work space for piano lessons and school homework. Everyday we would have evening lessons. Her favorite piece was Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven and that's probably the reason why I still play it every night. It also took me quite some time to learn how to play it, especially the fast parts, so now it’s like I show myself everyday I can still do it. It’s also a way of trying to convince myself that my mom is here, that she hasn’t left me.

     While mom was still alive, I also tried composing my own music, but now that she is not here, I just can’t get myself to do it. Lucas encouraged me for a while, but I was always stuck on one part. So I just gave up. It’s not like I plan on being a world known pianist. 

    I guess one could say my life is pretty mundane. I have a morning and evening routine which stay the same all the time. It’s like I am in some time capsule and I can’t escape it. Actually the whole town is like that - everyone is stuck in a time loop, their days merging into one another, since barely anything exciting happens here. The only difference is they are content with it and I am not. And I plan on doing something about it. 

    I know my brother is not planning on coming back here and I understand why. So my plan is to go and join him. My grades are well, I have a lot of extra curricular activities and that is why I know I will be able to go to almost any university with a full-ride scholarship. Of course that is a year and a half away, since I am only in junior year. No matter though, I work hard already for it all, and no one will take that away from me.

    Lucas’s plan was to come back to me and take care of me. I rebelled thought and told him he has his own life to live. He had to grow up when he was 14 and take care of a 12 year old girl. He is like mother, father and brother all in one. He is the reason this home even felt like home. I was also thankful for Isabella at the time. She explained a lot of stuff- girls stuff, which my brother couldn’t, to me when I needed it. Not that he didn't want to, no. He just didn't know them as well, obviously.

     My phone starts ringing in my room, so I gently close my piano and exit this room. I skip to my room, so whoever is calling won't hang up. I hate the trouble of calling someone back and then them not answering, so you keep missing eachother. My mood lifts up as soon as I see Lucas is calling me. “Hello brother dearest.” I greet him.

    “Hey A.” He replies, equally happy to talk with me. A is his nickname for me. We talk on the phone at least three times a week and facetime every two weeks. Even though he is so busy with his studies, he makes sure I am also alright and okay. Sometimes if something is bothering me - which happens rarely, he is just quiet and listens to what I have to get off my chest. Other times - which is all the time, I listen to him or laugh at his shenanigans with his college buddies.

    “What’s up?” I ask him as I lay down in my bed, happily listening to what my brother has to say.

    “Alexis since Thanksgiving is in a month, I wanted to talk to you about your plans.” He says, suddenly his tone, all serious. Which also makes me sit up on my bed and nervously tug on my sleeves. 

    “I thought it’s the same as usual. I cook us dinner, we watch some movies and sleep?” My voice questioning at the end, since I don’t really know where this conversation is leading to. That is our Thanksgiving tradition, although when we were little and none of us knew how to cook, we just ordered take-out. I discovered a passion for cooking when I was 14 and since then I am the official cook for this holiday.

    “Or maybe you could fly out to me, bring a friend or two, and we celebrate it here.” He suggests and then adds: ”It’s not like something or someone will be waiting for us at home to celebrate.” His tone was clearly accusing and annoyed. I know he means our dad. Lucas is not mistaken, our dad stopped celebrating Thanksgiving five years ago. Apparently there is no family without his wife being here. 

    “I mean sure, that could work. I will ask Isa, maybe her parents will let her go and I know she will be happy to see you. You are also like a brother to her.” That could be good for me. A slight change - to travel out of the country. Also an opportunity for me to scout for some colleges and see if I would like it there. Just because Lucas is there, and loves it, doesn’t mean I will and I sure as hell won’t go there just because he is. No, I will go somewhere where I will feel at home. Besides, Isa is always up for traveling, as long as she will return home. For someone so energetic, one would think she would be bored in this place. On the contrary though, she absolutely loves it here. 

    “Well okay then, great. Talk to her and get back at me with what your decision is, so I prepare everything. Sorry sis for the short chat, but I got to go. Study date.” I hear some rustling in the background, probably him preparing to leave.

    “No worries bro. Have fun on your date. Bye” If he would be here he would see me wiggling my eyebrows. He is not though, but I know he heard the teasing in my voice.

    “A study date.” Lucas emphasizes and then disconnects the line. Making me chuckle at how silly we are. I send quick text to Isa, informing her of my change of plans and inviting her to tag along. As usual she replies in a second. I swear this girl is glued to her phone.

     The rest of my night is spent thinking about social experiment and everything that could have possibly slipped my or Nathaniel’s mind.

    I mean obviously the idea is crazy! Also obviously there will be things that will go wrong.

    Even if he  gets permission from the mayor - his dad, we would still need to notify everyone through mail or phone calls that basically the whole town - not even the mayor, won’t be available for a week. We would also need to make sure everyone has candles, gas cookers and every other supply one needs for being without electricity for a week. It would also mean our days would pretty much end at around 7pm, since then the sun sets. With that being my last thought of the day, I peacefully drift to sleep.

    Next morning my alarm clock wakes me up - as usual before sunrise. First things first, making my bed. Then I take my time in getting ready, starting with a shower, brushing my teeth and hair which is followed by a complex skin care routine. What? I am not blessed with perfect skin that doesn’t need any maintaining, my skin is clear as long as I follow my routine. Lastly is picking an outfit, which is also an easy task, simple shirt and skirt - I love skirts. 

    After grabbing my backpack and sparing my room one last glance, I descend the stairs to get some breakfast and prepare myself for school lunch. Breakfast is eaten on the way, I know some say that is not good for your body, but how can I say no to eating breakfast while gazing at sunrise. Making sure everything is left clean and grabbing my keys, I pull on some snickers and a jacket, lock the door and start my way to school. I sigh disappointedly noticing my dad’s car is yet again not parked in front of our house. 

    Maybe I should give up on my dream of having a dad. It would spare me a lot of disappointments.  I hope I don’t have daddy issues. Nah, I am sure I don’t. Right?

    Pushing those negative thoughts away I continue my walk to school. It’s quite chilly this morning so I naturally start walking a bit faster, which results in me being even earlier in the school library. When I make my way to my usual spot, I see it’s already occupied by a brown haired boy.

    Yep, you guessed it right.

    Nathaniel Hayes is here, in the library, early in the morning, occupying my spot, disturbing my alone time, my little routine. And because of all that I greet him with a glare. “What are you doing here?” I ask, hostility evident in my voice.

    “I wanted to start my day with you, Moore.” He winks at me. Seriously? I am not in the mood for games. All I wanted was to read my book. Although I must admit, his husky morning voice combined with his disheveled hair is making me swoon a little bit. As usual he looks like a model. Which annoys me even more. Honestly, he isn’t even trying. Some people just have it all. Not fair.

    “Cut it out Hayes. Leave me alone. This is my private space. Go bother some of the girls who care.” I grumble out, slumping down on the couch next to him, taking my book out of my bag.

    “Don’t act like I don’t have an affect on you Moore. And I will be quiet. Promise.” He says and makes himself comfortable. I ignore him - seeing I won't win this argument, which he takes as a sign that he can stay. He didn’t understand the sign completely apparently, because not even five minutes later he started to annoy me with different behaviors. And he broke his vow of silence. I am barely registering what I read, with how hard it is to concentrate when someone is bothering you for an hour if not more.  I can’t take this anymore.

    “Could you be quiet?!” I groan out. If he is not asking me questions, he is bouncing his legs, if he is not doing that he is staring at me, if not that, then he is breathing heavily or trying to play with my hair. I am on verge of starting to pull my hair out. 

    “I didn’t say anything.” Nathaniel lifts his hands up in surrender.  

    “I hear you thinking! Stop it.” I snap at him, obviously annoyed. Can he just not? At my reply he bursts into laughter. Me joining him soon after. Our fun continues for a few minutes, before it dies down. Before the bell rings and we go separate ways, a thought enters my mind. 

    I haven’t laughed like this, in a long time.