Lost Tempest Queen

Duke University

Just like every night lately the dream comes. Her voice seems louder almost pleading to me to answer to her. I don’t know who she’s calling because it’s always just me and her. This time I don’t just hear her I can feel her presence. I can’t see her even though I know she’s close as she calls out again. I look around still not seeing anything until… I see neon green cat like eyes and I am awake.

The sound of mom calling me had woken me up. I was frustrated I was so close to seeing the person behind the voice. I was sure the voice belong to the animalistic green eyes. Mom‘s voice boom‘s louder pulling me from the woman in my dreams again I huff and tell her I’m up. As I’m getting ready for my day my mind wanders and soon my thoughts are again consumed with the slightest changes to the dream.

The way her voice seemed louder, the way I could feel her very presence, and the eyes that deep down I knew belong to the voice. As they place all my hygiene products into my bag it was time to leave. Excitement starts bubbling at the new adventure. Bringing my bag downstairs my parents are talking low but I still hear them. Dad‘s trying to ask mom about some business trip, but mom‘s behavior made me realize something was wrong.

They noticed me walking in the room and immediately stopped talking. They both plaster on a fake smile, it was then I noticed mom had an almost perfect fake face on. Dad‘s eyes looked nervous that I had caught them in their heated talk, but his smile looked real. I felt a little nervous that I couldn’t tell right away mom had on a cold fake smile. Her eyes show no emotion to tell me what was going on.

I was tired of all of this fighting all the time. I gave my own small fake smile and walked outside so we could leave. The drive was not bad some slower construction but nothing too congested. Arriving at the dorms I was so excited and nervous I can almost forget about my parents arguing this morning. I park my jeep close to dorm 1983 so I didn’t have far to carry my stuff. My parents Park close and we all walk to find my room. The silence on the way was deafening. I was happy when we finally found my room, we walk in and we are greeted by a tall Sandy blonde.

She greets us with a quick hi I’m Dorothy and turns back just as quickly. My gut thinks a little bit with the thoughts of feeling unwelcome. I look around to see my bed and desk or so I assume mine because it was empty. I shrug waving my hand in the air to the empty bed‘s direction. I guess let’s bring my stuff in.

As me and my parents walk outside I see Dorothy glance at my mother and bow her head to her. This action would have come across as strange if I didn’t notice people doing it around us all the time. I roll my eyes even people who don’t know her always acknowledge her. Me and dad barely got a high but whatever. I walk faster to my Jeep ready to be alone to unpack. It did not take the three of us as long to unpack my jeep as it took for me to load it.

We stack everything next to my closet. When we had made our first trip back with boxes we were greeted by an empty room. Since the girl had made me feel unwelcome I wasn’t at all upset. This was our last trip are you guy’s ready for lunch? My dad’s chipper voice echo’s in the half empty room. Just then my stomach started to growl, embarrassingly loud. Yes dad I’m starved, I giggle.

Va Lara mentioned a nice diner around the corner from here, I announced. Secretly thanking her because the quicker we eat the quicker my parents can head home. On the other hand my mother’s hostile expression to the mention of a low class diner said it would not be so easy. Thankfully my dad interrupted her soon to be outraged expression stating that it would be a wonderful opportunity to see the local area before heading out. With a huff she agreed and turned out the door, my dad’s exhausted expression made me feed bad. I felt their bickering was all my fault.

We head towards the diner that Va Lara mentioned called the Island Spot. I tried to make conversation along the walk mentioning that the milkshakes are supposed to be the best on campus. My mother ignored the conversation but my father was just as excited to try the shakes as I was. Took about 7 minutes to walk to the diner from my room and once we arrived it did not take long to get a seat. My mother looked rather uncomfortable but she was quiet. We looked over our menus when the excited voice of Va Lara rang in my ears.

Oh my goodness!!! You came, I was so hopeful you would stop by!!! We all greeted her with a smile and gave her our drink orders. She was quick and made suggestions on what the best items were. After she took our order, my parents and I went over my class schedule for this semester. Saying goodbye was quick since I promised to come home once a month for family dinner’s. I really appreciate their help but gosh was I exhausted now. I just really wanted to go lay down and sleep but as I opened my room I immediately realized I would not be sleeping any time soon. Hi Dorthy I’m back I say with a slight wave.