First Glance

"Brielle c'mon!" My father hollered from the porch, one of my suitcases in hand. I groaned, throwing myself from the door with yet, another suitcase. I don't know why I couldn't stay. Why do I have to leave behind the place I desired to stay in? With father, and the twins. His brows wrinkled together in a knot, unapproving of my manner of action. "Knock the attitude off." "Knock the attitude off." I mocked, earning me a nice slap on the back of the head. Slamming the door shut of the little gray Honda, I leaned back pulling earbuds into my ears. The song that played was, 'Summertime Sadness' by Lana Del Ray. It wasn't long before scenes rushed past the clear window - separating the stuff on the outside from the inside of a box on wheels. Father wasn't always so aggressive until a recent death in the family. Ever since she died he's shown me more hatred than I've seen from him drunk. Mother wouldn't be so pleased. She'd be furious with him, she would probably even knock him out cold. I scrolled through the songs on my playlist, sighing slightly when I shut my phone off to look at the outside world. My insides were drowning in an ocean, with a thunderstorm disturbing the peace. Lightning zapped the heart - and not to live. But of hurt and an awakening ache of reality. No way, was I ready to leave. Especially somewhere that seemed so far away. It was a few hours away from Marana. But that was ok. I guess. I could stand three hours with my father and his glares of hatred and misconduct of emotional abuse. I was afraid to leave the twins with him, but couldn't take them to a boarding school. Not this time. Watching the signs on the highway, thoughts lingered on all the happy moments. Almost like I was traveling back into time when my father was happy and supportive. When mom swung me around in her arms with nothing but smiles and laughter. All those nights I slept in their bed cause of nightmares or the crackling whip of thunder and lightning. Down here, it was dry. Not a single drop of moisture except for rare occasions of thunderstorms; rain, and or snow. Otherwise, it was nothing but dry heat all season long. Some days it was cloudy, but even those cloudy days could lead someone to their death. There's barely a noticeable gander of wind where we live. "Are you excited?" "Hmm?" Pulling out an earbud, I glanced at my father in the driver's seat. "Do I have to repeat myself?" He fixed the mirror, glancing at me through the center. "No..but yes. I am excited. I will be missing the twins though." "Just the twins?" "You too," I added, I guess. Watching his lips curl up, I was so tempted to roll my eyes - mentally it was exhausting to put up with his bickering and abuse. I lingered in thought for a second before reading a sign that read, Sedona 56 miles. Groaning, I rest my head back. It felt like this trip would never end. My eyes began to grow heavy - like a stone being placed on a piece of paper. After all, I woke up pretty early. Earlier than what I was used to. I used to be able to sleep like a log - sleep in. But now? Ever since the passing I was the one waking up with the twins; taking care of them and being their support. But now that I'm leaving. I don't know what's going to happen to innocent lives. _______________ "Brielle." "Brielle.." There was a moment of silence. "Brielle wake the hell up, damn it!" My father shouted, jerking me nearly out of the seat with a pull on my leg. "f**k you." I spat out, immediately regretting my choice of words. My heart fluttered, before he got the chance to lay a hand, I jumped out and hurriedly grabbed suitcases. Hurrying to the court, I turn slightly to see nothing but a gust of dirt swirling in a little storm, battling against the air to breathe. Placing a hand on my chest to calm the storm inside, I take hold of my luggage. A few people had stared at me, and honestly, it hadn't made me feel much better. They stared at me like I was some kind of freak show. But it's ok, I knew I didn't belong here. The school was too fancy-like. How could he even afford to send me here for the year? I'll be going off to college after my final year, so there wasn't any point in being shipped like a package. I hope the twins would be ok with a mugger of a father. Not unless he would treat them right - I was always close to my mom. Always. Didn't matter if she was cooking; using the bathroom, or doing errands. I was the typical kid honestly, but I never really enjoyed being around my dad so much. Stepping through the opened double doors, I glance up at the signs. Avoiding eye contact with anyone in the crowded hall - wasn't as crowded or small as the average high school though. It looked like something from the Harry Potter movies. "Hi! Need any help?" A perky voice called out. Sneaking a graze towards the voice, I raised a brow to a strawberry blonde girl, standing tall - but I am guessing it was from the heeled boots she was wearing. She looked like a pastel goth, with her vibrant pinks and purples. "Hey. Um..yeah I do actually. I'm looking for the office." "Right this way." She led the way down the hall, people parted from her in a way I found imaginable. It was a nice little school, inside out. The office was a little on the far end of the school. Even though it should be towards the entrance. At least to what I say - it would be best. It would be easier for newbies like myself. Heading into the office with the short girl, I smile and set my luggage against the wall. "Thank you." "Of course. The names Deedee." She held her hand out. "Brielle." Shaking her hand, I pulled away to talk to the lady at the desk. "I'm Brielle Levine, here for check-in and schedule." The gray-haired lady glanced at me with her gray-blue eyes, her nose scrunched before she typed away on the little keyboard in front of her. She pulled some papers together, and in the meanwhile, I glanced around the medium-sized office with slight ease of nausea. New places increase anxiety. Anxiety for a fact sucks. "Brielle Levine? Age 18?" The lady questioned without a glance. "Yes." "Here's this packet. Also has your courses; circular activities, dorm number, how things work here, and a little map going into detail where everything is." She looked at me finally, smiling warmly before going back to typing on the keyboard. Grabbing the handles of my suitcases, I flip the packet towards the map, examining it thoroughly before stepping into the pit of sharks. Hungry for new blood. I glanced towards the entrance, with a staircase, then the staircase in the near corner. The cafeteria doors I was guessing the double doors in between a few lockers. Luckily, the girl's side of the dorms was near the office. But the bad thing was the stairs. Memorizing the number in mind - I kept repeating the number so it stayed with me. Folding the packet, I stuff it in my back jeaned pocket. The stairs were going to be the real challenge with the luggage on hand. I pulled them beside me, allowing them to effortlessly roll behind me without any effort at all. My flannel got caught into the handles, rubbing against the palm of my hand. While moving slowly up the steps, the wheels refused and locked, which lead to each pull leaving a thumping sound trail just behind. 31A. 31A. 31A. Walking around the corner, I keep chanting the room number in the back of my mind, glancing at each number on each side. I was just glad the wheels were still going from all the abuse they had previously just gone through. Finally spotting the room, I opened the door with the room already with people in it. "Sorry!" I blurted. Making my exchange out the door, I pull out the packet and see the ink was faded. It was supposed to be room 37A. Forcing the packet back into my pocket, I rush towards the room. I just wanted a break, I just wanted to sit and relax. At least take a small nap. But, before I did any of that, I knew for sure I'd have to go over the packet. And the packet I had a feeling would take nearly forever to read. Arriving at the door of room 37A, I open it -- and when I did my mouth dropped. Oh. My. God.