The calling

The alarm goes off and the only thing I can see to myself is it’s just one day, just survive the last day on high school and then you’ve got 2 whole months of vacation. I get out of bed and open the curtains. The window is open, and a cool summer breeze touches my face. The air smells like forest and earth, which isn’t that weird living on the edge of the forest. The whole town is basically forest. That’s what you get when you live in a small Canadian town a few hours away from Montreal.             I love our home. My mom designed it so it would perfectly blend with the nature and take in as much of nature as possible. What I like the most is the fact that almost the entire house is covered in windows, so everywhere you are it’s like you’re in the forest. I’ve always felt most at home laying beneath the trees, taking in all the smells. I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the last day of school.             I get downstairs and my mom’s already sitting at the kitchen table eating her breakfast. She’s reading the newspaper. There’s a picture of my dad next to her, which she will look at from time to time. I’ve never really known him because he died when I was really young, but he looks nice. Mom never really talks about him.   Quickly I grab a bowl, some cereal and some milk and start cowing down my breakfast. Waking up took me way to long today. “So,” say’s mom. “You ready for your last day of school Abby?” I look at her and say something that sounds like a yes in between bites, which makes me choke in my cereal. She gives me a concerning look and I slow down my eating. I run upstairs after I’m done eating and cleaning up. You can’t be late for your last day I think to myself. I quickly wash my teeth and face, brush my long brown hear and put on some clothes. As I start to pack my bag, I hear a car horn. DAHM, Matt’s already here. I throw some stuff in my bag and start running down the stairs. Mom’s still sitting at the kitchen table reading some newspaper. I give her a kiss on the head and say: “I’ll see you after school, love you.” As I run out the door.             I jump in the car and greet my friend. Matt gives me a quick smile as he pulls out of our driveway. It’s a fifteen-minute ride from my house to school. “You ready for the vacation?” Matt askes as he’s side eying me. I turn to him and say: “When have I not been ready? You’ve known me for what, thirteen years now. I’m always ready.” We both start laughing. “Yeah I know” he says, “just can’t believe it’s summer already.” I look at him and he quickly adds: “But it’s a good thing! Can’t wait to sleep in and chill out with you and Claire all summer long.”   The schools parking lot is packed as we arrive. Now we have to park all the way in the back. We grab our stuff and start walking across the parking lot. Clair’s waiting for us at the entrance of the school, waving a bit to enthusiastic. “Almost summer you guys.” She says as we walk through the entrance. The bell rings and we each go our separate ways. First period is bio for me, and I start fast walking to the classroom. As I turn a corner I bump into Jack. He’s been the new kid for three months now, kind of an ass but he apologizes and runs the other way. Mmh, must be feeling sick or something, I think to myself as a reach the classroom.   The rest of the day goes by normally and as soon as the final bell rings I’m out of here. I really hate being stuck inside all day and can’t wait to go outside and breath in the warm summer air. I grab my stuff and walk outside. I don’t see Matt yet, but I’ll just wait for him by the car. As I’m walking to the care somebody catches my eye. A man is standing at the edge of the parking lot. I stop walking and stare at him. I’ve seen this man before. He’s my father. Well, he looks a bit older now than in the picture, but the resemblance is uncanny. How can this be? He died fifteen years ago. Was my mother lying to me?