Awaken the Luna

Chapter 17 Flashback

“Wren, you’ll be late for school if you don’t get up now!”

Mornings were not my cup of tea, especially in the cold January mornings. I would rather stay cozy under the covers but I knew not getting up would only frustrate my father more.

“I’m” yawning loudly, “up! Just getting dressed now!”

“Uh - huh I’ve heard that line before. Let’s get a move on. You need to leave in 20 minutes.” My dad yelled from what I figured was the kitchen.

 Giving myself another big stretch I rose from my warm bed and began sifting through the closet.

I loved my dad, he was the most stable and consistent person in my life. Without him I can’t imagine where my sister or I would be. He was mom and dad to the both of us these last 12 years. I was always in awe of how he quickly fell into step with our new life when my mother left. He was always attentive to my sister and I but I was 7 whereas my sister was only 4. My mother wasn’t an awful or abusive parent but she never seemed fully invested in the whole motherly role. Introverted and not a big go getter it seemed odd that I was as adventurous as I was.

I used to imagine if we were out at the store or walking the mall if someone were to try to take my sister or me that my mother would cower in fear before protecting her daughters first. That thought made me prepared, it drove me to be a protector, to learn to fight, to be more. 

In middle school I found my stride in track, relays, and cross country. Running was my escape, nothing mattered when I  was running, just me and the control I had over my legs, my body. It felt free, like I was finally free of the responsibilities I felt at home. I wished I could stay there in my freedom instead of crashing back into reality. 

I grabbed my dark washed jeans and my purple sweatshirt. Comfy and casual was my signature style. Throwing my hair into a quick bun, I slipped on my tennis shoes and headed to finish getting ready in the bathroom. 

I walked into the kitchen with 5 minutes to spare. I started grabbing some breakfast and a thermos for my coffee. “ Are you ready for your spring tryouts? They’re coming up fast.” my dad asked as he placed a plate of eggs down next to me on the counter. He pointed at them and then pretended to hold a fork up to his mouth. 

Shoving a few quick fork loads of eggs into my mouth, I eagerly nodded yes to answer his question and compliment his cooking. “Coach already said I just need to beat my times from last season and I’m in.” Coach Vanders was always pushing my potential and I appreciated the push. He knew I was in line for a full-ride scholarship ever since I was a freshman. Now I only have a few more months and I will be out of high school and on to college. 

“Good morning!”Rylee skipped in across the threshold beaming like always. Her blonde hair was lightly curled and her make-up stunning but natural. My little sister was beautiful, her fair skin and light blue eyes, sometimes I wondered how we could be related. Rylee was a sophomore this year and I couldn’t be more proud of her. She was on the drill team, straight A’s, and coming into her own. “ Dad can I catch a ride to school with my friends? They are already out front?”

“That’s fine Ry just be safe.” My dad handed her a lunchsack and gave her a quick smile as she hurried out the door. 

“I’m going to head out dad, Love you!” I gathered my bag and headed to start up my jeep. It took a few turns in the colder months but she roared to life as I adjusted the heat and pulled on my gloves and shivered a bit at the cold. Turning up the radio, I backed out of my spot and made my way down our winding dirt driveway to the main road. Our home was quaint and not a brand new farm house, but it was surrounded by open pastures and pecan trees. The white piped fence stretched down our property, cows huddled together keeping warm, their breath visible. The horses were still up by the stables, probably waiting for my dad or one of the hands to feed them. 

I leaned back into the driver's seat and focused on the road. The town wasn’t very far but I enjoyed listening to my music for the duration. The sun was rising in the big Texas sky creating a beautiful orange sunrise. I love my home, it was beautiful and wholesome but a deep thread deep in my gut tugged at me. More was waiting, more purpose, more life. The dread began to shift over my peace. Did I really want this scholarship, did I want to be tied to this life? Even with the scholarship I had no idea what to major in or what to do with my life. 

Maybe I would go to a university a few hours away, drive home a few times a month. Maybe by this time next year I will have someone special to bring home with me for the holidays. Someone my dad would threaten to not break my heart but tell me later he liked the young man. He would be kind, smart, thoughtful, safe. We would move in together our sophomore year and live on noodles and crackers. We would fight over normal things like money or whatever couples argue about. Then we would go to our favorite coffee shop to talk and make-up. He would propose by asking me to marry him while standing in the very spot we met at the same coffee shop off campus that was also a book store. Where the coffee and paper pages made for the sweetest smell.  We would marry and my dad would be the silent not going to cry type as he walked me down the aisle. We would grow older and build a family and I would be working and doing what I love…

That's just it though I don't have the slightest idea what I would be doing. 

I sighed as I pulled into the school parking lot and found a spot close to the gym since I would be going to run the track or trails before heading home. Turning the ignition off I placed my keys in my bag and grabbed my coffee before heading to class. By the time I reached the door my morning mood had soured into what future scenarios my mind would create the rest of the day.