My Unknown Life

    “ADIRA ELIZABETH, WE WILL LEAVE YOU HERE IF YOU DO NOT HURRY UP!” my mom yelled up to me. I was in my room trying to finish packing for vacation. Looking around my room to make sure I didn’t forget anything I yelled back, “Coming!”     My family and I are headed to Michigan to visit my Great Aunt and Uncle for a month. Correction my brothers and I will be there for a month and my parents are only staying a few days leaving me to suffer. The last few summers we have only had to stay for as long as my parents did, however they decided I was going to stay for the entire month. At least I didn’t have to endure it by myself. My four brothers would be staying the whole month too. It was a relief but also a nightmare at the same time. Especially because I was the middle child as well as the only girl. Because of this I always stick by my mother when we are in Michigan, but she wouldn’t be there this time. I was bummed out, but I didn’t let it show because I didn’t want to upset her.     When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I was greeted with the angry eyes of my mother. “We were supposed to leave an hour ago. You know how your father gets when we are off schedule,” she huffed.     My mom, Lilith, took a deep breath and I watched as her deep blue eyes softened. She then gave me a hug and apologized for yelling at me then turned to go to the car. I followed my mom to the car where my older twin brothers, Elijah, and Everett, were fighting over where they had to sit in the car. While my younger brothers, James, and Ian, fought about the snacks were in the car.     Unfortunately, we were driving from Southern Alabama to Upper Michigan instead of flying like we usually do. My parents were flying back home and leaving the car with us, so we didn’t need to use our Aunt and Uncle’s car. I rolled my eyes at my brothers hopping in the car I put my headphones in and rest my head on the window hoping to tune out my brothers as we started the 17-hour drive to Michigan.     At some point during the ride I must have fallen asleep because next thing I knew I was being roughly shaken awake by younger brothers, James, and Ian, who were all too happy to wake me up. I look up to see us pulling in the driveway at my Great Aunt Nancy and Great Uncle Bernie’s lake house. They are my dad’s aunt and uncle, but they are only a few years older than him. Uncle Bernie and dad were basically brothers and looked so much alike. They both had had the same hazel eyes and short dark brown curly hair. The biggest difference was that my dad was a few inches shorter than Uncle Bernie.     Hopping out of the car I had to stretch from being stuck in the stuffy car for so long. I went over and embraced my aunt and uncle.     “Adira, dear my how you have grown up into such a good-looking young lady,” my aunt Nancy said with a smile.     “How old are you now?” Uncle Bernie asked like he does every year. It seemed like he should know by now how old I am.     “I will be 17 next month.” I stated trying not to roll my eyes.     It was always the same thing every time we came but I tried not to be rude about it. As everyone got their hugs in, we all went inside to catch up. We walked into the house and I was stunned at how beautiful the house was every time we were there. They had dark wooden floors with high ceilings and open floor plan. I walked to the back of the house which was mainly made of glass and looked out at the tranquil sight of Lake Michigan.     While I stood there lost in thought, my mom came and stood next to me and I couldn’t help admiring her. We had the same deep blue eyes with yellow flecks and flawless olive complexion but that is where the similarities stopped. She was 5’7” with wavy dark blonde hair, a cute button nose and full lips. Whereas I am 5’ 4” and have dark curly hair like my father and smaller lips.  I surprised her by giving her a big hug, but I couldn’t help it, I was going to miss her so much while I was here.     Mom started petting my hair, “You will have a lot of fun this summer we will see each other soon. Don’t let the boys’ bug you too much and keep them out of trouble.”     “Mom, we are 18 and more than capable to handle ourselves,” Elijah said looking annoyed. Everett chimed in, “Adria can worry about Ian and James, but we don’t need her to worry about us.”     They were sitting on the couch with their phones already planning on going out tonight with friends they have made over the years. I honestly don’t know how they have made so many friends here unlike them I don’t make friends quite as easily. I am not shy, but I am very awkward, and it does make it hard to make friends sometimes. Because I am awkward and clumsy, I try to avoid social events at all costs because I don’t like being the butt of everyone’s jokes.     I decide while my brothers are busy right now, I will take my opportunity to get the big guest room. Being the only girl has its perks because I don’t have to share a room but that usually means I get the small room. I go and pick out the room that has the attached bathroom and a window seat. I unpack my suitcase and then I sit in the window thinking about being here for a whole month. I am so deep in thought that I don’t hear my brothers come in. Next thing I know I am tackled on to the floor, I let out a groan and look up to see James and Ian standing over me laughing.     “Mom and Dad sent us up here to get you for dinner” Ian said.     “You didn’t have to tackle me to do that” I said glaring at them. I got up and ruffled their hair which caused them to whine.     I looked at them and said, “Last one there has to do dishes!”     Dinner was all set out when we got downstairs. Mom shook her head at the 3 of us as we rushed to sit down. After dinner I got up to help with dishes since I lost to the boys.     Uncle Bernie and dad were still sitting at the table talking in hushed voices. It seemed like they were arguing and could see them occasionally glancing my way. I turned the water off to try and hear what they were talking about.     “Jack do you really think it is a good time to do this. Do you think you will be able to find out what is going on before it happens?” Uncle Bernie asked him.     I tried to look like I wasn’t listening to their conversation so I could figure out what they were talking about hoping that they would continue talking. However, I heard my dad sigh and then they got up and left the table.     What was that about? I thought about asking mom, but I didn’t know if she would know either and I didn’t want to ask a bunch of questions before they left tonight. I decided to forget about it and go spend some time with mom before they left.     I found mom with Aunt Nancy on the back porch swinging on the porch swing catching up. My parents grew up in Michigan and when I was born, they moved down to Alabama due to my dad getting a job down there. Mom and Aunt Nancy were super close when they were younger just like my dad and uncle Bernie. Dad always said that they gossip like teenagers when they get together. I sat down on the railing of the porch next to them with my back against one of the pillars watching the water.     “Adira I am so excited that you are staying with us for the month I have so many things planned for us to do!” Aunt Nancy said excitedly.     “I am down for almost anything as long as I don’t make a fool of myself” I said trying to be nice.     I love my aunt, I do, but I really don’t want to be here for a month without my mom or my best friend. They have been the only two people to really understand me and I haven’t ever spent time with my aunt without my mom.     “You know all the things that we do together Nan and I would do together all the time when we lived up here.” Mom said like she was reading my mind.     I give her a smile knowing it will make her feel better.     “Now let’s go watch a movie with shirtless guys and ogle over there bods,” my aunt said while jumping up from the swing.     “Yes Nan, and we can’t forget the popcorn and M&Ms,” Mom said giddily.     I chuckle and follow them to the living room. Maybe it won’t be so bad being here for a month.