The American

chapter one

Chapter One: The Unseen

School mornings are always crazy.

With five boys in the house and a puppy, Monday mornings are always a whirlwind of activity. In my house there is my dad who is a single dad and does everything for his five children. The oldest is my brother John who is twenty one and is studying to become a doctor at a university near our house. He is the most responsible of the siblings and is the one you can always go to for your problems. The second oldest brother is Collin who loves science and space. He is nineteen and is about to leave for college next fall and he plans to major in astronomy. Dan is eighteen and loves music. He has always been a prodigy since he was a kid and is destined for great things. He auditioned for America's got talent and made it to the top ten until he unfortunately wasn't voted through which left him doubtful in himself, but I always believed in him. Next are the trouble makers of the house: the twins. Zack and Jack are sixteen and are always planning something to cause mischief. Although they might not seem like it, they are both big softies and are always there for me when I need them whether to rant or prank another sibling.

This particular morning I woke up early to save myself the hassle of fighting with the boys over the bathroom. I straightened my hair and put it in a small braid with little application of makeup. I pulled on a sweatshirt and slipped on my comfy shoes. 

After eating a fruit bowl for breakfast, I got in the car waiting for everyone else to arrive. The wait was a little over five minutes before we finally pulled out of the driveway. The boys were all talking to one another complaining about classes and discussing girls they thought were cute. I sighed and slipped my ear buds in listening to my "calm" playlist blocking out the rest of the world.

After Collin parked in the school parking lot, everyone piled out to get into the school building to meet with friends. Well everyone but me. Ever since my mom died 3 years ago I shut off from the rest of the world. I stopped talking to my old friends and tried to become invisible. I rarely talked in class and I think the teachers understood that I still was grieving and didn't call on me too often.

Everyday was kind of rough but today was horrible. It was pretty average all until my chemistry class.

"Hey Hunter," Kenzie, the very annoying popular girl, said with a smirk on her face, "What type of name is Hunter anyways? That is a dude's name. Is there something you aren't telling us?" She said with an obnoxious giggle and earned a few laughs from her followers.

"Kenzie just go away." I said, trying my hardest not to scream.

Just then Simon walked in and came over to our table. "Hey Kenzie and good morning Hunter," he said with a smile on his face. He seemed to not have heard what had just been said and started talking with Kenzie.

The bell rang once again signaling the beginning of class. After taking attendance, Mr. Davis looked at me and began talking, "As you all know an important date is coming up. In three days will mark the fourth year without Mrs. Allen." Just as he said those words I felt everyone turn their eyes to me.

The rest of the class could not have been any more embarrassing. He motioned me to the front of the class. I took my earbuds out of my ears and slowly got up from my seat. When I reached the front of the classroom I looked to Mr. Davis and said, "You know everyone already knows the story I don't need to remind everyone of my tragic life," and crossed my fingers behind my back hoping he would let me off the hook. 

He looked at me with sympathy in his eyes, which I absolutely hate, and opened his mouth to possibly tell me that I can return to my seat when a voice rang out from the crowd. Kenzie coughed a bit to fake clear her voice and made it look like she was on the verge of tears.