Searching For Winter

Sophia in High School

The day begins with kookaburras chirping softly, their laughter echoing through the quiet morning. The sunrise paints the sky in warm orange hues, its light slipping through the half drawn white curtains that drape over my bed. For a moment; warmth kisses my toes until a sharp gust of cold air brushes in from the window. 

I must've forgotten to close the window last night after sneaking out with Caleb to our favourite lookout spot.

"Sophia, are you up, darling?" Mum knocks lightly on the door, her voice soft as she lets herself in. She pokes her head around the corner, already flinching she knows I have a habit of chucking a pillow at her in the mornings.

"I'm up, I'm up," I grumble as my body throws itself out of bed, feet landing with a thud.

I pull on a pair of jeans and a tank top, zipping up my puffy jacket over the top. No way I'm letting Mum or Dad see I'm flashing my belly button to the world. What they don't know won't kill them, right?

I tie my hair into a messy bun and grab my neatly folded cheerleader uniform no doubt Mum ironed and folded it for me last night. I shove it into my backpack, along with the zip-lock lunch bag waiting for me on the kitchen bench.

Mum had made a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch, along with a few of her usual healthy extras carrot sticks and grapes sealed in tiny containers. Dad was nowhere to be seen; he'd already be out working on the trains by now.

"Don't forget, Stella has to be home by eight o'clock after she finishes her homework," Mum says, flicking a stray hair off her face while glancing at her phone for the time. She juggles her handbag, keys and water bottle as she locks up the front door behind us.

Stella is our next-door neighbour. She's sixteen, an only child like me and her parents work night shifts. Most days except for Thursdays and Mondays I travel home with her using public transport. She usually stays for dinner and sometimes tags along when Caleb and I go out. Honestly, she tends to stick around like a bad smell.

At house parties, though, she isn't too bad. She'll sit quietly in the living room, usually near the group of seventh graders playing spin the bottle. We've been caught twice.

The first time, Stella tried a beer and ended up throwing up after just one bottle. We blamed it on Dad's beef stew, though my parents definitely knew better. The second time, her mum came home earlier than expected.
 

I wave Mum off as I hop into Caleb's blue Jeep parked out front. She opens the door again obviously forgetting something inside. Today feels different. Mum has the morning off work, and she's offered to take Stella to school. Caleb's had his license for over a year but he only got the Jeep a few weeks ago,and it's still exciting every time I climb in. Did I try to hide how much I loved it? Not a chance.

Caleb gives me a slow wet kiss, his pressure remains on my lower lip even though his  he pulled away. He backs out the driveway; onto the main road with focused eyes. He does a head check as I watch his Adam's apple in his throat move slightly. 

We pick up Dylan and his girlfriend Jess on the way. The drive to school is quick winter means less traffic in this town. We pull into the parking spot I'm sure we'll always use from now on at least; Caleb will be the third one next to the colourful motorbikes.

Dylan and Jess head their separate ways as Caleb slips his arm around my shoulders, showing everyone I'm his. He presses another wet kiss to my lips before I step into homeroom.

Everyone's doing their own things, some are chatting while two boys sneak a look my way. "Hey, gorgeous!" A tall blonde girl comes over with her arms open for a hug. "Hey, Sarah!" I smile and hug her; we sway slightly side to side. I sit next to her as she starts going on about her drama with her step mum. She gasps. "Gosh, she's such a bitch." Sarah rolls her eyes and flicks her hair off her shoulders; just as the bell rings for first period.