Silent Hearts

Chapter 1: Same Ol Same Ol

'Brrrriiinnngggg, bbbrrriinnnnggg.'

I feel around with my hand for my alarm clock, when I feel it I pick it up and throw it across the room. 'Smash.' Oh crap, I broke another one. The sound of footsteps is heard running up the stairs and a second later someone is throwing open my bedroom door.

"Huh, Huh...What the hell..huh, huh...was that Madeline?"

I lift the pillow from on top of my head and see my oldest brother Matt standing in my doorway looking like a deer caught in the headlights. I stare at him a few seconds then look to see where I threw my alarm clock. Once I see it by my closet on the floor smashed in a few pieces I point my finger over there.

Matt looks over and puts a hand to his heart, "You gave me a freaking heart attack Mads, for real I thought something bad had happened, but instead you were just being a little stubborn cuss who didn't want to get out of bed." I'm a little hurt by his words until I see the slight smile on his face.

"What can I say dear elder? I am stubborn." After my jokingness wore off I gave Matt a serious look. "Please, let me stay home? I'm not feeling up for going to school today, that alarm clock royally peeved me off and I feel like if I go the clock won't be the only thing getting thrown around."

Just as he was about to reply my little brother Ashton walked in the room fully dressed, "Get up Mads, mom says you have to go to school and I have to drive you."

"Ash why can't I--?"

I'm cut off by my obnoxious brother, "You know why mads, until we get this thing figured out mom doesn't want you driving- much less being alone. Plus for my safety and everyone else's on the street I don't want the car to end up like all the alarm clocks you decide to break."

I gave a long sigh while looking at the ceiling. I got out of bed and started for my closest. I ruffled Ashtons hair, "You're a little dork especially with putting product in your hair."

He fixed his hair quickly and defended himself, "I'm not a dork. Plus I'm a grade younger than you so I'm not little!"

He folded his arms over his chest and pouted. I mumbled to myself, "Like I said little dork."

A few minutes later I was walking down the stairs with my backpack on while wearing jeans and a batman t-shirt. Superheros have been my obsession for the past year and a half. I needed something to believe in and hold on to if I ever thought I'd get out of this big mess.

My mother greeted me as soon as my foot hit the bottom step, "Good morning Madeline, how'd you sleep sweetie?"

I looked over at my mom and smiled. She was feeding my baby sister Alessia while my father sat next to my mother drinking his coffee and watching the women he loved with his baby girl. 

I was knocked out of my trance when I was hit with something on my head, I looked down and it was a piece of bread. I glared over at my three brothers sitting innocently at the table. I walked over slowly and put my hand on the table. Within a second I heard Ashton and Matt yelling and pointing at Jayden, my brother who's a freshman in high school, telling me that he did it. Before I could respond by either yelling at him or hitting him my father spoke up.

"Jayden, that was not nice at all! Now pick up the bread." He then looked at all of my brothers, "If I see another piece of food being thrown I will ground all of you."

All their eye widened until realization came upon Matt's eyes, "Dad you can't ground me, I'm 21, in college, and live on my own."

Dad thought for a second before he stated, "Then I'll ground you the moment you step foot in this house." All was quiet for a few moments until everyone in the kitchen started chuckling, even baby Alessia. Dad knew that what he said didn't really make sense but he just didn't want to admit it.

After the laughter died down I finished my bowl of cereal and went to the cupboard. There I pulled out my anti-depressant meds and my thyroid medication. I grabbed some water from the faucet and chugged those down. I set my glass in the sink and looked out at the slight fall air- with the leaves just starting to turn colors and the wind picking up. I took a deep breath, turned around, and headed out to the car to go to school.