The Big Bad Wolf

Chapter Seven

The nightmares and bizarre dreams have been nonstop. I awake dripping with sweat, my heart racing more than it would when I run, and panting; hard panting. My mouth would be drier than the Sierra Desert and I would have to drink gallons of water to actually make it moist again. I have even considered not sleeping, but what good would that be.

Vivienne is still a pain in the butt. She always wants me to sit by Keegan and her at lunch, but I always ignore her. Actually I have been ignoring everything Vivienne does. She’s always with Keegan, holding his large hand, trying to piggy-back ride his back. Can that girl get anymore clingy?

All I want is to be left alone. To have my peace and quiet and actually invest in some sleep were I don’t wake up drowning in my own sweat. I might actually want to find a boyfriend that isn’t scared to tell me off without asking for his death wish. This reminds me I haven’t seen Preston in a while. He hasn’t been in school for at least a week now. I received no call or text from him at all and for some reason, it worries me.

One thing that keeps me calm and happy is I get to see Callum today. The only thing I’m not excited about is driving up there and back. Sure, I get an all day visit with him and all, but I always have to go home in the dark. I’m just not a big night-time-driver kind of girl.

Time comes to leave and I gather my things. My hand clutches a sports bag that holds my necessities such as, extra clothes, a couple gifts to give my brother, and a classic novel. Charlotte’s Web, Callum’s favorite story in the world. I take it with me each visit and read it to him before I leave, which is his bedtime. I read it with full emotion since I know he will get mad if I don’t and when he has fallen asleep, I gently kiss his soft head of hair and leave.

I don’t know what to expect when I get there. I haven’t seen my little brother in forever and I only get to talk to him over the phone on occasions. So what was I expecting? A little boy with a head full of hair, big green eyes, and a sweet personality with a smile always plastered on his face. Or a saddened boy wishing nothing but to escape his foster parents, sad and tear filled eyes? All these thoughts wisped through my mind and as quickly as they came they were gone.

I arrived a little before eight in the morning. The sun hasn’t even woken up from its slumber just yet. The medium, modern house looked as it always did. Stone looking walls, with a window here and there. They lawn was clear of toys and freshly cut. I guess because they were moving back to the city, where I lived when I leave tonight.

I climb up the cement steps and walk up to the wooden door. I knock a few times and the door swings open. Mrs. Graceford stood before me. Her brown hair was in a messy bun, her face wrinkleless and dressed with makeup. You could tell by her dress that she clearly shops at the old people stores. I plaster the best smile I can on my face.

“We meet again, Mrs. Graceford.”

“Ah, Aimee I suppose we do meet again. I’m guessing you got my letter of our move.” She responds. Her voice is laced with elegance and grammar.

“I did.” I answer plainly. After a few minutes of awkward silence, I hear feet pattering through the house. After another minute or so Mrs. Graceford gets pushed out of the way and little boy takes her place.

His height is to my stomach. Instead of long hair, its cut short where there is barely any hair left. The boy’s face is filled with excitement and a huge smile rest on his face, with cute little dimples. My heart wrenches as I notice how big Callum has gotten. I try to keep the tears from coming out as I hold my arms out wide. He runs the rest of the way and clings to me with all his might. Like if he lets go I’ll disappear and never come back.

“I missed you, Aimee!” Callum sobs into my neck. It is now getting harder for me to keep my tears intact. My eyes become blurry with tears and I decide it will be okay to just shed a few.