In Between Times (Complete Novel, Mastered May 12th, 2022)

CHAPTER ONE

AMELIA: 

Present day...

I heard my alarm go off a long time ago, but I refuse to get out of bed. I had an eventful night with my friends, Callie and Lina, at the Underdog's Underground.

This is how it goes every time we go there, and stay all night. We usually gamble elsewhere, but we wanted a little more excitement this time. Just this once, since it's been a while. Noon call was a lost cause. I didn't get back home until five o'clock in the morning.

My body is unresponsive — or so I consider it.

I just can't convince my body that I am awake. I'm not completely sure that I am.

Loud knocking suddenly sounds at my door, and I face the fact that I am awake, and I have to unwillingly look the ugly part of my life in the eyes today.

I press on the insides of my ears a few times until I can hear clearly.

"Get your lazy ass out of bed!"

My brother, Chaise, who is only a year older than me — is yelling at me. This isn't something new.

We have been learning to grow on our own since my mother's disappearance, and Chaise had the idea to be everyone's daddy.

But he's anything but daddy. He can kiss my lazy ass.

I roll my eyes defiantly, groaning.

I've never shown up late to work before, but I know my boss, Jane, wouldn't fire me. I'd bother her more if she laid me off. I exhale through my nose as my eyes stay fixed on my doorknob.

I take a deep breath for effect.

"Go away!" I practically woof the words out of my mouth.

I hear Chaise release a sigh.

"Amelia, just because you're upset that I'm leaving for college soon doesn't mean you can give up on your job. The bills have to get paid somehow, whether I'm here or not," Chaise says, obviously pissed about my casual laziness. I lay flat on my stomach as I scan my aged wooden floor.

I am upset with him for deserting me. This house is in his name, and he leaving me here for college in Nebraska is metaphorically the boot to my ass. It's time for me to move out, Chaise says, and grow up. But I don't want to do that just yet.

"I can take care of myself, Chaise, so just leave me alone. It's because of you I am the way I am."

That's not one-hundred percent accurate, but the way he treats me magnifies my sour attitude.

"You're a complete bitch because of me?" His tone has a muffle to it, but I hear what he says.

I get off my bed in a huff.

My nostrils flare in frustration as I bend my arm to open the door, airing my hair back as I come in view of Chaise's blonde chin.

He's been compared to a Neanderthal numerous times. Aside from the jock types that look similar to him, he actually has a big brain that can jumble through complicated math problems as if they were add or subtract.

I poke his chest like a bully. As usual, he smirks at me like he can handle my take downs. He can, because he's technically concrete with a layer of skin, but I put forth a noticeable effort. I'm capable of causing pain.

"Go study or something." I clench my teeth as I poke him again. "I've got this, okay? Now go," I snarl, pointing towards the end of the hallway.

He shakes his head no.