No Strings Attached

Chapter 21: A Tired Day

Silence entered the house—like a trespassing vagabond—creating tension in the kitchen. Leaning my head close to the stair rail, desperate to hear Mom's voice.

But instead, Dad's soothing voice broke the silence when he murmured: "Did something happen at work?"

"Of course not, sweetie." Mom insisted.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." 

Sighing, Dad said, "You know I love you, right?"

I hear Mom giggle. "Yeah, I love you too."

Hearing their lips smack, I retreated to my bedroom. Though I was tired, I couldn't shake off the feeling that my mom being a victim of something horrible.

Trudging towards the bed, I made a mental note to myself to practice my telekinetic skills.

I wasn't used to the whole 'Avengers' crap, but I couldn't sit back and let my mom get hurt.

Besides, what if people are being treated the same way as Mom?

Leaping onto the bed, I threw on the covers then rest my head against the pillow. But as I shut my eyes, I dreamt that I was back in the lake, choking on toxic waste fumes.

I remember screaming for help.

My arms struggled to do strokes; my feet kicked furiously in the water; but no matter what I do, my body remained paralyzed until I woke up the next morning.

*  *  *  *  *
As the sun emerged from the clouds, I was extremely cranky.

I lazily rolled out of bed, brushed my teeth, and got dressed in my Manhattan Arts Academy uniform. 

But before I left, I found my purple backpack resting lazily close to my bed.

With a gentle stare, the bag flew towards my hand, but it ended up hitting against the closed door.

"Ugh, " I grunted, stooping forward to pick it up.

"Are you ready to go to school, Nadine?" Dad announces as I wander downstairs.

He wears silky gray pajamas and a furry pair of gray Bugs Bunny slippers. Underneath his golden brown eyes are ugly, dark bags.

Despite his tired state, Dad is busy mixing pancake batter in a glass bowl.

Ingredients—ranging from eggs to exotic spices—spread out amongst the kitchen counter, making it hard for Dad to keep track of what he's doing.

But as for Mom, my tired pupils searched for her, but I couldn't find her in the living room or kitchen.

Stretching my arms, I yawned, "Where's Mom?"

"At work," Dad replies, inspecting the creamy brown goo. "She says that she has an important meeting at her accounting job." 

"Oh, " I said glumly, rubbing my eyes. "I am going to school."

Dad frowned at me. "Is there something wrong, sweetie?"

I shake my head. "Nothing. Bye, Dad."

Carefully Dad puts down his whisk into the p batter, then asked: "Are you sure, Nadine?"

"Yeah, " I said, yawning some more. "I just had a terrible nightmare."

His eyes widen as if I struck him."What is it about?"

My entire face turned into the color of tomatoes.

I wasn't sure what to tell Dad about my dream.

If I told him, I will be under his surveillance 24 /7. If not, then Dad will ground me for keeping secrets from him.

Gazing at me for a moment, Dad smirked, "If this has something to do with James Ryder—"

"Dad!" I whined.

He chuckled. "What? When I was your age, I used to dream about your mother all the time."

I stare at him funny. Is he seriously thinking that I was dreaming about James?

"Having dreams about your crush is totally normal, Nadine." Dad went on.

Oh my God, he is.

"Love is very complicated, but an exciting journey. You express it with a simple kiss, a hug, and even—"

I interrupted him with a kiss on the cheek.

"Okay, I gotta get to school, Dad," I exclaim. "I'll pick up some breakfast on the way."

Though shocked by my words, Dad wishes me to have a great day at school.

"Okay, " I grinned, heading out the door.

"Love you."

"Love you too, Sugar Bean."

Leaving the house, I manage to walk down the footsteps when I spot a little girl in a white dress pedaling her Care Bears bike on the street.

She has two black pigtails, lovely dark skin, and matching sandals. Her nails are painted in a baby purple color and her eyes shone like pennies.

Smiling at the cute image, I made my way onto the sidewalk until I witness a navy green garbage truck heading towards the little girl.