Wolf's Heart

Seven

The wall clock read 2:29. I bit my lip, staring intently at it, watching the second tick by. A breeze from the open window rustled my hair, swinging it around into my eyes. I tucked it behind my ear. 2:29:30.

Thirty seconds. Thirty more seconds, and we were released into a three day weekend. When the day ended, there was no hesitation to pack my things and run out the door. My bag banged against my hip as I walked, and I’m pretty sure there was a pencil stabbing my side, but all I could think about was getting home. I didn’t know why I thought getting home sooner would make the time pass quicker, because the hour and a half that I had to sit and wait for Calix’s Jeep to pull into the driveway was excruciating and stressful. 

After all, everything he said to me in the past two days could very well be a lie. He said he wanted to show me the truth, he wanted to reveal to me the things that my parents could never tell me because they never knew. 

The thought of knowing something my parents, brothers, friends, and the rest of the world were oblivious to was exciting and intoxicating, and I paid no attention to my brother as he came into my room.

“Akina,” He said sharply. I jumped, not having realized he had walked in, and turned to face him. 

“What?” I asked. 

Elijah sighed. “You need to stop tuning people out, Akina,” He said in a scolding voice. “It’s rude and disrespectful.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Elijak ground his teeth, and I bit back a smirk. Getting on his nerves was the most fun I’d had in years. “Anyway,” He growled. “Mom wants to know if you’ll be home for dinner.”

“No,” I told him. “Why does she care? It’s not like she’s going to be here.”

“Actually, she is. Her boss gave her the night off, and she’s coming home to make us dinner and spend time with us,” He told me, a softer tone enveloping his words. I could feel the frustration he felt still lingering in his voice. “She might even rent a movie on her way home from work to watch with us.”

“I’m not staying, Elijah,” I said strictly. 

“Akina, she—-“ 

“No! Elijah, she can’t disappear for days on end, not come home for dinner in- what, almost three months?- and then come back and expect me to give up my plans for her.”

“She works so often for us, Akina. She’s trying to support us.” 

“Maybe with money. We raised ourselves. I don’t need her. I’m going out,” I told him one final time, as Calix’s Jeep pulled up the street. “And I won’t be back until probably nine. Tell Mom I wish I could’ve been introduced to her over dinner, and it’s very kind of her to drop by for a visit, but I’ve gone out to make an effort to get to know someone.” I slipped into my jacket, and pulled my boots on. 

As I started jogging down the stairs, the doorbell rang, and Elijah darted past me.