Untittled-Chapter 1

Chapter One1

“Cheryl? Are you offline yet? It’s time for bed.”2

My mother’s voice rang in my ears while my eyes were glued to the screen.  I realized that I’d been on much longer than the scheduled hour… three and a half hours, to be exact.  Still, I couldn't get enough.  Chatting with what I believed to be friends and surfing the ‘net.  I was in heaven.3

My mother decided to try again with more force.  “Cheryl Marie! It’s time to get off!”4

“Five more minutes!” I shouted back, keeping my mind on the article that had my attention.5

“Not five minutes, now!” her reply sounded even closer than it had a moment before when it was in the kitchen.  I tear my face away from the computer screen to see my mother walking towards the computer.  Panicking, I quickly close the browser window I had open.6

“What were you doing?” she asked sternly.7

“Nothing, mother,” I lied quickly.8

“Whatever,” she replied.  “Get ready for bed so you’re not a bitch when you wake up in the morning.”9

“Yes, mother,” I said, shutting down the computer and heading through the kitchen and down the hall.10

As I turned the corner, I ran into my little brother, Ray, who was heading for the kitchen for a bedtime snack.  His stomach was a black hole, I tell you.  He could eat everything in the universe, and never gain an ounce.  I couldn't’t compete with that very well.11

“Hey, Ray,” I say, making to walk upstairs.  12

“Mom was yelling at you, again,” he said solemnly.  “You should really do what you’re told when you’re told…”13

“Oh please!” I raised my voice and turned around.  “You can’t possibly believe that you’re perfect! You never come home on time!”14

Before he could reply, I turned and ran up the stairs to my bedroom.  What did he know, anyway? He wasn't the one in eighth grade.15

I made it to my room, and sat down on the bed.  I knew that I’d get an earful once Ray managed to tell mother about my going off on him.  I knew… but I didn't’t care.  He got away with more than I did, therefore, he deserved it.16

“Cheryl!” mother yelled up the stairs.  “I’m coming up.”17

Great, I thought to myself, here we go again.  18

I was right.  “Why did you talk that way to your brother?” She walked through the door and sat in the chair opposite of my bed.  “You should know better than to do that.”19

I sat there, silent and oblivious to anything going on.  My mother wouldn't’t stand for this, but it’s not like anything she said usually made any difference… what she said usually went in one ear and out the other, completely missing my brain.20

“Cheryl, are you listening to me?” she asked, staring at me intently.21

“Mhm,” I reply, staring out the window.22

“Cheryl, you will listen what I have to say, or you won’t get on the internet for a month!”23

That one hit it a little close to home.  My head snapped forward as I turn to face my mother.  Needless to say, what she said a moment before had caught my attention.24

“That’s better,” my mother said softly.  “Now, I’m going to try being polite about this.  What were you doing online when I walked in, and why were you so rude to your brother?”25

I kept silent, thinking about my answer.  “I suppose it was because he was meddling in something that doesn’t concern him.”26

“And you always meddle in things that don’t concern you,” my mother said, countering my excuse.  “You’re fourteen years old, and no matter how much you want it, you’re still considered a child!”27

“Don’t call me a child! I am a young adult!”28

“Then start acting like one and learn some respect!”29

I would never admit it, but my mother scared me right then.  Until that point, she rarely yelled, let alone screamed.  I didn't’t realize it at the time, but my mother was right.  I was a child, and I should’ve listened to her.30

But I never did.31