3
1065 Words
I felt alone. Brody, Blake, Mia, and Markus disappeared, my uncle and Leo talked while my aunt and Mrs. Wolf finished setting up dinner. I sat on the stairway.
I wanted to watch tv, go read a book on my bed or set up my telescope since it was a full moon tonight but I didn't want to anger my aunt anymore, so I sat there.
I could hear the laughter through the house and I just sighed but soon the doorbell rang causing me to jump up.
"I got it," I yelled as I opened the door.
There stood the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Just looking at him brought butterflies to my stomach. He was wearing a black and white plaid shirt with dark ripped blue jeans. As my eyes traveled up his body I noticed his smirk and I felt my knees go weak and grabbed the door frame. This caused the man to start chuckling.
I felt so embarrassed by my behavior that I coughed and tried to hide my embarrassment.
"I'm uh. I'm Sheryl you must be Drew."
"I am and nice to meet you, Sheryl. If your done checking em out can I come in?" He asked in a low deep voice.
"Ah ya come in," I said as I slowly moved away from the door.
As he walked in he looked at me and said, "Red looks cute on you." And before I could say anything he walked away.
I just stood there watching him walk away and my emotions were everywhere.
I shut the door and walked back over to the staircase and sat back down. I can't believe my actions but again I am alone.
Soon my aunt was calling everyone to dinner. I waited until I heard a bunch of foot sounds and walked towards the dining room. I Waited for everyone to sit down before taking a seat next to Markus and Mr.Wolf.
"Looks good honey," My uncle said and soon everyone said the same thing.
Before anyone could grab food My uncle said a prayer and then food began to be passed around. As I started to eat Mr. Wolf began to talk.
"So Sheryl how are you liking Browns Town?"
I finished chewing the peas in my mouth and said, "It's okay."
"Just okay?" My aunt said in an angry tone. "Perhaps if you tried to be more approachable people would like you."
I looked down at my plate filled with food and wished the tears to go away. She wanted me to act like my parents weren't dead and that everything was fine but I couldn't my heart hurt.
"Nicole stop. She just lost her parents," My uncle said.
"I hear what people around town say about her. I am not happy with the name she is giving us. They think she is some stuck-up prude."
"I have not heard that," Markus chimed in.
"And what have you heard?" My aunt asked.
"For one by her second day here, I learned that she lived here and had lost her parents. I tried to talk to her but her mind was else were. By the end of the week, I had heard she called a teacher out for not correctly teaching a math equation. She is smart and hurting on the inside. Give her time. I am because I am sure she is a wonderful person."
"Does not matter and calling a teacher out. Are you kidding me," My aunt yelled?
I never looked up and as some people defended me and others remained silent I stood up and said, "Thanks for the meal and it was nice to meet all of you. I am going to bed." And I walked away before my aunt or anyone could say anything.
Out of the whole chicken meal I only had peas. I could smell my aunts cooking all day and was looking forward to eating the meal but now I couldn't even think of eating. My emotions were raw.
I could hear my uncle scolding my aunt as I walked up the stairs and since I was in my PJs were on I climbed into bed and began to cry. I cried myself to sleep but before falling asleep my uncle came into the room to talk to me but I ignored him.
It has been two days since the dinner and my aunt has ignored me. According to Mia aunt Nicole was mad at me for embarrassing her so badly in front of her friends and the town. I didn't care what anyone thought of me. I was Sheryl Cushmore and no amount of gossip would determine who I am.
Since it was a school day I put on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie and walked out of the room.
"You're wearing that?" Mia asked as I walked into the dining room for breakfast.
"I don't care what people think of me. I am going to school to learn and not keep up with the latest fashion or town gossip," I said as I sat down and grabbed a couple of pancakes.
As I put a fork full of pancakes in my mouth my uncle walked into the dining room with his work clothes on. I learned he got up at four am and started doing chores around the ranch until seven pm. I couldn't imagine having a long day like that working out in the elements.
"Good morning kiddos," He said as he kissed aunt Nicole and took a seat.
Blake, Brody, and Mia said good morning and once I was done chewing I said good morning. As he filled his plate with pancakes, sausage, and hashbrowns he said, "So Sheryl I think it's time you start learning about ranch life."
I put my fork down and looked at him. "Why?"
I knew everyone at the table was looking at me like I grew two heads but I kept my focus on my uncle.
"Because we are a family unit and we all chip in to make this house function."
I knew he was right because my parents had used that saying on me so many times. "Fine."
"Good. Starting this weekend you can help clean out the stalls."
I picked my fork back up and grabbed another piece of pancake and said, "Sounds good."
- Writer
