Her Semi-Colon

Chapter 6: Breaking Free

“Mom, where did Lacey go?" I asked the next morning. After getting dressed for school, I suddenly realized that my sister was still nowhere to be found. After our sudden conversation, I needed to see her. There was no way that was Lace speaking. Something had to be going on.

“She went to school earlier to study with Stacie and Taylor," Mom informed me as she walked over to the dishwasher and started unloading the dishes. “She's so responsible, don't you think Roger?"

“Indeed," my dad chimed in as he sat at the kitchen table drinking his usual cup of coffee. “Macey, why aren't you more like your sister?"

“Exactly," my mom said before I could even respond. “I mean, you don't even drive and you're older than her. Don't you think it's time to be leading by example?"

Once again, I was cut off before I could even comment. “Your mother's right Macey. Your sister is already beating you at many things honey. Don't you think it's time for you to make us proud?"

I suddenly felt a sudden wave of anger splash over me as I closed my eyes and tried to breathe. I tried my best to focus on the happy moments I had with Lacey and how she would be taking my side right now. Last night didn't happen Macey. It didn't.

As I was breathing, I noticed my hands were shaky and I tried to focus on the walls above my parents' heads in hopes it would help to keep myself in check. “M-mom, D-Dad, I- made the student council."

Ugh, why was I a coward? Why did I have to stutter? Lacey would tell me to be confident but for some reason, here, I felt so small. Unlike when I confronted Brayden, I was able to feel like someone.

“Yeah, but you didn't get that job on your own," my dad said as he shook his head in disappointment, “Lacey said some well-known guy at your school got it and that's why you won or something–

“She said that?" I asked shocked and hurt.

“Yes honey and while I'm glad you're doing something for your school, you need to do something for yourself and step it up okay?" My mom urged me, trying to be empathetic as much as she could.

However, I didn't feel comforted. I felt pissed off. “I'm going to be late for school. Can one of you guys give me a ride?"

“Here you go changing the subject," my dad responded, rolling his eyes. “Maybe if you got your license, you wouldn't have to rely on us all the time."

“Fine, I'll walk!" I shouted angrily, no longer able to control the anger and all of the anxiety that was building inside of me. It was like the heat touching a glass: sometimes it's okay and it won't explode but other times it explodes when you at least expect it.

I hated my explosion, I hate my feelings, my emotions, I hate all of it. I didn't know the reasoning for Lacey's sudden change towards me and I didn't know why my parents hated everything I did. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make them happy.

It was just too much for me to grasp at the moment, so I was done. I was done with pleasing my parents and I was done with worrying about my sister for now.

And with that in my mind, I walked out of the house, not caring that I slammed the door. Opening my backpack and pulling out my headphones, I plugged them into my phone and clicked on calming music. I closed my eyes and indulged myself in the sounds of nature.

I tried to focus on what I saw: my neighborhood, cars parked out front, the sunrise, and the bluish, reddish hue in the sky. I smelled pollen even though it was still the middle of summer, barbeque from of the neighbors and–

Honk!

“Ahh!"

Startled, my phone went into freefall, as I successfully caught it during the process. I was so close to losing it, but I closed my eyes once more and tried to take deep breaths. I was caught up with trying to remain calm that I didn't realize that whoever scared me stopped driving and walked out of their car to check on me.

“I'm so sorry, wait–Macey? Are you okay?"

I looked up to see Brayden staring at me worriedly and I just scoffed. “You have to be kidding me."

Brayden just smirked at me and offered his hand but I ignored it and stood up on my own. “Macey Lowe, we have to stop meeting like this."

“Yeah, we really do Bray-Bray. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to finish walking to school now."

“Wait," Brayden said as he suddenly grabbed my arm. I hated that my stomach dropped. Even worse was that he sensed it because he awkwardly released, “Uh, sorry."

“O–okay bye," I said hurriedly, hating that I couldn't just calm down already.

“No, I mean uh let me give you a ride."

I turned towards him and raised a brow. “After you nearly hit me with your car?"

“Okay, valid, but to be fair, you were so focused on whatever you were playing in your ears that you didn't even check to see if there was anyone turning," he wisely pointed out.

“Okay whatever, Bray-Bray. Thanks for the ride!"

He chuckled before gesturing me to follow and I suddenly rolled my eyes but I couldn't help but smile myself.

After I hopped in and buckled in, I heard my phone buzzing. As soon as I unlocked it, I was surprised to see that Lacey's best friend Stacie had texted me:

Hey Macey, are you free at lunch? I just got this weird text from Lacey and I need your opinion on something!

I don't know if was a mixture of this morning's events and last night but instead of admittedly agreeing, I replied with:

Isn't she studying with you and Taylor? I'm sure you guys can work things out, you guys are literally inseparable!

Not long later, Stacie replied back:

What are you talking about? Who said that? I don't think I saw your sister yet today, in fact, she told me not to contact her. I'm not sure what's going on…wanna talk more about this at lunch?

“Hey sorry to interrupt," Brayden said clearing his throat awkwardly, “but I wanted to ask if we could eat together at lunch?"

I was taken aback, “Why?"

“Well, to go over some of our first changes for student council. I agree with you, and I think all juniors should be required to form study groups for SATs. Like I said before, you, Macey Lowe are pretty smart."

He eyed me up and down after saying that, which made me flush. Was he just talking about my brains or my appearance? It had to be the first one because there's no way! I'm not even sure I'm his type… not that I cared anyway.

Anyway, I snapped out of those strange thoughts and switched back to thinking about Brayden's offer.

I smiled, remembering him telling me that he too just wanted to please his parents. In that regard, we're one of the same. I was so tired of being misunderstood by my parents. Also, Lacey's strange behavior was making me question everything about myself.

Maybe it was time to take a break from those who made me feel small and focus on things that made me happy. For example, student council and surprisingly even Brayden himself. I've worried a lot about my sister and pleasing my parents but maybe it's time to worry about Macey for a change.

“Thanks, you're not so bad yourself. I'm free for lunch."