Chapter: 1 Adventurous

Jelena

              I can’t believe mom and dad are making me go on this lame summer trip. Last week, my mom complained that we spent too much time on social media and decided we needed to take a family vacation in the middle of nowhere, Montana. Of course, I wasn’t very happy with the decision considering that I’m eighteen, and the thought of spending my summer break with my parents is not the top of my list, but she insisted. One of her former college roommates owns a cottage in the woods, which goes with my mom’s idea of getting us off the grid.

              Blech! Kill me now!

              As I’m angrily packing my bag, my mom walks in with my little brother Jesse in her arms. Jesse is four years old and as cute as a button, but he’s also as annoying as he’s cute. Don’t even get me started on the kid’s shenanigans. He’s the worst.

               Giving me a reproachful grimace, my mom places her hands on her waist and snaps out, “Jelena, why aren’t you done packing your bags? You better hurry up because we need to leave before traffic gets bad.”     Jeering in reply, I roll up one of my t-shirts into a ball and toss it haphazardly into my bag. “Seriously, mom, do I have to go? I mean, I’m eighteen years old, and I’m going to Cal State in September. Frankly, I’d rather spend my summer hanging out with Kaya and Sophie.”

              My mom’s lips twist into a wry smile. “Yes, Jelena, you have to go. And that is one of the reasons why. In a couple of months, you’ll be going off to college, and it would be nice for all of us to have a nice family vacation before you abandon us. Come on, the Morgans are coming too. It’ll be fun.”

              I roll my eyes and continue to fold my clothes. The Morgan’s are my parent’s best friends. They have a little boy about Jesse’s age named Ricky, and like Jesse, he’s a real brat.

              It looks like I’m going to be the fifth wheel on this ride. Which, I guess, makes it a good thing. At least I don’t have to entertain anyone. Since I have no choice but to do, I can use my solitary time to catch up on my reading.

              Grabbing my tiniest bikini, I pack it inside my bag too.

Hey, if I’m going to get stuck in the middle of nowhere, I’m going to tan.

              “Fine, but don’t complain when I want to take a vacation with my friends next year.”

              My mom rolls her eyes and is about to say something when my little brother Jesse begins squirming in her arms. Sighing in frustration, my mom lowers him to the ground and mutters. “Oh, Jelena, honey. I know you want to be with your friends. But you need to understand that moments like these are going to be few.  Just let me and your dad have this last memory. Now, you have two minutes to get your butt downstairs.”

              Lips tight, I don’t argue further as I zip my bag.

              It’s not that I don’t like hanging out with my family. But this was supposed to be my summer. Kaya, Sophie, and I were planning on going to parties, meet boys, and hang out at the beach.

              Wrapping the bag’s strap around my shoulder, I take one last look in the mirror and pull my long wavy dark hair up in a ponytail.

              As I make my way down the hall, I take one last glimpse at my reflection in a nearby mirror. My green eyes sparkle, and my skin glows. Preening, I smile at my reflection. I have to say that my tan is holding up well. But then again, I have naturally olive skin. I’m not very tall at five foot three, but I think I’m pretty with high cheekbones, long lashes, big doe eyes, and a button nose. I’m also very athletic, so my body is fit. I used to be on the school’s swim team, debate, choir, and dance. I also have nice boobs and a shapely butt.

              People say I look like my mom. That she and I can be sisters. Except for the fact that I have green eyes like my dad.

              My little brother Jesse looks a lot more like my dad. He has light hair and green eyes.

              My dad is a very famous artist, and my mom is a yoga instructor. My dream is to become a writer. I love writing love stories. Right now, I’m working on a story about a girl who falls in love with an angel.

              Too bad that real life is not like that.

              Taking one last look around my room, I pick up my table and sneak my cell phone into my backpack. Before I leave, I send one final message to Kaya and Sophie. Heading out, ladies. I’ll miss you. L

              Once I’ve sent my heartfelt wishes, I head down the stairs. My dad’s already outside trying to jam all the cases into our SUV.  Stopping beside him, I pass him my duffel bag and lean on the SUV’s frame. “That’s all, Dad.”

              My dad pushes the bags in and gives me a wide smile. “Ready to go, sweetheart?”

              I shrug my shoulders. “Yeah, I guess.”

              He laughs lightly at my unaffected tone and tweaks my nose playfully. “Don’t worry, baby, you’ll be back before you know it. Remember, this old man only has a little bit of time before his little girl leaves the nest. After all, you don’t know how long I’ll be around.”

              I roll my eyes at his comment. Old man, my foot. My dad is tall, fit, and lean. Some of my friends say he’s cute. Seriously gross!

              Most people say that my parents make an attractive couple. My dad is strong, and my mom is petite. They’re both in their early forties but still look like they’re in their early thirties.

              A snicker escapes my lips when my dad gives me an innocent pout. “Yeah, right, dad. I can see one of your feet is halfway to the grave─cause you know, you’re so old. Is that gray hair I see?” I mutter sarcastically.

              My dad runs his fingers through his light brown hair with a fake reproachful glare. “Get in the car, Mrs. Smarty pants.”

              Quirking a brow, I flip my hair and settle in the back seat with my headphones on. As we drive through the streets, I give my neighborhood a whistful look and sigh. Hopefully, this vacation will not totally suck.