The loud screech of my alarm startled me awake. Blindly banging for the off button the noise kept blaring off in my room.
Finally, I felt the cold metallic, smooth surface of the demonic siren.
Slothfully peeling my eyes open, sticky crust around the creases of my lids made it difficult to do so.
After many attempts, I was finally able to have them open. Bright light obscured my vision with a hand I covered my face from the blinding light.
As soon as my eyes adjusted I took a look at my large room. The house was undoubtedly large with five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
My room was relatively big, being the second largest in the entire house.
Unlike the master bedroom though it did not have a bathroom linked to it. Instead, I had to use the bathroom in the hallway. There was another downstairs for guests.
Though my room lacked a bathroom it was in no way lacking character. Photos of me and my friends clipped on my fairy lights hung from above my bed. Teal bed curtains hung around with them the lights making it look more other-worldly.
At the side of my bed was a window seat I usually sat on while drawing or reading one of the books packed underneath its drawer.
To my left sat the large teddy bear I got from my father last Christmas, my wardrobe was wide open with clusters of clothes falling out.
The fluffy blue rug on my floor was still covered in small patches of pink from the time I spilt a milkshake on it.
A large flat screen TV sat on the wall across my bed, underneath it was my dresser hoarded with books upon books.
This was the norm, the usual quiet yet all-so-familiar feeling I knew and loved.
So why the hell was my norm being threatened?!!
I mean seriously after finding out that I was going to have not one, not two but three brothers I swallowed down my pride and pretended to be glad even in these circumstances.
But having the guys I confessed my feelings for and got rejected by, become my new stepbrothers was just plain crazy!
How far does the world want to see me drown in utter shame and embarrassment?
Grunting in annoyance at the fact that yesterday was very much real, I tried to suffocate myself with the pillow I slept on.
After coming home and finding those three as my new brothers I did what any other girl in my shoes would.
I smiled politely at my dad and Gloria, turned to the stairs and silently walked to my room locked the door and turned to my king bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out like a candle.
Now that the night was over I knew there was no more avoiding what awaited me.
I had to face them...just not right now.
I'll do it after taking a shower and when I am mentally prepared. Maybe.
Lifting the cover off myself, I grumbled incoherently to myself.
Dragging my feet to my door I braced myself for war. Slightly opening the door peaking my head through it I made sure there was no one else in sight.
Taking a chance I ran out of the room reached for the bathroom doorknob and was about to open it but was beaten to it.
The door opened from the inside its motion causing me to get flung with it and crash into a wet bare body.
Looking above me I saw Ian just as surprised as I was. Before he could say a word I pushed him aside and out of the bathroom then shut the door in his face. Locking him out.
Taking a breather to myself I crashed down to the floor with my hands covering my face.
"Oh gosh, why so early in the morning?"
Crying to myself I wondered why I had to suffer so much. Pushing off the ground I walked to the mirror only to cringe at the sight.
I looked horrible. My hair was a complete mess, skin although dark had some blotches decorating it.
Let's not even mention the cave-deep bags under my eyes. Just terrible. I looked like the abomination of a zombie and mummy.
Removing my toothbrush from its cup, I smeared a considerable amount of toothpaste on it and brushed out all the gunk off my teeth.
Thirty minutes later and I was showered and felt refreshed. Unlocking the bathroom door I again poked my head out to see if anyone was there.
Seeing that the coast was clear I ran out to my room and quickly shut it. Sighing I leaned my head against it.
Was this how I was going to spend the rest of the year, running away from my problems? Well, not like it was a new thing to do so kudos!
Fully dressed and ready to get out it was now time for the hard part, getting to see everyone and that included meeting my new brothers.
How wonderful!
Unlocking the door I pushed it ajar not too much though. Taking a peek outside I listened closely for any sound of steps coming from downstairs.
Once satisfied with my observation I slowly opened my door further and took a step out of the safety of my room.
Looking over to the rooms that were no longer vacant tiptoeing my way out my room avoiding any sudden movements I kept my eye on the doors.
Just as I was about to make it, the floor beneath me creaked in protest making me flinch. When no one came to check, quickening my pace I was about to make it to the top of the stairs.
Making my way down I suddenly stopped at the sound of voices coming from the kitchen.
"Well, it's not like I wanted to kick her."
The happy voice of Gloria proclaimed making dad laugh.
"She was just in your way?"
A different voice commented. It sounded like Luke.
"Well, you know mom."
What sounded like Jackson joked.
"She'll trample anyone that stands in her way."
And that had to be Ian.
Yeahp looked like the whole gang's there. I should probably join them...in a million years, that is.
Curious about what it was they were talking about, I took a chance and peeked around the wall separating the kitchen from the hallway.
Gloria stood in front of the stove with a wide smile on her face, the familiar sizzle and smell of breakfast gave away what she was cooking, bacon.
My all-time favourite food item.
Dad was on his usual seat, watching her cook with hearts in his eyes. Cute.
Luke and Jackson sat opposite of each other across from dad at the table and Ian seemed to be assisting with the cooking.
They looked like a real family. A mother preparing breakfast, a father reading the newspaper and their perfect three sons enjoying their morning along with them.
I wonder if showing myself and joining them would screw up the dynamic they had going?
It didn't look like they needed me around and that thought not only scared but saddened me.
Watching them get along like that made me feel...envious?
It's been a long time since I've seen my dad laugh and smile like that and they managed to somehow get that out of him in less than a day.
Deciding against coming into the room and throwing off the dynamic they already had established, I turned around and trudged back to my room.
But what was I going to do? I couldn't stay in here the whole day, but I also couldn't go out the front door with them all in the kitchen.
Deep in thought, I stroked my imaginary beard. An idea popped into my head and I smirked at the thought.
Of course! Why didn't I think of this sooner?
Walking to the window seat decorated with a thick black blanket and white pillows, I opened the window.
I could have sneaked out of the house way easier this way. That's it, from now on we're using this method.
Just under my bedroom window was a tall tree, its thick branches extended toward my room. Gives me a better chance of actually getting on it. Slowly I placed one foot out while balancing the other on the window seat.
Stepping on a thick branch I brought my other foot out landing it next to the left one. Both feet were well balanced on the branch while I still sat on the window sill.
Two things ran through my mind at that point.
First was the fact that I forgot my room was actually on the second floor. So if it happens that I fall well...that won't be a pretty sight.
The second was that I never noticed Mrs Bush, our neighbour across the road had a whole room filled with creepy Russian dolls.
I could see them through the window. Their beady glass eyes stared into my soul. So not ever going there again!
Okay concentrate Addison, we need to get off. I know you use to be a freaking monkey when you were little, just reconnect with your inner child self and we'll make it through this.
Nodding my head in agreement with my mind I sighed in preparation for what I was about to do. Determined to get this done I bravely pushed off from my seated position.
Hastily grabbing onto a branch above my head I tried balancing myself with it. Like in the movies I repeated in my head not to look down.
But you know what I did? Yeahp, your girl here freaking looked down.
You gotta ask yourself, what kinda idiot tells themselves not to do something but does exactly that?!
This idiot I tell you.
Now because I was freaked out about the height I was at, that could break my neck, I panicked and scrambled to go back through the window.
Reaching my hand towards it, but my hands barely grazed the sill. Somehow, it seemed further than it originally was.
Eyes wide in panic and heart crazily beating like a hundred galloping horses, I turned back to the tree.
Like a crazy monkey on steroids, I ran on the branch to the tree trunk. After reaching it I held it in a hug like my life depended on it.
I'm sure I looked like a psycho tree hugger, with no day job or loved ones.
Squeezing my eyes shut I solely focused on steadying my breathing. Trying my utmost best to calm down and come up with an escape plan.
Okay, come on Addie. You can't act like those dumb girls in movies who somehow end up falling when being chased by a killer and decide crawling is a better option, cause we both know it's not!
Opening my eyes I used up all of my willpower, however little it may be, gathered up all my courage though crumbling, and hoisted myself from my seated position on the branch.
Squinting my eyes in thought, I made all kinds of mathematical equations and deductions, trying to figure out a safe way to get down without breaking my neck.
Okay, you got me, I don't do math or deductions. I just looked down at the branches and decided on a path.
Having found a more or less safe yet easy route to take it was time to take action.
Squatting on the branch I reached out to another across me. Grabbing it I swung myself onto the next branch.
Landing on it my foot slipped causing me to fall on the branch under it. Falling in a split on the branch my legs hung down on either side. The painful things going through my crotch right now were unfathomable.
A loud shriek of what sounded like a chihuahua choking on a mouse that ate a squeaky toy, ran through the backyard as I cried out in pain. Still holding tightly on the very bark that dared to harm me.
Is this what guys feel when they get kicked in the balls? If so it makes total sense why they always puke or cry out like babies.
"Ugh, I feel sick."
Holding a hand over my mouth I prepared for the worst, which was a waterfall of last night's food going down in chunks and bits.
I felt the heavy, acidic rise of food climbing its way up out of the confines of my stomach.
It was a very unpleasant feeling and in all honesty, I just wanted to dive for it at this point.
Swallowing back down the vile bile in my throat, I cringed in disgust at the horrible taste it left in my mouth.
It was then that I realised just how hungry I was.
Eating back the food I already had in my stomach kind of helped dim down the hunger pains I completely ignored before.
"Okay, let's get down now."
Having had enough of hanging in the dumb tree I continued climbing down.
Nearing the ground I heard the sound of feet making their way into the room across me.
Shit, they're gonna see me.
For the first time ever losing my composure helped by speeding up my progress as adrenaline pumped through my blood in a rush.
My muscles felt stronger, my body lighter and mentally sharper. This was the most athletic I've ever felt in my entire life.
The feeling wasn't bad, if anything it felt good...really good.
Finally, at the last branch, the sound of the door opening startled me out of my focus. And I did the dumbest thing anyone in a horror movie could ever do.
I looked toward the danger.
Familiar bright, curly, red hair came into view as I made eye contact with forest green orbs.
His eyes widened in surprise while mine widened in shock. Not because I was caught, but because I didn't look where it was I was stepping.
Missing the final step I found myself hurdling down the rest of the few two feet left.
Landing flat on my stomach and face I stayed immobile for a while.
Cause I was tired at that point, tired at getting hurt that is. This tree definitely hates me!
"Oww"
Pushing myself off the floor I got up and tried to brush off the dirt that accumulated on my clothes. Rubbing my head trying to ease the ache I again made eye contact with Luke.
We both stood in our respective places, unmoving and silent.
Taking that as a chance I slowly backed away from the window and him.
He kept looking at me looking confused with his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
I, not one for waiting to be asked questions, kept backing away.
I followed Kat's advice about not looking away from a wild animal.
When I felt that I was far enough from the house I spun around, my back to him and with lightning speed ran off on the sidewalk.
Holy smokes that was too close for comfort!
What if he tells dad?
I hope he doesn't I don't wanna get in trouble!