I woke up the next morning feeling fresh and vibrant. I felt ready to conquer the day! Or so I felt anyway. Then I suddenly remembered why I'm so upbeat; Dad is home! I glance at the clock; it's eight o'clock so I hopped out of bed. Mmmhmmm, I smell bacon. Mom had already gotten up and cooked breakfast, so I raced downstairs with Boomer at my heels. Mom was just setting the table.

"Oh, good. Look who finally woke up to help me," she smiled at me. "The food is sitting on the stove. Can you go grab it for me?"

"Of course." I walked into the kitchen to find a fry pan full of scrambled eggs, a plate of bacon, and some of mom's homemade biscuits. I brought the eggs and bacon out and set them on the table.

"I'm going to go get your father. He's watching the news in the other room. No surprise there." Mom mouthed the last part as she started walking towards the living room. We gave each other our knowing glances. We didn't exactly get why my father had such an addiction to happening things around the world (especially since he's not old yet) and why he seemed to always be so troubled and deep in thought while watching, but I guess maybe he could be a little sensitive to such things? Always a mystery to me.

"Your brother will quit shooting hoops as soon as he smells bacon." Mom continued to say.

"As long as it's not gone before he gets in here," I smiled to myself as I walked back into the kitchen to retrieve the biscuits. I grabbed the biscuits and on the way back to the table I took a detour to go to the fridge to grab the orange juice. I put the rest of the stuff on the table as I saw Mom and Dad walking back into the dining room. Sure enough, I heard a door slam and a sweaty teenager walked through the door.

"Cameron, go wash up please, it's time to eat," Mother said as she started sitting down. We all sat down and Cameron came along a few minutes later. We started passing all the food in a circle. Soon, we had our plates full and started eating.

"So," I said after swallowing my bite of egg. "What are we going to be doing today, any plans?"

"Uh, well, not really," Dad said around a bite of biscuit. "Your Mother and I were hoping to go out to dinner tonight, though, if that's alright with you guys?"

"Yeah, sure," I started buttering my biscuit and Cameron nodded his approval. Do I dare ask when he's home? I never ask my dad to leave the house alone, especially to go surfing. That's why only do it when he's gone. "Um, Dad? Would you mind if I went to the beach today, to go surfing?"

"I wouldn't mind as long as you bring Boomer with you." I thought so.

"But, he would have to stay on shore while I surf because he obviously can't. Sooo, what would be the point of bringing him?"

"Sia, all I want to do is make sure you are safe at all times. This is turning into a very scary world that we live in now. Bad things happen. And there are people out there that like to hurt other people. And I don't want those 'other people' to be you." He put down his biscuit to look at me.

"Yeah, I get that, but why be so protective all of a sudden?" I let my frustration with my dad's lack of communication fully surface. "You were never this way 'til last year! Like why do you have to be so protective of me? I never hardly get out unless it's with some family member, I never get out to see the world so I don't find it scary. Maybe if you wanted me to see it that way you should let me get a taste of it first! Is this all something to do with your stupid job?" Dad drew in a long breath, but I didn't care.

"And why do I hardly know anything about your job? It's like I hardly know you anymore! We used to tell each other EVERYTHING, but now you're like a complete and total stranger! Is it all some kind of secret? Or are you ashamed of it, is that it?" I found myself, just about yelling now, basically spitting the words in his face.

"Sia," he started.

"No, don't 'Sia' me. Answer my question."

My father cast a 'help me' look at my Mother.

"Alessia, don't you think you're being a little hard on your Father?" My mother pleaded.

"Doesn't every family have the right to know what their parent's jobs are? Or what they really are? Or is that just every family but us?" I pointedly asked my dad. "Don't you think I have picked up on the fact that you are just way too fit to just sit in an airplane for hours traveling the world? Don't you think I have noticed you are too protective of me to have just any 'normal' job? You are also way too smart to just sell insurance and 'goods', whatever those may be. Dad, I know you are lying about your job. Why won't you just tell the truth?" Cameron was just watching me open-mouthed through all of this not saying a word. I don't blame him. I've never lashed out at my parents before, especially my dad. Mom was getting ready to speak.

"Alessia-" but I didn't let her finish.

"Mom, let him speak for himself. He should be able to fight his own battles if he's strong enough to go out into the 'scary world' we live in, but yet won't let me leave without a body guard." I was standing now, with my voice under control, sounding like stone, out of my chair ready to storm off if Dad wouldn't tell me the truth.

"Sia, the truth is if I tell you about my job you will not be safe anymore and you will have information that nobody, but your mother and I should know."

I couldn't take it anymore. I threw my hands up as I rushed upstairs to my room and almost forgot about Boomer as he slipped through the door right as it was closing. I put my bathing suit on and put some clothes on over that. I flipped my beach bag over my shoulder, calling to Boomer to follow me. I ran downstairs, out the front door, even though I could hear my parents calling me.

I didn't look back. I ran around the house to grab my surfboard by the shed. Boomer followed me as I started running down the driveway, getting out my bus pass. My parents wouldn't even be able to catch up if they tried. The only one who slightly stood a chance is Cameron. After doing track for the past two school years, my legs were pretty well conditioned.

The good thing about California is it is hard to miss a bus or get on at the wrong time. There were buses everywhere all the time. I made it to the end of the driveway and a bus stop was just a few yards away with people already boarding. It wasn't Bill's bus, but that was alright. I just had to get away right now. I had to think, to process what was happening.

I flashed my bus pass at the driver, then I continued to walk down the aisle, Boomer following behind. I sat in a seat and Boomer laid on the ground right next to me. Then I began thinking, what could possibly be so important that my father, the one I have always trusted most, would have to lie to me about? I just don't get why he would lie to me.

I reached for my back pocket and realized I had left my phone back in my room. Dang, it. We arrived at the bus stop on Cardiff State Beach. My favorite beach that was closest to home. I thanked the driver as I hopped off. I started trudging through the cool sand. It was only about 9:30 so the sun had not yet warmed up the sand completely. The water will feel a little cold since the sun is yet to heat up the whole atmosphere, but I'm okay with that.

Boomer playfully trotted through the sand, although he was still alert at my side as if saying 'she's mine'. It will be kind of hard surfing with him here because he will have to sit on the shore while I surf, which he will not like. He does not like to lose sight of me or he goes insane. Story of my life every time I leave my house. My mom literally has to keep him in the garage while I'm gone or he tears through the front door. Trust me, it's happened twice already. I won't be staying here too long, I thought.

Once I got to the shore, I commanded Boomer, "Sit, stay," as I motioned with my hands. I started walking away from him and he started to softly whimper, though he stayed right where I told him too. "It's okay, Booms. I'll be back in about twenty minutes," I cooed. He still whimpered. So, I stepped out of my clothes, revealing my wetsuit, and put my beach bag down before I felt too much pity for him and would decide to stay.

I walked into the water, feeling the chill start at my toes and work its way up my spine. I loved it. I got on my surfboard and started paddling out past the small waves. Once I was where I needed to be, I started waiting for the perfect wave to come. But my mind had other plans. I started thinking again. How long has my father had a job he has had to hide from me? What job could he possibly be hiding? Detective...? Military...? But my musings were interrupted by a wave.

I expertly set myself up to catch the wave. And then it was underneath me, and my board was smoothly gliding over the water. Soon I was deftly riding the wave, the water crashing over, and rolling towards the shore. My blond hair dripped water, the reflection of the ocean in my eyes as a feeling of pure joy shot through me. The worries that troubled me seconds before were tumbled and left behind like the seaweed on the shore. The wave finished crashing over and I went under, staying under a few extra seconds to wait for the waters to calm, then rose back up to the surface. Looking up, I'm relieved to spot Boomer still on shore, although he was impatiently jumping and barking like mad. He didn't like it when I went under and he couldn't see me. I mentally slapped myself. DUH. I guess I'll go back. I don't want to give the poor dog a heart attack just because he was obeying me.

I let the waves take me back to shore as I layed belly up on my board. Boomer tried not to move or jump as I started to walk up the shore, but he was too excited and gave in. He came up to greet me and I rubbed his ears. "Good boy, Boomer." I cooed.

After I layed out my beach towel and both of us sat on it, I took out another towel to dry my hair with. I wish I had my phone on me. With the salt water in my hair, the sun warming my feet, and the sand all around, I quickly lost track of time. Although I appeared to be calm on the outside, my mind was a whirlwind of heated thoughts. I wish I had the father I used to. Fun, caring, and most of all, honest. I mean he is still fun, but I never really get to do anything with him anymore. I only see him two days a week. He's also caring, but would he really lie to me if he cared about me? Maybe I'm just really overthinking this whole situation. I should just go home and apologize for the way I acted at breakfast.

Suddenly, my stomach growled. Breakfast! That's right! I had barely eaten half of it. No wonder I was hungry. It's probably lunchtime by now. I looked through my beach bag where I kept a secret stash of protein bars and trail mix. After tearing open a bag of trail mix, and snacking for a while, I noticed that Boomer had started panting and guiltily realized I hadn't thought about how hot it had gotten. Poor dog, i should really just go home so he can eat too.

I shoved the trail mix back in my bag, stood up, and folded my towels. "C'mon Boomer," I slipped my flip flops on. He perked up at the sound of his name and followed me through the sand.

I went over to the bus stop and surprisingly had to wait a few minutes before I saw one. I was glad it was Bill's bus this time. The doors swung open and Boomer jumped back a little. A few other people stood behind me so I got on real fast.

"You know where I'm going, Bill." I winked at the old man. He was probably in his late sixties. He still had all of his hair even though it was gray.

His crinkled smile started showing when he responded, "You bet!"

I ate some more of my trail mix as I waited for the bus to get going. I rubbed Boomer's head as I looked out the window. The sun was glinting off the waves, making it look like that glitter glue stuff we used to use in preschool, you know what I mean?

The bus started up after the last passenger got on. As we headed towards my house I watched the cars fly by us. All the colors blurred together forming a rainbow. We arrived at my house after a 30-minute ride. I thanked Bill as I jumped off the bus.

"You take care, little lady! I'll see you tomorrow."

I waved at him as I walked up to the house with Boomer, cutting across a corner and headed towards the shed. I had to wax my board again. It was long overdue.

As I made my way to the shed, I heard the thump, thump of my brother's basketball on the concrete court. I rounded the corner just in time to see Cameron's basketball swiftly fall through the net. He saw me and jogged over to me. Oh boy, here we go. No time to run now. I love my brother. I really do. But since he's older it seemed natural for him to always be scolding me for something I do wrong. The way he was breathing heavily and sweating, I assumed he had been out here for a little while.

"Mom and Dad have been worried sick about you, Alessia!" He ran up and hugged me. "And so have I. You really can't just run off like that."

"But I did. And ewww, you're sweaty," I pushed him away playfully.

"I'm being serious, Sia," he said, looking me in the eye.

"Don't call me that," I said, turning away from him. "Only Dad calls me that." I quickly walked to the shed, slamming my board down, and found the wax.

"Alessia," Cameron followed me. "You can't ignore our parents forever you know. You just have to deal with the fact of Dad's job being a secret. Why are you making such a big deal of it anyway?" Maybe I was just making a big deal out of nothing but then, why are the tears threatening to slide down my cheeks?

"My question is, why aren't you making a big deal of it? I just don't get why the one person I trust the most would keep a secret from me like this. Like what kind of job could he possibly have? Detective? Or FBI Agent? Like why would he keep something so simple as a job from us?" I couldn't control the tears now. I just let them flow.

"He just wants to protect us. Don't you understand that? He just wants for you to be-," he started.

"Just go away!" I weakly yelled at him. "You think that you are helping me, but you really aren't!" I really hated having to do that, but I felt that was the only way to be left alone.

"Okay," he said, holding his hands up as if surrendering. I instantly regretted yelling at him. The hurt in his eyes showed it all.

"Cam... I'm sorry, I-"

"No, I get it, I'm sorry. I'll leave you be." He walked up to our porch steps and shut the backdoor behind him. I grabbed the wax and chucked it at the side of the shed. I screamed in frustration. I don't know why I was making such a big deal out of this, but I felt as if I had been betrayed. Betrayed by my own family. By my own father. He has to make sense. What's the point of family, if all you do is keep secrets? Family is supposed to know, to help and support, to be there for you. Not keep stupid secrets about a job.

I went over to where my wax had landed in the lawn, and picked it back up. I had to peel some remaining pieces of grass off of it, but it was fine. I had totally forgotten about Boomer until he came and nudged his nose underneath my hand. I rubbed his head. I went over to the side of the house, and poured some cool water into a metal bowl for him. Then, I went over and started waxing my board.

By the time I was done, the sun's dying golden beams shone on the pavement and I felt tired. As I got Boomer some food, I suddenly noticed how the house was totally quiet.

I wandered upstairs and saw my brother doing some kind of college work in his room.

"Hey," I said, knocking on his open door. "Where are Mom and Dad?"

"They went out, remember?" Cameron said, taking out his AirPods, no anger or resentment in his voice at all. Thank you.

"Oh, yeah, right."

I walked down the hall to my room realizing I never changed into normal clothes since I got home. I went to my room and stripped out of my bathing suit and put on a pair of black leggings and a tank top. I found my phone on my nightstand. Ugh, dead, I said to myself.

I plugged in my phone and turned to look at myself in the mirror. A young, high school athlete stared back at me. I couldn't believe I'd be able to get my license soon. June 15th will be here soon enough. Four more days... I have always looked a few years older than I really was, to other people anyways. I think I could pass myself off as a college Freshman if I wanted to. I was definitely mature enough and I had the brains.

My phone started buzzing like crazy as soon as it came to life. I went over to it and saw all of the messages my parents had sent to me earlier, before they had given up and thought I was either ignoring them or I didn't have my phone on me. They were all the basic messages like 'where are you?' and 'when are you coming back?' They were worried about me, I could tell.

I'll make things right as soon as they get home, I thought to myself. I have to. So, I went downstairs and into the kitchen.

Since I had missed most of breakfast and all of lunch, I scavenged the fridge for something to eat. I found a note inside, on a Tupperware, from my mom. You can have the rest of the shrimp scampi, it said. Your brother already ate. Love you, Mom.

So, I fed Boomer as I heated up the remaining shrimp scampi. I sat down on the couch with Boomer once it was done and turned on the tv. I started flipping through channels as I ate. After finding nothing worth watching and licking my fork clean, I put my Tupperware on the floor and cuddled up next to Boomer. I felt myself dozing, but didn't really acknowledge when I actually finally fell asleep.

I woke up to a car coming up the driveway. I saw headlights flash over the windows. Boomer was already awake, sitting by the door like a guard. My parents silently walked through the door and went upstairs, not even knowing I was on the couch.

I picked up my Tupperware from the ground and brought it over to the sink, rinsing it out. Afterwards, I slowly plodded up the stairs to my parent's room, rehearsing my apology in my mind, when suddenly, the lights went out. Boomer started barking like mad, then found me in the dark and basically glued himself to the side of my leg.

Then all I heard was the shattering glass, my mother's screams, and the sound of bullets flying through the air.