I opened my eyes and swung my legs out of bed. It was a new day, also the most painful day. I decided that breakfast wouldn't hurt me. I gave Dexter some treats and let him outside while I was waiting for mom to cook breakfast. It was 8:32 AM, I had plenty of time. I had to get in the car by four o' clock.

I walked over to the kitchen, sitting down in a hard chair. I shifted uncomfortably before asking," what's for breakfast?" Mom answered," just a bagel." I nodded, bagels were probably one of my favourite foods. The toaster dinged, and mom put our bagels on separate plates. She smeared the cream cheese with a butter knife. She placed my plate in front of me, grinning." Good?" She asked." I haven't even bit into it yet," I retorted.

She chuckled. I bit into it. It was warm, I tasted the cream cheese melting into my mouth." Good," I swallowed. She smiled." Can I drive you?" She pleaded. I hesitated." Fine," I mumbled. I stared out the window. Dexter was laying on the grass in our small backyard." Oh, I want to hike with you. Is that fine, too?" I nodded in response. It wouldn't hurt for Mom to come." You should get some clothes on when you're done," she said, taking my plate as I finished it.

"That's alright. I will." I said. Mom muttered," yes!" And I went to get dressed. I thought of going to Jessica's. I really didn't want to, but for the sake of being social? Is that the only reason? School is hard enough, but why summer break? I finished and walked into the kitchen." Mom?" I asked." Yes, honey?" She looked over her shoulder." Ready?" I asked." Sure, let me put on sweatpants." She disappeared into her room." So, another hike?" I heard an annoying voice ask. I turned over, facing Liam." Dexter needs his exercise!" I snapped. He snorted." Ever try taking Greg out for a run?" He asked." Yes! He isn't trained at all! Take care of him, for once!" I rolled my eyes.

"I-I have!" He argued." Oh, really? When?" I smirked." Umm...yesterday?" He lied." Uh-huh." I made a disgusted face." I feel bad for Greg, you had to search up a human name on the internet for him. You barely take care of him. He's Mom's dog, now." I grinned." Shut up!" Liam frowned. I giggled." I'm right, admit it!" Greg had been a German Shepard puppy. He's only four, and poor Mom had to take care of him. I also feel bad for Greg, and he listens a lot better now. He only has to work on focusing, staying in the car and jumping out on command, and not catching squirrels. 

"Never!" Liam snapped, tackling me to the ground. I'm a year older than him, but I couldn't get away. I eventually knocked the wind out of him." Kids!" Mom hollered. I got up, kicking Liam and walked over to Mom." Jesus, you're old enough to not fight! Ugh," she grumbled." Can we go hike now?" I asked." Oh, yes! Please go!" Liam pleaded. Mom shot him a warning look." Sure, let's go!" She nodded." I'll drive," I said." I'll get Dexter." Mom nodded. I was about to argue, then I decided it was pointless. I grabbed the car keys and unlock the van.

I sat in, warming up. I popped the trunk for Dexter. As soon as I heard my mom gesture for him to come in, I started the engine. Mom closed the trunk and hopped into the passenger side. I went out the driveway and started talking to Mom," thanks for coming. Do I have to go to Jess's?" I added. Mom nodded, and I groaned." How far away is it?" Mom asked." Eh, just past this light," I said." That's really close," Mom said." Is it just here?" She turned to me." Mhm." 

"Oh, very well." Mom  stared up ahead. I parked. No other cars. Good. I got out the car, grabbing Dexter's leash and opening the trunk." Come," I commanded. Dexter jumped out, and I harnessed his leash on him. Mom looked out at the trail." Beautiful," she murmured." We won't go long. I wanna chill at home," I said." No swimming?" Mom raised her eyebrows." No, thanks." I shook my head. I started off with a slow jog, Mom just a little bit ahead. I heard birds greeting me with chirps, fluttering from tree to tree. I listened to what the forest offered me to hear. It's so beautiful. I stared up ahead of the trail. Trees scattered everywhere, a wide dirt path lay out in front of me. I saw tons of red leaves, most on the ground. Mom was studying them, too.

Water flowing, the mud squelching underneath my feet, birds chirping  Dexter panting and my breathing. I heard plenty, including Mom muttering something ahead. I felt mud oozing onto my shoes, a disgusting squelching noise that made me shudder. I let Dexter off leash and he bounded ahead, waiting for us every five minutes. A waterfall was nearby, and I stared at it and stopped." Wait," I called up ahead to Mom. She stopped, taking a sip of her Gatorade." Want some?" She asked." Sure," I didn't realize how dry my throat was. I sipped, watching Dexter lap water with his tongue. I swallowed the water, making an," aaaah" noise. Dexter finished, staring at me as I twisted the cap back on the Gatorade. I handed it back to Mom, and we continued the run. I wasn't hot nor cold, which was good.

It had been quite a bit, and I checked the time. 10:04 AM. Dexter was walking now, and we were near the car. I wanted to go easier on Dexter, and if I ever wanted to go farther I would take Greg. I wasn't breathing heavy or lightly, I was more used to running. Mom took sips of Gatorade every ten minutes. We eventually headed back to the car, and I looked at Mom." You good?" She wasn't panting or red, she was rather fine, but I still asked." Yeah?" She had a puzzled expression. I nodded." You?" She asked softly. I nodded again. We drove back home, talking about when I was little." I remember when your jerk friends ditched you in grade five," Mom stared, a dark expression on her face." Yeah." I nodded." What were their names?" She tilted her head. I shrugged. I slammed on the brakes as an idiot driver stopped on a green light.

Mom muttered a swear. "Idiot," I mumbled. I honked the horn. The person left, and then it was a red light for us." Ugh!" Mom groaned. I glared at the light." Why are people like this?" I grumbled. Mom shrugged." Probably punishment," and I laughed." Sam, you locked the door when we left, right?" She said." Liam and Dad are home, so it's fine." I said." Right," she murmured. It was finally a green light and I went for it." Almost home!" I said." Yay," Mom hummed." 'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby," my Mom sang. I scoffed, parking on our driveway. I stopped the car, getting out. I grabbed Dexter's leash and popped the trunk. He jumped out after I told him to, and Mom smiled." In a few hours you'll be leaving!" She said." I'm sad," she frowned." Liam would be so happy," I rolled my eyes." Sam," Mom warned." He loves you." She said." Ha!" I snorted." I believe in miracles now."

Mom glared at me, but I ignored it. I went inside and flopped on the couch, reading. I flipped pages, glued to my book." Almost time!" Liam beamed." It's at four," I rolled my eyes." Damn it!" He yelled." It's ten o' clock." I said. It was really 10:12, but I didn't care. It was almost a quarter after ten, though. I wasn't really ready to get going. I got a text. Come at 12:00? I sighed." It's at twelve," I murmured." So you'll get in the car at eleven?" Liam's eyes widened with hope." Mhm," I said. I haven't seen him so happy, other than the time I had a tomato explode in front of my face, or getting my face kicked by the dog.

Sure, I answered. Six people is okay, right? Jess asked. No. Yep! Damn, how easy it was to lie on text. I really didn't want to go in forty five minutes. But, I had to.