Page 2 of Saving Micah

I wake up to a loud banging outside my window. What is that noise and what time is it? I roll to my right to get out of bed and all of a sudden, my feet are tangled in my sheets and I’m getting close to the floor really fast.

“Oomph.” Ugh. This is no way to start off my Spring Break. I lay on my back and look up to my white ceiling with my glow in the dark stars that my parents let me put up when I was 6. Time flies.

My Sophomore year of high school will be over in less than three months. Then I will have two years left in this little small town in South Mississippi. I think I am a bit above excited. As much as I love my hometown, I am ready to see the world open up for me. I know there is more out there and I can’t wait to discover it.

I get up from the floor and make my way to the kitchen. We live in a simple one story house. Three bedroom, two bath, brick home. My parents expected to have two children. After I was born, Mama had some issues that prevented her from ever carrying another baby to term. Mama has told me that it was heartbreaking at the time but, she is blessed to have me. My parents are my world. They don’t spoil me, I don’t think, but they sure do love me.

Mama is in the kitchen fixing breakfast and dancing along to ‘Hands to Heaven’ by Breathe. I never see her not cooking something or moving to some sort of music. She is the epitome of ‘dancing to your own beat’.

“Mama, what in the world is that noise outside this morning?” She glances back at me while she continues to scramble her eggs.

“I think it is Roy doing something over at their house. I’m sorry it woke you up sweetie.” My mama, Lucy Carson. She is the sweetest woman I know.

“Ugh. Doesn’t he know that kids are home right now. It’s Saturday for crying out loud. Doesn’t he sleep late or something? I’m sure Zant isn’t happy either.”

Zant Michael Taylor.

The boy next door.

My best friend.

My crush since, I don’t know… forever.

The Taylor’s have lived next door to us since Zant and I were 4. When we turned 6, Mrs. Suzie passed away from cancer. It was a horrible time and ever since Zant lost his mama, his dad has been a totally different man. He’s mean, he drinks a lot, and he hits Zant. Even though I’m not supposed to know all of that, I do. Zant is always trying to protect me.

Silly boy, he should know I can take care of myself.

I walk into the living room and see Daddy sitting on the couch with the paper. “What are you doing today, Daddy?”

“I don’t know Mi.”

I’ve been called ‘Mi’ since I was around 7. Zant gave it to me as a ‘friend name’ but everyone else seemed to catch on to it and it stuck.

“I need to go mow the yard and clean up a little outside. What are you going to do on your first official day of Spring Break?” He is looking at me over his paper with a smirk on his face.

“Kelly, Macy, and I are going to the mall around lunch to look for bathing suits. Is that ok?” Daddy never minds me going and doing things. I’m his princess and he lets me get away with things, but I still like to run things by him before I do them. I think they call it respect. All I know is that my mama would have my hide if I didn’t ask and just went. I’m scared of that woman’s wrath.

“Of course, it’s ok. Who is taking y’all?”

“Macy’s mama said she would drop us off and come back to pick us up when we get done. I think the guys are meeting us there too.” I tell Daddy about the boys coming because I know it settles his mind a little when the guys are with us and we aren’t out and about on our own. He’s overprotective and I’m the only child.

“That works for me. Zant, Levi, and Chance will watch out for you three.” He winks at me before he goes back to reading his paper. I head up to my room to get ready. The girls will be by to get me soon enough anyway.

Once I get out of the shower and put some skinny jeans and a t-shirt on, an hour had passed. I crawl onto my bed to read a chapter of this new book I downloaded on my Kindle last night. I have time. It only takes me about ten minutes to do my hair and makeup. That’s the beauty of not wearing a lot of makeup and wearing my hair in a ponytail most of the time.

I hear laughter a little while later and know that the girls are here. They are in the kitchen with Mama. She must be telling them what kind of swim suits they cannot buy or wear in public this summer. She gives this little speech about modesty every year. Like we don’t know her rules by heart.

When I get into the kitchen, the girls are stuffing their faces with muffins. “Are y’all ready to go?” I ask them. They both nod at me with their mouths full. I roll my eyes.

“Thanks, Mrs. Lucy.” The girls say in unison as we head out the door to get into the car with Macy’s mom.

We arrive at the mall a little bit later. That is the joy of living in a small town. Everything is close by. “Thanks for the ride, Mom.” Macy says to her mama. “Y’all call me when you’re ready for me to come back and pick you up. Stay with the guys and don’t talk to strangers.” Macy’s mama says. We all three giggle and get out of the car.

“When are the guys getting here anyway?” Kelly says to no one in particular.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t talked to any of them. They are supposed to meet us at the fountain in the middle of the mall. Let’s head that way first to see if they are there.” I tell them as we start to head that way.

“There you guys are.” I hear them before I see them. Levi, I know it’s him by his smell, grabs me from behind and I let out a little squeak. “Levi, stop. You scared the crap out of me. You know how I hate for you to do that.” I say even though I don’t know why because he never listens to me. I turn around in his arms and give him a hug. Levi is the best hugger that I know.

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