Michelle

      I stood at the beach with the waves crashing on the shore; the cool breeze kissing upon my cheeks, bringing a smile on my face. My hand picked up the paintbrush gently, it's tip dipping into a cup of paint. I raised the hand up it touched the paper lightly. The paintbrush stroked the paper with absolute delicately. I painted the sun that shone through the clouds as it set down towards the horizon. The waves rolled over towards the shore, sending particles of water splattering on my face.
      I smiled as I looked at my artwork. It was gorgeous, an almost exact replica of what I saw before me. I put the art supplies in my sunflower bag, letting the painting dry off for a while. The breeze helped the painting dry faster and much more quicker. I sat crisscrossed on the sandy beach, letting the wind ruffle my hair a bit. I breathed in and out, letting my mind be clear. I didn't know how long I sat there, but someone called out to me.
"Michelle! Time for dinner!" My father yelled out. I blinked and stood up, grabbing my sunflower bag. Night was here and the full moon hung in the sky with the twinkling stars. I grabbed my painting and walked to my house for dinner. I walked through the front door where my father grumbled a hello. I put the painting in my room and sighed. That's that last painting I could hang up in my room. There's just no space. I shook my head. Dinner was laid on a plate on my desk with a glass of juice.
         "Thanks mother!" I shouted from my room. I hoped it was loud enough so my mother can hear from the kitchen.
         "Your welcome Michelle!" Mother shouted back, sounds of clanking pans and pots followed after. I sighed, leaning back on the chair and stared at the ceiling. It was plain white, kinda like beige. I've always wanted to paint it a different color, but father doesn't allow me to paint the ceiling. I turn to the desk and finish up my dinner. It took me at least thirty minutes to finish up my mother's famous lasagna. I drank up the glass of juice and brought the glass cup and plate to the kitchen sink. I walk back to my room and shut the door. I flipped the switch down to turn off all the lights, and I, of course, left the lamp on.
I worry about my parents a lot. We're running low on the money and we can't afford to pay our rent to keep the beach house. I squatted down near the door, my ear pressed against the door. I knew that eavesdropping on my patents isn't such a good idea, but I have to.
"I just got fired." Father sighed, I could sense he was shaking his head.
"But it was your first day!" Mother protested. "They shouldn't fire people on their first day." Mother commented.
"I got in a fight in the alley after that." Father sighed again. I had to stifle back my gasp. So that's why father had scars and bruises on the face and arms.
        "Now are we going to do?!" Mother panicked.
        "Better get a new job..." Father grumbled.
        "We still need to put the money in the bank for Michelle to go to that Academy of Art University that she wants to go to." Mother said.
        "Why don't you get a job?" Father asked.
        "Because I need to stay here and clean after you guys." Mother chuckled.
        "I'm going out." Father said, creaking open the door and shutting it closed. I sighed, shaking my head and walked over to the window. I peeked out, seeing Father with his coat on and in his car. He drove off to the town, becoming a little speck that I couldn't keep track of anymore. I tucked myself into bed and whispered to myself, "Tomorrow's a new day, new things will happen." Right then, I yawned and nuzzled into my pillow. I fell asleep.

~

I woke up before the alarm clock could ring in my ears. I turned it off so it wouldn't disturb Mother as she slept. I stood up, going to my closet. I changed into a cherry colored shirt and navy blue jeans. I stepped out of my room with my classic rose backpack and my bright sunflower bag. I slipped into the chair at the dinning table and got out my sketchbook. I sketched and sketched until Mother yawned and came into the kitchen.
       "Good morning mother." I said without looking up.
       "Here's your breakfast." Mother put a plate down with leftovers from last night. I gobbled the food up and put the plate back in thee sink.
       "Where's father?" I asked Mother. Usually, I'd see Father in the morning before I go to school.
       "Your father....." Mother trailed off, her face uneasy. "He's busy at the moment." Mother said quickly after that.
       "Okay, I'm off to school." I shrugged. I walked away and put the front door. I whistled as I walked down the street to school. I noticed a boy being picked at in the front of the school. Usually, I won't talk to those types of people like Ashley, head cheerleader and Austin, captain of the football team. But this was a new kid, I can't just stand around and do nothing. I had to do what I had to do. I ran up the steps and towards the boy and the gang.