The Power Within (ON HOLD)

Chapter 2

This time I wake up, not to my little brother being tossed on top of me, but to the sound of music being blared throughout the house. Based on past experiences this could only mean one thing: cleaning time. For some reason which I cannot even begin to understand, my mother loves to thoroughly clean the house whenever Adam comes over. I honestly don't see the point. Why am I going to help make the house spotless for someone who knows that the house is usually a mess since kids live here?

I step out of my room and am immediately put to work by my mom. With both of us working together and my dad distracting Emma and Lucas, my mom and I are able to clean the entire house with enough time left over to make Adam a welcome home meal. Just as the food finishes cooking I hear Adam coming into the house.

"I'm home!"

Everyone stops what they were doing and go to greet him. Even though this is his third year going away for college, we still welcome him home like this. The feelings of missing him get easier and are less prompt when he leaves but are still there.

We all sit at the table, together as a family again. It feels nice having Adam home, even if he does get annoying after a while. We all are enjoying the food when Adam starts the conversation I had hoped to avoid for a while.

"So, sis. How was your first semester of college?"

"From the way you talked about college, I thought it would be hard". Both my parents and Adam were here, so I had to lay it on thick. "It was pretty easy. Honestly don't understand why you were always complaining". I could not afford to let them know how badly I probably did in my first semester of college.

"Probably because we go to different universities. You did end up going to one where you could commute from home. I have to live on campus."

His response dug at me a bit. My parents did not keep quiet with their disappointment that I did not apply to the same university as my brother. I hope this wouldn't remind them of that.

"Hmm. Perhaps. Or maybe it's because I manage my time better and can actually get work done and study." I knew he spent his nights playing League instead of studying. Granted I also spent a fair amount of time procrastinating but not to that extent.

I take a bite of my food and glance at Adam. I seem him smiling and I know that he's going to say something. Before he can say anything, my Dad cuts in.

"That's enough you two."

Whoops. I had forgotten it was all my family here at the table, not just my brother and me. 

"I am just happy that both of you are pursuing higher education. Your mother and I did not have the chance to go to college so seeing you to go to university makes us so proud. Knowing that you two will be able to have a better life is worth every single cent towards your education."

After that short little speech (that was completely out of character for him), he started a conversation with my mom while Adam was talking with Emma. I wanted to join in because I knew it wouldn't be long before Adam left for college again, but I keep thinking about what my dad said. It makes me happy to know that he's proud of me. But hearing what he said also makes me feel guilty. Would he still think it's worth it even if I end up failing some classes?

***

Days of waiting for my final grades to be posted turned into weeks. I couldn't help but feel anxious with every passing day. I started to get even more worried when Adam got his results; one B and the other four classes an A. Should it really take weeks for grades to be finalized when all the scores for assignments and tests are already inputted into a computer?