I couldn’t sleep and doubt I would ever be able to. I glanced over to the alarm clock; 1:30 a.m. God, the night had just began and here I was, stuck in my Hello kitty bed, clinging to Mr. Tom (my stuffed monkey). It was raining outside, usual weather for this small town. It was a persistent rain, not like the tiny showers during the day. I closed my eyes, taking in deep breaths, trying to rest my mind, but to no avail it didn’t work.

            “Figures,” I whispered into the complete and utter darkness, in which I called my room. With nothing to do but look up at the ceiling and to try to wake up my sleeping arm, I hummed. I hummed a tune in which my mother use to sing. It was my favorite, a piece called Sleeping Baby. Of course, I wasn’t a baby anymore but it was still nice. And so, I hummed until nothing but that soft melodic tune filled my brain. This was unusual for me, since I liked to keep to hardcore, but when I was alone and wanted nothing better, but to be in total silence, it was a pleasant change. I got bored though, repeating the chorus, the only part I truly knew, and so I turned my attention to the window. The branches were forcefully scraping the panes, giving no mercy; a rule in which I lived by. I began to watch the rhythmic movements of the back-and- forth swaying of the trees. They were dancing, not because the wind was making them, but because they hadn’t had a care in the world; something I wished for everyday. I would have gladly changed places with the tree; if only I could be so lucky.

            I sighed, inhaling deeply. The rest of the house was silent, a clear reminder that everyone else was sleeping; everyone but my mom. I wasn’t sure if she was sleeping at all and even what the time was. I didn’t know where she was period. I continued staring out into the sea of rain, thinking about where she might be and if she would ever come back. Dad missed her and in truth, so did I. I would never admit it though.  I sighed once again thinking how lucky my brother, Kevin, was. He was only three and if he lived his life without sorrow, I would be very happy. I didn’t want him ever longing for anything. I eventually got tired of looking out the window and my stomach had decided it was time to eat. So I got out of bed, slipped on some slippers and a coat, and made my way downstairs. With every step I took, the sound of the old mahogany stair case creaking made its way to my ears. I winced, not wanting anyone to wake up. I really didn’t feel like talking.

            With a bowl in my hand, I began to pour cheerios, slowly filling the bowl as quiet as I could. I sat down at the dining room table, leaning my head on my hand, while stuffing my face. I hated cereal but at a time like this, I didn’t want to cook a full meal. And so I ate and ate until I could feel a burp begin to form. After I had finished my midnight snack, cleaned the dishes, and had put the cereal back in the cupboard and I headed back to my room.

            What made me stop in the hallway, I wasn’t sure. I think it was this strange sensation I got or the fact that there was a knock on the door. Who was at our house this late? I hesitated, debating whether to run back to my room and hide under my covers, or to have some balls and answer it. What’s the worst that could happen? Oh ya, get kidnapped and sold in the black market by Russian spies. Okay, so maybe my geography wasn’t that good or world history for that matter by what did I care? I was at least smart enough to know that you shouldn’t answer the door when someone knocks at 1:30 in the morning. When I had scooted close enough to the door to see through the peephole (who ever invented it, I would like to thank you), I gulped.

            Nothing. There was no one there!

            “What the Hell!” I said, a little too loud. Was someone playing games with me?! And then a thought popped in my head.

            “If that’s you, next door neighbor’s annoying brat for a son,” I said, trying to push my voice through the door, “then I suggest you stop. I’m going to call your mommy and daddy.”

            “Annoying brat?” I heard from behind. My eyes grew large as I realized that that voice had come from inside the house. I turned around to see a dark shadow. I gulped.

            “You know, I’m offended.” The dark shadow continued.

            “W-h-o are you?” I stuttered. The stranger stepped forward, revealing a dark young man. As he approached I backed up, banging into a can full of umbrellas. I grabbed one, plotting on how hard to hit.

            “I’m Mother Nature. I am humbly at your service.” It announced.

            What?

            “Mother Nature, huh?” I said with a bit more confidence. Who ever this guy was, obviously didn’t know that the real Mother Nature was a WOMAN!

            “Yes,” he answered straight forward. He smiled, holding out his hand. I looked him over, completely awed on how he played a fashion victim. Everything was green! From his green slacks to his green polo, not to mention his green jacket!  I could have pucked just by looking at him. But once I steadied myself on his face, I could swallow again. God, he was gorgeous. Now if only I could give him some fashion tips.

            Well if this is just a dream then, I thought.

            Mother Nature continued to just stand there, prompting up his hand.

            “What? Am I suppose to just jump in your arms?” I asked, sarcastically. He didn’t take the hint.

            “If you wish, but I prefer if we just hold hands for now.” God, if only he weren’t so dense. And so, out of my own stupidity, I took his hand, not knowing where or what we were doing.

            “This is gay,” I said, rolling my eyes. We weren’t even moving; more like standing their looking into each other’s eyes. I could only imagine what my father might say and do when he saw me holding hands with this guy.

            “Why yes, this is a very happy occasion, Hope.”

            Omg! How does he know my name?! I wondered.  

            “Wait!” I aid, startled, “How...do you know my name?” I pulled back my hand, feeling over where he had held it.

            “Why shouldn’t I, Hope?” he continued to smile.

            “Okay, this is super creepy! Are you some kind of stalker who has mastered the art of picking locks because this is so not funny?!” I whispered roughly. Any louder and my dad or brother would hear. He didn’t answer, so I continued. “Fine then, I’ll just call the police. I bet you would like stalking some other prisoner.”

            “Police? Prisoner?” He asked dumbfounded.

            “Omg! Please tell me I’m dreaming and when I open my eyes, you’ll be gone.” With my eyes closed, I counted to three, but when I opened them, there he stood, smiling at me. And that’s when I starting panicking. If my father woke up, I would be so dead! I had to get him out of here!

            “Listen, I’ll do what ever you… except sleep with you. Just please leave. I’m a girl who has so much potential. If you kill me, if that’s what you’re planning, you’d lose a great person,” I pleaded.

            He just stood there like a dumb idiot. I was getting pissed. Why wouldn’t he leave?!

            “Fine I said, obviously, you’re not some random serial killer but I’m warning you, when my dad wakes up, you’re dead, you hear me? I’m going to bed now and don’t you dare follow me!” I scooted my way past him and began ascending to my bedroom. “Oh, and by the way,” I continued, “And when he asks me who are you, I’m going to pretend I never even saw you until that very moment. Good luck, buddy.”

            The idea of this freak in my house really started to creep me out, the moment I started up the stairs. When would he leave? And the most important question: would he leave at all? In fact, who the hell was he? Mother Nature my ass. But he was gorgeous; I had to give him credit for that. I mean, I’ve seen some pretty boys, but none that could top him. Oh boy, would the boys at school be jealous.

            I snickered, thinking of all the ways to show him off. God, what was I doing?! He was a total stranger in my house, claiming to be Mother Nature. He was a freak. With my hand on the knob of the bedroom door, I yawned. I would not be going to school tomorrow if I did not get sleep. I flung onto my bed, scrunching up my softest pillow, enjoying the silky fabric. I nuzzled deep down, too lazy to pull the covers over. I had a terrible nightmare.

            I awoke to the alarm beeping at its fullest.

            “God,” I mumbled, my head still faced down on the pillow. Feeling with my hand I turned of the alarm, enjoying the peace and quiet. It was 8:00 in the morning, my brother was at school and my dad was off to work. Maybe, I would just enjoy this day better if I took it off. With nothing left to think about, I retraced back to earlier this morning. It had obviously been a dream because I hadn’t awoke to sirens and the flailing lights of a cop car. I smiled, making fun of myself for being so silly. Nothing like that could have ever happened. I yawned as I sat up, my eyes still closed.

            “Good morning.”

            “Good morn…” My eyes flew open to him. I looked down, my spaghetti strap top, hardly covering anything. I flung the sheets up over me.

            “Omg! Not you!” I screamed. “Get out! Get out!”

            He just stood there, as I clung to my blanket. But I knew I had affected him; his eyes said it all.

            “Am I disturbing you?” he asked.

            “Yes, very much,” I replied, “Just give me a moment to get changed and then we’ll figure out this mess.”

            He left like I asked, so I got dressed for school, doubting the whole time, that I would even go. He gave me a great excuse not to.

            “Yes, ma’am. He’s my cousin and deathly sick. I need to stay with him until you-know-what.” I would wink and the teachers would feel so bad they would have to let me attend to him. I snickered.

            I walked out of my room, putting on a sweater, bumping right into him.

            “God,” I said and then ushered him into the dining room, where I pulled out a chair. He sat down but not without saying it was the man’s job to seat the lady. I rolled my eyes.

            “Okay, tell me this,” I demanded, taking a seat next to him, “Who the hell are you? And this time no bull crap.”

            “I am Mother Nature,” he replied. He stared at me, not even blinking.

            “How many times am I going to tell you this, YOU ARE NOT MOTHER NATURE. MOTHER NATURE IS A WOMAN. A WOMAN.” I said pronouncing, every sound slowly.