chapter one: Naomi

It was just another day for Naomi same old same old. As she sat in history class clicking her pen repeatedly waiting for the bell to ring she turned to her friend Claire and gave her the “when will this end” look. Mr. Kyser’s class was Naomi's least favorite class. As much as she tried she never found history interesting. In Naomi's opinion she would rather discuss current topics, or what might happen in the future, then talk about something that happened 50 + years ago. When the bell finally rang Naomi leapt up from her seat like she had been sitting there for years, gathered her books and walked out of the class with Claire 

Naomi and Claire walked down the crowded hallways trying to get through the dumb people who just stand in the middle of the hall, when they saw Trent standing at his locker and walked over to say hello.

“hey Trent, how's it going”
“Pretty good”  Trent  said “other than the fact that i have a exam next period and i have no idea what it's about”
“Well that's what you get for never paying attention” Naomi said
“yah yah, whatever” trent said rolling his eyes ”alright well i'll see you guys later”
“wanna chill after school” Naomi said
they both said yah and Naomi went on to her next class

As Naomi sat geometry her eyes start to feel heavy. She tried to stay awake but her eyes kept shutting and her head was dozing off. Suddenly she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. Naomi awoke from her sleep and looked back to see her guidance counselor standing behind her.  Mrs. Brink had a warm open personality that always made Naomi feel like she could tell her anything. Naomi spent a lot of time in the guidance office, mostly to avoid class, but also because Mrs. Brink was very chill, especially with Naomi 

“Oh, hi Mrs. Brink, what’s wrong?’’ 
Mrs. Brinks had a worried look on her face.
“Can i talk to you out in the hall real quick, just a quick second”
“Sure” Naomi said.
As she walked out to the hall, she was sure she was going to get in trouble for sleeping in class. It took Naomi off guard when Mrs. Brink turned towards her with sympathetic eyes.

“Your Mother is coming to pick you up, there's been an emergency with your brother Sam”
immediately all the blood rushed from Naomi's face
“What's wrong?!” Naomi asked 
“I’m not sure, let’s go get your things from your locker, she will be here soon”.
Naomi hurryed to her locker, got  her stuff then headed outside to wait for Mom. As soon as she saw her pulling up, she could tell something was really wrong. Tears were running down her face.

“Mom what’s happening?” Naomi asked
“It’s your brother, Sam, there has been a car accident” was all her mother could choke out before crumbling into sobbing tears.
Naomi, was always able to keep her wits in a crisis, they had to get to Sam, she turned to her Mother and grabbed her shoulder and said “Mom, everything will be ok but we need to get to the hospital now, can you drive?”
Naomi’s strength, strengthened her mother, and together they left the parking lot.

On the ride over to the hospital, Naomi kept thinking about Sam.  ‘Would he be ok?’.  When they arrived at the hospital Naomi's brother James and Dad were there. Mom and Dad had separated several years ago, but they loved their children, and were able to put their differences aside whenever one of the kids was in trouble.  She walked around the room and gave everyone a hug, and then there wasn’t much else to do but wait, and wonder.  The next 3 hours were painful.  Naomi couldn't’ believe this was happening.  She was with Sam this morning, he was fine, and now they were in a hospital, it was hard to comprehend. 

Finally a nurse entered the waiting room and approached Naomi and her parents.  The look in her eyes told them all the news would not be good.  Tears rolled down her mother's face as she ask “Please tell me he’s ok.”

“i'm sorry your son suffered from severe head trauma and we were just too late, i'm sorry your son didnt make it.”

As soon as she heard those words come out of her mouth the world seemed to stop.

At first Naomi didnt want to believe the nurse and what she was saying, she couldn't. She never thought that she would have to go through this, it never even crossed her mind. She felt like she couldn't breath. She sat down in the chair in the waiting room tears streaming down her face. Her mother was beside her in tears, her brother James  was trying to comfort her even though he was also clearly upset and her father was in tears as well. Naomi thought about all the things that would never be the same now that Sam was gone. She thought about family game nights and how much fun Sam made them. She thought about how she would never get to hear Sam's laugh, or how she would never get to hear one of his corny jokes he would tell her whenever she was upset to make her feel better. The sea of emotions that were going on inside of Naomi just poured out in tears. All she wanted to do was wake up from this nightmare. But she didnt.