He was angry. He was angrier than he had ever been. He couldn’t remember why he was upset, he just knew he was. He hated everyone around him. They all hated him, and he knew it. He knew that they all complained about him behind his back. Things used to be better than this. He never felt hate before. Now it was present in everything he did.
“I hate you, Zac!” Taylor growled at his brother. Zac looked at Taylor, with hurt in his eyes.
“Don’t you think I know that! That’s all you ever say to me anymore!” He stormed out of the room. Taylor smiled to himself. Zac was angry now. Something inside of him made him want people to be mad, like him. No one really deserved to be happy. There were loud footsteps coming down the hall.
“Taylor, I’m tired of this whole “I hate you” thing. I don’t know what your problem is, but you better get over it!” Taylor’s mother, Diana, exclaimed at him.
“I hate you too!” Taylor screamed back. He met his mother’s glare.
“You’re grounded.”
“Fine!”
“From everything.”
“Fine!”
“For a month.”
“Fine!”
“This has got to stop.”
“Get out.” Diana stepped out of the room. She sighed. When did Taylor’s personality take a turn for the worse? He used to be quiet, and the one that people expected to take everything and make it positive. Now all he did was yell at people. If they so much as got in his way, he said he hated them. His youngest siblings were afraid of him. No one wanted to be near him at all.
Taylor woke up to the sound of pouring rain and thunder. It took a minute for his eyes to adjust to the lack of light. He looked towards his clock for the time. It was blank. The electricity was out. He walked out of his room, and into the hallway. The doorway to Isaac’s room was standing wide open, and he wasn’t in it. Taylor figured everyone must be downstairs. A loud clap of thunder caused him to jump. He never particularly liked storms, especially when he was alone. He wondered into the living room. There was no one there. His heart started to beat rapidly.
“Um, where are you guys?” He called out. No one answered. Tears came to Taylor’s eyes. He didn’t mean it. He didn’t hate them. He didn’t know why he felt so angry. He sat in the corner of the living room. He did something he hadn’t done in a long time; he cried. He cried over the fact he had been so mean. He cried because he didn’t know why he felt like he did. And he cried because he wanted things the way they used to be. He heard the door open, and he looked up. He could feel relief wash over him watching his family, safe, yet wet, walk in the door.
“Taylor? Are you okay?” Diana asked, walking quickly to where Taylor was now standing. He nodded.
“I’m sorry,” He said, trying not to cry again.
“For what, baby?”
“For the way I’ve been acting. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m just sorry.” Diana wrapped her arms around her son.
“It’s all right. It’s all right.”