Rain

The rain continues to drizzle on the window. I see nothing but grey sky and water running down the car. Inside, the heater is on and a blanket thrown over my knees. My parents have the light on so we don’t get scared of the dark.

I feel stuffy and claustrophobic. Opening the window, the raindrops hit me in the face like an icy blast. I lean out, letting the rain soak through my hair and run down my face. I don’t mind when it gets in my eyes. The coldness is exhilarating and I hear myself laughing with pleasure.

“What do you think you’re doing?” my mother hisses, pulling me in by the scruff of my neck. I wince as my head bangs on the roof but she doesn’t seem to notice.

“I’m hot,” I offer by way of an explanation.

“Then ask to turn the heating down, don’t be stupid,” she snaps. “There’s a flipping thunderstorm out there!”

As if to back up her statement, a loud crack of thunder made us both jump. I scowl and fight off the blanket as my brother stirs and my mum turns down the heating. She doesn’t understand me at all.