Short Stories · Section 9

Home alone

I remember the first time that my parents left me home alone. I was very grown up, and I thought that I would be just fine.

Level: B1 · 37 sentences

Transcript

  1. I remember the first time that my parents left me home alone.
  2. I was very grown up, and I thought that I would be just fine.
  3. I was fine for a while.
  4. I watched television and had something to eat.
  5. I called my friend on the phone, and we talked for a while.
  6. Then, I sat down to read a book.
  7. The house was quiet, very quiet.
  8. I found myself listening very carefully.
  9. I heard a tap, tap tapping noise.
  10. I wondered where it was coming from.
  11. It seemed to be coming from the window.
  12. I turned out the lights so that nobody would see me,
  13. and I peeked out the window carefully.
  14. I was expecting to see a robber tapping at my window.
  15. There was nobody there.
  16. It was just a tree branch swaying in the breeze and tapping at my window.
  17. I felt silly.
  18. I turned on the lights and sat back down to read my book.
  19. A few minutes later, I heard some creaking noises.
  20. I listened carefully.
  21. Then, I heard a clunking noise.
  22. I think it might have been the furnace.
  23. Then there was a whirring noise.
  24. My imagination began to play tricks on me.
  25. I was imagining that there were all kinds of creatures in the house.
  26. I told myself to grow up.
  27. I wouldn't let my imagination run away with me.
  28. I was glad when my parents got home.
  29. I told them about all the noises that I had heard.
  30. My parents laughed and said that all houses make noises.
  31. We're usually just so busy that we don't hear all the noises that go on.
  32. I have stayed home alone many times now.
  33. I just ignore all the little creaks and noises that I hear.
  34. I'm still alert and listen for anything suspicious,
  35. but I know that there are lots of noises that are harmless.
  36. That tree that taps on my window still frightens me sometimes,
  37. but I'm a lot braver now than I was the first time that I stayed home alone.