Vanessa 12

That weekend, Ashelyn finally felt better. She told me she was fine, but I still worried. She had freaked out over some water; what would happen if we ever had another flood? She might, I don't know, pass out... Or something.
I figured she needed some company other than our families, so I invited Brynn over.
Maybe not the best idea...

Vanessa 11

The next day, I went into school alone. I handed in an excuse slip for Ashelyn.
She had been in bed since yesterday, suffering from a fever and panic attacks. I felt horrible, and I couldn't concentrate on anything.
And I had to skip out on Brynn's sleepover, which she was disappointed about.
At  lunch, Brynn didn't seem to notice Ashelyn's absence, but Jennifer asked, "So, where's your cousin? I heard she freaked out yesterday, but I didn't get any details."
I bit my lip. "She's...sick. That's why I couldn't come yesterday Brynn."
Brynn put on an easy smile. "Oh it's fine! We'll just have to reschedule it for another time!"
I grinned. Thank goodness Brynn was so easy-going.

After school, Brynn and I walked home together. Our apartment buildings were within a few blocks of each other, so we did that often.
"Sorry your cousin is sick." Brynn said, "Um, tell her...get well soon, I guess."
"'kay. Thanks for being so cool about all this, by the way."
She shrugged. "It's no problem.."

I waved goodbye as I hopped up the concrete steps into the apartment lobby.

I took the elevator all the way up to our floor, dropping my bag on the sofa and peeking into my room to see Ashelyn.
"Hi." I whispered.
Ashelyn looked over. "Oh, Hey."
I sat down on my bed. "How are you feeling? I'm guessing...bad"
She sighed. "Yeah...not too great.

Ugh

sorry for the lack of posts- I was sick for a week, and it's hard to come up with good things to write when you're a sick mess...

But don't worry, I'm better now!

Happy Holiday!

Inspiration!

For, like, a month I had zero inspiration, but now I've gotten back on track, thank goodness!
So you can now actually expect more posts, finally!

Vanessa 10

After school, I had basketball practice, and Ashelyn tagged along.

Brynn and I were great out on the court, and in the girls locker room, we were constantly joking and talking. Until she saw Ashelyn, talking with another girl on the basketball team, Haley.
"Oh, hi." She barely acknowledged her.
She dribbled her basketball, then shot it up at the ceiling, hitting the sprinkler head. She did it again squarely hitting the sprinkler.
I barely noticed, I was too busy worrying about Ashelyn. She had barley spoken with anyone, and she was looking pretty uncomfortable around all my teammates.

Suddenly, the sprinklers started letting lose a shower of cold water.
Some of the girls started laughing, some groaned.

Ashelyn had gone pale as a sheet. As water started pooling on the floor, she gasped, tensing.
"Ashelyn, whats wrong?" I asked. And just as I asked, I realized she was remembering the horrible flooding of her home, a few weeks.

"Come on, Ashelyn. Let's get you home!" I said, pulling her to her feet.
 
"Vanessa, where are you going? This is fun!" Brynn called.

"Sorry, Brynn! Ashelyn really needs to go home!"

I rushed back home in my soaking basketball shorts and sleeveless jersey, my tote bag with my clothes and books on my shoulder.
Ashelyn was still breathing fast, and she didn't respond when I asked her how she was.

Vanessa 9

On the first day of school, I stuck made it a point to stick close to Ashelyn, seeing as she had absolutely zero knowledge of the school.

 In the hall outside the her first class, I introduced her to my friend Jennifer.
When Jennifer discovered she was from Scotland, she asked, "Cool! So, why did you move here?"
 I winced. "Oh, well-"
Ashelyn cut me off. "It's fine, Vanessa. My house was caught in a flash flood a few weeks ago, so we're staying here."
Jennifer nodded. "Oh, I'm sorry. Well- oh look, there's Brynn!"

 My best friend Brynn was a tall athletic girl. We were on the basketball team together, and she was well known as one of the richest girls in school, seeing as her dad was in charge of some huge shipping business. Unfortunately, she was also incredibly jealous when it came to friendships.

She walked over. "Vanessa! I'm so glad schools in again! Too bad you couldn't come to Jamaica with us over summer break! Why was the reason for that, anyway?" she asked, giving me a hug.
"Um, I was in Scotland, visiting my cousin Ashelyn." I said, gesturing to Ashelyn.

"Oh, she's staying with you?" She asked, looking Ashelyn up and down. Suddenly, she smiled. "Well, Vanessa, want to come over for a sleep over tonight? You too, Jennifer."
I swallowed, glancing at Ashelyn. "Sure Brynn!" I said enthusiastically.
Brynn smiled. "Great. See you in PE!"