Chapter 1
One second I was dreaming peacefully and then the next I wake up sitting straight up in bed breathing heavily trying to remember what woke me up. I looked around my room, my windows were still shut and locked, the TV, hanging on the wall opposite the wall my beds against, was still off, and my door right next to my bed was still closed. Nothing was wrong, everything was how I left it before I went to sleep.
Even though nothing was wrong I still felt wrong, like there was something I should remember.
Well since I’m awake I might as well tell you who I am. My name is Luke Greene. I’m 16, have an average body build with a height of 5’ 9” and dyed black hair and blue eyes. I also have snake bites.
I go to Riverdale High school with my group of friends. We are a strange group of friends. We are all so different from each other. There’s me, people call me a wanna-be emo.
Then there’s Puck, the star quarterback of our football team with blonde hair and green eyes.
Next is Kenza, she’s the school nerd, always hiding her amazing looks in her hoodie, unless she’s hanging with us when she shows her true self. She has long dark brown hair and blue eyes.
Lastly there’s the most popular girl in school Aviana. She has blonde hair and grayish eyes. She may be the most popular in school but she’s called a slut and many other horrible names because she ended up pregnant at 14 and now has a baby. That’s a story for another time.
I roll over in my bed and look at my clock. Its 6 am, might as well get up, there’s no use in trying to sleep for another 30 minutes.
I got out of bed and walked across the hall to the bathroom that I have to share with my little sister, Alice who is 7. Our parents died in a car crash a few months ago, we have no other family and the court decided I could get emancipated and take care of her myself if I wanted. I of course chose this instead of foster care for us both.
As soon as I looked in the mirror I regretted it. I look horrible. Bags under my eyes, face super pale, and all sweaty. I looked away to turn on the shower.
After I took my shower it was 6:45 meaning it’s time to wake up Alice.
I go to her room to wake her up. When I walk in she was already awake looking up at the ceiling. Something looked wrong with her so I walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. As I sat down she turned and looked at me. Her dark chocolate brown eyes looking straight at me she said “I don’t feel good Lukey,” her voice was hoarse and scratchy. I felt her forehead, it was clammy and burning up.
“You’re not going to school today Alice.” I said looking at her. She tried to sit up to give me a hug but I pushed her down while saying, “You need to stay in bed today. I’m going to stay home too and take care of you, okay?” She looked at me again and nodded her head. She rolled over to go back to sleep and I left her room.
I went into the living room of our small apartment to call our schools to let them know we wouldn’t be in today.
After I called the schools I walked back to Alice’s room to check up on her. She was still awake playing on her IPod in bed. She looked up when she heard me walk in and asked, “Can we watch some movies together?”
“Sure, what would you like to watch?” I replied while walking over to her to help her walk to the living room and sit on the couch. She thought for a few seconds before shouting out, “Cinderella!” I mentally groaned at the thought of watching this movie again.
“Alice, you’ve watched this movie a million times! Do you really need to watch it again?” The look on her face when I said that made me instantly regret it. “On second thought you are sick, I guess we can watch it ONE more time.” She smiled and that smile made me feel instantly better.
She was now sat on the couch so I went to put the movie in the player. Once the previews were playing I went to the tiny kitchen off to the side to make some soup for Alice.
When the soup finished I walked back to the living room and handed Alice her soup. She saw the soup and took it gratefully, starting to eat it. I sat down and watched the movie. Alice placed her empty soup bowl on the floor once she finished and then moved over so she could lay on me. I let her, why wouldn’t I let her lay on me?
A little while into the movie she asked me to play with her hair. She loves when I do. I couldn’t say no to her when she was sick and looking at me with pleading eyes. So I did.
Ring-Ring-Ring
The movie was half way over, Alice was asleep in my lap, and my phone was ringing. I paused the movie to answer my phone. I didn’t bother to look at the caller ID. There was only 3 people it could be.
“Hello?” I asked picking it up.
“LUKE! Why aren’t you in school?” A high voice screams into the phone. Kenza.
“Kenza, calm down. Alice is sick. I stayed home to take care of her.” There was a slight pause on the other end of the line.
“Oh…, you could have at least texted one of us. Like Aviana. She’s also not here. She at least texted and said where she was and why. OMG you’re both out “sick” taking care of a child. I just realized that. That’s so weird. Anyway next time text one of us, we were starting to worry.” She said that all in one breathe. This girl can talk a mile a minute.
Laughing I reply to her and say “Sorry, I will let you guys know next time. Aviana is out today too? Is Star okay?”
“As far as I know she is. You can call her though. None of us have talked to her since before school started.”
“Okay Kenza.” I say laughing again. “Have fun at school. Bye” I say sarcastically.
“Bye…Lukey.” And she hangs up. UGG she knows I only let Alice call me that.
I look at Alice to see that she’s still sleeping, she looks so peaceful while sleeping.
I decided to call Aviana next. She picks up on the first ring. “Luke? Why you calling? Aren’t you in class?”
“Well hello to you too.” I say laughing. “And no, I’m not in class. I stayed home to take care of Alice, she’s sick.”
“Oh. I think Star has a bellyache, she was crying all night holding her stomach. So I’m taking her to the doctors today.” She says back to me.
“I’m going to schedule Alice an appointment, you mind if I come along if I can get it round the same time?” I ask her.
Not even a second later she responds. “Of course. Her appointment is at 1:15. I’m gunna go check on her. Text me if you get an appointment.”
“Alright. Thanks Aviana. You know I love you, Bye.” I reply to her.
“Love you too Lukey,” she mocks me while laughing. “Bye.” She hangs up.
Next I call the doctor. I got her the appointment right after Star’s, they had a cancelation, I had called just in time.
I texted Aviana to let her know to pick me up on her way there.
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