Bits and Pieces Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Blaze

    I sat in the dark, huddled in a corner of my room. I had the sharpest scissors I could find. I stroked the point with my thumb. It was sunny outside, but yet I locked the light out. I had pinched the blinds as tight as could be. I looked myself in the mirror, staring at my long, dark, sleek hair. One last glance, then I did it.

    "It is done," I said. The dark strings fell to the ground. The piled up in a messy clump of dark brown. I picked it up from the ground, stroking it then letting it fall again. Now, my hair fell to my shoulders, but not longer. I kicked the strands to a corner of my room. I got nestled back in bed, then feel asleep.

    "How could you," My mom screeched. She turned away, the hair still in a pile on the table. "Why did you do such a thing? Your hair was so luscious. She picked up the hair and held it up.

    "I did it for charity," I said.

    "What type of charity takes children's hair?"

    "Not just children, grownups do it too." Mom's cold, dead eyes fell on a gaze that was shocking. She picked up the hair and shoved it into its bag labeled "Locks for Love: Piper". Then she pushed it to me and stormed upstairs. I had known that Mom was going to be mad, but not furious.

    The next day was hectic. I was happy that I did not have to take as much care of my hair as before. I just brushed it and let is swing at my shoulders. I put on my fuzziest sweater, then went downstairs. Mom was making lunch and had prepared bagels for us. I tried to look her in the eye, tell her how much I loved the new do, but she was reluctant to look. She avoided eye contact at all costs. I waved good bye to her, then got on the bus.

    "#selfie" Sydney texted me. Then I took out my phone and took a pic. Then I sent it to her. The familiar sound of whooshing after a message was sent came, then I waited for her response.

    "What's with the new do?" Sydney texted back.

    "It's for Locks of Love," I replied. Then I turned my phone off, and shoved it into my backpack. I then began to look through my pictures. I saw pics of me and Sydney, primarily in my room. Then I saw photos of just me. I browsed through my videos, then came across photos of Alex. Some of them were of him with his hood down. Others, he showed his face, with his stunning emerald eyes. I tear slid down my face, splattering on my phone. I wiped it off with my sleeve, but the rainfall just kept coming. I put my face down, and cried. A puddle of memories formed on the bus floor below my face. Then I felt I warm hand pat my back. I looked up and saw Meredith.

    "Hi," she said, shyly. She smiled a pearly white smile, then turned away from me. Her hand left my back, then retreated back to her lap. I was so focused on crying that I had not noticed Talia sitting in the seat next to me. "Are you alright," she asked. I nodded my head. Then she reached over and hugged me. Then she looked at me with a puzzled look, telling me to explain my crying.

    "I just, really miss my friend," I said, turning toward the window in shame.

    "Oh, Alex, right? Yeah, it'll be alright. He's with his sister now, which makes him happy. Don't you want him to be happy?"

    "Yeah, he'd want me to be, wait? How do you know about his sister? He never told anyone but me. How do you know about his sister?"

    "You said he only told one person, right?"

    "Yeah, he only told me," I said. I was about ready to punch Meredith.

    "Exactly, he only told one person," Meredith said, holding up her index finger. Then she disappeared. Just like that, in thin air! How could a person disappear into thin air? It just wasn't possible.

    "Wait! But how is that possible?!" I asked, reaching towards Meredith. But she was gone. I rubbed my eyes, to make sure that I wasn't seeing anything. But she was gone. I was absolutely sure that she was real. I was just going to have to ask around.

    "Meredith, who is she?" I texted Sydney. Two minutes later, she replied,

    "Don't know. Why?" Then I responded.

    "Just wondering," then I shut off my phone and put it away. I hesitated, then flipped through my pictures. I went to a picture of me and Alex. Holding back the tears, I say a shadowy apparition in the background. I looked closer. Something about the figure seemed familiar. Then I realized who it was.

    "Are you sure you don't know a Meredith?" I texted Sydney.

    "Yes, 4 sure," she replied. I shook my head. I must have been going crazy or Sydney was going blind. This figure became clearer and clearer to me. I knew exactly who it was. I was not about to be proven wrong about my own "fantasies" today.

    I blinked. Meredith was keeping me up at night. "Forget" she would say. "Alex is where he wants to be. Now forget." I gazed around my room. I didn't see anyone. I snuggled under the blankets a little more. My eyes were glazed over a I listened to the sounds of Meredith, telling me to forget about Alex. But I couldn't. I had devoted so much time and effort to him that I would not, could not, shouldn't, forget about Alex. That night, I recognized something very important.

    The next day, I printed a picture of me and Alex from my phone. I cut out my face in the shape of a heart, then did the same for Alex. I stuck the pictures in a locket, then closed it and put it around me next. I hurried downstairs, and ate breakfast.

    "Hey, what's that silver string around your neck?" Sydney asked, pointing to the locket.

    "Oh, just a necklace," I said. I tugged at the chain, pulling the heat close to my own. I held it there, standing in the middle of the hallway. The wreckage from the past was lifted from my shoulders.

    "Hurry up," Sydney said, giving me a little push. I fell forward, then kept walking.

    Study Hall was an ingested lump of complete humdrum. I sat in the cafeteria and watched everyone else do something productive. It was a very poor excuse for wasting my time. Truly, I did not have any homework, and was forced to watch everyone do enjoyable activities.

    I wiped the tears from my face. I looked at the marble stone. My fingers traced over Alex's name. I slowly feel backwards, landing hard on the grass. I turned around and cried. Why? I asked myself. My chest heaved as I hyperventilated. They took him from me. The next day, instead of going to support group, I roamed around the graveyard. I found Melony, and sat down.

"Do you miss him? Or is Alex there with you?" I asked, starring down at the ground. "I miss him. But I know he didn't leave. He couldn't have left."

"Are you sure?" Meredith asked, appearing in front of me. She held out her hand, and I took it. "Look at all these people. I'm sure that their families and friends miss them very much. But, they moved on."

"I'm not going to move on," I said, pulling my hand away. "I can't, because I know I can find him."

"Do I really have to tell you this? I guess I do. Do you see this slab of granite right here?"

"Yeah, I see it."

"Do you see whose name is engraved into it?"

"Yes."

"Well, if you do, you should know that Alex is not coming back. His funeral is tomorrow, you know. Will that give you some relief?"

"I don't need relief. I'm going to keep searching until I find him. I'm going to do anything in my power to find him. I will find him. Now go, I don't need your pity." Then Meredith faded away. I kept walking. I walked all the way around the cemetery. I went back, and left Alex flowers.

The next day, I put on a plain black dress with a tiny black top hat. I looked at one last picture of Alex, then put my phone in my purse. I put on my locket, then held it in my hand. The warm metal was comforting to my hand; it reminded me of the warmth of the fireplace. The fireplace was a happy place where we (Mom, Dad, Evelyn, and I) would sit. We would open presents there, eat cookies, or just talk. But it was a fugue memory. After Mom and Dad got divorced, Mom filled it in. Now, like my memories of Alex being happy, it was distant, ambiguous, and esoteric.

"Are you ready?" Mom asked me.

"Yes," I said, stroking my locket. I opened it, then quickly shut it. I wiped my eyes, and got out of the car. I waved at my mother's car, then entered the church. The pews were shiny, the carpet was clean, it smelled sterile, and his box was blue with gold detailing. I slowly approached the box; I lurched to a pew to my left. I looked at the box, then looked down. Everyone started to flood in. I starred down, twiddling with my thumbs. I stroked my short hair. Tears began to come down my face. I know that this is not real, I thought to myself.

"Redemption is what you need," Meredith said, taking a seat next to me. She had on a short sleeve collared dress with black polka-dot fishnet leggings. Her hair was pulled back in a French braid. She had a small raven on each of her ears.

"No" I said. I kept my head down.

"Yes. I know what is best. I know," she said. She picked up my head and looked me straight in the eyes. "It is. You know, I know, we know. Just except it." Then she dropped my head. My head jerked down like a rag dolls.

"Blimey!" I said. I got up from the pew, and moved to the pew in front of me. "Can't you just leave me alone? It's my life!"

"But," Meredith said. Her eyes glazed over; she took in slow, heavy breaths; then she was gone. I sat there, feeling slightly shocked. Wow, she really left. Then I turned around towards the pastor. I tried to focus, but the memories were a blur. I kept thinking if it were actually true. If Alex might actually be gone. I didn't want to give it to Meredith that easy, admit that she was right. I didn't catch one word of the pastor.

"How was it?" Mom asked when I got into the car.

"Depressing," Evelyn said, staring down at her phone.

"It was fine," I said, looking at my lap. I opened my eyes widely, brushing over them with my hands. I kept trying to comprehend all of the information. I laid down, and fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in my bed. The blinds were slightly open, unusual for my room. I squinted me eyes and covered my face with my arms. My body squirmed, trying to avoid the light.

"Dinner," shouted Mom from downstairs. I slowly approached my door, deeply breathing in the fumes of Mom's delicious chicken. It was golden. So juicy and delectable. I could tell that my parents thought I wanted to talk about Alex, but that was the opposite of what I wanted to do. I pushed my food around; stalling for time and avoiding all eye contact. The rest of the night was silent.

"Did you know anyone there?" Sydney asked me as we talked at lunch.

"No. It was kind of boring," I said. Knowing Sydney, I was prepared for her to pry. She wanted to know every bit of information regarding the funeral.

"Oh, well, are funerals supposed to be entertaining?"

"Never really thought about it that way. Just talking about the deceased is not really my forte.

"Did you see that new girl, Flo?" Sydney said, changing the subject.

"No, been focused on Alex."

"Well, everyone thinks she's kind of weird. But I like her."

"What's she like?"

"Today, she kept catching flies and letting them outside. She also will go up to people, up-close look them in the eye for a long time, then runs away. The weird thing is that she sings songs about bugs. Everyone seems to avoid her and take offense to her actions, but I think Flo is pretty cool. "

"Can I meet her?"

"Yeah. It looks like she's coming right our way." Then a girl with a crazy mess of curly blond hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing cat ears and pants covered with cats. She had a gigantic smile plastered across her face.

"I like butterflies, and caterpillars, and moths, and beetles, and all bugs there are," sang Flo. Then she made a sound like a buzzer and touched my nose. I turned towards Sydney and she just smiled.

"Now that is Flo," Sydney said, motioning in the direction of thd girl.

"Disorder?" I asked.

"I think some form of schizophrenia."

"I see. So, why exactly are you intrigued by this girl?"

"It's not so much that she intrigues me, but that I admire her for being herself. Not really like showing off her disorder, which she kind-of does, but wearing the cat ears and saving tiny animals that we would have thought nothing about. We might have even smashed them. Now, all of the kids here are weird and different," Sydney said, taking in a deep breath. "Flo is a whole new kind of weird. And I love it." Then Sydney smiled and walked toward Flo. I had never really thought about why someone's awesome in depth that much. Or maybe I had.

That night, I thought about if I had looked into the qualities of someone's awesome. This was the list I had compiled:

• Sydney- Maybe
  
• Uhhhhhh
  
• John Green- possibly
  
• Alex- maybe/maybe not
  

  Then I drew a blank.
  

  
   

  
   

  Phone in my hand, I strided to the snack machines. I struggled to get my money out, pulling at the paper in my deep pockets. I paused, starring at the empty space between the two machines. I remembered the time I had come upon Alex stuck between the machines. He had been struggling, grunting, but his expression not revealed. I turned my back, facing the left machine. Shoving my money into the slot, I then quickly clicked the keys on the machine. I listened to the machine, selecting my choice, then forcing it to get out of the metal spring. I found myself trying to look back, but keeping myself from doing so. I jabbed at the door, quickly grabbing my snack and running to my locker. I ran away, placing my hand on my silver locket. My eyelids fluttered, trying to keep the tears away. I slammed my back against my locker, sinking down to the ground.
  

  
   

  "Hey, what's wrong?" Sydney asked, putting her hand on my back. I had my face in my knees, breathing heavily. I prepared for the sudden but slow descent into crying. My face became red, I was breathing quite quickly, an my heart raced. I slowly tipped onto my side, hitting my head on the cold cement floors. A horrible trance had come over me. I took one long deep breathe and started to cry.
  

    When I had gotten out of my state of horrible crying, I looked around me. I was still on the ground, back against my locker. The hallway was silent, except for a quiet beeping.I looked up at the clock. It read 8: 26. It had been around 8:00 when my episode (not the first) had begun. I got up from the ground. The hallway felt especially warm. I grabbed my backpack from my side and started to walk towards the warmth. As I came closer, I could see an orange glow emanating from the cafeteria. I stepped closer, sweat dripping down my face. I blinked, feeling smoke in my eyes. It became harder to breathe. The orange blaze became brighter. When I got to the door of the cafeteria, flames reached for me. My face was scorched. My breath quickened. I tried to look in, but the whole cafeteria was already engulfed in flames. How did I sleep through this I asked myself. I began to run, as the flames chased behind me. When I got outside, I plopped down on the snow everyone else was huddled  in small clusters. I looked for Ms. Madrid's class, slowly drifting among the kids.

    "Piper, where were you?" Iris said, coming up to me. She put her hands on my shoulders, slightly shaking me as she said "We were worried sick about you. I saw you this morning, then I was like 'I hope nothing happened to her.' Then the fire, I was so picniced. Don't ever disappear like that again."

    "Do you mean panicked? You were so panicked?" I said.

    "No, I'm pretty sure that it's picniced. You know, Toby had that picnic attack. I am pretty sure…. Never mind, that's besides the point. We can't have." Then the fire truck came and many firefighters jumped out. They rushed into the school with all their equipment. The sound of the sirens muffled Iris's words. That's when I walked over to Ms. Madrid to inform her I was here. Then, I wandered aimlessly, eventually finding Sydney.

"Were you still crying by your locker?" Sydney when I came up to her.

"Yes, but sometimes you need to cry," I said, looking straight into her dark brown eyes.

Bits and Pieces Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Horrendous, Monstrous, Atrocious Outcomes

"Just don't think about ducks," Sydney said.

"But why?" I asked.

"Well, when I was waiting in the commons for you, some kid came running through the halls screaming "The revolt of the ducks is upon us!" So I came up with a theory that if we don't think about ducks, it may solve the problem."

"Look, not all of the kids here are sane. Actually, the majority of them aren't so you have a choice on what to believe. I am choosing to believe that ducks are not, and cannot revolt. But really, it's your choice," I said. I placed The Fault in Our Stars in my locker, then slammed the door. Sydney and I wandered around, looking for Alex. When we went over to the vending machines, we found him struggling to get out of a cramped space between the two machines. Alex was grunting, just like he was when trying to ride the bicycle at the gym. Sydney helped him out, then we went to our classes. I handed Alex a note that read:

"So, you like Support Group?" Then Alex responded,

"Well, it doesn't help, but I like hanging with you."

Me: Thanks

Alex: Well, I really had nothing else to do on Saturday. But I do like hanging with you.

Then, when we passed our last note Ms. Madrid opened the door. We rushed in, the rest of the class filing in later. Ms. Madrid had an assignment on the board that read, "Please take one of the handouts on the back table. Then get out some sort of coloring utensils." I grabbed markers from out of my bag, then pushed my way to the back table. When Ms. Madrid finally came in, the rest of the class was booming, while Alex and I were sitting at our seats, quietly.

"Class, we are going to be doing an interact. Please, with your table mates, brainstorm ideas for currency. Make sure that you drop your name in this bucket so we can begin class." Alex and I put our heads together and came up with having clay balls in different colors as currency. When Ms. Madrid asked for ideas, Alex actually raised his hand. Not a surprise, he handed me a card to tell Ms. Madrid.

"Yes, uh….. Al… uh you in the back. Could you remind me of your name?" Ms. Madrid said. Her face seemed blank as she looked for Alex's name.

"Well, this is Alex. Alex doesn't talk, so I talk for him. He actually gives me cards, so yeah. So Alex thinks the currency should be colored balls of clay," I said. Then everyone looked back at Alex. The class was unanimous when they decided on our clay ball idea. Then Ms. Madrid drew our names to determine who would be in what group. I was with Alex, and Iris was also in our group. Then Ms. Madrid selected us as the upper class group. The other kids, middle and lower class, were assigned to make items to sell (out of paper) and bring clay for the coins. We, until it was finished, got to do whatever we wanted. Some of us had to go and make sure there wasn't any mischievous behavior. Along with Iris, Pandora, Nicolo, Lamar, Talia, and Juliet were also part of our group. If I were to tell you why they were at this school, it would take too long.

It took much pity to be an upper class citizen. Though I do not like being looked down on, I felt guilty for casting all the lower class out to the side. Just like an executioner, I tried to ignore the injustices that I was going through.

When I got to my locker after second period, the girls in my group had slipped a note through the vents in my locker. It was written in pink pen on notebook paper. The girly writing read:

"we think (Iris, pandora, Talia) that you should hang out with us at lunch. Just don't bring alex to lunch."

(Yes, this was a monstrosity when it came to their spelling and punctuation) I grabbed the note and hid it in my coat pocket. Then I hurried to my next class.

The voices of students in Study Hall echoed through the air. The tables looked unorderly and there was trash scattered on the ground. It smelled of sweaty gym socks and rotten food. I sat down in the most enclosed corner of Study Hall. Somehow, those girls still managed to find me. But there was one person missing from the pack, but I couldn't quite tell who.

"So, are you coming?" Pandora said, towering over me.

"Come where?" I asked.

"To come sit with us at lunch, silly," said Talia.

"Why couldn't you have just asked me face to face like this?" I asked.

"Because," Iris said. "We can't be caught with Alex; or any of your other friends, for that matter." I gave Iris a cold, dead stare, and then got back to work. The girls eventually trotted back to where they were supposed to be. I was still conflicted on whether I should sit with the girls, or with Alex.

At lunch, Alex and I waited in the line together. I got greasy pizza with big pepperonis and crunchy crust. Alex had chosen chicken alfredo with a breadstick. After entering his lunch number, Alex nodded at the lunch lady then proceeded to a table on the left side of the cafeteria. I soon after, followed him. Then the girls grabbed my shoulder and yanked me back causing me to fall right on my gluteus.

"We don't sit over there," Iris said. "We sit over here." She gestured to a sun-filled grouping of tables with many girls sitting and munching on their lunches. Despite Iris's desperateness, I kept walking to Alex. We ate together and "talked". For that lunch period, Alex actually took off his hood. His eyes were a brilliant green. They stunned me like a ray gun.

In science, I and some other kids were sent down to the computer lab to print work. It was quite boring, for these kids were just bleak 7^th graders who had no regard for me. But, it was an honor to stand around 7^th grade royalty.

Before school ended, Alex texted me inviting me to his house. I snuck to the bathroom and texted my mom. Then, as I walked back to class, the phone buzzed with the response of "Of course" on it.

"So, are you coming?" Alex texted me.

"Yes, I'm coming." I texted back. I met him by my locker. He had put his hood down, and his brilliant green eyes were shining as bright as emeralds. He handed me a note and it read,

"Something happened."

"What happened?" I asked. Then we began to have a conversation over text message.

"My sister," Alex replied.

"What about your sister?" I responded.

"She's…….." I looked over at him, as tears streamed down his face. He collapsed on the ground, pulling his legs to his chest and burying his face in his knees. I knelt next to him, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing. I rubbed his back, as he cried silently (which I never knew was possible until now).

"Come on," I said. "Whoever is picking you up must be waiting for you." Then I took his hand and pulled him up. He wiped his face with his sleeve, then kept on walking. Together, we got into his mom's car. Then, he fell onto the car seat and began to weep. I was still unsure why he was crying, I kept on patting him and feeling confused.

We ended up at the hospital. At first, I really didn't know why we were there, but I somehow got Alex to stop crying and tell me things. I asked "Why are we here?" Then he explained that his sister had gotten into a car crash. (Her name is Melony) Then Alex went back to silent crying as I watched him slowly. It seemed as if Alex was falling into a spiraling pit of despairing doom. Then Alex and I went down to the cafeteria to eat dinner. They were serving Mac n' Cheese. We ate in silence, which we usually did. Alex starred down into his pasta, trying to hold back the tears. Then we went back up stairs and Alex was able to go and see his sister. When he came from seeing his sister, he was in tears. Then he cried himself to sleep as I texted my mom that she could drop some clothes of at the hospital for me. (Then, as most moms do, she worried and I had to explain that Melony was the one injured, and not me) I waited down stairs for my mom, then went back to where Alex was, and tried to sleep.

But Mom refused to let me stay with Alex, and took him home with us. His mom let us, and took her son to our car. When I woke in the morning, Alex was on the floor of my bedroom, snoring. He was laying on a green sleeping bag, a pillow above his head.

It was strange to have Alex in our car. Mom sat in a position of distress, wondering in Alex was going to say something or start crying. When we got to school, I helped the drowsy Alex to his locker, then put my lunch in mine. We walked to class together, Alex placing his hood over his head again. Ms. Madrid looked at Alex, then whispered something in his ear. Alex nodded at her, the proceeded into the classroom.

Sydney was at Study Hall, and could tell that there was something was wrong with Alex. She looked at me, then I explained what had happened. We scooted over to Alex, hugging him, forcing a smile on him. But again, his face drooped like a wilted flower, and put his head against the table. Most of the day carried on like that.

After school, the three of us (me, Alex, and Sydney) hung out. Everyone came over to my house. I grabbed my camcorder and we made a YouTube video.

"Hey guys its Piper and I have some special guests with me today," I said. "We have,"

"Sydney," Sydney said. Then Alex grunted.

"And that's Alex. So every Tuesday we are going to do this show on my channel where we talk about different topics. This week's topic is get to know me. Sydney, why don't you start us off?"

"Well, my name is Sydney. I am 11 years old. My favorite color is blue. My favorite food is shrimp, and I have 1 dog. So, Alex is next."

"I will be reading for Alex. Just imagine me as him. Hi, my name is Alex. I am also 11 years old. My favorite color is green, and I love to eat French fries. My favorite animal is the turtle. Now, my turn. Hey, my name is Piper. I am 11, if you didn't catch on, my favorite color is gold, my favorite food is pie, my favorite animal is the ostrich, and that's a little bit about me. We'll see you next week. Bye!" Then I turned off the camera. We debated on names for our group, then decided on the Weekly Weirdoes. Our first video was called "Welcome to the Weekly Weirdoes!"

A scar had been placed on the heart of Alex. He did not grunt, nor did he text me. It was like his voice had been silenced. At support group, he did not give me something to say for him. I never saw Melony again. I assumed she was going through some intense therapy or decided to switch schools. When Alex began to talk again, he did tell me that Melony was alright. Melony had BIID, a rare disorder when someone feels as if one of their body parts does not belong, and wishes it should be amputated. Melony had tried to injure herself so that one or both of her legs could be amputated. Though, this did not happen. It did result in severe nerve damage to her legs. But there seemed to be an impending doom coming upon Alex, leaving him to be just a husk if a once joyful soul.

The horrible feelings worsened. Later on, Alex got diagnosed with clinical depression. His mother eventually decided to pull him out of school. It would be expected that Alex would be missed, but really, I was the only one who mourned for him. No, it was not like he had died. But seeing him depart was hard, as if we were playing tug of war with my heart. And so goes the story of the wonderful but mysterious Alex. The one who seemed strange, and different. The one who lurked in the shadows. The one who dared to go outside of the box. The one who was free. The one who felt compassion. The one who was sane. There will never again be a time like the rain of Alex.

A few weeks later Alex texted me.

"Dearest Piper,

I have been missing you lately. I would love to see you, but I have developed something like separation anxiety. (I can't really leave Melody's side) I know that I was supposed to make Weekly Weirdoes, but have not gotten around to it. Best wishes,

Alex"

School returned to normal, except for the immortal emptiness I felt. The snow lightened up, but the cold remained. Chilly arctic air surrounded me each day. There was no defeating the winter subduction of the winds. The playgrounds seemed glum each time a swing was left without a butt to comfort it. The decollate plain of children's screams and squeals was partially silenced.

"Do you miss Alex?" I asked Sydney one day at lunch. That day, Alex's seat was feeling particularly cold. I was wondering if anyone missed Alex and (for that matter) if anyone remembered him.

"Who's Alex?" Sydney said.

"Point proved," I said.

"What do you mean?" Sydney asked, confused.

"I knew that no one, with an exception of me, would remember Alex. But, it doesn't really matter right now." Then we continued to eat lunch. Mom had packed a chicken Caesar salad. Sydney was eating pizza and chips. (Sydney, unlike my mom, was not very health conscious) Later that day I asked my friends in my music group if they remembered Alex. The outcome was not surprising.

"Yeah, I don't know who Alex is," Bruce said.

"Me neither," said Logan. We kept on practicing without me bothering them about Alex.

On the ride home from school, I studied the picture that Alex had given me. It seemed like the time that I knew him was so distant, that I could barely remember him giving the drawing to me. The vague memories that I had of him, before the incident with Melony, was when he was grunting in frustration. I never heard him talk, but that was alright. Sometimes, thoughts were best expressed on paper.

I could not stand to look at the drawing, and carelessly shoved it in my backpack. I put my face in my hands, feeling my cold palms against my face. It felt soothing, my chilly filanges against my face, hot with anger. I was on the brink of tears. I just couldn't comprehend how Alex had disappeared like that. I was furious with myself, that I had not gotten to know him better. I brushed my hair from my face. I curled up into a ball, and tried to go to sleep. I let the bumps of the ride rock me to sleep.

The next morning, I did not feel like getting up. I listened to Mom's endless calls, but did not come. I was waiting for Alex to answer my texts. On the bus, I had sent him many texts, in hope that he would come back to school. Somehow, I had hope that Alex was coming back to school. I would just going to wait until he answered my texts before going to school.

"Honey, are you getting up?" My mom asked, prawning at my back. She left some milk and a muffin on my bed-side table, then went back down stairs. I looked at the muffin, then turned to the other side. I had made a point that I was not going to eat that muffin until I knew something, anything, and Alex.

Needless to say, Alex never texted back. Though, I still had faith that he was going to. I stayed in bed for the rest of the week. Each day, a new meal appeared aside me. I would glance at the pain-stakingly made cinnamon roll, or the delicious pancake stack drizzled with syrup, then turn away. Then one day, this hunger strike turned into something much more.

On Saturday, I had no will, nor the intent, to get up. That would count on the fact that today was Support Group day. I was definitely not going to make an appearance today.

Even though I was not properly dressed, nor was I ready to go out into the world, Mom had bribed me into going. She sat me in the car and told me we were going to Starbucks. Even though we did go to Starbucks, I had to go somewhere else. That somewhere else was Support Group.

I sat down in the big black chairs that were used in the echoey room where I met for Support Group, and curled up to sleep. When it came to be my turn, I made a grunting noise, trying to imitate Alex, which resulted in sheer embarrassment and sustaining freckles of utter fear. ( I learned there was a true art to grunting) After that fiasco was over, the group trudged down stairs to the gym. I sat on the elliptical machine, blocking it off from anyone else's use. Some people gawked at the hoard of futile children trying to exercise. To be truthful, I did not blame them for laughing. We were a pretty wretched gaggle of kids, but I had pity on us. But that was not something I was focused on. I was desperately in need of relief from the catastrophe that had just occurred. My fate was pretty much sealed.

Bits and Pieces Chapter 2

On Friday, I met Sydney at the front of the school. The arctic front had not moved, so the wind was pelting us with snow. When we headed inside, I saw Alex waiting in the corner, sitting on a chair. Alex got up and slowly progressed towards us. I began to hurry to our lockers, taking the long way, pulling Sydney through the crowded hallway.

“Hey, where are we going?” she asked.

“We’re going to our lockers,” I said.

“Why are we going this way?”

“Because,” I said. Then we arrived at our lockers, right next to each other. I opened my locker and took out the picture. Sydney looked at it, a puzzled look on her face.

“Alex drew it,” I said.

“Who’s Alex? I have never heard of anyone by the name of Alex at this school,” Sydney said. She looked at my, tilting her head to the side, her eyebrows crooked, a perplexed look on her face. I grabbed the picture and hung it back on my locker. I threw my lunchbox in, then slammed the door.

“Sorry, I didn’t think…”

“So are you going to support group tomorrow?” I asked, quickly changing the subject.

“I think so. Pretty sure I am. Are you going?” Sydney said.

“No, my sister has a big meeting with her tutor, and my mom has to be there. So, I can’t really go,” I answered back. I twiddled with my bun, then walking in the direction of Ms. Madrid’s classroom.

“Hey,” Sydney said, grabbing at my shoulder. “Where are you going? I have one more thing to tell you.”

“Well, make it quick. I don’t want to be late to class.”

“I switched my school days to Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Isn’t that exciting?”

“Ya, now I gotta go. Bye!” I said, waving back at Sydney. I was paying so much attention to her that I ran into a big seventh grader. A girl next to them offered my her hand, pulling my up. I looked at her, feeling shy just waved to express my gratitude.  I kept walking back to my class.

During class, I could feel Alex staring at me, his/her eyes burning hole in my neck. Ms. Madrid kept on reading, though my focus was on Alex. Once Ms. Madrid passed back our test, my mind was off to something else. I read the red writing on my test. It said:

94% Nice job, Piper! A

Alex then scooted towards me, noticing I was focused on my test. Alex handed over a card that said, “Meet me at the water fountains outside of the cafeteria during lunch. –Alex” I looked back at Alex, and he/she nodded, then receded back to the dimly lit corner where he/she originally was.  

“So, are you going to go, or what?” Sydney asked, holding up the note in Study Hall.

“I, really don’t know,” I said.

“Well, lunch is next period, so you better make up your mind quick.”

“I know, I know. This whole thing is just…. I’ll go just to see what happens.”

“Can I come?”

“I don’t know. If we can find Alex, I will right Alex a note. Or if I can find out Alex’s locker, I will put the note in his or her locker.”

“What do you mean, his or her?”

“I can’t really tell if Alex is a boy or a girl.”

 “Oh, I see.” Then we started to work on our homework as the rest of people in Study Hall boomed. I kept glancing at the note, wondering what Alex was going to do. I kept working on my Social Studies. I tried to focus on my good grade on the test, but the idea of what Alex was going to do was compelling and my mind kept wandering. After completing my homework, I decided that I would talk to Sydney about what movies we were going to watch today.

Oh, oh, oh! I have one!” Sydney said, jumping up and down.

“Put it on the list,” I said, pointing to a piece of paper labeled Movies. By the end of Study Hall we had come up with a list of 5 movies.

The Parent Trap

A Walk to Remember

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

Magic in the Moonlight

Pitch Perfect

After that, Sydney and I went to English, where (luckily) Alex was not. For 20 minutes we talked about the book we were reading, The City of Ember. The book was not very interesting. It was so boring that the night before, I had refused to do my reading or answer my questions. So for the first 20 minutes of class, I sat there staring blankly out the window for there was nothing academically nourishing about the discussion the class was having. The Miss Dodd handed out work sheets about analyzing the major event that had just happened. I looked down at the paper, looking for any type of lead that would help me. When Miss Dodd saw that I seem confused, she strided over to me.

“Piper, are you having trouble with something?” Miss Dodd asked.

“No, I kind of need my book,” I said.

“Then why don’t you get it out.”

“It is….. It is…… It’s in my……… It’s in my locker.”

“Then I give you permission to go and get your book.”

“Okay so, here’s the thing. I do need the book, just to read the part we…. Actually, I don’t need it. Ya, I don’t need it. Oh and I don’t need this worksheet either,” I said, ripping the sheet in half, then into smaller pieces.

“Piper, will you…” Miss Dodd said.

“No, I am not going to do any more suffering by reading this book. Nope, not gonna do it.  Sorry Miss Dodd, I just don’t like suffering” I said, brushing the pieces of paper of my desk and onto the floor. I was practically saved by the bell as it rang, right before Miss Dodd could respond. Our class flooded into the hallway, Sydney and I being rushed out into the hallway.

“Are you just gonna wait there?” Sydney asked, seeing me standing by the water fountain.

“Yep,” I said.

“Well okay,” Sydney said going back into the cafeteria. I heard some grunting then Alex emerged from the crowd of people holding two packs of index cards. Alex held one out to me gesturing to grab one. I took a pack, then pulled out a pen from my pocket. Alex began to write something, then handed the card to me it read: Thanks for coming. Respond on your card. I wrote: No prob. So why aren’t you talking? After exchanged cards, it went a little something like this.

Alex: Speech Disorder

Me: Oh, I see. Bi-polar

Alex: Interesting, never knew. Suspected something worse.

Me: Good thing it’s not

Alex: Ya, I agree. Do you want to eat lunch together?

Me: If you take off the hood.

Alex: Fine, I will

After Alex responded the last time, we both looked at each other before Alex took of the hood. Alex revealed that she/he was a he. He also revealed shaggy brown hair and vibrant green eyes. He was actually very good looking. Then we took out lunches into the cafeteria and sat down with Sydney.

“Are you still going to talk in grunts?” I asked.

Alex (writing down then showing): Yes

“Can I talk with you, too?” Sydney asked.

Alex: It’s fine with me

“How come I never noticed you?” Sydney asked.

Alex: I transferred here 2 weeks age, I am shy, and I am mute. Plus, you only come 1 day a week.

“That makes sense and I am now coming two days a week,” Sydney said.

Alex: Cool (Drawing of someone with sunglasses on)

“Alex is a really good artist. He drew that picture of me that’s in my locker,” I said.

“Oh, wow. Alex, you are good.” Sydney said.

Alex: 1^st Thank you. 2ond, I feel honored to have my art in your locker.

“I’m glad it’s in my locker,” I said. As lunch progressed, we had small conversations just like this one. Even though Alex was mute, he was (metaphorically) a chatter box. My next period was band. I had to say bye to Alex and Sydney as I went to band with all the snobby music nerds.

 When I got to the band room, I headed straight to the back to get my flute. I sat next to this girl named Quinn who played the clarinet. To the other side of me was another person who played the flute named Flynn. Flynn had on a blue long-sleeve polo with jeans. Quinn was wearing a soft white sweater with a flowy purple and white polka-dot skirt along with some light blue leggings. Part of her hair was pinned back with a light blue bow, while the rest of her blond, curly hair was down. Flynn had the same curly blond hair as Quinn, for they were brother and sister. Flynn was born with cerebral palsy, and Quinn had developed some sort of anxiety disorder where she can’t be separated from her brother for more that 20 minutes. They were in all of the same classes, and always seated next to each other. If you haven’t caught on, the kids at my school have a lot of special treatment.

“Everyone, hope you have some jazz song and a group of two or three. I will be at my desk if you need anything,” said our music teacher, Mr. Troy. I got together with my group of Matthew and Josh. The song we had decided on was the Swinging Shepard Blues. The whole time, I played without any disturbances. When Alex was in a class with me, or even when Alex wasn’t in a class with me, I would always focus on that. Now my mind was free!

“Ready?” Sydney asked.

“I am so ready,” I said. We walked out of school, stomping on the fluffy, white snow. We quickly found my mom’s car, a silver Lexus. We drove over to the Barnes and Noble right by our school.

“So, what do you want to get?” I asked Sydney.

“Well, Iris recommended that I read a book called The Fault in Our Stars. It’s by John Green.”

“Oh well go nerdfighteria! I think I’m just going to buy This Star Won’t Go Out.  Maybe also Paper Towns which is written by John too.” Once Sydney found the book, she brought it to me so I could read the back and reviews, and see the summary.

“I don’t think this is a good book for you” I said to Sydney.

“Why? It seems like a perfectly fine book.” Sydney said.

“It’s about cancer patients. That always promises bad things,” I said.

“I am reading it. Then I can connect even more.” Sydney got the book, and I bought my book. When we got home, we turned on the TV and waited for Mom to make the mini-pizza bites for out snack. The news was on.

“Hey, look. That says something about bi-polar disorder,” Sydney said, pointing at the TV.  The story told about a boy who in an episode of depression jumped off a building and killed himself.

“Wow, that’s scary, Sydney said.

“I really hope I don’t do something like that. Now I have to go upstairs to, go to the bathroom,” I said, running up the stairs. I began to start pacing in the cramped bathroom. My chest started to heave back and forth. Then everything went black.

When I woke up, my mom explained that I had passed out. Sydney had eaten the pizza bites, but had not started to watch the movies.

“What was that all about?” She asked.

“I….. I got scared about that person on the news. I started to hyper-ventilate, then I must have passed out. I don’t remember much about it though.” I said. Then we sat in silence and watched our movies. Occasionally stopping after one movie ended to talk. Then, at 10:30, Sydney’s mom came to pick her up. I went to bed, the traumatic story still on my mind.

The next day I slept in. When I awoke, I could smell the pumpkin pancakes Mom was cooking downstairs. I could hear Evelyn blow-drying her hair in her room. I put on my big robe and went down stairs. Jerry was sitting at the table eating pancakes. I sat down across the table from him and waited for Mom to bring me some pancakes.

“Good morning,” Mom said to me as she handed over my pancakes. “Ready to go to your support group?”

“No,” I said. I was never ready to go to support group. But my mind was suddenly taken to another subject when Evelyn came down the stairs. She was wear a captivating black skirt, a white collared shirt with a red bow tie on it, and red leggings. Her makeup was done flawlessly; her hair in effortless curls. She cascaded down the stairs, sitting next to me at the table then pulling out her phone.

“You look ni.” I said.

“Shhhhh,” she said, quickly interrupting me. Mom noticed the behavior, then walked over to the table.

“You know that I have a strict no-phones at the table policy,” Mom said, grabbing the Monster’s phone from her hands.

“Hey! I was in the middle of posting something on Twitter,” the Monster said, lashing out at mom.

“I told you, no phones during a meal,” Mom said. Her eyes were glaring at the Monster, her burning stare catching her off guard. The Monster blinked, then looked away. She finally surrendered and sat down at the table.  She started to pick at her food, throwing sly looks at Mom. After Jerry left the table, the Monster abruptly got up and stormed to the door. She yanked her coat off of the coat rack, the pulling her beret off the rack as well. She pulled on her boots, and began to open the door.

“Hey,” Mom said. “Where are you going on a day like this? Its -2 degrees outside. You are staying here until we go to your appointment.” When Mom said this, the Monster pulled off her winter gear, threw it on the ground, and stormed up to her room. She locked herself in there for the next two hours until it was time for her appointment.

When it was time to go, I went with mom and Evelyn. Mom dropped me off at support group and took Evelyn over to her appointment.

Support group was at the rec center. (The Mary Lou Everest Community Center to be exact) I went through the front doors and went to the Community Room (Pike’s Peak Community Room) reserved for support group. There was mostly just people from school. There Sydney had thought I was not coming, so did not come today. Surprisingly,  Alex was there. I walked over to Alex, his hood still over his face. I sat next to him pulling out my index cards and a pen. He started to write something, then handed it to me.

Alex: Can you tell the leader dude about my condition?

Me (In writing this time): Sure, just write your specific request.

Alex: Okay: My name is Alex, I have a speech disorder which means I am basically mute. Though, I do speak in grunts sometimes. I communicate with my cards her. I am 11 years old.

Me: I can fulfil your request.

Then the support group leader, Gigi, began.

“Hey, so I guess we should start with an introduction. This is the Child Illness Support Group. My name is Gigi, and I was once where you were. When I was 7, I got diagnosed with extreme depression. I have always had it ever since. Now, I am 25 and living like a normal person. Now, I want everyone to do the same.” So then everyone went around the circle and introduced themselves. Then it came to me.

“Well, my name is Piper. I am 11 years old. I have bi-polar disorder. I was diagnosed at the age of 6. Bi-polar disorder means you’re either really really high, or really really low. And today I will be speaking for my friend here.” Then I sat down and began to read Alex’s card.

“My name is Alex, I have a speech disorder which means I am basically mute. Though, I do speak in grunts sometimes. I communicate with my cards her. I am 11 years old.” Then once the circle had gone all the way around, we talked about experiences, shared tips, then went down stairs and played with the exercise equipment. This was the normal routine for support group. Then Alex handed me a note.

Alex: Is this what always happens?

Then I answered back “Ya, basically.”

Alex: Well that’s swell.

“You can call it whatever you want, but I kind of have to go,” I said.

Alex: I will come next week. Will you?

“I guess, but it’s not really my thing. But whatever.” Then Alex got on the bike and started to grunt in frustration. I came over to him, repositioned him, then it seemed easier for him. When Support Group was finally over, I walked out with Alex. I said bye, then went over to my mom’s car.

“How was it?” she asked.

“Fine,” I said.

“Who is the kid in the black?” Mom asked.

“That’s Alex. Don’t worry about him.” Then Mom turned on the stereo and blasted my favorite songs. Evelyn was tuned into her phone, and did not notice.

When we got home, mom made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. Evelyn requested tomato soup, then took it up to her room and spent the majority of her day up there. While the rest of my day was spent reading The Fault in Our Stars. I had decided to get it on my tablet so I could read along with Sydney. Then, Sydney video called me and we chatted for a long time.

“Guess what I did today?” I asked Sydney.

“I don’t know, what?” said Sydney.

“I actually went to Support Group.”

“I thought you said you weren’t going today.”

“Alex and I hung out there. Plus I didn’t plan on going. Mom just dropped me off.”

“Oh, for a second there it sounded like you were ditching me. Anyway, all I did was sleep and eat.”

“Well, that’s cool. Now I have to go. I am getting really into The Fault in Our Stars.” Then I hung up the call and went back to reading. My eyes darted back and forth like Ping-Pong balls. I gravitated towards the plot and story line. The books pulled me in further and further in. Then, in the midst of my great novel, mother called to me. I rushed downstairs to eat dinner and get back to reading. Mom had made home-made Mac n’ Cheese. Our family sat in silence and ate without a word spoken. Mom did not have to condemn any electronics, Jerry did not utter a word, and, like usual, Evelyn didn’t say anything. This might have been the best family dinner I ever had.

Bits and Pieces Chapter 1

When I got off the bus, I flung my backpack onto the ground, flopping onto the sofa next to it. I turned onto my side, feeling a sudden urge to to sleep. After many minutes of not saying anything or expressing any emotion, my mom called to me.

"You doing it alright?" she asked. I rolled to my other side then answered,

"Ya, just fine."

"Okay, just checking," she said.  I had not had an episode any time near that, but Mom was always worrying. 

After taking time to rest, I grabbed my bag from off the floor. I rummaged through it, taking out crumpled papers and pens out in the process. When I finally found my homework, I set the bag aside, and began to work on my vocabulary. I grabbed my tablet to look up the words on Dictionary.com. I scribbled the definitions messily in the spaces provided. Once I finished that and the rest of my homework, I went to the living room.

The living room was lofty with fake velvet chairs, a wooden coffee chair, and tall lamps. We had a big flat screen with a Wii console next to it. There was a long cabinet below the TV holding Wii games, movies, and the TV manual (in case my step-dad forgot how to record something). I took a leap onto the sofa, landing on a burgundy throw pillow. I seized the remote, turning on Switched at Birth. 

"So, what are you in the mood for tonight?" Mom asked.

"Uh, do you mean food or something eles?" I asked.

"I mean food," she said.

"Oh, maybe like uh....." I drew a blank. "How about pie?"

"No. First of all, I don't have enough time, nor the supplies to make pie. Second, you cannot have just pie for dinner."

"What about chicken pot pie? That is still pie, just more of a savory type of pie."

"Let me see if I can make it," Mom said, walking back into the kitchen. I really just wanted Mom to make something that takes a lot of time so I could video chat with Sydney. Sydney was my friend who lived in all the way in Parker. While I lived in Denver. Sydney was from school. Though, I only saw her on Fridays. Since we were both quote un-quote sick, we needed a flexible school life. I went the whole week because I didn't have major problems a lot, unlike Sydney. Sydney had cancer, leukemia. So I would always chat with her as much as I could over the interet. But, our friendship survived.

"I have all the stuff toa make chicken pot pie. Is that what you want, Piper?" Mom asked, as she entered the living room again.

"Ya, that's good. Can we have pink lemonade?" I asked.

"Well, we don't have the materials to make it, but I will call Jerry, I mean Dad and ask if he can pick up some frozen stuff."

"Kay," I said. Then I went upstairs to see if my sister would lend her laptop to me.

"Evelyn, can I use your computer?" I asked, entering her room.

 Evelyn's room was painted lavender with a big bed with a pink bedspread and lots of pillows. She had a antique dresser, a huge walk-in closet, and big pink rug. Her laptop was on top of her bed, leaving an empty spot on her vanity between all the makeup and nail polish. I saw that Evelyn was on her phone, so I said louder,

"Can I use your computer?"

"Hey got to go," Evelyn said into the phone. "My sister needs something. TTYL IYL."

"So, for the third time, can I use your computer?" I asked, feeling slightly iritated. 

"What's your problem? And no, you can't use my laptop. Just go use the family one."

"Why can't I?" 

"Can you just get out? I am trying to update my social media."

"Whatever," I said, walking out of her bedroom. I went back down stairs and logged into my ChatTime account. I went to my contacts and called Sydney. The light on the camera blinked green. On my screen, Sydney's screen appeared black. Then, her face magically materialized. I waved, then said hi. 

"Hey Piper!" Sydney said.

"Sydney," I said. "Where are you?"

"Oh, at the hospital. Ya, I am having my blood tested. No worries. I guess we have never video called when I was at the hospital. Sorry, I didn't mean to freak you out or anything."

"No, you didn't freak me out. So how are you. Any breaking news?"

"Well, my arm hurts, but I think that's just from the needles in my arm. I got a CT scan yesterday because there was supposedly some suspicious (air quotes around suspicious) activity. I'm not worried though. Ya know, normal stuff. How about you?"

"It's good that nothing bad has come up. Well, I assume. Anyway, I am doing pretty good. I went to the therapist yesterday. Uh, I got an A on my math test. Evelyn is her normal annoying self. Let's see, the therapist assigned a journal thing that I have to do. Besides that, well, nothing much has happened since last time we talked."

"Honey, you were so right. This Piper girl is so nice," chimed in a random voice in the background.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"It was me," said a young nurse in Whinnie-the-Pooh scrubbs. She waved then said "I'm just Sydney's nurse. I take care of all her blood work. It's a lot. Sydney has told me a lot about you, Piper." I looked at Sydney. She was blushing as bright as a tomato. 

"Thanks Sydney. An thanks uh,"

"It's Vanessa," the nurse sporting Pooh said.

"Well, I have to go. We're going to talk to my team. But first, dinner. I'm just gonna get some grub down stairs. Bye, Piper."

"Bye Sydney. I will talk to you tomorrow?" 

"Yep, sounds good. Remember, DFTBA."

"OSWGO" I said. (OSWGO means Our Star Won't Go Out. If you want more a an actual explantion of this only the original saying go to http://tswgo.org/) Then Sydney disappeared from the screen. After the call was over, I went to my e-mail to e-mail Sydney. 

"Hey Sydney!

So do you want to like go to the book store on Friday? I thought we could go the one by school. We could look at John Green books and stuff. Then we could do a screening at my house of like a million different movies. Just hanging and stuff. Tell me what you think. DFTBA OSWGO

Piper"

Then I sent it. Two minutes later, Sydney had wrote a response, (She always has her Ipad with her)

"Wuz up, Pipe Squeak? I talked to my mom and she said yes. Of course, I would say yes just have to check if it fits in my schedule. See you on Friday!

Sydney"

Yes, she calls me Pipe Squeak. That's just our thing. It's kind of true because I am shorter than her. After I looked at my social media, I decided to film a YouTube video. I had a YouTube channel that helped me cope with all the stuggles in my life. I had my own weird disorder, my parents had divorced, my best friend had cancer, and my sister was snobby,bossy, mean, and sassy. My life was totally disfunctional, but I dealed with it.

I turned on our camera, then sat down and filmed a video about an update on my life. 

"Hey guys, so I'm just going to do like an update on my life, I guess. So therapy is going the same. No real progress, but I am not getting worse. Let's see, my friend, Sydney. So she is just getting her blood work, ya know, normal stuff for her. She just got a CT scan yesterday, but we think it went well. Fingers crossed, right. Parents wise, nothing has happened in that category. Mom and Jerry, status, together. The wedding was last month, but I did an OOTD on the wedding day. School, my grades are all still good. No episodes lately. That really annoying Bella, the yapping Yorkshire, is still here. While Milo feels mutual towards her. That's about all. So subsribe, like, and DFTBA. Bye!" Then I stopped the recording. I loaded it onto YouTube. Though, I waited a while before posting for I was struggling with what I should call it. Then Jerry walked in. He put his hat on the rack, hung up his coat, took of his boots, then walked over to where I was.

"Whatcha doing, kiddo?" He asked, leaning over my shoulder.

"Making a video," I said.

"What's it about?" He asked.

"Stuff," I said as I rolled my eyes.

"I got the lemonade you asked for."

"Cool."

"Cool." Then an absence of voices carried out the conversation. I stopped editing, and waited till her left. When he was finally in the kitchen, I could hear some muffled talking between Mom and Jerry. I could tell that they were talking about me. Jerry still couldn't get the hints that I would like him to leave, I did not except his presence, and would be totally fine if he was not here. But, I knew that he "loved" Mom, was supporting her, and was helping with my problems. I just felt like Mom was trying to replace Dad. Dad was a perfectly fine man, and I didn't see why Mom divorced him. I tryed to ignore the talking and kept on working on my video. 

I had just uploaded "The Struggle is Real" on my channel when Sydney video called me. I answered it. 

"Hey Sydney, how's it going?" I asked.

"Good, good. So do you want to go into my team meeting with me? I think you're a pretty important part of my team. You and my family are my biggest supporters. You've been there with me for the whole journey." It was true. I actually at the hospital, in the room when Sydney was diagnosed. I was the only one who was not her family. I've been there for her all the time ever since. We both used to go to regular schools, but that was before my case got more severe, and before Sydney got diagnosed. 

"Well, I'm here for you," I said. Then Sydney started walking over to an area where a bunch of doctors, a social worker, therapist, finacial person, and her dad were siting. Sydney took a seat next to her dad, and pointed me towards the big group of people. They began to talk about how they should advance in Sydney's treatment. Her parents talked, then the group asked Sydney about her view, how she wants to go forward, and what adjustments should be made. Then the team actually asked me for my suggestions.

"I think," I said clearly. "That if there is some way to move Sydney's treatment closer to her, it might beat coming all the way up to Highlands Ranch. Also, are the results of the CT scan from yesterday in?"

'That is a great idea, ma'm. Now, there is not a way to do that because the kind of treatment Sydney is receiving is not available anywhere else in the state. Also, we do not have the results of the CT scan. Any other questions or concerns?" said a man in a grey suit that matched the grey in his hair. 

"Uh, no. I think all my questions are answered for the moment." I said. The meeting proceeded. After that, Sydney and I said bye, OSWGO, DFTBA, the usual. Then I went into the kitchen to have dinner. Mom and Jerry had waited for me before they had dinner. Jerry went upstairs to get Evelyn, then we went on to eat dinner. Mom as she had said, made chicken pot pie. Jerry's lemonade was in a jug on the table. Being the super-hero that she was, Mom even made a couple pies with tofu for Evelyn. (Evelyn is a vegetarian) Mom is a super-hero because she cares for a kid with Bi-polar disorder, a vegetarian with dyslexia and an attitude, and got through a divorce.

After about five minutes of eating in silence, we had noticed that Evelyn had not eaten. Being a normal teenager, she was absorbed in her phone. The light from the phone illuminated her face making her look unnaturally pale. 

"Are you going to eat?" Mom asked Evelyn.

"Did you put tofu in it?" she asked in response. 

"Yes."

"Fine."

"Then put down the phone. You know how I feel about electronics at the table." Mom looked at Evelyn with a stern face.

"What ever," Evelyn said, putting down the phone next to her plate. She began to pick at her food, a blank look across her face. It was apparent that Evelyn did not want to eat her food. I kept on eating. Mom had made a decedent meal. I finished my food quite fast. But what I really wated wqas to eat dinner with Sydney.

The next morning was penatrated by despicable arctic cold front. The trees were coated in frost like a sprinking of Confectioner's sugar. The window had a sheet a snowflakes covering it like a blanket. My wood floor was cold and frigid. I could smell the brewing of hot chocolate down stairs. I rushed to get donw staris. On my way to the kitchen, I knocked on Evelyn's door.

On the counter was a yogurt parfait next to a ceramic mug steaming with hot chocolate (I assume). I went over and sat at the counter. Mom was preparing out lunches. Mine was last night’s left overs to be warmed at school in the microwave. Evelyn, also something to warm up, warm plain pasta and a fruit salad. I began to devour my parfait, spooning the strawberry yogurt into my mouth. Some yogurt dripped from my chin, falling onto my pajama pants. Then Evelyn stormed down the stairs.

“Okay, who woke me up from my sleep?” Evelyn asked. There was utter silence. No one wanted to mess with the Monster. The Monster was a name Evelyn had earned from her excessive bossiness and unruly judgment. Then she said,

“WHO WOKE ME UP!?” The silence lingered like a stain on a coffee mug. No one wanted to admit to this crime. For thou who did would be prosecuted, then suffer and horrible death. The Monster squinted her eyes and looked over me and Mom. Mom continued to make lunch, and I tried to ignore her deathly stare.

“Fine, I did. I just wanted you to get up on time and not be late to school. It was for the best,” I admitted.

“Well, that’s just fine and dandy, NOT! Just let me be! Ugh!” Evelyn stomped back upstairs, then returned hearing the monstrous growl of her stomach.  She sat down next to me, eating her parfait. Then she went upstairs to get ready. I finished my parfait in silence, then galloped back upstairs.

My clothing was sitting in my dark bathroom. Mom had picked out a grey sweater dress and some tribal print leggings. I had to admit, it was pretty cute. I lazily put on my outfit, becoming a slug as I was not quick to brush my teeth, wash my face, or brush my hair. I did all of those things, then sent Sydney another message.

“Do you have the results of the CT scan? Not that I’m worried, just curious. DFTBA and remember OSWGO! See you Friday,

Piper”

Then I went to browse my YouTube Channel. I noticed the Evelyn. Her YouTube account was still logged in. I decided to do some snooping on MissEveygrl. I had noticed that she had viewed my video. I knew it wasn’t right, but I was still compelled to look. An e-mail from Sydney finally interrupted my search. I went back to my inbox to check the message.

“Hey, I think I may have gotten them back in the mail. Why don’t we open them together. I will have my mom open them, but we will open it together. And NOT over a video call. On Friday, not at school. It is personal, so don’t tell anyone unless it, actually no exceptions. See you soon, too. DFTBA OSWGO.

Sydney”

Right before I was able to reply, Mom called for me to get on the bus. I hurried to the door, almost tripping on myself. I rushed onto the bus, sitting next to some random kid with a speech disorder.

“Hey Piper,” he said in a slur.

   We sat in silence as the bumpy ride bounced us up and down. When we got to school, Isaac and I went our seperate ways. I went over to another one of my friends. Her name was Iris. She had bright blue streak through her hair, matching her crystal clear blue eyes. I looked down at her, fiddling with her locker. 

"I thought someone was stalking me," Iris said, turning around to look at me. Her clear, clean blue eyes were rotting into my soul. She flashed me a bright white smile, then tucked a blue tendril of hair behind her ear. 

"I guess I was," I said. I smiled back. Iris moved toward me, grabbing her backpack from off the ground. Her short hair swished as her body got closer to the ground. We went to 1^st period together. Our first period was Social Studies.

“Hello class” Ms. Madrid, our Social Studies teacher said. “Now, please get out your text books and go to page 97. There is a page on Roman dress. Please follow along as we read.” I pulled out my book, it weighing down my arms.  Ms. Madrid began reading. When we finally finished reading, she said to find partners. Many people surrounded Iris, wanting to use her intellectual power, she was also way cooler than me. I decided to go with someone who was in the back. Word on the streets was that this mysterious stranger had just transferred here. Their name was Alex. People had said that Alex had some sort of eye “thing” going on so he/she was partially blind. Alex had not revealed their identity, for they had kept a dark hood over their face and wore other dark clothes. Alex had skinny, thin limbs and was quite slim.

“So, I will get the paper and we will just fill out the questions,” I said. Alex nodded in agreement. We began to work on the questions. Alex silently answered, while I asked questions that Alex ignored. Though it didn’t bother me, for this school was filled with many wackos.  

“Okay everyone, if you are done with the sheet, then please turn it in.  When you are done, then you can either study for the test tomorrow,” said Ms. Madrid. I got up and set the sheet in the basket, assuming that we were done. I sat down and began to flip through my notes. Alex slowly approached, suddenly standing over me, casting a dark shadow across my desk.

“Do you want something?” I asked Alex. Alex made a grunting noise, then sat down next to me. Then Alex turned his/her head towards me and said,

“Uf,” then made a snarling sound and then more grunting. Alex took out his/her notebook for his/her sweatshirt. Alex flipped through it, then stopping on a page with anime drawings of CreepyPasta characters. Alex grunted again, then pushed the notebook towards me. Alex’s fingers came out of their sleeves, scraping his/her nails along the page. I picked up the drawings, admiring the great artistic skills Alex clearly had. While Alex was not possess good social skills, Alex sure was good.

“These look nice. Are they, Creepy Pasta Drawings?” I said. Alex made a noise like a balloon deflating, then snatched the drawing from my hands. Alex began to flip through the pages again, stopping on a picture of a girl with long hair and big eyes. Alex put the book back in my hands then sniffled. I looked at the drawing then saw the title at the bottom. It was “Piper the Pulchritudinous”.

 

“Why, thank you. This is a very…. Na, na, nice drawing,” I said. I was speechless, and very creeped out. But, I was flattered. Someone had taken the time to notice my beauty. Though, it was very strange and creepy that I had not known that someone was staring at me enough to draw this detailed picture.