Announcement!

Hello! This is storyblogger77 coming to you on 4/8/2015. So, I haven't written anything in a while. I can't really explain my recent recluseness. Though, I can announce that I am participating in a writing event! (The nerdiest event, besides NerdCon)

I AM PARTICIPATING IN CAMP NANOWRIMO 2015!!!!!

So, there's my announcement. I will be posting the summary, then my first chapter. I want to get your reaction before I post more chapters.

Now, NaNo info. 

Word Goal: 30,000

Words Per Day: 1,000

Current Word Count: 7362

Novel Category: Historical Fiction

View: Varied 1st Person

That's the NaNo info, for you guys. I will be giving a daily update throughout the whole month on Wattpad, so you can see how I'm going on there. I am going to try to start doing Weekly Tips, again. But, I won't be posting short stories this month. I will, eventually. That's the monthly plan, for now. 

DFTBA!

Yours Truly,

storyblogger77

Bits and Pieces Chapter 6

Chapter 6: United Freaks

                "So, why did you come to me with this?" My therapist asked, sitting across from me in her spinning seat. She had her hands placed on her mahogany desk. 

"Here's the thing, I didn't come to you. My mom forced me to come here. If it were my choice, I would never come here. But, obviously it is not my choice," I said.

"Well then, why did your mom bring you here?"

"You don't understand do you? Yeah, neither does my mom." I laughed and smiled. "So, my friend is dying and my other friend died. Oh yeah, and like half of all the kids at my school are going to die so I can't really make friends or express any emotion to anyone. But, I just can't do that. I can't....can't.....can't...can't, I can't do this!" I rushed out of the room like I had during the interview earlier that day. 

"Whoa, why are you crying?" My mom asked when I my wet face landed in her lap. I collapsed onto the ground and wept. "Everything is going to be alright." Mom started to stroke my head. This did not make me feel better. I started to hyper-ventilate. 

On the way home, I sat in silence. Most everyone else in the car was silent except for Evelyn. She would occasionally snicker at something she read on her phone. I shook my head and finally said,

"Why do I have to go here?" I asked. I didn't know why I went here. No one understood me.

'They understand you," my mom said. I snickered.

"Sure they do," I said, half-truthfully. If they understood me, they could actually make me feel better. I can't even believe my own mother doesn't understand me. I can't hold on or care about anyone. Everything always ends up in some sort or giant explosion the splatters depression all over me. And, I can't even love my best friend.

"We're home," Mom said, interrupting my thoughts. I walked in the house and dropped my bag on the floor by the coat rack. I went into the kitchen to get a snack. I pulled open the freezer and got some peanut butter. Why my mom puts peanut butter in the fridge, I don't know. I got some crackers to dip in the peanut butter and went into the living room. I sat on the couch and opened up my phone. I noticed I had a message from an unknown number I clicked on the message and listened to it. 

"Hello Piper. This Sydney's mom. I uh...I have some bad news. I'm sorry that I have to say this, but Sydney went in a comma. She uh... collapsed during 5th period, and she was taken away in an ambulance. We are at Children’s (referring to the hospital right by our school) if you would like to come and see her. I uh, hope to see you here. We are on the 3rd floor in room 347. We will be waiting for you. (crying) I have to go." I dropped my phone, letting the dead static hang around as I ran to go get my mom. She was in her bathroom and already had changed into her PJ's. 

"Ma, I uh, Syd com-c-c-com," I tried to tell her that I needed to see Sydney, but my mouth was broken. My brain couldn't function. I just stood, there, making a fool of myself and stuttering. For once, Evelyn actually saved me. 

"Mom, I, well I shouldn't have done this but I looked on Piper's phone. And, I listened to a message from Sydney's parents. And, we need to get to Children's right now." Then Evelyn pulled Mom aside and, I assume, told Mom about everything that happened. I grabbed PJ's and a toothbrush; I assumed that I would be spending the night with Sydney. 

When I got to the hospital, I shuddered. The smell of latex gloves and medicine reminded me of that one time that I had to go to a metal institution. I had also been to this hospital many times since I went to visit Sydney every time she was here. I looked around, seeing the overly happy rainbows and other childish decorations. I heard screams in the back and crying from a devastated parent. My mom rushed off to the car, whispering something in Evelyn's ear.

"Mom said that she was just called to work for an immediate dispatch or something. So, we have to stay here with Sydney's parents," said Evelyn, pulling out her phone. "Go visit your friend." So I walked up to receptionist desk and asked if I could go see Sydney. 

"Do you have a guardian with you?" She asked in a sweet southern voice. She had wrinkles all over her face and her hands were slightly shaking. I could tell she was here to cheer up the kids. I nodded towards Evelyn and she gave me the go ahead signal. I grabbed Evelyn's wrist without time to explain. 

“Where are we going?” Evelyn asked as we got onto the elevator. When she realized that I was holding her wrist, she pulled it away.

“We’re going to see Sydney,” I said, smiling. Then the elevator beeped and the doors open. The place was decorated so it looked happy and cheerful. But from all the crying, the smell of pee, and all the strange beeping. Besides that, the level of the hospital Sydney was on was devastatingly glum.

I walked over to room 347 and found Sydney. She had a mask on her face and a bandage around her small bald head. I slowly walked over, reaching for her hand. I just stood there, clutching Sydney’s hand and looking at her pale, bruised face.

“What happened to her?” I asked when I had sat down. I was still holding her hand.

“Well, she took quite a tumble and hit her head. That’s why it’s bandaged. Why is in the comma and fell in the first place, we don’t know,” said her mom. I nodded. I just sat on the edge of her bed and smiled down at her. Even though Sydney couldn’t speak or hear what I was saying, I leaned in to whisper to her.

“Hey, I came. I will stay as long as you need me. My mom might not want that, but I will. I’ll be there all the time, no matter what. So, just remember that our star won’t go out and don’t forget to be awesome.” Then I place my hand on her head. Just then, a nurse rushed in.

“We have to take her,” she said, walking towards Sydney. They strapped her to a rolling table and put a pillow under her head. I got up and walked with the nurse. “Where are you going?” She asked.

“I’m coming with you, I promised Sydney,” I said, grabbing her hand.

“No, you’re not,” the nurse said, starting to walk faster. But, I kept walking with them. “Well, sweetie, you can’t. You can stand outside the door and watch.”

“But I promised her that I would stay, no matter what. If this is the no matter what then so be it. But I am going to stay with her!” I protested.

“Keep your voice down,” she said. I quieted down. “Maybe if your guardian can come in and watch, you can stand in the room where I stand. Actually, no, not going to happen. Sorry, rules are rules.” She smirked and ran off with Sydney. But I raced to her. They had already gone into the room and shut the door. But I opened it and went into the X-ray room.

“Sorry, you can’t be in here,” said another doctor, coming to the door.

“But, you didn’t open the blinds. If I can’t be in there with my best friend, can I at least watch through the window?” I asked, staring at the very handsome doctor.

“Well, that I can do. I thought since you were with Janet she would open the blinds for you.” After the man went into the room and locked the door, he opened the blinds for me. (I had assumed that the rude nurse was Janet.) Not that I didn’t trust the doctors, I just promised Sydney that I would watch her. I saw the doctors place her onto another table. Before the started the machine, they took off her bandage and put on a new one. She had a pretty nasty gash on her forehead, but I didn’t turn away. Then she placed the weird contraption over Sydney and started the machine. The doctors went into a small cove-like hiding spot inside the room and watched the machine. The male doctor looked over at me and gave me the thumbs up. I smiled back and saw Janet role her eyes.

After what seemed like forever, which was an hour, Sydney was done. She hadn’t woken up, but she laid peacefully on the table. The doctors came out of their spot and pulled Sydney out of the machine. They took her off and put her back on the rolling table. Then Janet came out and went down the hallway. She came back, wheeling a wheelchair. Then they doctors strapped Sydney in and brought her out of the room.

“So, how was it from you view?” Asked the male doctor.

“Pretty good,” I said. Then I tried to reach for the handle. But Janet’s hand slammed on the handle and her grip tightened. It was like she was purposely making me mad. But I took the other handle and swept the chair away from her.

“Thank you very much,” I said as I steered the wheel chair to Sydney’s room.

“Well, you have to leave for testing that I have to do on her.”

“But, can’t I just stay, for this tiny little test?” I asked. I made the sad puppy-dog face and thought about how Sydney would respond.

“I….fine,” said Janet.

“First, can I have a moment with her?” Sydney’s parents stepped out of the room, but Janet just stood there. I tilted my head and she left. She crossed her arms and turned around angrily. I scooted the chair closer to me and I sat down on Sydney’s bed.

“So, how was it in that weird, scanny machine?” I asked. I didn’t really know how to fraise my sentence. “Well, now that nurse is going to do some tests. I will be here and I don’t have to stand outside and watch. I would have gotten in that machine with you if I could have, but no. They don’t let people do that, sorry. So, you know the deal. Don’t forget to be awesome and all that junk.” Then I hugged Sydney’s limp body and opened the door. Then everyone came in and the nurse hooked Sydney up to a machine.

“So, how was watching Sydney getting a CT scan?” Sydney’s mom asked when she sat down.

“Pretty good, I just wish I could have been closer to her,” I said. Then the nurse lifted Sydney from her chair and placed her on the bed. Then, for the next 5 minutes, the nurse hovered over Sydney and did all the “tests” she said she was going to do.

“Done,” said Janet, lifting her hands away and stepping back from Sydney, as if to reveal an amazing masterpiece. I went over to Sydney and sat on the bed next to her. I pulled to covers over her and felt her hand. It wasn’t warm, it was as cold as a stone at the bottom of a pond. I laid next to her and fell asleep.

When I woke up, it was dark out. I woke up and sat up.

“Hey,” said Evelyn. She was sitting next to me and still looking at her phone.

“It’s around dinner time, so you can go down to the cafeteria for food,” said Sydney’s father. So I got up, stretching my arms up to the ceiling. Then I walked out of the room and went over to the elevator. I pushed the buttons for floor 1, and waited. A girl in black shorts and a green shirt that read “Wolverines Basketball” wheeled herself over. (I may have forgotten to mention she was in a wheelchair). She pushed the same down arrow I had pushed and we waited. I snuck a look at her in the silver reflection on the elevator door. Then, she did the same to me. The door opened and we both entered.

“Are you going to the cafeteria?” The girl asked as we waited to go down.

“Yeah, you?” I responded.

“Yep.”

“Cool.”

“Yeah.”

“Dinner, dinner, cool, cool.” Then the elevator dinged.

“Saved by the bell,” I said under my breath. Then we both went the same way and headed to the cafeteria. I got in line, as did the cool.

“So, why are you here?” I asked the girl as we awkwardly waited in line.

“Oh, well, thanks for not making any assumptions. Though, I am here because I can’t walk. I usually can deal with my RA, but it got worse. Yeah, I failed to mention that I have RA and that’s why I’m here,” she said, then wheeling over to the trays as the line sluggishly moved. “How about you?”

“My friend is in a coma right now, and I’m staying with her.” I grabbed a tray and tried to get a heap of salad. Then Evelyn walked behind me and said, “What is up?”

“If that’s your friend, it doesn’t look like she’s in a comma,” said the girl, getting a fried chicken leg.

“No, it’s not. This is my sister, Evelyn.”

“Ah, I see. Lucy Hall,” said the girl, holding out her hand. Evelyn shook it, hesitantly, and proceeded to getting pasta salad. “So, who are you?”

“Me,” I said. I paused for moment, not knowing at the time that I seemed incredibly strange thinking about what my own name is. “Piper.”

“Cool Piper,” Lucy said. Then she scooped up some mashed potatoes and proceeded to the drink machine. I got a slice of pizza and headed to the pizza. While I went to the drink machine, Evelyn got yelled at the rest of the line for not moving. As usual, she had stopped to text or look at social media. She finally realized what she was doing, and came over to where I was.

“Your sister seems pretty oblivious to the world around her,” said Lucy, filling her cup with Mountain Dew.

“That’s just how teens are,” I said, getting some Fanta. Lucy wheeled herself to a table and I followed. Evelyn had stopped, again, and was on her phone.  I and Lucy laughed as we watched Evelyn spilled the tea she had once been filling her cup with.

“So, who are the wolverines?” I asked, gnawing at my slice of pizza.

“Oh, you mean “Wolverines Basketball,” said Lucy. I nodded. “My basketball team. I also play track and Lacrosse.”

“Are any of your teammates here?” I asked, trying to soak my lettuce leaves in the Caesar dressing.

“Nah, they don’t even know about my RA. I don’t tell anyone unless they ask, and they don’t ask since I don’t tell. My friend, Riley, knows. But, he knows because we met at a hospital and I was in a wheelchair then. It just seemed important to tell him, since he is my only friend who has seen me in a wheelchair. Just, I am really surprised with how daring I am being right now. I don’t really open up like this.” Then Lucy looked down and pecked at her chicken leg.

“Me and you both. I can’t make friends, either. They all die.”

“That sounds like so much fun,” said Lucy.

“Yep, sure is,” I said. I looked down at my salad. I really didn’t like to talk about it, but I felt like I had to own up and tell something private about me to Lucy. Then came the awkward silence when everyone is comprehending something weird and astonishing that someone says and no body speaks.

“So, I’m going to go back to my room,” Lucy said, picking up her tray. She wheeled herself over to the trashcan and dumped her trash in the trash can. She brought her tray and dishes to the counter and wheeled towards the elevator. I thought about getting up, but another friendship wasn’t worth my heartbreak. I dumped my trash, put away my tray, and went over to Evelyn. She was still standing by the drink machine on her phone.

“I’m going to go look at the store and stuff,” I said, trying to peer at what Evelyn was doing on her phone.

“Sit with…. With…. Sorry, can you sit with me, gotta supervise you,” Evelyn said, picking up her tray and walking over to a table. She quickly ate her pasta and put away her tray.

“Can we get going to the store?” I asked.

“ Yeah, yeah, if you can find it,” she said. Evelyn stopped by the trashcan to text again. So I pulled Evelyn over to the store and we looked at all the stuff. There was popcorn, cups, mugs, shirts, bobble heads, stuffed animals, flowers, cards, pens, jewelry, and posters. It wasn't much, but I never really knew that this hospital had a store. I guess I did, just never went.

“Can I have like $15 to buy some flowers and candy for Sydney?” I asked. Evelyn handed me a twenty and I went over to the candy section. I looked at the candy, trying to find Sydney’s favorite candy, tropical Skittles. I kept looking, but to no avail. So I went to the flowers and picked out the tulips. There were red, orange, and pink. Then I brought the flowers to the counter and asked for tropical Skittles.

“Do you have any tropical Skittles,” I asked the girl at the counter.

“If you don’t see them in the candy section, we don’t have them.” The girl didn't look up from her magazine. She pointed to the candy and didn't pay attention to me. I back to the candy and got the regular Skittles. I got the Skittles and bought them. Then me and Evelyn went back to Sydney's room and stayed there for the rest of the night. 

Bits and Pieces Chapter 5

Chapter 5: In Sickness and In Health

*Note* I know that the font sizes and styles change throughout the chapter. This happens when I transfer my writing from Word to Wattpad. I would change it, but Wattpad enables me to change font sizes and styles. Sorry about that!

After the fire, school returned to normal. I had more episodes of depression, but it was not all that bad, yet. Since the Day of Blazes and Broken Hearts (that’s what I’m calling it), Iris never talked to me. Sydney continued to admire Flo’s awesomeness. I went to the therapist’s on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Everything seemed to return to normal.

“Hey, where’s Sydney?” Flo asked me one day.

“I don’t know. I’ll text her,” I said, pulling out my phone.

Where R U? I texted her. I waited for her response. She finally replied Uh…….. Can we talk over the phone or video chat after school? I texted back Sure

When I got home, I immediately went to the computer and video called Sydney. She picked up after a few rings.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“Well,” she said, sniffling. She wiped her face with her hands. Sydney looked away and placed her hand on the side of her face, placing her elbow on a tray below her. She blinked slowly, three times.

“What is it,” I asked. I could feel the fear and panic welling up inside of me. Sydney to a big gulp, then look into my eyes. She said two words,

“It moved.”

“What moved?”

“The cancer.”

“Oh, where did it move?” Sydney crossed her arms and turned away. Tears ran down her face like ribbons on a present. She put her face on her arm. I heard muffled cries as Sydney’s body moved up and down frantically. Still, I waited. I knew that sometimes you needed to cry. But I didn’t ask her why she was crying, or anything for that matter. It was strange for Sydney to cry. She was very strong when it came to talking about her cancer. Something had flipped in Sydney’s mind.

                After Sydney’s episode, we decided to do friendship vows.

                “I, Piper Blackwood, take you, Sydney Panetta to be my best friend, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part,” I said, smiling at Sydney.

                “I, Sydney Panetta, take you, Piper Blackburn to be my best friend, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.” Then we smiled. I had not planned to do friendship vows, but I felt that it was important that Sydney and I had a good connection.

“So, why are you in the hospital?” I asked.

                “I passed out. I don’t remember much. What I do remember is gone with the wind,” Sydney said.

                “It must be pretty bad,” I said.

                “Yeah, it is. They have me on all sorts of medication. Taking oral chemo, have an IV in my arm, and the worst part is the G-tube.”

                “G-tube?”

                “This thing,” Sydney said, lifting up her hospital gown. “Humbug.”

                “It’s going to be okay. Look, I know it’s going to be okay.”

                “You’re not the one dying here! I’m never going to be loved, I’m never gonna leave a mark, I have no meaning. Just pull the plug. Why are they even keeping me alive? I do nothing for the world. Why can’t I just stop making the world worse?

                “Look, you are loved. I love you, indefinitely. You want to know why they’re keeping you alive. They’re keeping you alive for me. I want you to be here so that my horrible qualities will deflect off of you and I can know them. I need someone to help me realize the real Piper. I know cancer sucks. I can absolutely assure you that it sucks. But, just know that this is for me. I know you don’t want to suffer; I don’t want you to suffer either. Just, suffer with me. “

                “I don’t know who long I will be able to. But, having hope is half the gas you need for the trip.”

                “There you go. Maybe strange, confusing metaphors can help with the pain. Sometimes the things that don’t make sense can be medicine.”

                “Uh, sure. Whatever. Just not medicine that will make me live like you. I want to be a bird, free to be whom I want to be and go where I want. Instead, I am confined to this hospital gown and bed.”

                “There’s no one holding you back from expressing yourself except you.”

                “Cancer is holding me back, my parents are holding me back, doctors are holding me back, but I am not.”

                “Oh yes you are,” I said, shaking my finger at Sydney. “You are letting those people and things hold you back. If you look past them, tell them that this is your time, you can soar high above the clouds. You can travel the galaxy in the blink of an eye. You can… Where’d you go?” The screen was pitch black. The house was completely dark. There was only the sound of the tree branch tap-tap-tapping at the window. It was eerie with the mist outside creeping at my door. I shot up from my chair, pushing it back. The chair hit the ground with a thud.

“Mom, where are you,” I said as my voice quivered. I took deep breaths in through my nose. “MOM!!!”

“Why are you screaming?” Evelyn asked, suddenly appearing at the bottom of the stairs. “Don’t you remember? Mom is working late. Now, go do something while I fix the power.” Evelyn headed into the garage. I plopped onto the couch and texted Sydney.

“Where were u?” Sydney texted.

“The power went out. It still is.” I texted back.

“Wanna get together some time?”

“Sure, when?”

“I’m going to be in the hospital this whole week. But, if everything goes well, I can get out next Friday.”

“C u then?”

“Sounds good”

“The power just came back on. Wanna vid chat?”

“Gotta do something with the G tube. To graphic, and just, not really a good time to vid chat.”

“Oh, well TTYL”

“K DFTBA”

“OSWGO”

“Hey, pizza’s here!” Yelled Evelyn from the front room.

“Bring it here!” I said. Then I rolled around on the ground and waited for Evelyn to come with the food. I stuffed the pizza in my mouth, then finally got up to get more.

When I sat back down on the couch, I rolled onto my back. I couldn’t help thinking about what would happen if Sydney was gone. Our conversation had sparked a side of Sydney I had never seen. Her crying and screams were almost as bad as the first time she was told she had cancer. I curled up into a ball and cried. In the back of my mind, I remembered that I had not taken my medicine this morning.

By the time I was woke up again, Mom and Jerry were home. They were screaming at each other from the kitchen. I felt like seeing what all the commotion was; instead I just listened.

“Why didn’t you do it then?” Mom screamed.

“I thought Evelyn could do it,” said Jerry.

“Did you ask her?”

“No.”

“Don’t you know how important this project is? You know, Evelyn called me and asked me how to turn the power back on!!!! You should have been here to help with that!” Mom started to pace back and forth. Her fisted were clenched as tight as babies swaddled in blankets.

“I wanted to give her responsibility.”

“You don’t care about my children. You’re a stupid, rotten, ugly, thief trying to steal me away from my children. You provide nothing to this family, nothing!”

“Oh, and what does Evelyn bring? Yeah, what about Piper? All she does is sit around and be a messed-up, wonky little brat.”

“You don’t care about my children. Okay, gets me mad. But, okay. But when you insult them, when you insult my everything, you have crossed the line. Get out of my house and never come back!!!!! Pack up your things and leave right now!” I heard stomping and then Mom sat on the couch next to me.

“I heard about Sydney. I’m sorry. Did you hear us?” Mom asked.

“Every bit,” I said, head still buried in the couch. “Am I messed up?”

“No, sweetie. He is just a big, fat, lying, conniving, devilish bastard.” Then, Jerry came thundering down the stairs and stood in front of Mom.

“You are the worst person I have ever met,” Jerry said, staring at Mom. Then he threw his bags down the stairs and left. I was still on the couch, being moppy and not a big help to anyone. I guess I really do bore people, since Mom left to go do something in the house. I kept crying, then fell asleep. I was nestled in a warm pillow filled with tears. I just didn’t want another friendship like the one with Alex. (But being all messed up, all friendships result in madness and end in tragedy.

The next day, I woke up with a prodding pain on my side. It felt like someone was tweezing my insides. But, I got up anyway. I had a big report due today and was not (correction) could not miss school today. I texted Sydney that I was nervous and then she texted back

“More nervous than me? No way!!”

So after that, I was intrigued with the situation she was going through. All throughout the morning, I would text her then wait for a response. When I got off the bus at school, I was surprised to see who was waiting at the door for me.

“I got released early!” Sydney said, running towards me. I wrapped her in a bear hug. Her body and shrunk and she was wearing a knit beanie to cover her head.

“Bloop bloop boop,” Flo said, cartwheeling over to where we were. She bopped Sydney on the nose and said “So, I have a question. How many craters are blue in Tennessee’s farm of watermelon if the purple dinosaur in the washing machine started to spin around?”

“Uh, I don’t know how to respond to that,” Sydney said, looking for my approval. I shrugged, for I didn’t want to deal with odd balls right now. I took Sydney’s hand and swept her inside the school. We snuck into the girl’s room, undetected.

“So, what’s going on with you? We only ever go into the bathroom when the conversation is very important and private. “

“Yeah, it kind of is. So, last night, Jerry got kicked out by Mom. And she was yelling at him and he said some pretty mean things. Now Jerry, presumably, is on the streets, and we, are free of all his stupid mischief. So, Mom filed for a court date and things might get super bad super-fast.”

“Man, that was a mouthful. That does sound like it’s gonna get super bad super-fast. But, I will be by your side, through sickness and health. Now, we don’t have much time to talk. We have to get to class.”

“Right,” I said. I dodged the other people in the bathroom and raced to get to class. I didn’t pay much attention. All that was on my mind was escalating fear and Jerry fighting back. During art, I was jittery.  I couldn’t make a straight line or shade anything correctly. My hands shook at the thought of having to testify against Jerry. Even though I didn’t like him, I was afraid of anger welling up inside of him. I don’t exactly know why he would go to court, but I guess that Jerry was scaring me.

I sat down at lunch, waiting for Sydney to finish buying her lunch. She slid her tray next to me and plopped down. I sighed, mushing my face in my ham and Swiss sandwich.

“Okay, maybe it’s just me, but you seem real glum. Well, more glum than usual,” Sydney said, putting a hand on my back.

“It’s just you,” I mumbled.

“Oh, I have to go. Some people asked to interview me for the school newspaper.” Sydney rushed off, taking her tray with her. I rolled over, keeping my head on the table, but facing the ceiling. I placed my hand over my silver heart locket, and dreamed of a world better than this. (Just to clarify, that would be any other world or reality, mostly)

I turned to the side and heard a thwup thwup thwup sound. Flo was dancing next to me. She waved her arms wildly then told me that some people wanted me in Miss Dodd’s room. I got up, grabbing my lunch and heading to her room.

“Ah, our next victim,” she said as I walked in her room. There were a few people standing around a bench with high-tech cameras perched on their shoulders. Around the bench, there were lights that someone was tinkering with. Miss Dodd was sitting on her desk, looking at a paper list. There was someone with a clipboard standing near the people with the cameras. There were people sitting at computers off the side of the bench.

“Do you know why you’re here?” The boy with the clipboard asked.

“No,” I said, still oblivious to the fact that Sydney was there, too.

“We are with the newspaper. Your friend here was being interviewed for a video that we will put on the newspaper website. Your friend, Sydney, suggested that we interview Piper Blackwood. I assume you are Piper Blackwood, because Sydney told us you are her friend. So, if you are Piper Blackwood, then stay.”

“I am. Now, why the heck should I care about this?”

“You’re being interviewed. This could give you advantages in Miss Dodd’s class. Now sit down on the bench with your friend and let’s begin.” So I did what he told me. I sat down on the bench where Sydney soon joined me. We fixed our hair and messed with our clothes. (Well, Sydney did) Then the boy with the clipboard counted down, the lights flashed, and the cameras started to film.

“So ladies, what do you think about the school?” The boy asked.

“Uh, this school depresses me. I am surrounded by a bunch of saddening people how only cause me glum and I refuse to except any support that anyone here, with the exception of Sydney, will give me. I think that this interview is dumb and that this school is wasting my life. Good day!” I rushed from the bench and stormed out of the room.

“I better go get her. And, if you want to interview me more, that you better find another solution to you problem.” Sydney, raced toward me, getting winded and slumping down in the doorway of the classroom.

“Girls,” Miss Dodd said, getting up from her desk. “If you really do feel this way, then please, do not talk to me about the newspaper or the newspaper website.” I took Sydney’s arm and led her back to the cafeteria. We sat down where we had been before and listened to piano. The music was beautiful and mesmerizing. I looked around to see where the music was coming from. Then I saw a person sitting at a piano in the back of the cafeteria that I had never seen before. Once I saw the wonderful pianist, I knew who it was. Even from behind, her curly locks gave away her identity. As Flo bobbed her head to the music, I finally realized what was so awesome about her and why Sydney admired about her.

Home

A while ago, my parents and I went to the city. It was fun to see the concrete jungle and skyscrapers that touch the clouds. That was not home. It was fun to go up and down seeing all the little people below me in the big, moving box. That was not home. I liked soaring with the birds and traveling on the magical moving stairs. That was not home. When I came back to the farm, something changed. Momma got real sick. Suddenly home was not home. Daddy had to sell land. He had to chop down the big apple tree that I loved to climb. That was not home. When I went to go get eggs, they were not there. The cows weren't in the barn. There were other people trotting along with my horse. I asked Daddy why. He said he needed to get more money. Daddy didn't tell me why we needed more money. That was definitely not home. Then, one day Momma went away. Daddy said she had to travel for work. I guess she must've been working real hard; I didn't get to see her very much. When Momma came back, all her hair was gone. Daddy told me she was giving it to all the bald men who needed hair. That was very charitable I thought. Momma started taking lots of business trips. That was not home. Then, one day Momma didn't come home. I missed her. Daddy said I could sleep in her bed. That did not make me miss her one bit less. Sleeping in Momma's bed; no Momma; no more eggs; no more cows; people taking my horse; that was not home. Daddy took me to a new house. I asked him when we were going back to the farm. He said we couldn't. Daddy said someone else would be taking care of the horses and scrubbing down the barn: all stuff we used to do. That wasn't home. I wasn't home. I still live in the tiny little house with no lawn and no cows. I'm not home. It's like when you adopt a puppy. Sometimes you can't care for it and you have to give it up. Even though that's where the puppy is living, it doesn't mean that's it's home. Even though I live in a miniscule house like all the rest pushes together all squished doesn't mean that's my home. I'm sad to say, it's my house. My home is a place with Momma and Daddy, big tall trees for climbing, cows, horses to lope with in fields of grain, baby ducklings roaming around the pond, and a backyard that stretches half way around the earth. That's my home.

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.