Coincidence & Consequence

Chapter 3

Amelia Rose sat in her Spanish class, half listening to her teacher. She already studied what the teacher was discussing at home. Every evening she studies and prepares for her classes so someday she could get into a college. Amelia Rose's grades never dropped below a 97, so she didn't totally have to pay attention in class, she reasoned. She began to drift off, thinking about the morning.

Amelia Rose was ready to go to school twenty minutes early, but it was not meant to be. Her mother complained that she always drove Amelia Rose to school, so Lisa forced Amelia Rose's dad to take her instead. He wasn't expecting that, so Amelia Rose was dropped off fifteen minutes late. And to make it worse, her dad was only wearing boxers. This morning was not her favorite.

Amelia Rose's daydreams were soon interrupted by the sudden ringing of the bell. Brought back into reality, she packed her books and headed towards the cafeteria. Amelia Rose found a spot near the corner of the lunchroom, where she wouldn't be bothered by the other kids. She wasn't considered popular or unpopular. She just wasn't known. Her phone buzzed urgently. Peering down, Amelia Rose inspected the phone to see who was texting her.

Unknown: Hey! Is this Sarah?

Amelia Rose sighed and put her phone down before picking it up and typing a quick reply.

Amelia Rose: Sorry no. I think you have the wrong number. Good luck.

Unknown: Oh sorry! Didn't mean to bother you!

Amelia Rose: You didn't. I'm allowed to text during lunch.

Amelia Rose didn't think too much about it. She headed to her next class after the bell, hoping the afternoon would be better than the morning.

Christine studied her phone. Earlier, her mother had given her the number of a family friend's daughter. Apparently, it had been the wrong number and she had texted some random soul. Christine smirked. Maybe this would be a fun change of scenery.

The morn had been tedious. For the last five years, her mother had insisted that she homeschool Christine. At first it was fun. They played games and went on "field trips," but now her mother began to be lazy. Now, it was all just worksheets and videos.

Christine hoped that maybe she could find a friend in this random person that she texted. After all, she thought excitedly, the person might be her age! It felt like she never had the chance to make friends, because her parents are so overprotective. At the same time, Christine couldn't blame them. She opened her phone and texted this mysterious person. What's the worst that could happen?

Christine: Hi random person! How are you doing?

Unknown: Good- but I'm at school so it is hard to text.

Christine: Fun! What grade are you in?

Christine waited. The person hadn't replied to her for a few minutes now. Maybe it was because they were in school? Sure enough, the person texted back an hour later.

Unknown: Sorry for not texting back; I was at school. I'm a junior.

Hardly able to wait, Christine sent a reply.

Christine: Same! What's your name?