Red Velvet Oreos

Chapter 1

I slammed my locker shut and sighed. Another rough day at school and it's barely Monday. Boring classes, getting bullied by the teachers, and a call from the office saying my mom was once again in the hospital.

"Hey giant monster truck! Where you going now? Gonna eat dirt and get chubbier than you are?"

"No. Btw, Leslie, those shoes are sooo last year."

That was me. I was the chubbiest girl in school. I'm chubby but I do have a good sense of fashion. Too bad that doesn't help me in school. Sigh

"Like you would know", Leslie replied, leaving with a scowl on her face.

I opened the school doors and left, embracing the cold, autumn wind. I walked down the street and kicked around leaves. I so can't wait to go home and eat some Red Velvet Oreos. But that's near impossible. With 9 kids in the family, plus me, that makes 10. I was the oldest and the youngest is 2. They all steal my Oreos by the time I get home and then they don't even bother to throw the empty package away, tricking me.

I opened the door to my middle class home. I walked up the stairs, changed into a cute ruffled t-shirt, and gray sweatpants. I walked back down stairs and looked at my sister Diane. She's the 2nd oldest, being 12.

"Where is everybody?," I asked her.

"How should I know. I barely pay attention to the rest of the family anyways," She replied, texting on her phone. Probably to her best friend Heather.

"Did the hospital call back?"

"Yeah. they said mom was worsening but she's still breathing. They estimated 9 months left."

My mom has had lung cancer for nearly a year. She stops breathing and has a heart attack every 3 weeks and has to go to the hospital. Guess this was the third week.

I heard laughter outside.

"Be right back. Everybody's probably outside."

Diane stayed silent. I opened the back door and saw a Frisbee game going on. The twins were playing Frisbee, the baby was playing with the grass, and everybody else was on our 8 seat swing, texting and bothering one another. Typical kids.

"Come on everybody! Were going to the hospital."

They all groaned.

"That place gives me the creeps!", 9 year old Jamie said.

"We're going!"

I forced them to get into the car and buckle their seatbelts. I frown when I sit in my seat and can't help but feel squished. I quickly drive out of the driveway and onto the road. Of course I choose traffic hour to drive. Great, at this rate, it'll take an hour to get to the hospital even though its only 15 minutes away from the house.

Beeeppppp, I hear a person behind me. I hate when horns honk at me. At my small height of 5 feet 3 inches I can't see when the light turns green. This is surely going to be a long drive.

~50 minutes later~

"Ms.Wells?" the nurse asked.

I stood up.

"Are you Ms.Wells?" she asked me. She looked surprised.

"Yes I am."

"You can visit your mother now." She said as she left.

"Ok guys. I can take 3 other people. Who's with me?" Diane raised her hand.

"I'll go."

"Ok. Who else?" nobody raised their hand.

"Looks like I'll take Sammy. I don't trust you guys with him."

"He's 2. He's perfectly safe with us." Andrew said.

"Too bad. I'm still taking him. Now stay here and don't go anywhere."

I picked up Sammy and told Diane to follow me. We walked down the long corridor in silence and stopped at room 257. Diane opened the door and gasped.

Mom was pale and frail looking. Long tubes were connected to her and her mouth and her body was covered.

A nurse entered the room. Dr.Brown was what her name tag read.

"She had to have a little bit of a surgery."

"How much will it cost?"

"A little from $356-500."

I sighed. I can't keep this up. I always try to support my family but frankly, it's been getting harder. Since my mom hasn't been going to work lately, there's less money in the bank. I have to find a job. I have to.

"You need to pay by Friday. Your mom will stay until Thursday so she can stabilize."

"Ok. Thank you Dr.......Brown." I stammered

Diane waked over to mom and held her hand.

"Hang in there mom." Diane whispered.

I stood, watching.

"It's time to go Diane."

She walked to the door and rushed out. That's what she always does after seeing mom. Guess she can't handle the pain inside. I opened the door which was nearly impossible. Sammy was too busy squirming in my arms, most likely to starting one of his obnoxious tantrums.

I finally managed to open the door. I walked down the corridor, thinking of what I should make got dinner. Ramen Noodles? No, we ran out days ago.

Hmm... how about soup! We have plenty of that. Perfect.

~After another long ride~

"Soup again!? Im tired if it!" Diane said.

"We don't have anything else!"

Diane stayed silent and ate the soup. I went to the kitchen and got out my beloved Red Velvet Oreos. I ate 5 then 3 more with expired milk. This was going to be hard. Finding a job, feeding the family, and paying for the hospital.

------------------------------------------

Ok everybody! I hoped you like the new story! Please read, vote. and give positive comments. Hopefully, this chapter was a good length. :)

~Music_LoverC