THE NEXT MORNING, SCARLET collapsed onto the couch with a sigh. Her mother busied herself on the dining table, flipping through her favorite magazines and ripping out perfume samples, though her movements slowed. As every day after chemo, they agreed upon taking it relaxed.
Fortunately, her mother woke up without any terrible ailments from the treatment, proving to be a good day. Sometimes the side effects were harsh, but other times were manageable. With her mother up and about, Scarlet was able to rest.
Her phone pinged in her hand with a new message, and she smiled. Part of her plan for rest had just arrived.
Sierra: Open up, I'm here
Scarlet rolled out of the couch and went for the door, swinging it open to reveal her best friend. She held onto a strawberry cake encased in plastic, an extra-large bag of Doritos, and a menu from the local pizzeria Gracie's.
"I'm ready for you to spill everything about that Jake guy," Sierra greeted as she stepped inside their home. "Oh, hi, Mrs. Turner! I brought you cake."
Her mother stood up from her magazine reading, wobbling a bit, and brightened up at the sight of the small strawberry cake.
"Oh, sweetie, you're always so kind. Come on, let's get all of this in the kitchen."
Sierra went ahead and placed everything she brought on top of the island counter. Her mother smiled at the cake and placed it inside the fridge, claiming they should eat it after dinner. Scarlet thought it was a great idea, and waved the menu in front of her mother's face.
"I'm gonna order a pizza, but Gracie's also have those soups you like. Would you want that?" Scarlet asked, eyebrows furrowing.
"That sounds nice, sweetheart." Her mother grinned, showing her infectious smile. "Can I also get a salad on the side?"
Scarlet felt like a heavy weight slithered off her shoulders, and she exhaled deeply. "Of course, Mom. We'll order the food in a few."
She nodded, and went back to her magazines, but not before winking at Sierra and giving her shoulder a soft squeeze.
"Your mom will forever be the most adorable human ever," Sierra commented. Scarlet chuckled, glancing at the light pink paisley patterned bandana she wore that day.
"She's the best." Scarlet switched her attention back to her best friend. "Okay, now, we have lots to talk about."
"Oh, I'm sensing a bedroom conference."
Scarlet smirked. "A bedroom conference it is."
SCARLET SHUT THE DOOR behind her as Sierra plopped onto her bed. The once semi-tucked sheets wrinkled under Sierra's weight.
"I may or may not be a little bit more interested in this Jake guy," Scarlet confessed. A cross between a gasp and a choke escaped Sierra, her eyes bulging out. She had to laugh. "He's honestly very sweet."
"I knew you would be falling into that rabbit hole," Sierra said. A mischievous glint shined in her green eyes. "I have to meet this boy soon."
"You will," she promised as she sat down at her desk chair. "I think you'll approve."
Sierra sat straight, pulling down her oversized t-shirt over her knees. "So what has he done to warrant the affection of my best friend?"
Scarlet slumped back on her chair with a wistful sigh. Staring out of her bedroom window at the tree outside, she remembered the times she sat by it and looked up at the clouds, yearning for someone out there that could really understand her inside and out. It had been ages since she was able to sit down there without worry, just thinking about the what if's and everything in between.
YOU ARE READING
Forever Crimson
Teen Fiction"The vultures are disguised as humans." Scarlet Turner has her last semester of high school planned out: graduate as best as she can and take care of her sick mother. But when she's told she won't graduate because of the pile of tardies she's collec...
