"Adopted By" Oneshots!

Schoolwork In Bed, Fun!

(AN: yes i know i write too much about Josie I just love her too much. Expect some Catlynn and Tilda oneshots shortly)

Book: Adopted by Falsettos
Josie's Age: 12

I woke up at around 5 in the morning, hyped up and excited for today at school. Why?

I had a big project to present today and I've been working hard on it every single night for the past month and a half. Mama's already seen it, I practiced it in front of her last night.

But something felt different as I rubbed my eyes.

No.

I was terrified this would happen. There was a horrible stomach bug going around at dance over the last few weeks, and no one wanted to stay home because the Nutcracker was fast approaching.

And as soon as I felt my stomach start to cramp up, I felt my forehead to make sure it wasn't just my period or something. And as expected, my forehead was warm. Really warm.

I caught the stomach bug.

Why did I have to get sick today? I had to go to school and present my project. I started crying, I wouldn't miss this, I couldn't miss this.

"Good morning, Josie!" Stephanie said, coming into my room. "Josie? Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine." I said, before realizing my voice was hoarse.

"Josie, did you catch that bug going around at dance?"

"NONONO I'M FINE!" I said, bursting into tears. Stephanie left for a few seconds and came back with the thermometer. "102 degrees. Sweetie, you're staying home from school today."

"But Mama..."

"No buts. You're going to stay home and get some rest. Email your teachers and tell them you're not going to school today and ask what work you can do to make it up." Stephanie said.

Truth be told, it was obvious I wasn't feeling well. My stomach and my head (thanks chronic migraines) were killing me, my nose was running, and upon looking in the mirror, I realized there were dark circles surrounding my eyes. Not to mention the raging fever.

I was so focused on emailing my teachers and begging my social studies teacher to let me present my project in front of the class that I didn't notice Stephanie come back in my room with a steaming hot cup of tea.

"Here you go, baby. Lemon and honey, your favorite." I smiled as Stephanie put the mug on my nightstand. Stephanie grabbed the TV remote that was tangled in my blankets and said, "Here, put on any movie you want. I'll watch it with you."

"Oh, okay..." I said, pulling out my phone. "Wait, Mama, I got an email back!" Stephanie looked over my shoulder and said, "Oh good! What does it say, baby?"

Hey Josie!

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well today. Unfortunately, we have to continue with our unit on the Great Depression starting tomorrow, which means the only way you can present your project is after school with me or during lunch, whatever's easiest for you. Let me know what time works best for you.

Hope you feel better, Josie!

"What's wrong, Josie?" Stephanie asked. I sighed and handed her my phone so she could take a closer look at the email. "Oh Josie...I know you were looking forward to presenting that."

"It was one of the biggest projects of the year...and I worked so hard. I literally stayed up all night on Tuesday reviewing and editing this thing, and now I don't even get to show it off!" I said. "Mama? Can I go to school late so I can make it in time for Social Studies?"

Stephanie felt my forehead and shook her head. "Honey, you have a really high fever right now, plus you look miserable. But...I have an idea."

"What is it?" I said, knowing that it wouldn't come close to presenting my project in front of my classmates.

"How about later today, when you're feeling a little better, I call the others over and you can present it in front of them? I know they were all looking forward to seeing it." Stephanie said with a smile on her face. I smiled back and said, "It's not the same, though..."

"I know it's not the same, but think of it this way. You'll be able to present it in front of a group, and you'll get some good practice and a bit more confidence when you present it for a grade."

I nodded and said, "You do have a good point..."

"That's the spirit! Now get some rest, and I'll tell them to come over at 1, sounds good?" Stephanie asked, pulling out her phone. I nodded and then Stephanie kissed my head. "Feel better soon, little Trina."

"See you later, Mama."

________

"And so...um...yeah, that's the end."

My whole family started applauding and I was smiling like an idiot. Brandon stood up and said, "That was amazing, Josie!"

"Thank you..." I said sheepishly. Tracie ran over to me and hugged me. "I had no idea you had such a way with words! I've never seen anything you write before!"

"Mama didn't show you any of my fanfiction from my Wattpad days?" I said. Tracie shook her head and said, "Nope. If I did, I must've forgotten all about it."

"This is why you're my favorite aunt."

"Hey!" Betsy said from the other side of the room.

"You did so good, Josie. I'm confident you're gonna rock that presentation tomorrow." Stephanie said.

"Tomorrow? You mean, I can go back to school tomorrow?"

"Of course!" Stephanie said, feeling my forehead. "Your fever's gone down too!"

"Yay!"

"You know what I think? I think Josephine Trina Block is the most special, amazing girl in the world and we should all feel so grateful to have her in our lives." Brandon said.

"Agreed!" everyone else said.

"I love you guys so much, now I'm going to go back to bed and take a nap."