ONE HEART

Chapter 8 Middle School

When Cassie, Mariah, and Tessa attended middle school, they were eleven years old. Tessa and Mariah had become so close by this point that they were more like sisters than Mariah was with Cassie. They may have looked alike, but they were completely different from one another. Most people when they meet Mariah and Cassie said they were like chalk and cheese. Also, Crystal was a bit miffed when she got left behind in elementary. But Tessa was overjoyed, she had freedom from her sister again. I'm going to make the most of these couple of years, Tessa told Mariah one day. Well, at least you can escape your sister said Mariah. Mine has to go everywhere I do. At least she's not allowed in my room at home. Mom has banned us both, from going into each other's room, because we are always shouting and screaming if we do. Well. at least we still have a class together said Tessa smiling and your sister is somewhere else. That's true said Mariah. We have been very lucky to have spent all this time together, from pre-school to now. I wonder if we will continue that in high school. said, Tessa. I don't know said, Mariah. But we have three years to do here first. We sure do said Tessa.

Gwen and Sharon, were well impressed by the girl's end-of-school-year reports, just before they broke up for summer recess. I think Tessa has found her calling said Gwen happily one day to Sharon. When they were sitting by Gwen and Blake's pool, while the girls were swimming and playing. What do you mean? asked Sharon none the wiser. Apparently, she's got into playing the guitar said Gwen. Her music teacher is recommending we buy her one so that she can practice at home. Well, that's not surprising, considering she has two musicians as parents at home, said Sharon a little envious that Mariah or Cassie, have not shown any interest in music. I never thought of it like that said Gwen. I don't play an instrument. I just sing. Blake's the one who plays guitar. And sometimes he does play around the house. So maybe Tessa has heard him at some point. We have a little studio down the garden, but we don't play a lot at home, to be honest. Although we do write songs, now and again while we are home. So Blake gets the guitar out then. We try and do that in the evening when the girls have gone to bed. Mainly, so we can spend as much time with the girls as possible when we're off tour.

That's why as the girls have grown up. Blake and I are doing separate tours now. So that one of us is always home, so the girls get a more stable life. Going to school being with their friends etc. It was okay touring with them when they were little, but now it's so much harder. Plus I didn't want them having a life like Blake and me, living out of suitcases twenty-four-seven. It's a hard life having to pack and unpack, and all the travelling on top of that. People think it's a lot of fun, visiting all the countries, etc. But what they don't know is, most of the time we don't get to see any of it! Wow! I never knew that said, Sharon. Not many people do said Gwen. It looks like such a glamorous life on the outside, but it really isn't. I envy you sometimes. Just being able to go to your coffee house to work, five days a week. When you're on tour, you have to do sound checks, interviews and move from place to place. We don't even get a day off sometimes. No wonder you're always shattered when you come back. And you always need me to keep my distance for a week or two said Sharon. Yeah, I'm sorry I have to do that. But I have to find wife and Mom mode again, after being Gwen the pop star said Gwen. Hey, it's okay you don't have to apologize to me. I get it said, Sharon. Come on, let's go and have some fun with the girls in the pool.

They both ran over to the pool and with screams from the girls. Jumped in. Later on, Sharon made some pizza dough. So she got everyone to make their own. Shape it and put toppings on them as they wanted. She then gave them to Nick and Blake, who were in charge of the pizza oven, which was in Sharon and Nick's backyard. They had a wonderful evening sitting out in the garden, while the girls were all indoors watching a movie. When they started to clear up, Sharon and Gwen found all the girls fast asleep on the living room floor. I think the pool wore them out whispered Gwen. I think your right said, Sharon. Why don't you all bunk down here for the night? I'll get Nick and Blake to take the girls up to Mariah and Cassie's rooms, you and Blake can have the spare room. Oh, that's so kind of you, Sharon. But we don't have toothbrushes or anything. You could nip next door, and do an overnight bag. At least then we can keep chatting in the garden. You make an excellent point said Gwen smiling. Gwen and Sharon went back outside, where Blake and Nick were still lounging and in deep conversation. Okay, we have a plan. The girls have crashed in the living room, so we need you and Nick to take them up to Cassie and Mariah's rooms. Sharon and I will get them in their pj's in a bit.