Fallen Leaves

Ashley: The News

"Ashley Campbell!" my mom yelled. "Get down here this instant!"

I rolled my eyes, snapping the book shut that I was reading and throwing it carelessly onto my bed. I stumbled toward the stairs and hastily make my way down to the main floor.

"What do you need, Mom?" I asked wearily. I saw my dad standing close to my mom nearby as I took a seat at the kitchen table.

"Me and your dad have decided to enroll you in an overnight fall camp next week," my mom pronounced.

I glanced at my dad, scanning his face for any expression but his face stays carefully neutral. "Yes, we thought it was best for you to go and encounter some people and make friends," my dad added.

I groaned, running my hands through my hair as I slumped down onto the table and burying my face in my hands.

"Why?" Is all I can ask through my hands.

"Ashley, it's not that big of a deal. It's just an overnight camp!" my mom gently said.

"Mom, I won't know anyone there! It's going to be so weird!" I cried.

"That's the whole point, Ashley. You need to make friends," my dad leaned on the kitchen table, surveying me.

"Ugh.. I hate this," I mumbled as I staggered toward the stairs and slowly climbed to my room.

I closed my door and sat down on my bed, staring out the window as I tried to process what my parents just told me. I finally decided to just accept the fact that they weren't going to change their minds and that I would have to go.

"Mom," I called as I stepped down the stairs.

"In the living room, Ashley," my mom responded.

I walked to the living room and turn the corner to see my mom sitting on the couch with her legs tucked neatly underneath her. Her phone was in her hand and she was absent-mindedly scrolling through TikTok. "What's up?" my mom asked, not looking up.

"I..." I hesitated. "Okay, I'll go to your fall camp. How many weeks am I staying?"

My mom looked up in surprise. "Only two weeks. Do you think you can manage that?"

I nodded, than turned around to head back to my room. I began packing as soon as I could. I'd have to pack a lot of clothes since I would be staying for two whole weeks. I packed the comfiest clothes I could find along with some cute outfits I quickly put together. I added some toiletries and a brush and comb since my hair could get incredibly tangled. I also threw in some books just to keep me entertained. I sighed with relief as I finished packing up my suitcase. I had a duffel bag, a suitcase, a sleeping bag, and a pillow that I'd packed. I gazed around the room and neatly put the things that I'd need for camp along one side of the room before getting ready for bed.

I began to start my evening routine, cleansing my face and moisturizing my skin so that it would be healthy. I also brushed out my long brown hair and began braiding it so that it wouldnt be tangled in the morning. I smoothed out my hair and quickly brushed my teeth. I changed into my pajamas and finally slipped into bed.