Janice Lance Book 1: Monday Blues (Revised Edition)

Chapter 9

After a while, I realized what I was doing and snapped out of my trance. I took out my notes for French class and started studying. After about thirty minutes, I looked at my Science notes for the same amount of time. Then, I realized that I hadn't eaten anything since seven-something in the morning, other than a muffin.

It was already 3:30, so I knew I could still have a snack. I washed my hands, went to the pantry, and grabbed a granola bar. After I finished, I looked around the kitchen and realized how much bigger our house was than our old one. Back home, my parents had to work later at night, and they had to work a lot more overtime to make ends meet. They had a harder time with bills too. They tried to hide it from me and my brother Danny, but we knew. That's why Danny got a part-time job to help with the bills.

He managed to convince our parents that he did it for himself, but I don't think they believed him. Danny was never the best liar. Well, he could lie about a surprise party or something like he did for my 10th birthday party, but that's as far as he could take it without it being obvious. I finished my granola bar and went back to my room. I decided to grab my book and go to the park for a little bit. I would just have to be home before 7:30, and my parents wouldn't mind. Besides, it was only a five-minute walk. So I went out to the park and saw my friend Mary Jacobs half-asleep on the bench where I usually sit.

She looked at me and waved me over. I walked over to her and sat down. She smiled. "Hey, Janice." "Hey, Mary. What are you doing out here?" She yawned and put her arms behind her head. "I'm gonna stay out for a while. Long enough to see the stars come out. I'll probably stay out here for the night." Mary's parents probably wouldn't notice that she was gone anyway. I've only been to her house once, and when we went inside, her parents were passed out on the couch.

"I don't think I have to tell you where they went last night." She said with an expression that I couldn't read. "You don't," I hugged her and said goodnight, and I've never gone over there since. She never asked me to walk her home again. I was getting more exhausted by the minute until I gave up and gave my phone to Mary and said, "Wake me up before 7:30." And exhaustedly put my head on her shoulders. Sleep seemed to come to me very naturally.