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Fourth Chapter: A Falling Friendship

I awoke to sound of my phone ringing, "Hello?" I answered groggily.

"Braelynn! Why haven't you been answering any of my calls and texts?!" Shauna yelled.

I was alarmed, I never called her yesterday! She sounded angry. I replied, "Shauna, I got caught up yesterday. My family was in town. We visited Rayna, I just haven't been thinking straight lately."

She sighed, "I'm sorry, I forget sometimes about what happened. I feel like we are falling apart. We used to hang out 24/7, now it's like once a week."

"I know, I'm not that busy, I just- Well, would you want to hang out today?" I suggested.

"Sure, meet me at the park at twelve-thirty. Bring a homemade lunch!" She sounded excited.

"Okay, will do. I won't let you down. Bye."

"Later" She concluded.

It was a tradition that every time the two of us met at the park, we had to bring lunches to trade with each other. We found it entertaining.

I looked at the time: 9:52. Wow, I slept in late. I got up and got ready for the day. I decided to skip breakfast, since I would be eating in two hours. I watched TV for a little while. Mom came in the room and told me she was going to see Rayna, I asked if I could come. She said yes, and that she could drop me off at the park on the way back.

I made a grilled chicken and tomato sandwich with basil pesto. I also whipped up some chocolate pudding and spread it on graham crackers, hopefully Shauna would like it.

I followed Mom out the door, carrying the sack lunch.

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We arrived at the hospital to check on Rayna. I noticed that her skin was gaining color, "Doctor, is she feeling better?" I asked.

He nodded, "She is slowly healing, she has started to regain conciseness."

I saw Mom's face glow. She was satisfied to know this. I held my sister's hand, I could feel her steady pulse on her cold wrist.

After about an hour, we walked back to the car. I looked at my phone for the time: 12:31.

"Mom, it's already time to meet Shauna!" I freaked out. I was always on time.

She started the car, "We can make it. The park's only five minutes away."

I was still panicking, but a little more relieved.

When we arrived at the park, I ran out of the car, and hurried to the big oak tree where we always met. I looked everywhere for Shauna, she wasn't there. Then a saw a tall girl with black hair walking towards the crosswalk. I chased after her and tapped her shoulder, "Excuse me?"

She turned, SHAUNA! It was her! I gave her a giant hug.

"You're late." She squeaked, trying to breath.

I let go, "Sorry, I'm just really excited that I found you."

She smiled, "Well, I was about to leave. It's 12:40, I didn't think you would show."

"I would never abandon my best friend!" I handed her the lunch, "See? I even remembered the lunch."

Shauna laughed, "I can't wait to see what questionable food lies inside!"

I nudged her playfully, "Come on, I can cook!"

We  laughed as we walked over to the big tree. I sat down in the shade of the leaves and opened the lunch Shauna prepared. Steam poured out of the container, along with the smell of clam, "Mmm, clam chowder! You know me too well!"

She grinned, "How could I forget your obsession with seafood?!"

"It's true, I am obsessed!" I cracked up laughing. Shauna and I loved to joke about the fact that I could eat seafood for breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday, and not get sick of it.

That afternoon was great, I started to feel more like myself. After the incident, I didn't really laugh as much as before, Shauna really kept me on my feet. I didn't know what I would do without her, hopefully we would be able to stick together through this tough time.