A Change of Plans

My new Friends

Winter's POV

"WINTER!" My mom yelled.

I groaned. Waking up early is not to my liking. I treasure my sleep as any teen would. I wish I was normal, I wish I didn't have to live the life I live in now. Rubbing my eyes with the backs of my hands, I stood up, too quickly. I fell back on my bed, blood rushing through my head made me dizzy. Recovering from that I stood up once more but slower. I changed into my favorite pair of black skinny jeans. Matched with a red flannel with my black Converse. I dragged my feet across the room to my bathroom. I washed my face and did my usual routine. My hair was done in a side braid that reached to my waist.

"WINTER!!" My mom yelled once more.

"Lady, I'm going!" I shouted back.

Trudging down the stairs and almost bumping into my older brother, I made my way to the kitchen.

"You have another appointment today, we have to be there by 9:00" My dearest mother informed me.

I nodded my head. I have at least three appointments every month if I'm lucky. If a black cat crosses me and bad luck makes its way to me then five appointments it is. I grabbed a few, warm, chocolate chip pancakes and put them on a plate. I drizzled over lots of syrup as if I was trying to drown my breakfast. In less than 10 minutes I had finished my food. I jogged upstairs taking a few steps at a time. Grabbing my toothbrush, I ran it under some water before squirting a bit of toothpaste onto it. Once I was done I went to open my blinds. As I did I saw a moving van parked across the street. Either those neighbors were moving in or out.

Making my way over to my bed, I glanced at my alarm clock. It read: 8:40. We should get going before traffic beats us to it. Walking back downstairs I saw my mom waiting for me. I let her know I was there and ready by squeaking my shoes across the wood floor. The second my mom opened the door the cold air greeted me. Slightly shivering I looked forwards so that I can get an idea of what's going on across the street. I reached my hand out to open the passenger side door, I sat in the seat and put on my seatbelt. I kept looking at the side view mirror. After we were in full reverse I could clearly see a boy with a frustrated look. He looked to be around my age 17-18. Little did I know I was staring for too long and he stared right back. I turned back around and faced my mom, she gave me a small smile.

20 minutes later

"Is there anything you can do about it?" My mom asked with a shaky voice.

Tears were also running down my cheeks. The salty water was hot. Why me? Out of all people it's me. And it gets harder every time. I'm dyslexic and that's hard for me especially when you have school. The Dr has also made my day worse by breaking the bad news: I have Anemia. Along with that I also have Anxiety.

Almost an hour later we were ending the visit. The Dr. wanted to talk to me but I didn't want to talk. I ran out the front doors to the hospital and found the white car parked on the far side of the lot. I doubled over crying. It wasn't long before my mom ran to me and held me in her arms. I cried for what seemed like forever into her shoulder. We broke apart to leave. Silence was easier for me, I barely talked. Since I was diagnosed with my first condition I stopped. As if anybody tried talking to me anyways. At school I sat in the back of the class, teachers hardly glanced at me. I was alone and I still am. My first first and only "friend" moved a few years ago. The only ones that are there for me are my parents and brother. Although my parents worked hard to support my bills and medications, they were home a few hours a day. That means I hardly see them. My brother, Nathan, looks after me. He's a year older and is graduating this year along with me.

10 minutes later

The car wasn't even fully parked in the driveway before I opened the door and ran out. I wasn't in full condition to run but, I did. Yells were brought out after me. Only running faster made my breaths fall short. I stopped to make sure I wasn't being followed, I hadn't run that far. I only made it a few houses down before my lungs were aching. My back was facing the direction I came from. Screaming and yelling helped but not much. It's like drugs. You take it and feel great, like nothing can stop you. After, you feel down just like before you took it.

"Hey, are you okay?" I looked up to see a girl. Her slick black hair braided to the side like mine.

I shrugged as a reply. My eyes were red and tears stained my cheeks.

"Brianna! What's taking you so long?" I heard someone shout.

Twisting my body I turned the other way. That's when I noticed the guy from earlier today. Not wanting to seem rude by my long stares I dropped my head. Facing the ground was the best thing I was good at.

"Wait, come here" The girl waved her hand in our direction.

I shook my head but it's not like she was paying attention. His footsteps were advancing towards us.

"What's up?" He asked.

"The sky" My sarcasm kicked in.

"True" He answered back.

"Andrew, this is Winter. Winter this is Andrew." The girl, Brianna, introduced us.

"Where do you live?" Andrew questioned.

"Are you going to rob me or something?"

"No, it's just curiosity."

"I live-"

"Winter!" I could hear my brother call out.

"Stop wearing out my name, I'm getting tired of hearing it already" I complained. Nathan chuckled as he neared me.

"You've made new friends?"

"Yes she has. I'm Brianna and this is my brother Andrew."

"Hey, anyways mom wants you home" My brother pointed a finger at me.

I nodded my head and muttered a "Bye" and turned around to walk back to the direction of my house. With Nathan walking behind me I felt better. He picked up his pace so he was next to me. We were both quiet but it was needed. Across the street laughter erupted. I quickly took a glance and saw it was Brianna and Andrew. I then looked at my brother. He smiled and ruffled my hair. Smiling back I fixed my hair a bit. We were now walking up the driveway and I took my last breath of the cold air that Washington brought us.