The Traveling Diary

4

Chapter 4: What I have been waiting for

Ding-Dong! It was Stacey. Finally, the sleepover. Even though it was later than I planned, who cares. At least it happened. She brought a huge overnight bag, a polka-dotted pillow, and a sleeping bag. We always slept in the basement to talk all night without being yelled at.

"Hey Stacey! Lets go downstairs and get ready for this Friday's movie." I exclaimed running down the stairs with her sleeping bag. I was more excited than her. What was up? But, she ran slowly behind me waving good-bye to her babysitter. Her parents are super protective, so she needs a babysitter, even though we are the same age.

When we arrived in my basement, her feet were dragging across the white carpet. I was still confused. We reached the black leather couches and she sat down. I sat too.

"What's wrong?" I asked her. She shook her head as if nothing was. I shrugged. "You can tell me anything, remember? We have been best friends since first grade. And, nothing can change that, especially a problem that I don't know about." I said. I kind of felt bad about the last part I said, but I just let it all out anyway.

"Nothing. We can still be friends, I just can't tell you." She replied head down like a puppet on a string that was let go. I was getting mad. Then, I checked her bag. I found a box of candy and a movie. She usually brought more. I was pondering through tons of different thoughts. Why was she so down? Why did she only bring a movie and one box of candy?

"Alright listen Ab. I am - I'm moving." She sighed. I could tell that she was about to cry. But she didn't. Stacey always had been tougher than me. I was shocked. Her light curly hair covered her expression.

"Where?"

"We can't afford our house and are moving to a cheaper house in April." She replied. The more we talked about it, the more she got upset. So did I. "It's far away. I will be attending a different school and we will have to cut down on things we buy." A tear fell from her eye. That was why she only had a few things. I couldn't believe it.

"I can't believe it! They are kicking you out?!" She nodded. "Well, let's at least enjoy the sleepover." I tried to make her feel better.

"Girls! Pizza!" My mom yelled down the steps. Saved by the pizza, I thought. At the kitchen table, Mom, my brother Tim, Stacey and I sit in silence. I was shocked that Tim wasn't yapping away. I had to say something, so I did.

"Mom, can I have another piece. Pepperoni please." I broke the akward silence.

"Sure honey. I will get it in a minute." She said, as she wiped her hands on the small towel hanging on our metal fridge. I still felt like we had to start a conversation. "So Stacey, how have you been? Any big plans for tonight girls?" Mom said. I guess she was thinking what I was.

"I've been good. How about yourself, Mrs. Hawkson?" She replied but I knew she was lying. Then, she turned toward me to answer the other question. Both of us knew that she didn't have anything planned. Besides, she didn't bring much.

"I was thinking of watching the movie Stacey brought. It is one I have been wanting to see called, "The Monster Of Schoolside View River"." I added. I had already seen the movie, but both of them didn't know that. When we finished up our pizza, we headed back downstairs to watch the movie. She was starting to feel better, but I wasn't so sure yet.