Second Chance

Chapter 10

A few days later, Kenzie woke up with a strange burst of energy. It was eight AM, before I usually get up and give her the regular medicines, and I had woken up early. My parents left at 7:45, just like every other day, and had made noise bringing something downstairs which woke me up. I wandered sleepily into the kitchen to grab a granola bar and nearly screamed when I saw what was waiting for me.

"AHHHHH!" I screamed and clutched the counter, breathing hard.

"Are you a ghost?" I asked. "What are you doing down here? HOW did you get down here?"

Kenzie stared at me with mischief in her eyes.

"I woke up early, and mom and Greg helped me downstairs so I could surprise you."

"Yeah, I'm surprised alright." I grabbed a granola bar from the pantry. "Wait," I paused. "You feel good enough to come downstairs? Twice in one week, maybe there's some hope." I laughed.

Kenzie's eyes darkened and I realized I had joked too far. I mentally slapped myself for ruining her good mood. It wasn't often that I got to see this side of her.

"So, uh," I said trying to change the subject. "If you're feeling up to it, Ms. Abby said you could come to the studio and hang out. Just watch rehearsal and you know, um, hang out, I guess," I rambled on. Anger was still apparent on her face. "I have a solo this week, you could maybe watch or something, I don't know."

Suddenly, the anger changed to a look of envy, which morphed into a smile.

"That sounds nice, Mads."

I grinned at her and nodded.

"I'm gonna take a nap on the couch while you do your school work, then we can go to dance? I wanna be rested if I'm going out today."

"Yeah, sounds great."

"Kay, help me to the couch?"

I nodded and helped her into the living room.

*~*

Kenzie was fast asleep on the couch and I was in a chair next to her trying to work. Key word, work. My mind was racing, thinking of all the ways this afternoon could go.

It wasn't like the girls hadn't seen Kenzie since she had become sick, but they weren't here to see her now. The last person to come by was Paige and I could tell it hurt her to come. The entire time she was here she looked sick to her stomach and kept excusing herself to go do this or that.

All the other girls had come by a few weeks ago as a group, but hadn't shown up since then. Of course, I facetimed with every one of them, but recently, I stopped texting back. Whenever one of the girls would send me a text, even saying just, "Hey!" It bugged me. Their lives were so easy and fun. They didn't have to dote on their little sister and watch her die day by day.

Anyways, I was afraid of their reaction. I wasn't going to tell them she was going. Just let it be a surprise. The only person I told was mom and she said she'd tell Abby.

I also worried about how Kenzie would take it. If it was me, I don't know if I could handle watching all of my best friends doing the thing I used to love to do. Would it bring her happiness or make her worse?

Who could know?

*~*

Mom came home around one to drive Kenzie and I to dance. Kenz and I put on our matching pink crop tops with the sequined stripes and black spandex. Even if she wasn't dancing, she wanted to fit the part.

I was tying a bandana around her head while she sat in front of her vanity. We were quiet until she brought up a topic I didn't want to think about anymore.

"What are they gonna say about my hair, Maddie?"

I finished tying the pink bandana and looked at her through the mirror.

"They are going to say," I slowly said, choosing my words wisely. "That you look beautiful. Even more of a sassy model than before."

I smiled at her through the mirror as tears filled her eyes. She returned my grin, then said,

"How did I get so lucky to have a sister like you?" She asked.

I wrapped my arms around her tight. I could feel every bone she had.

"You're just a lucky, lucky girl." We both laughed because we knew it wasn't true. Tears started to form in my eyes. "Come on, we don't want to cry before dance. Lets go to the studio, okay?"

"Right," she sighed. "Lets go."

We put on our matching ALDC sweatsuits and headed slowly downstairs. My mom helped Kenzie into the backseat of the car and I climbed in next to her.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be," she responded and looked out the window. Those were the only words spoken for the rest of the car ride.

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Sorry about the filler chapter! I promise, the next one will be really good!

If y'all VOTE/COMMENT/FAN, a lot, I will double update tomorrow. If not you will just have to deal with one chapter like today.

I love you all, don't forget to vote!

-Sam