CHAPTER 1: Part One: Ella
Let’s rewind to the morning of the day my life was completely changed forever. It was a normal Friday morning. Just like any other Friday in the typical life of Ella Fisher. Or it was supposed to be. I was getting ready to go to school, but particularly looking forward to our family's annual camping trip we did every second weekend in February. Even though it would usually be snowing where we live, we would drive down to a nice camping site and stay there for the weekend.
I pushed my wavy light brown hair out of my face and rushed downstairs.
“Ready, Seth?” I called from the front door.
Seth was my now 13 year old rebel of a sister. She was like a mini-me. Except with a cuter nose. Her light brown hair descended about a little lower than her shoulders. It was thick and wavy just like mine. But unlike me, she had Spanish heritage and blood in her. Looking at her, you can barely tell the difference between us. Her biological mom—my step-mom—was part Hispanic. Although neither of them looked like it. Seth was always a little naïve too. Seth is free-spirited and couldn't care less about rules. Our father was hoping for a boy when my step mom was pregnant, and they had chosen the name Seth. I don’t think they could’ve chosen a better name to match her personality.
She scrambled down the stairs pulling her sneakers on. “Hold on a sec!” she called.
"Hurry up, we're picking up Josh today and I don't want to make him late."
Josh was a family-friend. We were practically related to him. My stepmom and Dad treated him as if he was their own son, and his mom treated us as if we were her daughters. He was my stepmom's best-friend's son. Josh being two years younger than me, was sixteen with blue eyes and blonde hair. Almost as tall as me. He was fun and great to be around and a perfect role model for Seth. He was like a little brother to me, and a big brother to Seth. He never acted like one of those snotty teenage boys and he always made time for her. Our families were just close. Me and Seth even call his mom Aunt Joan.
“God, Seth, what the heck are you wearing?” I asked staring at Seth as she descended from the stairs.
"Don't tease your sister on her big day." Dad chimed walking in. "Today is going to be stress free for all of us."
He kissed my forehead.
"And we're going camping afterschool right, Daddy?" Seth asked.
"That's right, honey." Dad said hugging her. "Now you've got something to look forward to."
We grinned at our Dad happily. I could tell that Seth was really excited. This was her favorite part of the year. She loved to do things that were outdoorsy, it was just part of who she was. Plus today would be her thirteenth birthday.
"Happy Birthday, Sethy!" My stepmom, Karen, came in from the kitchen and kissed Seth's cheek. I had known her since I was three. Even though she wasn't my true mom, I had always called her mom and always felt like she was.
"Thanks, Mommy." Seth said. "But I don't have time! I have to go!"
I hugged my mom goodbye and left the house with Seth.
She was totally mix and match today. From bright green beanie to black shirt to red shorts to whatever else. She wasn't even wearing matching converse. One was light blue and one was red.
"Seriously though, Seth, what are you wearing?"
“You like?” she asked pulling her seatbelt on.
“Why can’t you just be normal?” I ask starting the car.
She laughed. “Normal’s boring,”
