Rekindled --ON HOLD--

01

Picture of Carol^

Everyone was waiting.

Waiting for the bell to go, to signal what everyone was waiting for-the Christmas break. I tapped my pencil on the table, creating a rhythm. As I looked around, I realized everyone was looking up at the clock, trying to stay awake as Mr Henley droned on and on. And finally, the bell went. Sighing with relief, I got up, putting my things away. I threw my bag over my shoulder and started walking down the hall, to my locker. Waiting for me there was a pink faced girl with short caramel hair and olive skin like my own. 

"Hey, Tippy. It's finally Christmas!" I exclaimed, engulfing her in a bear hug. She grinned at me as we began walking home.

"At least your happy. You're probably gonna have loads of fun with Charlie and Mark. I'm gonna be stuck with my parents only-John can't make it this year, military school didn't give the leave." Her whole aura deflated, and feeling bad for her, I looped my arm through hers. Poor thing, her twin brother and her were real close and she still couldn't get over being apart from him.  I got out my hat from my bag and pulled it over my head, tucking my straight, blond hair away. It was really cold. 

"I really hope it snows this year though. We haven't had snow for a few years now, despite the fact that we live in England, the most coldest place on the planet!" I told her, punching her arm playfully.

We kept talking about what plans we should make after Christmas, but had to go our separate ways when we neared my house. We bid our farewells and I carried on walking, pulling out my headphones and switched on my Christmas music. I was really getting in the Christmas frame of mind. I couldn't wait to meet Charlie and her husband, Mark. Charlie was pregnant and told us she would be having the baby after New Years. I was so excited for her.

As I reached my front door, I unlocked it but it seemed really quiet. Hesitating slightly, I shut the door behind me. I walked down the hall and into the kitchen, grabbing a cookie from the jar. Cramming it into my mouth, I found a note waiting on the table, with my name written on it my mum's big curly handwriting. I opened it and started to read:

"Carol,

I apologize for the late notice, but your father and I have had to quickly get plane tickets to America.  Your father and I have had a phone call from Mark saying that Charlie is having her baby early. We're really extremely sorry you couldn't come but to be honest, we only found out this morning so have been rushing about all day. We should be back some time before Christmas Eve, but for now sit tight and don't worry. If you need anything then please go next door to the Richardson's.

I'll call you when we get there.

Love, Mum."

I stared at the words on the note in front of me, in disbelief for moment, still trying to absorb the meaning of this. Usually, I would love spending the winter break with my family, but I'd be lying if I said that the prospect of being home alone for a couple of days didn't excite me.

I jumped up and down, prancing and dancing around the kitchen. I span around and around, singing, "Yay!!! I'm home alone. Charlie's having her baby and I'm going to be an aunt. I must tell Tippy!"

Right then, mid twirl, my phone began ringing. I picked it up on the second ring, eager.

"Tipp, I was just about to call you!" I said, cramming my mouth with now my third cookie.

"Really? No way!" she exclaimed, sounding as excited as myself. "Carol, you're never going to believe what my parents have done for Christmas!?"

"What did they do?" I questioned her, balancing my phone between my ear and my shoulder as I wiped my face clean of cookie crumbs. I felt slightly, only slightly, guilty of messing up my mum's immaculate kitchen, even though I was in the best mood ever.

Tippy took a deep breath and exploded out in a jumbled sentence, that I could barely decipher. "MymumanddadhaveboughtusticketstogotoSpainwithJohn!! They were joking when they said that John didn't get the leave. He came home this morning and scared the hell out of me when I walked through the door. It was all a plan! AHHH!!! I'm sooooo excited!!"

I instantly felt my spirits sag a little, but was happy for my best friend nonetheless. She had always wanted to go to Spain and she really missed her brother.

"Tipp, I'm sooooo happy you! You have take like a million pictures and show them when you get back. You have to get me souvenir and tell me everything when you get back!"

She squealed on the other line. "Yeah yeah, okay. Listen I have to go. I haven't even packed yet! Have fun with Charlie and Mark and I'll see you when you get back. Love ya!" Right before she hung up, I heard her scream in excitement and I laughed. "Love you too!" My best friend was quite the character but I loved her anyways.

Well, now I had the house all to myself for the next couple of days. What fun, I thought to myself.  

And although I didn't mean it at the time, little did I know that it kind of was.