Frenemies ✔

Chapter 3

Friday was the day where, before even school started, my friends and I showed Robbie around. Since he already knew where the classes and the cafeteria were, we merely showed the hall of fame, the drama studio where my class was, Rocky's indoor volleyball court, the outdoor pool for swimmers, the gymnasium. All those things. So yesterday was a really cool day for us. Then after our morning classes, we had lunch. Robbie then began to feel a little more comfortable around us. He even told us his some of his jokes and told us some funny pranks he liked to play on his sister sometimes. My friends and I thought he was a really fun person. Once school was up for the day, we went to hang out at Coffee Jitters and talked about several things.

Afterward, we went our separate ways and called it a night. I was so excited about hanging out with Robert that I couldn't get a good night's sleep last night. I knew that sometime later today I was going to feel a little fatigued. That's what I got for letting the excitement get the best of me. After spending practically half the morning getting all gussied up, I slipped on my Converses, grabbed my messenger bag and headed downstairs. I was about to make my way toward the kitchen to say goodbye to Mom when Cupcake rushed in front of me. She sat there, wagging her tail back and forth.

"Ava, sweetheart, could you feed Cupcake for me? I'm a little busy right now," Mom requested, putting her scrubs on.

"Yeah, mom." I walked toward the big bag of Blue Buffalo we had leaning against the wall.

I took two scoops from a measuring cup and placed them into Cupcake's bowl. Almost as if to thank me, she placed her two front paws up on my knees.

I smiled. "You're welcome. Go eat," I said, pointing to her bowl.

She trotted towards her bowl and did so. I stood up from kneeling position.

"Mom, I'm going out," I said.

"Oh? Where to?"

"Well, downtown, but I'm not sure what part of downtown I'm going to. I'm going with Robert."

"Isn't that the new kid from next-door?"

"Yeah. I won't take too long. We're just gonna have lunch and probably going to walk around," I said.

"Okay. Have a good time, sweetheart," Mom smiled.

"Thanks."

"Oh. Ava?"

"Yes?"

"I'm going to working a little late today, so I won't be back until four or five o'clock. I called Karina to take care of grandma until you come back. Try to be back before four, okay? I also made some drumsticks and mashed potatoes for you for later," She said.

"Okay, that's fine," I replied. "See you later, then."

"Bye, sweetie."

I headed out the door and walked to my left towards Walnut Road. The wind blew harshly at me, causing the strands of my hair to fly everywhere.

The gust of air felt strong but not exactly forceful. It was also blowing the leaves and blades of cut grass around. As I looked up, the sky gazed down at me with such sinister, dark clusters of clouds. I heard a rumble of thunder from the distance next. I knew what was coming. I could smell the aroma of earthiness like it does just before the rain begins to come down heavy. I was praying for the rain not to fall down yet. For one thing, I didn't bring a raincoat or an umbrella with me because I didn't think I was gonna need it. Which was silly being that the weather was how it was. I wasn't prepared for the rain, but I should've known better. Secondly, I wasn't even close to Downtown Crestwood yet. It was only a few blocks from my house, but the walk to Downtown Crestwood wasn't like us living in Downtown Manhattan. Where I only have to walk two steps and I'm there. I heard another rumble of thunder. I felt the ground vibrate beneath me.