The Third Floor Closet {DRAFT}

Chapter 1: It begins

"One more day!" My bus driver calls as I step down from the bus. It's Thursday December 18th, the 2nd to last day of school before Winter Break. I'm slightly excited, and slightly nervous because my parents always somehow find a way to stomp on my plans for the break. Luckily this year, they haven't mentioned any surprises that could make it impossible for me to just hang. I look at Steven Pletcher, my crazy next door neighbor and best friend.
We put our hands in the air and shout back to Greg, our bus driver, "ONE MORE DAY!"
We reach Steven's driveway and I wave goodbye, then take off running up my steep hill. I can't wait to sled down this when it snows on Saturday! The weathermen have been predicting a massive snowstorm to come this weekend for 2 weeks, and my hill is the best one on the street to sled down when it snows. I open up the front door where my dogs Winter and Summer are waiting to greet me.
"Livvy!" My dad calls from the kitchen.
"Me and your mom want to talk to you!"
Oh no, here we go again. Another vacation to some tropical island that my rich grandpa is paying for. Don't my parents know I'm a winter person by now?
"Coming," I groan, dropping my backpack and coat on the floor where I stand.
I enter the kitchen to find my mom and dad sitting at the table, a phone on the table next to mom.
"We just spoke to Papa Frank," my mom starts, I can't read her facial expression. It looks like a mix of happy, sad and fear all at once. "Were taking him to Aruba for the break. We're thinking he needs to get away from it all, especially after grandma's death."
I sigh, another break down the drain. It can't be that bad, our last trip to Aruba has got to be the best vacation I've been on. I'd still rather stay home for the snow though.
"And," my dad starts, an unusual grin on his face, "Since grandpa won't be home, and we know how much you love the snow, we want you to watch over his mansion for the week!"
"Really!" I yell. Yes! Goodbye beach, hello snow! That's what Winter's all about right?
My mom continues "We've already talked to your friends parents and they said they could come and stay with you."
"Awesome! Thanks mom!" I just gotta get through school tomorrow and then I'm free! Let that snow rip!
******
Later that night I hear a knock on my bedroom door. "Come in," I call from my desk. Any excuse to procrastinate is fine by me!
Mom walks in "Hey, I just got a call from school. They cancelled it for tomorrow for the threat of snow."
"Wooo! Snow day!" I yell and grab my phone. I've got a whole day to finish my science project, I can take a break right?
I text my friends on our chat called 'The Flaming Fajitas' (don't ask).
'Hey! Snow day tomorrow!'
My friend Hudson Blanch texts back
'Rad dude! 🤙' he's a big time snow fan like me, but has an equal love for surfing.
'Woooo! Extra day of break!' Fiona Bray chimes in. She's my other bestie besides Steven, and is the smartest in our science class.
'You guys excited for our mansion partay?!' I ask.
'Heck yeah! You're Grandpa has an epic house!' Fiona says.
*******
Saturday morning my mom wakes me up at 7:30 am to so they can catch their flight. "The others aren't coming until 9 so you'll have a few hours to yourself. You all packed?"
"Yeah, just gotta make sure I have everything," I grumble groggily.
Before I know it were out the door and on our way to Papa's. He lives in the next town over, so it's not that long of a drive. We turn down Faun Lane and pull up at Papa's mansion, which is a huge 3 floor house with a huge yard and has an awesome pool...with a water slide! Of course we can't use the pool now, but it's still awesome. Papa is waiting outside the front door and walks over to us once we get out.
"Papa Frank!" I yell, giving him a hug.
"Hey kiddo, you ready to watch the house?" He says patting my head.
"Of course! Your house is so cool!" Papa is a retired scientist, so he has all sorts of cool stuff he's collected while working.
My dad hands me my stuff and Papa loads his bags in the car.
"Oh, silly me," Papa says walking over to me. "Here's the key."
"Thanks," I tell him putting the golden key into my coat pocket.
"Also, you can do whatever while you're in the house, just one thing..." Papa pauses to make sure I'm listening. "Don't go into the closet next to the third floor bathroom, I have some lab equipment in there and I don't want you to get hurt."
"Okay Papa," I giggle and he walks over to the car.
"Bye Livvy!" They all call as the car drives away. I wave but I'm eager to get inside.
Freedom at last! I run up the porch stairs with my bags and shove the key into the door. It creaks open and I walk inside.