Face On The Side Of The Milk Carton

Chapter 2: How could this be?

The when I woke up, Mom had her face right in front of mine. "What?" I asked.

"Time to start your first day in Franklin Elementary." she continued, "Don't wanna miss that bus. Breakfast is waiting for you downstairs for when you decide to come down."

"Kay." I said, rubbing my eyes trying to get used to the light. Then she left. "Ugh." I said. I got out of bed and went into the bathroom. I grabbed my hairbrush and brushed through my long, light brown hair. Then I went back into my room and got on my favorite outfit. An Aero green and purple plaid shirt with dark washed skinny jeans from Aero as well. I also wore my favorite Apple Bottom strap sandles.

When I walked into the kitchen, Mom smiled at me like the fight never happened. I sat down at my usual spot, and I saw my breakfast sitting there waiting. It was the usual breakfast- when Mom is in a good mood- scrambled eggs with two pieces of toast and strawberry milk. I quickly scarfed down my food- because I was running low on time- and I looked at the milk carton for latest news. Then I saw this little girl named Alexis Greene. It also said known as Lexi, Greeny, or Lil' Horse. It said that she was kiddnapped on September 23, 2005 and she turned 3 that day. Which was wierd because, I turned 3 that day. The little girl looked similiar, but couldn't quite put my finger on it. Then I could start remembering that some male fgure/role model calling me Lil' Horse. Then I looked at the clock and I had to start getting ready.

Then I quickly ran up stairs into the bathroom. I grabbed my purple toothbrush- which was my favorite color- and quickly brushed my teeth. I grabbed my backpack out of my room and grabbed a sweatshirt out of my drawer.

"Mom, I'm ready!" I yelled form the top of the stairs. No answer. "Mom?" I said worried and confused. So I walked out of the house and sure enough, she was sitting in the car. I got in the front seat in the car and folded my arms like an angry teenager.

"What is your problem?" She asked.

"You almost scared me to death," I continued, "you weren't in the house when I came downstairs. I was really scared mom."

"Sorry sweetheart," She carried on, "I thought I told you. I'm sorry. Well we're here." We arrived at the bus stop that ws about 1/4 mile from our house. "If it isn't raining after school today, I want you to walk home with Anissa."

"Who's Anissa?" I asked.

"She is that girl over there with the black hair that is to her shoulders." She said like she thought Anissa was the most beautiful little girl in the world. "I want you to be friends with her, I spoke to her mom yesturday."

"Oh." I thought that my Mom would leave me alone with this kind of stuff, now that I am going to public school. I was pretty sure I could make my own friends.

"Bye. I have to leave for work. Go stand with Anissa and try to be friends with her." She said basically forcing me out of the car with her words.

"Ok." I said dreadly. I put my hand on the handle and opened the car. When I was out of the car I put my hand on the car- the part that holds the window in place- and went to close it but she started to say something.

"H-have a good day."She said as I slammed the door acting like I ignored her.

I walked over to where Anissa and her Mom were standing and stood about 2 feet away from Anissa. And of course Anissa had a phone.

Her mom bent down onto her knees and said "Hi. You must be Alexis. I am Kate, and this is Anissa."

"I prefer Lexi." I said in the most polite way I could.

"Oh. Ok." She nudged Anissa while she was texting somebody. "Anissa, say hi." she whispered into her ear. But Anissa ignored her. "Anissa Hope!" She snarled with a chuckle.

"What?!" She said like she was doing something so important.

"Say hi to Lexi." She said relieved that Anissa finally answered her.

"Hi. I'm Anissa. Lexi right?" She said. The way she said made me want to be her friend.

"Yeah. How old are you?" I asked.

"10. How old are you?" She asked me.

"10. When is your birthday? Mine is September 23." I asked and stated the fact.

"My birthday is November 7." She said and then the bus pulled up.

When we got on the bus we sat next to each other. I made sure I sat next to the window because I didn't want to deal with the kindergardeners-5th graders quite yet. Then I started think about the milk carton. Is it true? Then Anissa started to speak.

"My house after school?" She asked but I didn't hear her completely.

"What? Sorry. I was thinking about something." I apologized.

"It's okay. Umm.. Oh yeah. Do you want to come to my house after school? My mom said I could have somebody over today." She asked excitedly.

"Sure. I just have to ask my mom. Do you walk home from the bus stop?" I asked.

"Yeah. But only if it's not raining." She said.

"Same here," I crossed my fingers hoping it wouldn't rain so we could walk together. "Which house do you live in?" I asked.

"6740." She said.

I reconized that number. "Mine is 6734. So do you pass my house?" I asked.

"Yeah. I do. So I will walk with you every day." She said even more excitedly.

When we arrived at school, we walked together and it turns out that we had the same room. We even sat next to each other. Our teacher's name was Mr. Muschlitz . I liked his last name for some reason. When it was time for lunch, we sat next to each other. The school's food was better here then at the private school I went to. But I forgot my lunch money, so I couldn't eat. 5th graders had the earliest lunch, so we ate first at 11:15. By 1:30 I started to feel a little dizzy. At 1:45 I wen to gym class and we played kickball- boys vs. girls- and I was standing at 3rd plate-I was in the outfield- and I really started feeling dizzy and light-headed.

Anissa was at 2nd base, and she noticed something was wrong. I passed out and I could only here Anissa running towards me.

"Lexi! Oh my god! Are you okay?" She screammed.

Then I heard Ms. Allen- the gym teacher- run towards me.

"Lexi are okay? Can you hear me?" Ms. Allen said.