Changing

Chapter 11-The Park

I pulled into the driveway and slowly walked up the stone steps. I smiled quickly and ran into the house. It was Pig Out Monday, every week mom brought home really unhealthy stuff and we'd see who could eat the most. After what's happened, mom wouldn't take that away. It's a tradition that we both love. I skipped into the kitchen and set my backpack on the floor. Mom was over by the stove cooking something.

"Hey Jessica! How was your first day of school?" She asked busy with cooking. I sat down at the table, "It was..it was good." I lied. "Why were you late coming home?" I tapped my fingers on the table. "I was hanging out with Eve and Ashlyn." Lies. She nodded and brought over a plate, it was piled high with...salad?

"I figured that since we're changing your look, we might as well change your eating habits. So, Pig Out Monday is now Veggie Monday! What do you think?" There goes another tradition. "Great! But I just realized that I was going to meet Eve and Ashlyn at the park. Sorry to cut this day short mom." She waved her hand, "Go have fun. I have a marathon to watch upstairs!" She said taking a bowl of salad and happily running to her bedroom.

I guess I'll go get dinner somewhere else, I thought walking outside and getting on my bike. It used to be grey, but now mom painted it bright pink and glittery. Something else that's been changed. I climbed on my bike and started petaling down the sidewalk. It was around 4:00, plenty of time to go out, get something to eat, go to the park, then come home.

It was still warm out, and a gentle breeze gliding over my face. I smiled, I finally get to relax. I petaled to the end of the street, and pulled up to my favorite place to eat. "Melanie's Hotdog Kingdom", aka the only place I can get a decent meal. Walking inside, I saw Melanie. She was a 52 year old woman with her red curly hair pulled back in a pony tail, brown eyes, has a Texas accent, and is also the nicest woman on Earth.

She smiled as she saw me, "Will it be the usual Jessy?" She asked taking a tray of fries out of the oven. I nodded and sat down at the counter. This was a family owned business, with only three to four customers. She placed a tray in front of me, it was what I always ordered. A small soda, fries, and a chili-dog. Taking a huge bite of my hotdog, I watched as Mel sat next to me.

"What wrong? Your not taring apart your meal like you always do." She asked patting my shoulder. "It's just, mom wants me to be completely different than the real me. And now these girls at school are blackmailing me to be their friend...and I just don't want to be. Life is complicated." I answered shoving fries in my mouth.

"I remember when I had problems like you. The best thing to do, is go with your gut." She said getting up and walking back to the kitchen. I thought for a second, then tossed my leftovers into the bag she left me and headed out the door. I never had to pay because I was her favorite customer. Awesome right?

I jumped on my bike, tossed the bag of food into the basket, and rode to the park. It was still bright out, which was good. I have to go home when it gets dark. Arriving at the park I went to sit at the edge of "Puddle Pond." Stupid name, but a nice place to relax. There was always a perfect breeze, the water was calm, the grass was healthy and green, and there was a weeping willow tree you could sit under for shade.

It was hidden by a group of bushes, leaving me to get some alone time. I sat down my bag, and finished off my meal. Every now and then little ducks would come by, and I would give them a hand full of French fries. I sighed and leaned against the tree, plucking a dandelion from the ground, and twirling around using my finger tips.

Well...this was nice. I got some R&R, which is all I really wanted. Getting up, I tossed my paper bag into the garbage bin, and walked throughout the park. Then I saw them, Eve and Ashlyn walking around talking and laughing. Why didn't they invite me to come with them. I started to jog towards them, then adjusted to a run.

They didn't notice me until I was about ten feet away. Quickly they turned and sprinted in the opposite direction, "Wait!!! Don't leave! I need to talk to you!"