Worth It

Chapter 3

    The wind cut through Monica's thin jacket. September was slowly turning into October and with that came the wind cold and biting, the once colorful trees turning into empty hands stretching toward the sky. The sun was hidden for now behind gray clouds. The perfect day to stay inside and avoid all human interaction. Despite the anxiety making her heart pound, Monica had a spring to her step; her excitement at maybe having friends put her in control of the anxiety.The voice in her head constantly bringing her down was silent for once.

She easily found Kelsey's house thanks to very specific instructionsfrom Kelsey. She had texted Monica early that morning saying that she and Autumn had an adventure planned for the day. All Monica needed to bring was lunch.

It was a cute house on the small side with flowers brightening its tan color in desperate need of a paint job. Kelsey sat on the front step with a book, but she shoved a bookmark in it when she saw Monica walk up the driveway. Kelsey met Monica halfway down the driveway and gave her a quick hug. Monica tensed up, but restrained herself from pulling away. It was kind of nice to have someone who was excited to see you.

"This is going to be amazing," squealed Kelsey. "Autumn and I have the best day planned out."

"I'm excited," whispered Monica feeling a little awkward at all the gestures of friendship.

At that moment, a huge white van pulled up to Kelsey's house and the second it came to a stop, Autumn jumped out of shotgun and ran over to them. "Trying to start the adventure without me?" teased Autumn. "Sorry I'm late; I had to help Holly with her hair. She's going to a birthday party today."

"How many siblings do you have?" said Monica gesturing to the white van now pulling away, with a few redheads stuck out of the windows.

"Six sisters and four brothers," smiled Autumn

"What?!"gasped Monica, the others clearly loving her reaction.

"Didn't you notice a surplus of redheads at church?"

Monica stood still, mouth hanging open, eyes following the departing van.

"It's Garret, Evan, Lillian, me, Amber, Holly, Logan, Isabelle, Anne, Austin, and Gabby," said Autumn reeling off the names like a rap.

"That makes my three little brothers sound like a terrible excuse for complaining," laughed Kelsey.

"Then there is me, the only child," laughed Monica with the others.

"Come on, let's get this adventure started," called Autumn running into Kelsey's house. Kelsey grabbed Monica's hand and together theyran after Autumn.

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"Wait guys," called Kelsey lagging behind for the millionth time. "I need to take a picture of this!"

"Will this picture really be any different from all the others ones you took? Or any different from all the pictures in your room?" sighed Autumn rolling her eyes but waiting for Kelsey nonetheless.

Monica smiled and stopped grateful for the chance to rest her legs. They had been walking for half an hour and Autumn said they were getting close to their destination now.

Kelsey knelt on the grass aiming her high tech camera at a particularly odd flower that had attracted her attention. Next, she tilted the camera around to include Autumn and Monica in her picture. Autumn stuck her tongue out at the camera encouraging Kelsey to take her sweet timewith the flower.

Monica laughed out loud at their interactions. They seemed to be really good friends, not like all her old "friends". The girls who stayed only long enough to see how broken she was. She never seemed to learn her lesson. People are self-centered, I mean nothing to anyone. Autumn and Kelsey are different though and I want to know why.