Running out of time

Chapter 4. Anna

After piano practise at 6:30,I have my violin exam at 7:25 after my violin exam I go to maths club at 8:15, after maths club I go to computing club at 9:30 after computing club I do more revision for my exams at school, after my revision at 10:45 I  go to my swimming lesson at 11:30 - 12:30 and that's the end of my morning.

My diary is filled with scribbles that loosely translate into dates and events. I barely have a full hour to myself!  I never wanted to go to all these clubs but my parents insisted I did. I'd rather drop out of swimming and violin but I can't because of I did I'd have to join something else to do with sports. Sports. I hate the word, I can't run to save my life! I can barely swim as it is, no way can I handle doing something else. Urgh, the thought of it makes me sick...

"Honey!" Shouted dad, and for the umpteenth time I ignored him. I pulled on my headphones and pretended to do some work. Truth was, this was all too easy. It was designed for college students at my boarding school but I could have done this back in year 9...

As it was the holidays, I came back home to visit my parents, to be honest, being away from my roommate and college and the work- is pretty relaxing. I'm still not used to being away from home, I've already been going there for a year - I should be used to it.

"ANNABELLE!"Screeched dad losing his patience. I gulped - so hard I thought my neck was about to split open . "Yes dad?" I replied timidly, putting away my headphones and filling over my book so that the front cover was staring at the ceiling. "Get down here now!" He commanded. I did as I was told and crept down the stairs. Mum saw me first. She flung her arms around my waist and cried into my shoulder. I was not expecting that.

Dad rubbed his temple, I didn't know his skin could get any paler. "Look Anna, you may not remember but when you were a rather young girl, we took you to see your great aunt Helen, well, we found out that she had died last week in the hospital. Her funeral is coming up next month as we sort things out, but we have decided that you come with us and take care of your younger cousins in Melbourne. They live near the same hospital as Helen. Are you up for it?"
That came at me from nowhere, I met this woman once and she changed my life. She showed my things I never knew existed, she was the greatest mathematician I've ever met. But that wise old lady's gone now. Dads words lingered about in my mind until I found myself signing up for it.

Wait a minute, they were going to visit my cousins while I was at college... Will I miss out on my exams because of this? Because I can't let that happen.