The Cherry Trees

Chapter Seven: 2014

I woke up to the sound of Alice's screaming again. That sound made my ears bleed. After eight months, I still hadn't gotten used to it. The worst part was, she was in the room right next to mine, so I could hear everything. From her screeches to my parents hushing and cooing at her. I rolled over in my bed, pulling my pillow over my head, trying to muffle the piercing sound. I had gymnastics practice today, my very first one. I was actually looking forward to it. I had chosen the silver leotard for today, mostly because I loved the sparkles. Lexi, after watching endless marathons of The Mentalist, would have said it was because I wanted to stand out amongst others and be noticed.

So not true.

I shook those thoughts from my head and tried to go back to sleep. It was only seven, and I really wanted to sleep until eight or eight- thirty.

"It's okay Alice. Shhh, shh."

Oh please.

I pulled myself out of bed and walked down the stairs. I drowsily staggered into the pantry, where I was looking for a Pop Tart. I grabbed my favorite kind, strawberry, unwrapped it, and put it in the toaster for a few minutes. When it was finished, I broke off little pieces at a time and popped them in my mouth. Then I headed out to the clubhouse. My parents didn't even bother asking me where I was going, they already knew. I figured I could use that to my advantage someday if I wanted to run away.

Not that I would.

Just saying.

I was extra careful going up those steps, I didn't want to end up like Leslie. Leslie was a pretty girl. With sleek, shiny waist- length hair that was as black as midnight, olive toned skin, and deep green eyes, she was stunning. I knew she would be a beautiful bride. If Lexi and Ms. Lotter hadn't scared her off.

Lexi had invited me to be her guest at the wedding, since she didn't think that she could get through it by herself.

"Why don't you ask Will to be your date?" I teased.

"You're right," Lexi said.

"No! I was joking!" I said.

"I don't know... I feel like he would be a better date than you," Lexi said.

"He wouldn't."

"I might consider taking you back."

"Please!"

"With a cherry on top?"

"With THREE cherries on top!"

"Fine."

"Awesome."

"So you wanna go to the aquarium today? Leslie is coming," Lexi pleaded.

"I can't."

"Why not!" she cried.

"I have gymnastics at three," I stated simply.

"So? It's only seven-thirty," Lexi shot back.

I thought about this for a moment, trying to figure out if I could go or not. We'd have to leave in 45 minutes if I wanted to go.

"Yeah, you're right. But we have to leave in 45 minutes, so go get ready and I will ask my mom if I can go," I said, already starting back towards my house.

"Okay!"

I loved the Georgia Aquarium and I couldn't wait to go see it again. I remember seeing it around this time last year, but I was only with my mom and dad. After throwing on a t-shirt, jeans and a pair of sneakers, I pulled my pin straight hair up into a ponytail, and then ran downstairs to ask my parents if I could go.