Fourteen (A Willow Falls Story)

Morning Rush

A/N: All characters are rightfully owned by Wendy Mass! Willow Falls forever!

Still Amanda's POV

    "What's that sound?" I ask my mom. She doesn't reply but instead rushes over to the counter. To my surprise, smoke is coming out of the waffle maker.

  "Guess we'll be having frozen breakfast burritos today," she tells me. My mom I sigh and open the freezer. I grab the frozen burritos and pop them in the microwave.

    "Where's Kylie?" I ask as I sit down to wait for the burritos. "She went out to the mall with some of her friends." "Speaking of which, I'm getting a hunch that I'm going to be gone all day today. And, Leo will probably drop me off here. I'll text you if anything happens."

I rush over to the microwave just as the burritos are done. I grab one and take a big bite. "Still cold," I say between bites. "Looks like you're hungry," my mom says as I scarf down the rest of my burrito.

While I scamper up the stairs, I hear my phone beeping from inside my room. It's from Rory.

Rory: Has he told you yet?

Amanda: You mean Leo? Yeah. Are you going to Apple Grove at 8 too?

Rory: Yeah, the rest of the gang will be there too.

Amanda: Well, how's it been with Jake?

Rory: Don't bring that up 😣

Amanda: Okay, then..... 😝 See you at Apple Grove

Thinking about today, I walk to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Then, just as I finish, it hits me. I haven't gotten a gift for Leo yet.

  "Mom," I yell," We need to go to the mall now." "What's the rush?" she calls back. I rush to my room and grab my phone. "I haven't gotten a present for Leo yet."

As we both hop into the car, she says," Got some new music for today. Hope you like it." A mix of classical and jazz comes on as we round the corner. I sit back and relax. Today is going to be an exhilarating day.

When we get to the mall, I say to my mom," Stay in the car. I'll be back in 15 minutes." She reluctantly sits back as I walk in and check my phone. 7:30. I have a little time.

Now, what would Leo want for his birthday? As soon as I think about it, it hits me. Looking over at the nearest map, I see the toy store is up ahead. While I walk there, I suddenly bump into Tara.

    "Whatcha doing here?" she asks, surprised to see me. I immediately see her cover up a large bag on her left shoulder. "I'm grabbing a present for Leo," I say. "Want to help?" She nods and I point to the toy store. "That's where we're going."

  As I start speedwalking, she asks," What are you exactly getting for him?" "You'll see," I reply with as we get to the door. I immediately locate the stuffed animal section. When I get to the aisle, I start looking up and down. Tara, finally catching up with me, is out of breath. I pull two lions off the shelf.

    "Which looks more like a Leo?" She points to the one in my right hand, still gasping for air. I place one back on the shelf and head to the checkout area. I ask to get it gift wrapped, and the cashier reluctantly wraps it in a shiny blue box.

As we leave the store, I check my phone again. 7:40. I tell Tara," I better run. My mom is waiting in the car. See you at Apple Grove!" I give her a hug and run back to the car as fast as I can with a large box in my hands.

   Getting in the car, my mom immediately starts the music back up and we head to Apple Grove.

Getting out of the car, I tell my mom," Don't worry about me. I'm in good hands." My mom replies, whispering," Just a question. Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?" I sigh and run to find my friends without answering.