Saving Each Other

2: New Reality

Chapter 2

2 months later.

After a depressing summer our new reality was already routine me and Ian. Four days after my parent's death, the funeral was held. It was fairly simple, flowers two caskets and plenty of tears. My brother did not attend; I decided that seeing them would confuse him even further. Many offered their condolences and after a few hours of mourning I became numb to the feeling. Slowly I started to come at peace with the circumstances and became the person Ian needed. I became his legal guardian, got a job and started paying bills in no time. Everybody sympathized; the neighbors had been a great help with Ian with babysitting and such.Soon enough, my senior year started. I was finally getting the hang of things and was ready to start school once again.

"Ana!" I heard Ian call from inside Helena's, our neighbor's, house.

"I'm here!" I yelled out. He came running out and hugged me. "How was your day? Did you have fun?"

"I went to the park with Helena and we invited Jack to come play with us." He exclaimed, so exited.

"oh reall-

"And we ate some ice cre- oh! And I drew something for the fridge I'm going to go get it!" he said as he ran back inside. I followed at my own pace.

"Helena?"

"Yes dear, I'm here in the kitchen" She said and I quickly followed her voice.

"Hi! How was Ian? He behave?"

"You know he always does! I enjoy having him around!" I smiled

"Tomorrow is the first day of school. Ian is starting second grade and I'm starting my senior year"

"I know! Are you exited?"

"Im more worried in how I will manage my time."

"You will do fine. I know you will."

"I know it's a lot to ask, but can you take care of Ian on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after school?" I asked

"Of course, you know I will not say no to that wonderful kid."

"I owe you too much Helena." She smiled and hugged me and not a moment later Ian came running to me with his drawing in hand. He explained everything in the picture to me; the mountains, the half circle on top of the mountain that represented the sun setting in the horizon, the blue on top of the green that was supposed to be a lake, apparently he decided to do it after he had painted it green so he painted over it with the darkest blue crayon he could find. It was not perfect but, definitely,still fridge worthy.

"It is very pretty Ian. You wanna put it on the fridge?"

"YES"

"Go look for your bag, we'll go home and put it up." Exitedly, ian ran to grab his stuff as i hugged Helena goodbye.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

"Ian, is your bag ready?"

"Yes El"

"You sure? Do you have enough penvils? How bout crayons? Did you pack em? And the glue- you took the stick right? Remember you always make a mess with the liqui-"

"Ellll..."

"Yea, ok. We should go." I said, thinking about everything else Ian could have forgot but refusing to ask and bother him any further. We walked to te car together and got inside. The car ride was short and unintresting. Other than the fact that an orange 1972 Volkswagen passed by, everything was quiet. After signing in Ian at his elementary school i drove to my highschool. It was only a 20 minute ride in total. As soon as i arrive, i gathered my things and got out of may car. My story had already died out. No pun intended. Everyone has most likely forgotten that my parents had died over the summer. The rumors of me going into the foster system and of me becoming homeless had been long forgotten so today is supposed to be a regular first day of school. I was not wrong for the most of it. Girls where showing off their back to school dresses, hairdo, back pack and bragging about the once in a lifetime trip they took during the summer. Guys where flexing their summer body, tanned skin and showing off their tight shirts as they say "i havent bought new shirts since i started working out" or something that brings attention to their muscles. Some where braging about the parties they went to and others about gadgets they had aquired.

The story going around was of a couple of new kids. Other than that, some senior from last year anounced she was pregnant last week and was now to be married. That story will fade soon enough since she doesnt attend VastValley Highschool anymore.

I walked through the halls hoping to see my friend soon. I reached my locker and began to organize it. I left my biggest books and my after lunch classes' notebooks which only left me with 3 small notebooks and a Spanish work book. What can i say, i like to travel light. I sliped my phone off my back jean pocket and unlocked it to quickly send Jessica a message.

'im here. where u at?'

You know that moment when you are standing in a hallway just looking around because there is nothing you can do and you are there just trying to look cool and as if you did not give a shit bout what anyone was thinking? Yea. That was my moment here and now. I unlocked my phone again to check my schedule on my email. First period: History, Room 306. Thats on the third floor and its 7:45 by now. Jess had not replied so i decided to go up to my class a few minutes early. Like routine, I walked to and up the stairs. As soon as I arrived in the class I debated on which seat to choose as I had a hole entire classroom to choose from. I decided on a chair on the far left, where the windows are closest. Just in case I get bored and decided to look out. I opened my bag and took out the first notebook my fingers touched. It was the purple one so I took a purple pen out as well.