The Cherry Trees

Chapter Fourteen: 2014

                                                                                                       August 12, 2014

Dear Anne,

          Well, we are back in school again, have been for a week. So one of our assignments was to write a friendly letter, so I figured I may as well write to you.

         I'm glad to hear about your new friend, Remy. I was really worried about your social life. No offense. I myself have made a new friend, though I don't think you will like it very much. Her name is Abbi. Yes, the same girl living in your bedroom. I'm sorry, but I mean, I need another friend, and let's face it. She's convenient. Though she doesn't compare to your friendship in any way, it's still nice to have her around. Of course, I will follow rule number 11 and never let her in our clubhouse. That much is ours. And even if she did want to go up there, I'd just tell her that you had the key. So, no worries.

         I'd like to know more about your life in England. I know you tell me alot about it, but it seems like there could always be more. Oh, and by the way, it's Scotland where some men wear skirts, but they are known as kilts. I looked that up, so don't doubt me. Anyways, I can tell that Luke and Will really miss you, but they refuse to admit it. But, only five and a half more months left! Then you can come back! Hopefully you will be in my class.

          Tommy and Leslie's wedding is coming up. It's going to be at the end of January, so thankfully you will be there. You will be there, right? Anyways, Leslie is going crazy, and my mom keeps reminding her that the wedding is five months away, no need to worry! But no, Leslie the psycho just rambles on and on and then starts breaking down in tears and my mom and I just look at each other wondering how Tom got stuck with a girl like this. Mr. McClane is looking over my shoulder right now, saying that I shouldn't write mean stuff about people. I told him that once he meets her he can say the same thing to me and mean it. Whatever. I hate teachers.

         Please write back soon! I know I slacked off a bit, and I'm so sorry I just keep forgetting! I promise I will sit down and write back to you the minute I get your letter next time. I miss you!

                                       Sincerely,

                                             Lexi

I sat there wondering why it took Lexi so long to reply. I had waited weeks for her letter to turn up in the mail, and I was beginning to think she had forgotten. Which, she had. That was a great feeling. You know, that feeling when your best friend forgets about you and then decides to make friends with the girl that stole your bedroom. It was a bit irritating. I sighed and folded up the letter, slipped it back into the sliced envelope, and then gently placed it in the shoebox that held all of Lexi's letters to me. I slid the box under my bed, just as Remy came in, her mouth stuffed with cereal.

"What was that?" she asked, innocently.

"Nothing."

"Was it a birthday present?"

"Why would I need a birthday present?" I asked, a little worried about the reply that was doomed to be coming out of her mouth.

"My birthday is coming up, Anne. In three days. You didn't know?" she said, her face wearing a slightly hurt expression.

"No, I didn't. Sorry."

She waved me off. "It's quite alright," Remy said.

I laughed and made a mental note to remember her birthday coming up.

"So," Remy said, taking a seat on my bed, "what's up with Jeff and my mom?"

I thought about this. "Nothing?"

"Oh come on! Jeff totally likes her. It's weird."

"Okay, first off, only I can call him Jeff. And secondly, there is nothing going on between your mom and him," I said, wondering if the last statement was true.

"Aha! I call for an operation!"

"I wouldn't take my children to you for an operation."

"No like a spy operation!" Remy said, bouncing up and down on my bed.

I nodded. "Oh yeah, I've done one of those before with... my other friends." I looked at her hopping spastically on my bed and then added, "Stop jumping, you're making my comforter slide off."

"Ah! Sorry I'm just so excited! Okay, so, here is the plan."

-

 The doorbell rang and both Remy and I jumped out of our skin.

"Now!" she shouted, and she threw the window open. We lowered ourselves out and then shut it again.

"Remy! Your mom is here!" we heard Jeff call, sounding further away because of the window.

"Remy?" he called again, and we both started laughing. We poked out heads up and saw him looking around. Then, he motioned for Ms. Sampson to come in and sit down while he looked for us. After she sat down, we climbed back through the window, and pulled our ski masks over our heads. Remy had found them in her closet, though she wasn't sure why she had them. Then we ran into the kitchen where Ms. Sampson was sitting, put the lilac- scented candles on the table and lit them, and then scurried over to the oven that harboured grilled cheese and soup. We ran back over to the table and set the meals on the two place mats. Then Remy hurried over to the fridge and grabbed the two water bottles we had filled with milk, placed them near the plates, and ran off back to the window where we slipped out.

"Mission accomplished!" Remy said, slapping my hand.

"Do you think she noticed?"

"Of course, we ran right in front of her!"

We peered back in through the window and saw her laughing, stretching her neck to see where we had run off to. Then Jeff came into view, and he chuckled when he saw the arrangements.

"Well, we wouldn't want to put this wonderful food to waste, now would we?" he said, a sparkle in his eyes. I knew he suspected us.

Jeff took a seat and him and Ms. Sampson began talking and laughing over the wonderful grilled cheese we had prepared. Remy and I snuck back in through the window, and left a note on my bed saying we had gone to Remy's flat. That way, they would think we were there the entire time.

"Well, I'd say that was a success," Remy said as we lay sprawled across her bed, coloring pictures we had drawn.

"Sure was," I agreed.

Then the door swung open, and Remy's mom had a smile on her face. "There you girls are!"

"Here we are!" Remy replied, giving her mom a big hug.

"Time for you to go home now, Anne," she said, turning to me.

"Okay. See you tomorrow Remy!"

"Okay!"

I went back to my home and Jeff was awaiting me in the kitchen, talking to my dad.

"Hey there," my dad said, ruffling my hair.

"Hi. I'm going to sleep," I said, going to my room.

"Alright, see you tomorrow!"

"Yup."

Once I was snuggled up in my bed, I pulled out a piece of stationery and began writing to Lexi, replying to all her questions, commenting on what was going on in Georgia, but leaving out the part about how disappointed I was in her.