Animal Ribbons

Chapter Eleven: Kangaroo

I wrote this chapter and was so proud of it, but then Wattpad deleted it! So this is technically Chapter Eleven: Kangaroo, take two. It's not as good, or as long, as the original, but that can't be helped! Nearly up to 1k reads! Woohoo! Enjoy, vote, comment

-Crazeebookgirl

Mum drives me to gymnastics and I go without a fuss. Most of the girls that were on the team when I was there are still around. They all welcome me with open arms, telling me how happy they are that I came back. Well, nearly all of them. Mallory, the girl I'm filling in for, just glares at me.

We've never really seen eye to eye.

***After School***

"Cinnamon?" I suggest, and for a second Heather looks at me like I've sprouted an extra head. But then she hugs me, telling me how genius that is. It's Friday afternoon and I'm at the Fern's house baking with Heather.

"Can we do something fun?" Connie whines.

Heather and I laugh, and our meaning couldn't be clearer; this is fun! Heather and I place our pink coloured mixture into a cake tin and put it in the oven.

"Done!" we exclaim simultaneously, and then laugh.

"Finally!" Connie laughs, grabbing me by the wrist and dragging me up to her magnificent bedroom.

"So, what's up?" I ask.

"I don't really know," Connie said slowly, enunciating each carefully, as though talking to a 5 year old.

"You seem a bit...distracted, of late. You'd tell me if something was up, wouldn't you?"

"Definitely," I reply, guilt curdling my stomach as I lied to my best friend. But how do you expect me tell her that she's going to be murdered with a gun? Exactly.

"So, what do you wanna do?" she grins, the serious conversation forgotten. That girl!

***Later that day***

I glance at the clock; 1:47, an hour and a half since mum went to bed. She should be asleep by now. I change into a pair of old track-pants and an ugly t-shirt that used to belong to Kasey. I then open the window, before creeping down the stairs.

I open the door and shut it quietly after I've stepped out into the cold Autumn air. Halfway down the drive I bump into my sister. Kasey's eyes widen seeing, Little Miss never-broken-a-rule-in-my-whole-life, sneaking out of the house at night. She raises her finger to her lips and I nod, before doing the same. We then go our separate ways.

Kasey and I never used to get along. Always arguing. That was until dad left. I try not to think about him that much, it's too painful.

***Flashback***

"Happy birthday," Kasey smirks, handing me a present. My eyes widen; she's never Horton me a birthday present before! I open the card and roll my eyes.

"Happy 2nd birthday!" it reads, alongside a picture of a teddy bear.

"Um, hello? I'm turning 7! I'm not as young as you, dimwit!" I tell her innocently. She glares at me, her plan to annoy me ruined.

I slip my fingers under the childish paper to find a box. I take the lid off and scream, as blue paint splatters my new "princess" dress. Kasey's best prank yet.

Kasey laughs so hard she falls off of the ned, and I glare at her.

***Flashback Ends***

I reach the tree where Jessica and I met last night and climb up with ease. I can't see much in the May night darkness, but I can see a big grin.

"Hey Sienna!" she greets. She remembers my name!

"Hey Jessica!" I reply.

We start talking about our day, and, as we do, I take in Jessica's appearance; her cropped, messy brown hair; her bright, green eyes; her tattered clothing.

"Jess? Do you live in this tree?" I ask, and my new friend nods.

"I'll show you," she says, and starts climbing the tree. I scramble up after her and almost fall as we reach the top. Because, right above me, stands the most magnificent tree house seen by man.

She lets me through the trap door and her room is surprisingly clean. Only three shelves, a small mattress, and a Converse shoe box occupy the room. On the shelf there are only a few articles of clothing, a couple of picture frames, and an extra blanket.

"Wow!" I gasp. Then my gaze falls upon the tatty Converse box. I see that she's wearing some blue high-tops, which explains how she came to get it, but not why she keeps it. Unless she's trying to hide something.

Last night I said that Jessica would help me find the answers to my questions, but I think I was wrong: I think that whatever's in Jess' box will be my lifeline.