Pros and Conns

Tallahassee, Florida. The Conns' apartment. 12:38 PM

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I lay on the couch. Just laying there. The TV is on, but muted.

I listen music to maybe help the pain.

You throw your head back laughin' like a, little kid

I think it's strange how you think I'm funny cause, he never did

I've been spending the last eight months, thinkin' all love ever does, is break, and burn, and end

But on a Wensday, in a cafè, I watched it begin again.

My head is killing me. I'm home because my boyfriend just broke up with me. I just needed to collect my thoughts.

I roll over and must of rolled over on the remote.

"And here you see the crushed mini van." the news reporter says.

I don't look at the screen, I'm too weak, and my head and arms and everything hurt too much.

"We found a man, woman, teenage girl, and toddler boy. All dead. Though we believe the Conns family has another member. Another teenage girl." he says.

I'm stunned.

Shocked.

Speechless.

Any word. You name it. I'm it.

I roll over and look at the crushed mini van. That's our mini van.

No. No, no, no.

How could they be dead?

Mickey, my dearest sister? Dead? It can't be.

Harry?

Mom?

Dad?

Dead?

No. It's not right.

They didn't deserve to die. If anyone did, it was me.

Most kids think their life is horrible when their brothers or sisters provoke them.

Or their parents discipline them.

But my life is a lot worse at the moment.

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I don't know how long I lay there.

10 minutes.

20.

An hour.

_____________________________________________________

The doorbell rings.

"Come in." I say. I'm so hoarse.

But I didn't cry. I don't need to cry. Crying won't bring them back. Crying will just make it worse.

Aunt Janie walks in.

She's not really my Aunt. Mom and Janie were just really good friends when they were little. And are, or well, were.

"Oh, Reese." she says hoarse as well.

I look at her. Hurt in her eyes, and I know it's in mine.

"Well, I guess I should tell you why I'm here." she says.

I nod. "Go ahead."

"Well, your mother always said, if she ever, well you know, went. I would take you in. Considering you don't have any relatives." she says, all in a quick jumble.

"Uh, oh, um okay." I say. I'm so confused. "Do I need to pack or...?".

"Yes! But our plane is leaving in... an hour and a half. So you need to be quick." she says.

I nod and run upstairs. Not only did I lose my boyfriend, but I lost my family as well.

I grab the largest suitcase we own and stuff all my clothes in it. Then I grab all my toiletries and stuff it in a small suitcase. I stick my scrapbook that I have and put it in my purse, phone and iPod.

I look at my room one last time and shut the door.

I walk downstairs and turn off the TV. Which is showing the picture of our crushed car. Janie is waiting in the hall. I get one last look at our small apartment, lock the door, and shut it.

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Somewhere In, Florida. An airplane. 2:12 PM

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"Kansas is absolutely splendid!" Janie says.

"Mhmm." I say, looking out the window. "Hey Jane, I'm kinda tired, do you mind if I go to sleep?"

She looks at me and smiles. "Yeah. I'm actually kinda tired myself. But before you go to sleep, I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" I ask, turning to her.

"I have 12 boys and one girl." she says smiling.

"Oh, wow. Um okay." I say shocked.

I think about it for a minute. Then put in my headphones and turn on Ronan by Taylor Swift.

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Manhattan, Kansas. Janie's car. 8:54 PM.

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"So what are the ages of your," I gulp, "13 children?" I ask.

We were in the car, on the way to Janie's house.

"Okay, I'll start from the oldest..."

13 names and ages later.

Eric is 26 and married to Annabelle with their one child, Talia.

Joel is 19 and in community college.

Grant is 17 and in his junior year.

Aria is 16 and in her junior year as well.

Jacob is 16 and Aria's twin.

Toby is 15 and Janie's nephew. He's in his freshman year.

Will and Max are 13 and twins. Their in 8th grade.

Henry is 11 and in 5th grade.

Camden is 9 and in 3rd grade. He's Toby's brother.

Freddie, aka Crazy, is 7 and lives up to his nickname. He's in 1st grade.

Jared is 5 and in Kindergarten.

Then theres Andy, aka Little Man, and he's a year old. He just learning to walk.

"Wow, although that's a lot of children, I'm glad there's at least one girl. And luckily she's my age." I say.

"Yeah." she turns to look at me. "I have a feeling you're going to like this place." she smiles.

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Okay guys!

How did you like it?

I worked hard on this!

And yes, I am aware that my book is very similar to a book about a girl who's family dies in a car crash and has to go to a whole different state and lives with like 10 boys. But please don't say i'm copying her or anything.

Okay, vote, comment, and fan!

Bye!