The Town of Willow Falls

The Good Weather and The Dead Tree

Amanda's POV

I wake up to Leo poking me.
"Get up!" Leo smiles.
"Huh? What time is it?" I ask.
"I let you sleep in for half an hour! It's 10:30. Let's go!" Leo's practically jumping up and down with excitement.
"Sorry, did I miss something?" I look around expecting something to pop out of nowhere.
"We're going to Apple Grove to check on our apple trees today. It's been two years since we've planted them!" Leo mock gasps at the fact that I've forgotten.
It didn't seem like that long since the trees were planted. We are hoping that they will grow into beautiful trees and hopefully produce lovely apples.
"Let me get dressed and I'll meet you in the kitchen."
Once Leo walks out of my room, I put on my denim shorts and a light blue t-shirt, since it's quite hot for early summer. I settle on pulling my hair back into a ponytail and I take the steps two at a time downstairs. I must have more energy than usual in me this morning.
I take the muffin that my mom set out for me and eat quickly.
While waiting for me, Leo starts talking.
"So, do you think the trees have grown much?"
"Well, we've had pretty good weather." I say in between bites.
"Okay, do we really have to talk about the weather?" Leo questions.
It's getting slightly awkward because I know what Leo is going to bring up.
Last night, we were watching the stars out on my lawn when he kissed me. It was the second time but it still felt like it changed a lot between us.
The first time he kissed me, we talked about the weather afterwards.
I don't answer him and tie up my sneakers.
"Let's go." I tell him, leading the way.
"Okay. But I'll bet that the trees have grown at least an inch. With all of that good weather." Leo grins as he shuts the door behind him.
---
When we arrive, it's quite the opposite of Leo's prediction.
"Leo! Come see this! I don't know what happened." I shake my head in disbelief.
The first tree is tilted sideways as if desperately searching for sun. It's obviously dead.
"Do you think someone did this?" Leo asks, shocked.
"No. The tree still looks natural. Let's go check the other ones." I suggest.
Leo and I walk around every single tree and see nothing wrong with any of the other trees. But they haven't seemed to grow anymore.
"That's odd. These trees aren't supposed to just die." I think aloud.
"We've had pretty good weather." Leo imitates me.
I punch him in the arm.
"Fitzpatrick, watch it." I warn, laughing.
"Let's call Tara. She's over at Grace's with David and Connor. They might know something." Leo suggests.
There's no hope in calling Rory. She looses her phone weekly and her phone's so old.
Leo starts dialling and he puts his phone on speaker.

A/N: Credits to Wendy Mass for creating such awesome characters, settings and ideas. I'm excited to write this story because there's not many people in the Willow Falls series fandom. I think they're really good books! ~M