Ninety Nine Nights

Chapter Two

She was supposed to arrive at nine sharp, we had a full day of activities planned out and now it's near ten.

My mother gazes at me, watching my eyes go from the door to the clock then back to the door, I'm worried, June is never late.

My mother came today on my request bringing food for June and myself as well as a few other things I thought we may need today.

June's home cooked food is completely inedible, I thought it would be nice if we both had something to eat today.

No matter what the day or occasion June is never prepared, I figure today will be no exception. I want to make the most of today, June may not visit again.

"You don't have to stay mom, I'm fine, June will arrive soon." I say, seeing my mother is worried.

"I want to make sure she arrives and you two are well off for the day" she replies with a worried smile.

This day is very important to me and she knows this. I haven't seen June in six months, she's been so busy lately with school and other stuff. I close my eyes and imagine her. I bet she looks the same, she'll come prancing through the door of room 113 in one of her nice dresses perhaps sporting her long running beautiful brown hair, I really can't imagine her any other way.

I'm assuming she's with Laurie right now at the salon getting ready for today, she must have lost track of time.

I always keep the picture of our group of friends from school beside my bed, it reminds me of things that once were and now lost and what I hope to one day gain back.

Laurie and Chloe are the only friends that grant ne the luxury of their presence regularly, June and Bridgette are far to busy and Megan's been gone for quite some time now.

June has natural beauty I wish I possessed, I admire her, I'm envious.

Everyone loves June, she was the poster child for our town, a role model, the one all the parents wanted their children to be like, though I hear much has changed in the past few months.

People talk a lot in our town but for the most part everyone keeps to themselves.

Our community is very close and full of loving individuals, Ms. Montgomery is no exception, she's very caring and is always the first to help those in need. I figure she must have a lot of sympathy for June.

Ms. Montgomery had been the only one close to the Leblancs and the one who found their children alone in the house, she couldn't bare to let some stranger care for them.

The LeBlancs had gone backpacking through Spain and left their twins home alone, some say on purpose, some by accident. This was three months ago, that haven't been seen since.

I heard from my mom quite a few people are perplexed when it comes to June, Ms. Montgomery has been quite annoyed with June bothering her everyday, always asking for drives.

The only new thing I know of in June's life is the addition of her parents, her grandparents passed, she must still be taking it hard.

Her parents seem to really care about her, they immediately drove to her after hearing the news, it was the first time she had seen them since she was a little girl, it makes me wonder why they waited so long to visit her.

Maybe today will be good for the both of us, maybe I can help her.

Today will be great if it remains gossip free, with June in the mix it's very unlikely.

I wiped the condensation from the window and peer out hoping to spot June. The only people I can spot outside are the trouble making triplets, Maggie, Molly and Milly cutting class as they often do.

My mother sees them too, shaking her head at me, she knows they are close friends of mine, I've even been mistaken as a sister of theirs though I'm much better looking.

Our town has not aged a bit over the years, everyone knows everyone else, the teens and young adults have all grown up together and we never have new people moving in, not even visitors.

A silent knock knock came on the door just loud enough to make both of us jump a near in from where we sit, we are no longer in deep thought, our eyes now fixated on the door.

"May I come in" a noiseless voice calls from beyond the plain white door of room 113.

I don't answer, I haven't yet decided whether or not to be angry, she's two hours late.

"Come on in June," my mother calls back, reluctant that June has finally made it.

"Sorry I'm late" The voice mutters as someone enters the room with an unfamiliar presence, I guess a lot more has changed in the last six months than I've been aware of, she looks different, nevertheless June is here and I couldn't be happier.