closet.”
“So you guys are going out to eat? I guess that means I am watching Allie on Friday." This happens all the time. They make plans and just expect me to watch Allie without checking with me to see if I have plans. I bet they didn’t even know there wasn’t a football game, they just expected me to give up my plans for them. I wonder when they plan to give up their plans for Allie and me.
“Yeah, I meant to ask you earlier but forgot. You can stay with her, right?”
“It’s fine. The fall festival is going on this weekend, would it be okay if we go there and hang out? I would be needing some extra money for the rides and food, if that is okay?”
“Of course, honey. Just get some out of my purse or ask your father for some.”
“You guys could come with us. It would be fun if we all went together," I ask looking at her hopefully. When she doesn’t respond, I ask again. Still nothing.
“Mom, what do you think? Could we all go together?”
“Sorry, honey. I wasn’t paying attention. There is just so much dust in this closet. Was it something important that you asked?”
“No, it never is.” I whisper to myself as I leave the room.
As I am lying in bed trying to go to sleep, I think back over the past couple of days. How did my life go from so simple to so complicated? Blake is such a great guy, and I feel like I am using him. I need to tell Blake the truth and stop being a coward. I wish we were just hanging out as friends, because I really do enjoy being with him. Plus, I think he is someone that I could relax with and talk to about my problems. I have Leah, but I can’t talk to her about Connor. I just wish I had someone I could confide in and get advice from about him. Maybe I should just come clean with Connor and tell him how I feel once and for all. Nah, that would be a disaster. I would talk to my mom, but she barely listens to me. As I continue to wish, tears start sliding down my cheeks. Hopefully one day my life will make sense again.
Chapter 9
The Sutherland Fall Festival is an annual three-day event that is held in a grassy area near the town square. It is always a big draw for little kids and teens both, because of the rides, but there is also music, food, and crafts. Some years my parents insisted they go with Allie and me, but the last couple of years I have brought Allie alone or with Leah. Leah is still sick, so I am flying solo tonight with Allie, which really stinks. I love amusement park rides but, and this is a big but, I started getting motion sickness a couple of years ago. Usually Leah rides with Allie so this is not an issue, but this year I am hoping Allie will agree to ride alone. The festival is especially busy tonight because of the lack of a football game. It seems like everywhere I look there are people from our school. I wish Leah was here with me. Oh well, this is important to Allie so I will make the best of it for her.
“Okay, here are your tickets, Allie. What are you riding first?”
“You’re riding with me, right, Abby? I don’t want to ride by myself. Most of the cars are built for two people. I will look like such a loser sitting alone.”
“Allie, you know I get sick. Are any of your friends coming tonight?”
“Nope, they are coming tomorrow afternoon and evening. Please, Abby, just one ride and then if you get sick I won’t ask again, okay?” she asks me with pleading eyes.
“Fine, one ride,” I concede as I pray she doesn’t pick something that goes around and around.
“How about the scrambler, it is probably the smoothest ride, or maybe the swings. Your choice.”
“I guess I pick the scrambler, although the name of it does not bode well for my tummy.” Allie laughs as I cross my fingers and hope for the best.
We head in the direction of the scrambler and get in line before I notice that a bunch of students I recognize are in front of us. I see two heads in particular that I want to avoid, a shaggy blond head and a short
“So you guys are going out to eat? I guess that means I am watching Allie on Friday." This happens all the time. They make plans and just expect me to watch Allie without checking with me to see if I have plans. I bet they didn’t even know there wasn’t a football game, they just expected me to give up my plans for them. I wonder when they plan to give up their plans for Allie and me.
“Yeah, I meant to ask you earlier but forgot. You can stay with her, right?”
“It’s fine. The fall festival is going on this weekend, would it be okay if we go there and hang out? I would be needing some extra money for the rides and food, if that is okay?”
“Of course, honey. Just get some out of my purse or ask your father for some.”
“You guys could come with us. It would be fun if we all went together," I ask looking at her hopefully. When she doesn’t respond, I ask again. Still nothing.
“Mom, what do you think? Could we all go together?”
“Sorry, honey. I wasn’t paying attention. There is just so much dust in this closet. Was it something important that you asked?”
“No, it never is.” I whisper to myself as I leave the room.
As I am lying in bed trying to go to sleep, I think back over the past couple of days. How did my life go from so simple to so complicated? Blake is such a great guy, and I feel like I am using him. I need to tell Blake the truth and stop being a coward. I wish we were just hanging out as friends, because I really do enjoy being with him. Plus, I think he is someone that I could relax with and talk to about my problems. I have Leah, but I can’t talk to her about Connor. I just wish I had someone I could confide in and get advice from about him. Maybe I should just come clean with Connor and tell him how I feel once and for all. Nah, that would be a disaster. I would talk to my mom, but she barely listens to me. As I continue to wish, tears start sliding down my cheeks. Hopefully one day my life will make sense again.
Chapter 9
The Sutherland Fall Festival is an annual three-day event that is held in a grassy area near the town square. It is always a big draw for little kids and teens both, because of the rides, but there is also music, food, and crafts. Some years my parents insisted they go with Allie and me, but the last couple of years I have brought Allie alone or with Leah. Leah is still sick, so I am flying solo tonight with Allie, which really stinks. I love amusement park rides but, and this is a big but, I started getting motion sickness a couple of years ago. Usually Leah rides with Allie so this is not an issue, but this year I am hoping Allie will agree to ride alone. The festival is especially busy tonight because of the lack of a football game. It seems like everywhere I look there are people from our school. I wish Leah was here with me. Oh well, this is important to Allie so I will make the best of it for her.
“Okay, here are your tickets, Allie. What are you riding first?”
“You’re riding with me, right, Abby? I don’t want to ride by myself. Most of the cars are built for two people. I will look like such a loser sitting alone.”
“Allie, you know I get sick. Are any of your friends coming tonight?”
“Nope, they are coming tomorrow afternoon and evening. Please, Abby, just one ride and then if you get sick I won’t ask again, okay?” she asks me with pleading eyes.
“Fine, one ride,” I concede as I pray she doesn’t pick something that goes around and around.
“How about the scrambler, it is probably the smoothest ride, or maybe the swings. Your choice.”
“I guess I pick the scrambler, although the name of it does not bode well for my tummy.” Allie laughs as I cross my fingers and hope for the best.
We head in the direction of the scrambler and get in line before I notice that a bunch of students I recognize are in front of us. I see two heads in particular that I want to avoid, a shaggy blond head and a short
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