-waves- Just a drabble that popped into my read. If you don't mind, please review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Allison Cameron. :(

Every year, from when she was started kindergarten to when she finished high school, Allison Cameron was asked the same question.

She remembers the first time, on her very first day of school.

"What do you want to be when you grow up, Allison?" the teacher, Ms. Lane, asks her.

"A princess," she responds at once. Because at five, because being able to rule over your own country and wear a pretty dress appeals to all little girls.

As she grows older, the answer changes without fail each year. She has always had a hard time making up her mind.

She knows in fifth grade, she wanted to be a teacher, and that the next year her answer was something entirely different.

"What do you want to be when you grow up, Allison?" the teacher, this time Mrs. Anderson, asks her.

"An actress," she responds at once. Because at eleven, being able to walk down the red carpet and star in movies is a pretty cool thing.

Her list of ideal jobs continues to grow, and now includes a singer and a lawyer. When she starts high school, the question is asked again on the first day. She wonders why everyone cares so much more about what she'll do in ten years, rather than right now.

"What do you want to be when you grow up, Allison?" the teacher, now Mr. Henry, asks her.

"A writer," she responds at once. Because at fourteen, being able to write your own happy ending is just what you need.

The next year, when she is a sophomore in high school, her job aspiration has changed again. This time, she hasn't chosen it because of its glamorous appeal, or because of the power that comes with it, but because of another reason.

Sarah, who has been her best friend since they both wanted to be princesses as five year olds, died over the summer.

Sarah had been diagnosed with leukemia years ago, and had always been in and out of the hospital. Since she was her best friend, she had gone to visit Sarah each time she worsened, and had watched her grow sicker and sicker, until she finally passed away.

Her first day as a sophomore, like any other first day, she was given the same question. This time, she notices that it is spoken with an edge that hasn't been there before. By now, she should know what she wants to do with her life, because her teachers say it matters.

Luckily, she's already decided.

"What do you want to be when you grow up, Allison?" the teacher, a stern looking woman named Ms. Ruslen, asks her.

"A doctor," she responds at once. Because at fifteen, being able to save people when she's older, sounds almost as good as being able to save Sarah would have been.

The next year, Allison Cameron's answer doesn't change.