Chapter 1: The Beginning

Winter 24th

Dear Diary,

Hey! It's me again! You'll never guess what happened today! You know how I was telling you yesterday about mom and dad's old friend that was coming over today? I thought he was gonna be some old geezer like them. Boy was I wrong!

Their old friend is 35, only fifteen years older than me!!! And he is SO CUTE!!! I couldn't even talk to him! I grew this shy feeling, and you know that's not me! He had sandy blonde hair, sparkling green eyes, tons of cute freckles, HUGE BICEPS!!!

Apparently he had a big crush on mom when he was little. That's great for me! Dad is always telling me that I have my mom's gorgeous looks, and his hot-blooded, active personality! Uh-oh. Mom and Pops are about to come in and check on me.

Got to Go!

Sincerely,

Ariella

I quickly turned out my light and crawled into bed. By some miracle, I beat my parents.

"Shh. Luke." mom whispered. "She's asleep."

"She must be tired." dad said as he began to shut my bedroom door.

"Yeah. I'm glad Bo decided to come today. I was worried he might still be mad at us." mom said quietly.

"Nah. Bo's never been one to hold a grudge. I was just worried the trip might be too much for him. Dr. Jin said that it might scar his lungs for life." Dad said with a worried tone.

"Bo's been working twice as hard as he use to. I think he'll be fine. Dr. Jin said it would only scar his lungs if he didn't have that special treatment." mom said.

"And of coarse, I insisted we have it done! I would hate myself if he had died. He's always been like a little brother to me." dad said.

Mom yawned than said, "Well, we better get some sleep. Night Luke."

"Night Akari." dad said.

Then I drifted to sleep.

"Wake up Sleepy Head!" my dad yelled as he shook me playfully.

"I'm up! I'm up!" I said as I stretched. "Geez Pops. What time is it?"

"It's already 6:30!" dad said as he ran outta my room. "Hurry and get ready!"

"Today's the day." I thought to myself, as I got dressed.

"Hey mom!" I said as I walked into the kitchen. "What's for breakfast?"

"Pancakes." mom said, not looking up from the stove.

"Should I do my chores before, or after breakfast?" I asked.

Mom looked at me with a puzzling look.

"If you think you have enough energy to do it before, you can." she said after a moment.

"Okay!" I said as I put my coat on. "Be right back!"

It was a cold, sunny day. I smiled as I ran to the barn.

"Morning Everyone! Rise and Shine!" I said happily.

I quickly fed the horses, cows, sheep, silkworms, goats and ostriches.

Then, I went and fed my colt, Bear, an apple and petted him for a while.

Lastly, I went to the bird coop to feed the ducks and chickens.

While they were distracted by the food, I collected eggs.

I ran into the house and put the eggs up in the fridge.

"Done!" I said with excitement as I sat down at my seat at the table.

"Great!" mom said as she handed dad and me both a plate of pancakes.

"I'm gonna go visit a friend. Be back soon." I said once I had finished.

"Alright. Be back by seven." mom said as she began to clean off the table.

"Bye!" I said once I got my jacket on.

Once I got outside, I took a deep breath.

Today I was gonna visit Bo.

Only this time, I was going to talk to him.

I decided to go say hi to Heath before I saw Bo.

I walked to the Ganache Mines, but didn't go in very far.

I've always been afraid of the mines.

Mom and Dad had told me the story about when it caved in; I never want it to happen to me.