Chapter 11: part 1:

~~~SARALYN'S POV~~~

I woke up to the sun shining through the curtains draped across the window. I sat up in my bed and glanced at the clock.

8:00? Wow, that was a long sleep...

I slowly got out of bed.

"What... happened?" I mumbled to myself, but the dull ache in my back brought back the memories.

What it all... a dream? I thought. No... it was all real.

I glanced at the calendar and sighed.

"Some birthday that was..." I said, kicking the carpet. I walked downstairs and into the kitchen, but was greeted by a cake in the middle of the table. "Huh?"

The cake read "happy birthday". Next to it was a card. I opened it, unaware that another card had fallen out and fluttered underneath the table.

"Happy birthday, Saralyn." it read. "Sorry about yesterday, but look on the bright side! You're alive! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

-From: Carmen, Sam, and Tucker.

My frown stretched down to my chin. I tossed the card back onto the table and made my way back into my bathroom. I changed out of my day old clothes and dressed myself in a navy blue sweater with white stars, gray sweatpants, and fuzzy hot pink socks. I entered my bedroom, determined to go downstairs drown my problems in an unhealthy amount of game shows and ice cream. As I passed by my bed, I felt my foot catch on something. I cried out and fell onto my stomach, using my old clothes as a cushion for my fall.

"What the-?!" I cried, turning to my back. "Danny!"

Danny was sprawled out on the floor, fast asleep. I crawled up to him.

"Danny, wake up!" I said, jabbing his side. Danny jolted and sat up.

"What the?! Who-?!" he said startled. "Oh, hey Sara."

"Danny, why are you sleeping on my bedroom floor?"

"Uh...?" Danny scratched the back of his head.

I raised my hand. "On second thought, don't answer that."

Danny rolled his eyes. It was quiet.

"So..." I said, fumbling with my thumbs. "Thanks for saving me."

"What are friends for?" Danny smiled.

"Yeah... friends."

I looked away, and when I glanced back at Danny, he was staring at me.

"Why are you staring at me?" I said.

"You look..." Danny said.

"Nasty? Well, I haven't showered since Thursday, my hair's all gross, and-"

"No..." Danny said, leaning forward slightly to study me. "I've never seen you look like this. It's different, and I like it. You look... pretty."

I smiled as my cheeks turn into an all new shade of red.

"Thanks." I said.

Danny realized what he said and he looked away, showing off the pink that began to flush into his cheek.

"Hey, there's a marathon of Wheel of Fortune today. Wanna watch it with me?" I said.

Danny's eyes lit up. "I'll make the popcorn."