Johnny woke me up the next morning.

I was still on the couch, and the cold I had acquired had reached my sinuses.

"Hey, brought you medicine and juice. Nico called Travis and apparently the guy called you in sick."

I nodded, taking the items from him.

"You be okay alone here?"

I nodded again, still feeling like I was asleep.

"Alright."

Nico woke me up next. "Hey, I'm leaving now. Your phone is on the coffee table. Answer it when I call you at lunch. Got it?"

I nodded, rubbing my eyes. "Go, go. I'll be fine. It's just a cold. It knocked me on my butt, but it's just a cold. I'll work on homework and send an email to the head of my club so that they know I didn't just bail on them."

He cursed. "That's today, isn't it."

"Indeed. Relax, Nico. You'll have fun." I fixed his hair. "Better."

"I won't get mocked now?"

I nodded.

"Thanks." He watched me for a moment, then kissed my forehead. "Feel better."

I smiled at him. "It's just a cold. I'll probably be over it in a day or so. I'll work on homework and probably rewatch Marble Hornets. It'll be good."

"Marble…"

"Hornets. It's a series on youtube. Sort of a horror deal. Mom and I stumbled upon it. You two need to get going though. You're going to be late." I sneezed, grabbing for the tissues.

He held his hands up in surrender, hurrying toward the door. "I forgot to feed Batman."

"I'll take care of it," I called back. Batman was barely even conscious, laying protectively by the back door.

They rushed out the door.

Boys.

I got up and got a back up box of tissues, since I had apparently been using tissues all night (I don't remember it, so I must have been sleep-sneezing or blowing my nose). It just sort of figured that I would do that.

On the bright side, Parker had apparently gotten over the reason she had hissed at me and had been sleeping on me. She mewled when she got displaced as I got up.

Once I was back with the box of tissues, plus some snacks. Then I pulled up the YouTube app on my TV. I started typing in Marble Hornets, but stopped myself when the search history came up with a video search for "Maximizing Writing Time Juliet Dellaro". I knew what the video was. I had been there. Watching from the wings.

I selected it.

The first video was the one that had the full scene from that event, so I picked it.

It was in the middle of an event, so it started with everyone laughing, even Mom.

"Alright, what's your question dear?" Mom was looking to the right of the crowd.

"Being a single mom, how do you maximize your writing time?"

Mom was laughed a little. "Maximize my writing time? Oh, dear. Um, well…it usually consists of me flitting from idea to idea while encouraging my daughter in her schoolwork. Oh, it's loads of fun. I bake bread, brownies, and make dinner and then stare at a screen for about an hour until my daughter walks in and just sits in the same room, reading or doing schoolwork and suddenly I write five thousand words in three hours. Because that's how long she takes to finish reading a new book, or an old book. That's about how long it takes for her to finish her schoolwork. So, maximizing my writing time and parenting is something that just sort of happens all day long. I honestly don't focus on my writing. It just happens. I swear sometimes the sidhe come into my house at night and write everything for me."

There was a lot of laughter.

She laughed as well. "But no, I just let my crazy flow and somehow it all comes out on the page. I feed myself and my girl and teach her how to do math—not an easy feat, by the way because I couldn't math if it saved my life, probably to save hers—I teach her history, english, and then I had to enroll her in a co-op for her science because the science in my books is just what I research on google. Or things she tells me about from her science classes."

She ran a hand through her hair. "My writing time is just a sentence here and there while I go on with the rest of my life like I'm a normal stay-at-home mom who cuts coupons and pinches pennies like I haven't made that much money off of my books. It's like my stories are these shoes, and they have to be made for walking because honey, we're going places." It was her facial expressions, her way of speaking that made people laugh and enjoy her speaking. She was animated, lively, and so expressive that she conveyed meaning in all her looks and gestures.

"Most of the time, the places we're going are because I'm running to try and catch myself. Then I trip and land in bed and crash there until extremely early in the morning when I have a brilliant idea that just can't wait. I'm surprised me and my daughter don't suffer from insomnia." She took a drink from a bottle of water. "But as far as maximizing my writing time, I guess what I'm saying is that I really don't worry about it. It happens, and if it doesn't happen one day it will happen the next. I'm usually working on two or three stories nowadays, so if I get stuck in one, I move to the other. Jacob, my agent, he calls it being flighty. My editor, Loraine, says it's the reason she drinks paint stripper—I mean bourbon."

That got a lot of laughs from the adults.

"Yes, sweety, what's your question?" She pointed to the right side.

"Who is your celebrity crush?"

Mom looked a little guilty, and embarrassed. "I…have a few…" She winced. "Um, there's Orlando Bloom, Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Mark Harmon, and Chris Hemsworth…and Tom Hiddleston. Boy could I write about them. Yum. Talk about maximizing writing time."

The crowd was roaring.

She glanced toward where I had been standing and started cracking up. "I think I just ruined all of those actors for my daughter."

That made everyone laugh more.

I stared at the ended video. One of the suggestions was a fan video talking about mom's death. I clicked it.

"Hey guys, so the world got a whole lot darker today. Apparently one of my favorite authors, Juliet Dellaro, was killed after being kidnapped with her daughter. They're burying her this friday and I'm going to throw a reading memorial Friday Night. Juliet Dellaro helped me stand up to the bullies at school, and gave me something to live for until I got some help. Her daughter did see her die, so I also think we should all be praying for her as she buries her mom. Please, write to me your stories. Let's share the love. I don't know what's going to happen to her book's social website, but I think we should all be making sure there's nothing but love there for her and her daughter." The girl held up the back of her hand with a symbol from one of mom's most popular books. In the book it signified that they were the peacekeepers and warriors. "Don't forget that these people are still out there and there are so many other people in the world that go through stuff like this that never get this much publicity. If you can spare some money, there are a bunch of legit charities that help the victims and the families of these victims that I've linked below. Let's stand, guys. Stand for each other."

I let autoplay bring up the next video from this girl, which wasn't her Friday memorial.

"Hey everyone, so I just got back from the book release event. Juliet's daughter, Cassandra, gave this speech there and guys it was amazing. It's posted online and you should totally watch it, if you haven't already. But what really struck me about Cassandra is that speaks a lot like her mother does. She's funny without trying. She's real. I can't wait to see what her book is like. She actually blushed when Jacob promoted the book, and then when he jokingly said that she had said she was going to punch him for promoting the book, she said she had threatened to stab him and called him Janus. Anybody else remember when Juliet called someone Janus?" It switched to a clip from when my mom was on a talk show.

Mom flipped her hair. "Yeah, so, I was talking with my agent. He handles so much of my press, and he tells me not to release any info on my book. Then, the little Janus turns around and talks about my book! I was just going to post the release date, he gave a whole freaking excerpt from it."

It went back to the girl that was hosting the youtube show. "And yeah, guys. It's the same guy. Jacob was Juliet's agent, and I guess he switched right over to Cassie as well since Cassie is in charge of all of the leftover writing. But seriously, if you loved Juliet Dellaro, you have to listen to Cassie's speech. And they got Eric Temple to introduce Cassie! My mom got Eric's books, and my whole family is laughing over his anecdotes and the pictures. The contests are going to be interesting. I can't wait to see some of the submissions. But for now, I've got to sign off. See you guys again next week."

I tilted my head and selected the most recent video on her page.

"Hey people, so, a couple weeks ago my cousin calls me, freaking out because Cassie Dellaro goes to her school! How crazy is that?"

I smiled.

"My cousin is part of the fan club there, and she's in a story writing class with Ms. Dellaro. Can you guys imagine that? Being in a writing class with the daughter of a famous writer?" She made the gesture for mind-blown. "I can't even imagine if I were to meet her, much less go to school with her. I told my cousin not to push her, because I know that she doesn't know how to deal with the spotlight yet. Apparently, my cousin didn't listen."

"Apparently," I murmured, laughing a little.

"She told me that Cassie is there with the friend that's been in her photos. Says that they're just friends, and that the most popular boy in school is their friend now. Love interest, maybe? I feel bad about knowing so much about her. How weird is that? Anyway, the club there did ask her about her book. She said it's dystopian. They also asked her why she was in a writing class. Apparently, she said that there's always more to learn and that even her mother kept taking writing classes. Apparently she was also really uncomfortable the whole time, which I can imagine why. They did that to her on the first day of school. Way to play it cool, guys. But it's totally awesome that there's that sort of connection. Maybe I'll catch a glimpse of her when I visit next Thursday and Friday."

I tilted my head, then shook it. I wasn't sure if I was amused or flattered. Probably both. Maybe it was the cold medicine.

I made sure I was logged into the right account, then clicked the comment box.

Keep it simple, keep it friendly.

Hey, so, I saw your video telling everyone that my mom was dead, and the one after my speech. Thank you, for everything you've said. I didn't realize that both my mom and I had called Jacob Janus. Hopefully I can shake this cold. You can tell your cousin that I'll show up for their Friday meeting. And I'll bring something awesome. Love your shirt in this video.

Did that sound completely ridiculous?

Probably.

I hit the submit button anyway. If I sound ridiculous and people comment on it, I'll blame the medicine.

I found an interview from a long time ago, when I was about five. I was actually onstage with my mom. I didn't remember that.

"So, you're Cassandra?" The interviewer asked.

Little me shyly nodded.

"And what do you want to be when you grow up, Cassandra?"

Little me shrugged, then partially hid my face in Mom's arm.

Mom laughed softly. "She's a little shy, can you tell?"

"But a sweetheart."

"Oh yes, she's my darling. My little angel. Cass, can you say something to the nice man?"

Little me looked over at him, then looked at the crowd, then back to him. "XYZASAP."

They both looked at me, confused, then the guy looked down and then back up as he zipped his pants.

Soon everyone was laughing while little me looked around, uncertain.

I turned the TV off. "Round two of sleeping off this cold?"

Batman barked.

"Shoot, Nico didn't feed you. That wasn't very thoughtful of him." I got up making sure not to disturb Parker this time and got Batman his food. He—of course—followed me. He did that. He follows us everywhere, like our shadows. I'd read that Great Danes did that, but still, he's got some lab in him. I thought that might temper it. No, it makes him more clingy. Aw well, he was a cuddly baby and I loved it. He just…didn't always remember his size. Or…ever remember his size. Actually, I think he thinks he's a Pomeranian and can sit in our laps. I know Great Danes have short lifespans, but still. They were these lovable giants. Who couldn't love friendly giants?

Honestly, I'm not sure what else I did. I think I watched Gilmore Girls and cried because I missed my mom. I think I watched the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life and cried extra. Then I was waking up because Nico and Johnny were coming in and Batman was barking.

I dozed off again after Nico got me more juice and set my homework on the table.

When I woke up again, it was because Pizza had arrived.

I love pizza.

While I was eating Pizza, I checked the youtube account.

She had a new video.

I smiled and told Nico and Johnny what I had said.

Nico rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.

Johnny just chuckled. "Let's see."

I hit play.

"Oh my God, guys! Cassie Dellaro commented on my last video! She watched my videos! She said she wants to meet me! Oh my God, oh my God!" She squealed for another minute or so. "Okay, okay, I have to think of questions for her and I have to practice keeping my cool. Oh my gosh, I might be meeting Cassie Dellaro! She just has to get over a cold. Guys, please, I don't care if you're not religious, please, for my sake, pray she gets over that cold! I have to go pack for my trip. She liked my shirt in the last video. Oh God, what if she watches this one? Other than that, the official release date for her book comes out in about a week, and then maybe we'll hear about her signing some books or something. I wonder if her artist friend will be signing as well."

"Heck to the no." Nico folded his arms.

I smiled.

"She also said that she was going to bring something awesome to the Juliet Dellaro book club meeting. I have no idea what it is, but I have to agree. I have to go, but I'll check back in Saturday." She squealed again, and the video ended.

"I think you made her week," Johnny commented.

"There's no think about it," Nico said, tossing a scrap of crust to Batman.

I nodded. "Are you sure you gave me daytime medicine and not night time?"

"Why? Feeling sleepy?"

I nodded.

"Well, I'll check again, but I'm pretty certain."

I shrugged. "It's okay. I'll just sleep it off. Not like I can do anything else."

They nodded and left me to sleep while they did homework.