Author's
note; Originally I wanted to just post this as one story, but then I decided to
cut it into six short chapters. I think I better get use to this chaptering
system, its driving me crazy *sigh*. I don't know the name of Cassie's
parents or grandparents, so I made them up... well, here it is, enjoy:
CHAPTER ONE
Hi
My name is Jessie.
And I am on one boring ride to visit one of my uncles.
My uncle William, he's a veterinarian, his wife is too, and their daughter
Cassie is also into animals.
Me, I hate animals. Well, maybe I was exaggerating, I
do like one animal. And that animal, is Jade. My dog. I've had her as a puppy,
and my pa gave her to me on my tenth birthday. It was a surprise. I loved it.
"Jess', darlin' will you pass me that tape over
there." My grandpa asked.
I reached out and gave him the tape. I didn't bother
asking him what was on it, it was probably something stupid, like all the other
things he hears.
My grandma and grandpa are taking me to my uncle's, I
don't usually mind their company, but these days, well, they're annoying.
Maybe I'm being mean, they just try to be friendly to
me but I can't stand it. Every one is trying to be friendly to me lately.
Because pa died. He was a bystander in a bank robbery.
My dad saved some little girl's life, but he got shot in the process. People
tell me what my dad did was a great thing, they say he died a brave hero. That
he saved a little girl's life and that I should be proud of him.
I hate him. Why did he leave me? After ma died from
cancer, he said, no he promised me, that he would be there for me,
because ma's not here anymore.
I felt my vision go blurry. I reached out and wiped
away the tear before anyone saw it.
"What's wrong honey?" Grandpa said. So much for
not noticing.
I shrugged.
"Come on girl, it will be alright." Grandpa said
cheerfully. "You'll get to see Cassie again."
I snorted, yeah. That's exciting, spending the rest
of my life with Cassie's family, I'll love that.
"Let her be. Sam." My grandma said, "She'll get
use to it."
"The girl is upset Martha, can't you see that?"
"Sam, I said, let her be. She needs some time to
think it over."
"Don't you Sam me, Martha." My grandpa snapped.
They went on like this for ages, acted like I weren't
there, which was fine by me, I didn't need Grandpa's pity or Grandma's
sternness.
All I needed was Jade, but she was at the back of the
truck. I got up and pushed my way back to reach her.
"Now look what you just did." Grandpa complained.
"You upset her again."
"I didn't upset no body. The girl needs space."
"She's going to have that with you around." He
snapped back.
"Oh, My! Sam- I never thought-"
"Yeah, you never think, that's right, which is why
she's staying with Will."
I tuned them out both of them, they've been getting
on at each other's nerves ever since grandpa decided that I'd be better off
with my uncle Will.
"Hey, Jade." I said as I saw her.
She didn't react much. She was fast asleep. I sighed,
sat beside her and scratched her behind the ears, she likes that. Her eyes
opened slightly and she put her head on my lap.
Back here I couldn't hear much of anything but the
roar of the engines, which was okay, I didn't want anyone bothering me.
Certainly not my grandparents.
I don't know how long I was there at the back of the
truck, but I fell asleep. I woke up when the I felt the truck stop.
I yawned stretched and got up. I grabbed my backpack
and hopped out, with Jade just inches behind me.
"Come on, Jess'." Grandpa said, "Lets get your
bags out."
"Sure grandpa."
I helped take out all of my luggage and placed them on
the driveway. I looked around and noticed that Jade had disappeared. I shrugged,
she'll come back after investigating the area.
My uncle was first to come out and greet me, followed
by Cassie's mom.
"Ohhh, Jessie!" Cassie's mom walked up to me and
hugged me briefly, "I hope you like it hear, honey."
"Yeah I think I will." I muttered to myself with a
slight hint of sarcasm, I didn't want anyone to hear me, I'd get into
trouble, or get told off or something.
Uncle Will was taking in my luggage and Cassie's mom
was talking to Grandpa.
"Jessie," Cassie's mom called out as I headed
indoor. "Cassie's not here know, she'll be home soon, I told her you were
coming."
"Uhuh." I replied.
I found myself walking through there living room, I sat
down on the sofa and watched the TV, nothing was on but I had no idea what to
do, I mean this isn't my home.
But it will be very soon.
"Jessie," Cassie's father walked into the living
room, "You'll be sharing Cassie's room for a couple of days, we still
haven't fixed up the guest room, it'll be your room."
"Thanks." I mumbled, I didn't know what to say.
He laughed, "Don't you worry about it." He looked
around the living room as if it were the first time he walked into it,
"Tomorrow, you'll choose what color you want to repaint that room."
"Oh, well, nothing out of your house's color
scheme." I said grinning, "I wouldn't want to paint it red, that'll look
odd."
He laughed, "Sure."
He left me at last. My grandparents kissed me goodbye
and they left as well, I heard their truck pull away from the driveway.
Cassie's mom came in and watched TV with me, even
though there was nothing on, "So, Jessie, you'll be going to the school
here. You'll be starting tomorrow."
I nodded.
"I'm afraid the school is a bit far away, you know,
being on farm land so close to the national forest."
"If Cassie can mange then I can too." I said.
The phone rang. Cassie's mom answered it. "Hi, What
is it Roger?"
Cassie's mom frowned suddenly, looked at her watch
and said, "But she isn't due yet."
"No…Are you sure?" She paused, "I'll be right
over."
She grabbed her coat-she had thrown it on a couch, "I
have to go, Jessie, sorry."
"What's up?" I asked.
She laughed, "Oh, that. The giraffe is going to give
birth to little Jock."
Jock must be the name of the giraffe's.
"You want to come?"
I shook my head.
"Are you sure you'll be okay? Will's not here."
Funny, I never heard him leave, "I'll be fine,
really." I assured, "I'll wait for Cassie to come."
"Okay dear, if you're hungry help yourself."
"I will." I promised.
She left. I switched off the TV. I sat there, twiddling
my thumbs. It was very quite, but I could hear a couple of birds singing
outside.
I climbed the stairs and stood outside Cassie's room.
I raised a hand to knock but I felt stupid, no one was home. I went in and
started to unpack. I was careful not to move any of Cassie's things.
After that I went to visit my room, the one Uncle Will
said he'd fix up. It was bigger than Cassie's room, but not by much. I
checked out the view that I had from my window.
Not so good, all I had was the stupid barn and the
drive way. I also had the forest and the far off mountains. These were okay.
A figure walking to the barn caught my attention. It
was Cassie, I think, from the angle the figure was walking I couldn't be sure.
No, wait. It was Cassie, older than last time I saw her, I probably
looked older too, it was five, no six and a half years since I last saw her. She
walked to the barn and disappeared inside.
I figured she'd pass over to her house to see me or
something so I ran downstairs and pretended to be watching TV. I waited
impatiently, I wanted to get this over with. And I wanted to know if I was going
to sleep on the floor or something, I hate sleeping on the floor, I wake up and
my shoulders and neck would be killing me.
Ten minutes past and no Cassie. I fiddled around and
waited for another ten minutes when I finally decided that she wouldn't be
coming over. I got up and headed to the barn.
I slipped inside, I was surprised to find that there
were a couple of patients inside, last time I was there, there were only a few
birds and one lone fox. I guess business grows, maybe the animals heard of the
clinic or something. Decided to hurt themselves just to visit. By the way, this
was suppose to be a joke, I'm not very good with jokes, sorry.
"Cassie?" I called out.
No answer, "Cassie?"
Still, no one there, I frowned, I swear I did see
Cassie come in here, where was she know? She couldn't have disappeared just
like that.
Or could she?