On The Way, And At Home
After school, Etcetera, walke out of the big building. Walking, slowly, over to the bus area, Etcetera, wondered if Jemima would remember what she had told her. Now, walking faster, Etcetera stopped at the bus stop. Jemima wasn't there yet.
"Where is she?" Etcetera asked herself out loud. Then, she saw, Jemima, running over to her.
"Where were you!" Etcetera said. She was, somewhat, relieved.
"I was talking to my Drama teacher..." Jemima said. "I didn't mean to worry you. Now, here's the bus! We do want the back, don't we!"
"Yeah," Etcetera smiled. She followed Jemima onto the bus.
"So, are you sure you're going to be okay about everything changing?"
"I should be. But, I'll still think about it."
"Well, it's not like we want you to forget about it, Cetts!" Jemima laughed.
This was sort of a change. Etcetera hadn't seen Jemima laugh the way she just had for, well, ages! A smile began to spread across her face. She was beginning to think things may not change so much. She looked at Jemima, again.
"So, Jems, you up for a sundae at my place?" Etcetera asked. They always used to do that.
"Sure! It'll be just like old times! A sundae and homework!" Jemima smiled. "And, I know it will make you feel a lot better!"
Etcetera smiled. This was the loyal Jemima she loved. Etcetera loved Jemima, like a sister, and loved to spend time with her best friend. But, she would hate to wreck some more important plans. Those were the plans that involved toms, like, Pouncival.
Just then, Pouncival, moved to the seat across form them. He was sitting with Tumblebrutus. He turned to Jemima.
"Hey, Jembles! You up for homework tonight?" Pouncival said; winking at Jemima.
"Uhm..." Jemima said. She turned towards Etcetera.
"Go ahead," Etcetera said. She got up and move a few seats forward. There, she buried her face in her paws.
Jemima sat there. She had a confused look on her face. "Etcetera..."
'What is this! She NEVER calls me Etcetera! Things really are changing!' she thought. Etcetera looked out the window. She didn't notice, Tumblebrutus, slipping into the seat.
"Cetty..." he said in a soft, caring voice. "Are you okay?"
Etcetera turned and glared at her friend. "Do I look okay!" she cried. Tears burned her eyes as they dripped down her face.
Tumblebrutus hugged Etcetera . "It's going to be okay. I know how you feel. It seems as if everything is changing! Trust me, you'll be alright. Let's get off the bus. It's only a few minutes from your house," he said with a smile.
Etcetera hugged him back. "Okay," she said, getting up as the bus stopped.
Tumblebrutus and Etcetera both got off the bus. They began to walk. Soon, the bus was passing by them. Jemima looked out the window. It wasn't for very long. Half a minute, or, two seconds, maybe. They walked down the streets and were soon at Etcetera's.
"Thanks for bringing me home," Etcetera smiled. She hugged Tumblebrutus, then, turned to walk inside. "Bye!" she said with a wave as she walked in the door and closed it behind her.
Etcetera slipped her backpack off, onto the banister. Then, slowly and carefully, she walked into the kitchen. She took out the M&M ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and sprinkles. Etcetera carefully made herself a sundae. Without Jemima.
Walking out from the kitchen, Etcetera, grabbed her backpack. She ran up the stairs, sundae and bag in hand. Then, she kicked open her door and went inside. Putting her bag and sundae on her desk, Etcetera sat down. She took her homework out of her bag and put it on the table. Pushing her bag onto the ground.
"Let me see..."Etcetera said, searching through her work and eating her sundae. "Math...I'll wait to do that later. Jems always helps me with tha..." Etcetera stopped herself. She picked up her English and did that instead.
A few hours later, Etcetera had finished her homework. Including her Math work. She had also finished her sundae. Closing her books and slipping them into her backpack, Etcetera decided to bring everything downstairs now. Her parents weren't home. They were at meetings until nine o'clock.
Etcetera picked up her bag and bowl. The phone began to ring. The machine wasn't on and she was upstairs. Forgetting she was holding the bag and bowl, Etcetera ran down the stairs. She tripped and began tumbling down the stairwell. When she stopped, she lay on the ground; unconscious.
Around nine o'clokc that night, Etcetera's parent's came home. Walking in the door, they just stood in shock. Starins at Etcetera's body, which was on the ground. Her mother nearly fainted! But, her father rushed to the phone, dialing the ambulance.
"Hello, can you send an amublance as soon as possible! Our daughter is unconscious on the floor!" Etcetera's father said. He gave the paramedic all of the information needed.
Soon, an ambulance pulled into their drive way. They took Etcetera away. Her parents loaded into the back with her. Moving rapidly, they raced towards the hospital.