CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
(chapter title – Start of Something New Part 3)

"High school – finally!" Sara Cohen-Davis announced to her friends and fellow freshmen – Jennifer Daniels, Tiffany Ingalls, Kristen Edwards and Carolyn Edwards. The five of them compared schedules – all five of them had all their classes together, which was a first.

"Hey Sara!" A familiar male voice called – it was Sara's boyfriend of two years, Peter Baxley. She smiled and motioned for him to come over to where she and her friends were standing.

"Wow – we all have classes together! That's so cool!" Peter announced, wrapping an arm around Sara's waist and drew her close.

The first bell rang for classes to begin and the six of them made their way down the hall to Mrs. Stevenson's first period Algebra class. The six of them found seats together and chatted until Mrs. Stevenson was ready to begin class.

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"Wow! I never thought that we would have so much homework on the first day of school!" Carolyn complained as she, Kristen, Sara and Peter boarded the bus to go home at the end of the day. Jennifer and Tiffany had signed up for some after school clubs and had to stay behind, but they promised to call their friends once they got home.

"Hey, Sar. Your fathers are okay with you coming to our house for a study group, right?" Kristen asked as the four of them walked to the back of the bus.

"Yeah, I reminded them this morning that I was coming over." Sara reassured Kristen as she and Peter sat on one side of the asile as the twins sat on the other side.

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Peter got off three stops later and waved goodbye to the girls as he stepped off the bus. A few other kids got off with him and walked in the opposite direction.

"This is so cool that we have all of our classes together this semester." Carolyn commented as Sara slid into the seat behind them.

"Yeah, but it's gonna change next semester – I'm taking piano 101 and health." Sara told her friends.

"I'm taking health next semester, so don't feel bad." Kristen told her friend as the bus pulled to a stop. Sara, Carolyn and Kristen got off the bus and walked down the sidewalk until they reached a yellow house with white shutters.

"Mom! We're home!" Kristen called as she, Carolyn and Sara entered the house. Gus, Kristen's Cocker Spaniel puppy, yapped and barked as the three girls walked to the living room and sat down on the carpet.

"Hi Gus. She sees you now shoo." Carolyn told the dog, sitting down next to Sara. Kristen entered carrying three glasses of milk.

"I'm gonna go grab the cookies. I'll be right back." Kristen handed Sara a glass of milk and disappeared. She reappeared carrying a plate of assorted cookies – chocolate chip, peanut butter, Oreos and snicker doodles were among the various cookies on the plate. Sara helped herself to a chocolate chip cookie and dug out her math book when the phone rang.

"I'll get it!" Kristen jumped up and answered the phone. After saying a few words, Kristen came back into the living room, looking like she was about to cry.

"Kris? What is it?" Carolyn asked her twin.

"Sara, the phone's for you." Kristen told Sara, avoiding eye contact. Sara felt her stomach tighten as she walked to where the phone was and picked it up.

"Hello?" Sara said into the receiver.

"Sara? It's Daddy. I need you to come home now." Mark sounded upset.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Just come home. Jeffery's on his way to pick you up."

"O-okay. Is everything all right?"

"Y-your Dad is in the hospital." Mark managed to choke out. Sara drew in a sharp breath.

"I'll be right there, Daddy. Tell him to hang on." Sara felt tears come to her eyes.

"I don't know how much longer he has left." There was coughing in the background.

"Sar, I've gotta go. Jeffery will be there soon." Mark hung up without another word. Sara sunk down against the wall and cried. Carolyn and Kristen sat on either side of her, rubbing her back and whispering comforting words.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door. Carolyn handed Sara her messenger bag and hugged her.

"Good luck, Sar." Carolyn and Kristen chorused to their friend as she headed out the door with Jeffery.

Life, or what Sara knew of it, was about to change forever.