Chapter 3

I woke up the next morning an hour before my alarm went off. I couldn't sleep so I went ahead and got up. I headed downstairs with my pajamas still on and met Aunt Staci in the kitchen. Her strawberry blonde hair pulled up with a clip and her usual school clothes on. She was facing away from me fixing her lunch for later today, so I sat down at the bar and waited to be noticed.

Finally, she turned around. She almost dropped the bowl she was holding. She glared at me and put a hand over her heart.

"Sorry," I said, "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Oh it's fine," she said. The color that had rushed to her face was now fading back to a normal color. "You're up early. Is something wrong?"

"Brooke's dad moved out last night," I said simply. A look of realization crossed her face and then sympathy.

"Well maybe it's for the better. It's not exactly a surprise."

"That's exactly what Brooke said." I said. She continued with fixing her lunchbox.

"Ally, Brooke's parents have been fighting for a long time now. It's no secret. Sometimes people fall out of love with each other, it just happens. I think it's high time they move on with their lives," she looked at me to see if I understood. I nodded and she gave me a gentle smile. "Brooke's lucky to have friends like you and Chloe." She walked around the bar and gave me a kiss on the cheek, then headed back toward her room to finish getting ready.

I let out a sigh. I grabbed a protein bar and a bottle of orange juice and went into the living room. I flipped on the flat screen above the fireplace and sprawled out across the couch. I sat there staring blankly at the screen for a while, not really watching, just thinking. Staci came through the kitchen and grabbed the lunchbox from earlier. She had a huge bag of papers to grade on one shoulder and her laptop in another bag.

"Bye Ally, don't be late, I love you!" She said quickly before shutting the door behind her. On that note, I headed upstairs to get a shower and get ready.

About a half an hour later I was heading out the door to my get in my car. It was a beautiful day out. The sun was shining and everything had a glow about it. Maybe it would be a good day after all.

Just then, my car made a weird churning sound as I turned the key.

"Then again, maybe it won't be a good day," I mumbled to myself. I dug through my bag to find my phone. I dialed and let it ring a few times.

"Hiya!" said Chloe's soprano voice on the other line. "And what do I owe the pleasure of you calling me at this wonderful hour of the morning?"

I groaned at her perky voice. "My car won't start and I need a ride." I heard her car door slam and an engine start.

"And what does that have to do with me?" she said. I could hear the smile in her voice.