Okay, I can't sleep again. I'm still sick. I have to get up at 6:15 tomorrow morning. This kind of sucks. Oh well. Here's another update!

Just a short story: So I went to the doctor yesterday. First of all, we made an appointment for 11. We didn't get in to actually see the doctor until 1:30 because they were having computer problems. Then, they did the strep test which went horribly because I have a strong gag reflex and the lady wasn't the gentlest person in the world. Then, we waited another 30 minutes to see the doctor who had to ask which patient I was, asked my mom what her relationship to me was, and started suggesting meds for me to take before he knew if the strep test was positive or negative yet. He also didn't seem to believe me when I told him that I usually get strep (Keep in mind, he still didn't have the test results yet). I was finally diagnosed with a cold, which is supposed to last for another 6 days or so. I had to take about three or four different types of meds today to help two symptoms: drainage and a sore throat. I also had to stand outside for three hours today to try to raise money for my volleyball team and we have to go back tomorrow (or this) morning to clean up after everyone who trashes the place (it was for a football game, we sold parking spaces). So yeah. That was a saga in itself!

Thank you all so much for reading! Thank you for the nice messages in the reviews as well! They really warmed my heart despite the fact I had a crappy doctor.

theoneforever- ugh! The struggle of having strep! Yeah, I had my tonsils out in fifth grade. They were nasty and were so big that they were almost touching when I wasn't sick or anything. Medical problems are weird. :) Thanks for the review!

Mhpropp16- Thank you so much! I'm so glad you like the story!

Kiren- Oh ship names. They're so entertaining. :) Thanks so much for the review!

enjoy! -ReadLikeYouMeanIt

Matthew left today. I'm glad that he gets to see his family. I don't really know what it's like not to be with my family 24/7. I'd be pretty lonely, I know that much. I'm also glad he came to me and didn't keep it from me for long. That's the thing about Matthew, he doesn't really keep secrets. Me...I'm working on it.

I'm working on Nat's birthday present. I really think he's going to like it. His birthday is tomorrow, but I'm so close to finishing. For the past few days, all I've done is worked on his present. I can't wait to see his face when I give it to him. I think this is the best gift I could give him.

I take a break and take a walk in the gardens for a while. It's so hot out today, but I don't really care. Most days I would, but today is just one of those days where I just feel like being outside. I smell the flowers, touch the water in the fountains, I even take my shoes off to feel the grass under my feet. It rained yesterday, so everything smells fresh. Today is also one of those days where I don't have to be a princess, so I'm wearing cut-offs, a simple black tank-top, my hair is down, I don't have makeup on, and I am carrying the black sandals I had on. It feels so natural, so me. I love days like this. I don't get to enjoy them a lot, so I soak them up when I do.

I finally finish Nat's present at 10:00 pm. I'm exhausted, but I'm so proud of it. I take a picture of it with one of Dad's cameras. I can't stop thinking, Nat is going to absolutely love this. I put the camera in a drawer. I'll develop it later. I get ready to go to bed. Nat's present is by my bed, on the side of the room where the door isn't to be sure that no one sees it. I finish getting ready, and I settle in to go to sleep. I'm almost asleep when I hear the rebel alarm go off. I get out of bed, and Nat bursts in, surprised to see me up.

"Just let me get my shoes." I say. I slip into a pair of shoes that are comfortable, but I can still run in them. Then we race down the hall to go to the safe room. We arrive safely, and I take one of the cots and go to sleep.

It's three am when I am awakened by Dad.

"April," he says gently. "April, it's time to go back up."

"Is the attack over?" I ask sleepily.

"Yes. Now come on, let's get you to bed." He helps me up and wraps an arm around me to lead me back to my room. Once I'm there, I climb back into bed and go to sleep.

I wake up the next morning and get ready to go to breakfast. I take a shower, do my makeup, put on a light blue day dress, some three-inch heels, and leave my hair down. Just before I'm out the door, I remember to get Nat's present. I go to the other side of my bed to get it, but it's not there. I check under my bed, in the drawers, everywhere. Nat's present is nowhere to be found.