It was time for breakfast. Me and Renee had to go get some eggs from the coop. But ever since we both woke up, Renee has been acting awful weird.
She keeps putting her hand to her head, and looks like she's about to throw up. She says she's fine, but I don't know if I believe her. I bet she's just saying she's not sick just so she can go to school. What kid in their right mind would do that?
As we were gathering eggs, I put my hand on her shoulder just as we put a few each into our baskets. "Hey, come on Renee. Tell me what's wrong? Are ya sure you're not sick?"
"I'm fine Zoey. Just a headache is all." She replied, trying to sound reassuringly.
"You know missin' one day of school isn't gonna kill you, right?" I said back.
"Zoey, I said it's nothing. And besides, don't you remember that after school, I have to go tutor Dren. I promised I would." She said.
I kicked my foot in the dirt. "I can't believe you'd risk going to school with the way you're feelin' just for him." I scoffed.
Renee rolled her eyes.
We opened the door to our house and set the eggs on the stove next to Ma. "Thank you girls." She looked like she wanted to say more after taking a glance at me and Renee. Ma lifted Renee's chin up to get a better look.
"Renee, are you all right?" She put a hand to Renee's head. "Oh my goodness, you're burning up."
"Ma, I'm fine. It's warm out today, it's probably just that." Renee talked back.
Ma shook her head. "Young lady, you have a fever. Why just look at you. You are sweating, and your entire face is red." She pushed Renee to the loft. "Now go on up back to bed. You're staying home."
Renee tried to protest. "But Ma, I have to tutor someone today."
"I'm sure someone else can do it. And besides, I'm sure that whoever you had to teach today wouldn't like to get sick." Ma was firm, and there were no arguments when she stood her ground, especially when it came to us.
Renee felt defeated, but in a way also relieved. "Yes, ma'am." With that, she went upstairs and back to bed.
xxxxxxXXXXXXxxxxxxxXXXXXXXX
School went by really fast today. At lunchtime, while everyone else was outside, I went up to Mrs. Wilder, and told her that Renee was sick today.
"Oh dear, now who am I going to find to replace Renee for today?" Then Mrs. Wilder looked at me. I had a gross feeling in my gut.
She came closer with a hopeful, but serious look on her face. "Zoey, since you also have good marks when it comes to spelling as well, would you please take your sisters' place until she gets better?"
On the outside, I tried to not look like the world just ended, but on the inside was a completely different story. "Uh, well, I , uh…."
Mrs. Wilder looked like she was about to plead. "Please Zoey. This would be such a great help to me. I would go over there myself, but I have guests arriving at my house right after school. I would be very grateful if you would."
I felt like I had no choice. I really didn't like having to do it, but what else was there to do? I sighed. "Alright, I guess so."
Mrs. Wilder smiled. "Thank you Zoey. This is a great help."
I turned my back and went outside with my lunch pail. I sat down on the big log and began to eat my ham sandwich. 'From right about now, this day is going to dredge on and on. Yippee…..'
xxxxxxXXXXXXxxxxxxxXXXXXXX
"Zoey! Well, this must be my lucky day. But where's your sister? I thought she was supposed to teach me something today." Dren asked.
I had a sour look on my face once I saw his ugly mug. I sighed. "My sister got a fever, so I have to her dirty work instead."
He pretended to look hurt. "Aw, come on now. I'm a good guy. How can you not think I'm a great guy?"
"Because you're a jerk, and annoying just like Corina." When it comes to him, I can be blunt and honest.
"Hey, that's going a little too far, don't ya think? I'm not some stuck up rich brat like her, and definitely not her mom." He said with a smirk.
"For once, we agree on something. We both hate Corina." I smiled. "Now come on. I have to help you with your spelling. There's gonna be a quiz soon, and you need ta pass."
Dren put a hand through his hair. "Ugh. Can't we just skip it, and do something that's actually fun?"
"Just sit down, it'll be over before you know it. I didn't have to come here and do this."
He pulled up a chair and scooted right next to me. "I'm glad you did."
I was blushing just a little bit with how close he was. I then opened up the spelling book and said, "Let's get started."
I stayed at his house for about two hours before I decided to head home. When we were done for the day, he was able to spell a few difficult words, so that showed that he had gotten somewhat better. It least I didn't completely waste my time.
xxxxxxxXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxXXXXXX XXXX
Within a few days, Renee's fever got better. It was all thanks to every cup of soup Ma made her. And you wanna know something? What Renee was worried about the most was missing out on the big history test and spelling quiz. Can you believe she and I are related?
We were at the school waiting for it to be opened. We were on the teeter totter. "I hope that every paper goes flying out of school."
"Why?" Renee asked.
I gave a big grin. "Because…then we wouldn't have to worry about no stupid tests."
My sister rolled her eyes and gave a small smile trying not to laugh. "Zoey, we would have to take sometime, even if we didn't have to today."
"It's just too bad we don't own a big fan that I could have brought. I could of used that." I said wistfully.
"I think the only ones who do have one are the Olesons."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Alright, class. Time to come in." The teacher called out as she rang the bell.
Dren came today. I'm glad he did, because if he hadn't, then that means I went over to his house for nothing. He's lucky. We took our test and spelling quiz.
The next day, we got them back, and like I knew, I didn't do so grat on history. If Ma and Pa find out, I know I'll be in trouble. But on my spelling quiz, I got a B, and Renee got an A. As for Dren, He got a C. That was a letter grade up from what he usually got.
He ran up to me and Renee when school ended and put his arm around me. "Looks like I got a really good teach. I got a better grade."
I took his arm off me. "That's good. But stop touching me!"
