Chapter 3: Pigtailed No More

Sparkyville, USA, 6:15 PM

Katie Halverson, the Little Pigtailed Girl, now 17-nearly-18, was getting herself ready for a date. Before she got into middle school, she'd lost the braids and replaced them with flowing brown hair that extended halfway down her back. Her parents had begun their own bakery business shortly before Katie entered high school. That night, she had dressed in gold earrings, a pink shirt without sleeves, a matching skirt, and blue pumps with high 5 inch stiletto heels. She walked downstairs when much to her surprise, there was her aunt Karina talking to her father Al, who had just closed up his bakery for the night, and mother Dena. Her brother Fred was there too.

"Oh. Hey, Aunt Karina." said Katie.

"Hey, Big Sister!" said Fred. "You look lovely!"

"Katie!" said Karina. "Looking fab-u-lous!"

"Thanks, Aunt Karina." said Katie. "Thanks, Fred. Can't wait for my date! Say, what brings you here at this hour?"

"Katie. Do you remember Emerald Green?" asked Karina.

"You mean the cow who framed Tommy by deflating a football?" Katie said angrily.

"The very same." said Karina. "She committed suicide."
"Oh my goodness!" cried Katie.

"Her mum told us she was desponded with her life, and had gotten diagnosed with diabetes." said Karina.

"Does Tommy know?" asked Katie.

"Emerald's brother Eugene told him." said Karina. "Your uncle Boco told him how. Well, enjoy your date, Katie Waitie."

And Karina went home. Just as Karina left, up drove a red car, and the horn honked.

"Oh! That's my Lestie!" Katie said. "Well, gotta go. See you later."
And Katie, with heels clicking, walked out of her house and hopped into the car.

"Hey, Beautiful!" said Rerun van Pelt, who was now 18. "Ready for a ride?"
"I sure am, Lestie!" said Katie. "But before we leave, does the name Emerald Green ring a bell to you?"
"I think I have heard it." said Rerun.

"She would abuse my favourite cousin Tommy and other kids when she was a kid and even in her teens." Katie explained.

"Oh. Her sister Jasmine was in our class." said Rerun.

"Emerald killed herself."

"Good grief!" cried Rerun. "Awful!"

"I know." said Katie. "While I may not have thought much of Emerald for what she did to my favourite cousin, I'll still be going to the funeral."

"Enough about Emerald." said Rerun. "Sit back and enjoy the ride."

And then Rerun took off with his favourite brunette in tow.

Next Chapter: Former fussbudget finds out