‘Twing!’ my phone buzzed. I checked my messages. My friend Sarah was texting me. I read the text aloud. “Hey Emma, wanna meet in the park?” I typed fast. “Sure”.

I ran down the stairs, grabbed my shoes, and was about to head out the door when my mom asked me where I was going. “The park!” I yelled. “Ok, but be back before 7!” my mom replied. 7, okay that's doable.

Be back before 7!

okay!

I got on my bike and rode to the park. The summer sun was hot. It was 5:30 by the time I reached the park. Sarah was already there. So were Kate and Mia. Kate and Mia were my other best friends, but personally, I was closest to Sarah.

“Hey!” I called, “I'm here!”. “You took forever,” Kate said sarcastically. I laughed. “Are you guys excited for school?” Mia asked. “Yeah” I replied, “I can’t wait!”. “Me too!” Said Sarah. Summer break was about to end, and school was gonna start tomorrow. “You guys wanna buy some ice cream?” Kate asked, “Sure!” we all replied.

Yeah!

Sure!

You guys want ice cream?

Are you guys excited for school?

Once we were done munching on our ice creams, we played around a bit on the playground. I know, it was babyish, but what else could we do?

 I looked at my watch. 6:45. Time to head home. “Ok guys, I gotta go now” I said “I’m supposed to be home by 7”. “Ok, we better get going too,” Sarah replied. Kate and Mia nodded. I got on my bike and rode home. The sun was starting to go down, giving the sky a magnificent red color. Summer was just so beautiful.

By the time I got home, it was exactly 7. I heard my dad talking in the living room. That's weird. He’s home early today. Oh well whatever. Mom and Via were making dinner. Via was my older sister. She’s in high school. Me, well, I’m gonna go to 7th grade. I went up to my room, and got my backpack ready for school. I couldn't wait.

dinner smells good!

 “Emma! Come down stairs! It’s time to eat!” yelled Conor. Ugh. Conor. He yells too much. “Coming!” I replied. Conor was my younger brother. He was still 7 years old. I ran to the dining table. Tacos!! My favorite!  After dinner, I went to bed early. I couldn't wait for school to start.

Yes!! Tacos!!

‘BEEP BEEP’ my alarm rang, it was 6:45 in the morning. I woke up almost instantly. As I was brushing my teeth, the strangest thought crossed my mind. ‘Would I be able to make new friends this year..?’ ‘ Of course I will’ I told myself ‘I always do’. I wasn't a new student. In fact, I've been going to my school since kindergarten, and I had a very good reputation. After I changed my clothes, and ate breakfast, mom dropped me off to school. I went to the office and checked in.

Will i be able to make new friends...??

Of course I Will..

“welcome back Emma!” said Ms.Steward. Ms.Steward was the principal of the school. “Thank you!” I replied. She handed me a small card that had my room number, and the teacher's name on it.

“Room 101” I muttered as I was searching for my classroom. “Room 101..”. Aha! There it was. I went inside confidently. I found a seat that had my name on it and sat down. I looked around to see if Sarah, Kate, or Mia were anywhere. I couldn't see them. I don't know why, but I was starting to get worried. I had plenty of other friends. So why did I care?

Welcome to the first day of school!!

I shook the thought off. There was still some time for them to come. I was a little early after all. Sure enough, Sarah walked in. That was a relief. But why was I relieved? I was always fine when I wasn’t with my friends. So what was different now? I was clueless. Sarah saw me and smiled. She took a seat next to me. Wait, her name was on that desk this whole time and I never noticed!? Wow, I really am clueless right now.  “Hi!” Sarah said. “Hi” I replied “ Boy am I glad you're in my class!”. Sarah laughed “me too!”.

Hi!

Hi!

Welcome to the first day of school!

 I looked at my watch, it was 8:00. The teacher should be coming in any moment. I got out my pencil pouch. Here she was, “Good morning class!” She said with a smile. “I’m Ms. Shaylee, your homeroom teacher this year”. “GOOD MORNING!” the class replied.

I'm Ms. Shaylee ! your teacher this year!

The day went on, we didn't really do anything important. Just introduced ourselves and went over how the year was going to work. Finally, it was time for lunch! My favorite part of the day. I stood in line to get my lunch. Mac and cheese, not bad. ‘See?’ I told myself, ‘everything is perfectly fine, no need to worry’.

 I found Kate and Mia on a table and sat with them. Sarah joined us a few minutes later. “So?” I asked Kate and Mia, “who’s your teacher?”. “We have Ms. Simpson,” said Mia. “oh” replied Sarah “Me and Emma have Ms. Shaylee”. “Oh that’s nice” said Kate, “yeah” replied Sarah. “It’s sad that we’re not in the same class,” said Mia. “I know right,” Sarah replied. “So Emma, what’s up? You’re really quiet right now” said Kate.

 I was staring at my mac and cheese. “what?..Oh yeah, sorry” I said, “didn't really feel like talking”. Sarah looked worried. I noticed. I didn't want anyone to think I wasn't okay, cuz I didn't really know myself what was wrong with me. I had to look normal somehow... I cracked a joke. That was like my usual self. And it worked! Kate and Mia were laughing, so was Sarah. I started to laugh too. I felt pretty normal after that. But that was a close one....

Lunch was almost done. I put my lunch tray back. Now it was time to go to class. I was walking down the hallway when I heard a few girls talking. “... You guys heard that there’s a new student coming tomorrow..?.” That caught my attention. I know it’s rude to eavesdrop, but for some reason, I felt like I should know about this.

you guys heard..

I pretended that my watch fell off. To stall. Now to pick it up, and listen. “That's like the weirdest thing ever, why would anyone come on the second day of school..?” “I dunno..” “ they don't really understand the point of the first day of school do they?”. There was a chorus of laughter. I picked up my watch and walked away. Well, that wasn’t really successful. But at least it was something.

Haha!!

Hahaaa!!

 It was almost 2:00, and we were decorating our lockers. I love that part of the first day of school. Lucky for me, Sarah’s locker was right next to mine. And the gossip girls’ lockers weren't too far away either. But the locker on the other side of me was empty. No one was there. I guess the new person’s locker was going to be next to mine. Now that was exciting. New friends! But ..wait..was that exciting? The same thought rang through my mind ‘will I be able to make new friends this year..?..’

will i make new friends.....??

School was dismissed. I was standing outside talking to Sarah. Kate and Mia joined us a few minutes later. We were all laughing and talking. It was probably the most normal I've felt all day. A few minutes after, dad’s car pulled up. Now that was strange. Usually it’s mom who picks me up. The ride home was strangely quiet. Especially for the first day of school. But finally, dad broke the silence, “so how was the first day of school?” he asked. “It was great!” I replied. Honestly though, I’m not sure if it really was that great. I couldn’t tell.

 When we reached home, I was surprised to see that mom wasn't there. Conor was watching T.V., his school is starting tomorrow. And Via has to take the bus back. We didn't get any homework either, so I was pretty much watching T.V. and texting Sarah for the next hour or so.

It was 4:30, and Via finally came home. “Mom!” She called “ I’m back!...mom?” I don't think Via knew that mom wasn’t home. “Where’s mom?” Via asked, barging into my room. “Hey!” I yelled “you can't just come in like that!”. Via rolled her eyes. “Where’s mom?” she asked. “I dunno” I replied, “she wasn't home when I came back”. A look of confusion came over Via’s face. “Wait, then who picked you up?” she asked. “Dad,” I replied plainly. Via looked worried, then closed the door and went away. I’ve never seen her like that...so..sad..and worried.. OK, seriously, what is going on with me? I sat there thinking for at least 15 minutes straight, trying to answer that question..... but I coudn't.

Wheres Mom???

I dunno..

It was 7:30 now. Mom still didn't come back. I was getting worried. And I was starving. Dinner’s ready! Dad called. “OK!” I yelled. It was rare for dad to make dinner. Rice. Great. Not really my favorite, but I was so hungry, I could eat just about anything. We were all eating our dinner when we heard a cough in the back. I looked up. It was mom!

** Cough **

“Mom!” said Conor, “you’re back!”. “Where were you?” dad asked.“ I had to go for a check up, but it took way longer than expected” mom replied.“Come eat dinner mom,” Via said. “Ok” was the reply. So mom was just gone for a check up? I know that wasn't bad, and that I shouldn't worry about things for no reason, but I felt like there was more to it...Oh well.

MOM!

Where were you?

Come eat mom

I went for a checkup

 I went to bed. But I couldn't sleep. The same questions were starting to ring through my mind again. ‘What was wrong with me?’ , ’will I make new friends this year?’ ‘ what was wrong with mom?’ All the questions were making my head spin. That was it. I couldn't stand it. I fell asleep.

‘BEEP!! BEEP!!’ my alarm rang. I got up, brushed my teeth, changed my clothes, ate breakfast and waited for mom to drop me off to school. “C’mon Emma and Conor” dad said “time to go”. Wait..dad was dropping us off? What about mom? I was so confused! “Why isn't mom dropping us off?” Conor whined. I gave him the ‘Be quiet’ face. But he didn't seem to get it. “Mom isn't feeling well, that's why I’m dropping you guys off today” said dad. Conor fell silent. The drive to school was unusually silent. I don't like silent rides. At all.

C'mon Emma and Conor!

Where's Mom??

The second day of school, I kind of dreaded going into class. Which was very unlike me. Usually I would be skipping to class, with a smile on my face everyday. That was me in 6th grade, and all my other years. What was wrong with me?! I headed for my locker. “Hey!” Sarah greeted me with a smile. Sarah always brightened my day. “Hey” I replied. I started gathering my stuff for our first class, that’s when I noticed someone I hadn't seen yesterday.

hey!

hey!

She had the perfect blonde hair with the bluest eyes. She didn't look like a talker. She was probably the new student the gossip girls were talking about yesterday. “Hey” I said. “I’m Emma, Emma Williams, nice to meet you”. The girl looked at me as if I was the strangest person she’s ever seen. I had no idea why though. I was wearing perfectly normal clothes, with a normal ponytail, and a sweet smile. So why was she looking at me like that? She stared at me for almost a minute. I was beginning to sweat. “I’m Sophie, Sophie Smith, nice to meet you too”. I simply nodded. “We better get going” Sophie said “we’re gonna be late”.

HI, I'm Emma!

I'm Sophie

The word ‘late’ woke me up from my embarrassment, I looked to see if Sarah was still there. She was long gone. Sophie was also entering class. Well, would you look at that, my first impression was such a fail. I’ve never in my life felt so awkward. The same question lingered through my mind ‘what was wrong with me?’ No time to think, I was gonna be late. 

What is wrong with me?

The day went on, and it was time for lunch now. I decided that I would talk to Sophie again. I made sure that I was behind Sophie in the lunch line. “Oh hey” I said trying to sound casual. “Hey” Sophie replied, not even looking at me. Ok, now that was rude. But I wasn't gonna give up so fast. “So umm..how’s your first day here going?” I asked “are you having fun?”. “I guess” she said, still not looking at me. It was Sophie's turn to get her food, so I lost my chance to talk to her.

hey

How had I failed? Again? I remember making friends was so easy for me for the past few years, what was different now? I grabbed my lunch, and took a seat with Sarah, Kate, and Mia. “What happened Emma?” Kate asked “you’re looking down”. I sighed. “I’m fine, don't worry” I said. Sarah frowned. The table was awkwardly quiet. It was only Mia talking, trying to keep everyones’ moods up. It was sweet of her, but it wasn't working.

what's wrong?

 The rest of the day went by pretty fast. Now it was time for dismissal. This was my last chance to talk to Sophie, and I was gonna make it count. Instead of “accidently” talking to her, this time, I walked straight up to her face. Ok, so far so good, Sophie looked at me, that was good, she looked at me this time!

Oh wait..what was I gonna say..?... I didn't plan out what I was going to say!! UGH. Why am I so forgetful? Sophie looked at me expatently, waiting for me to say something. Looks like I'm gonna hafta think of something random.. Um.. “How's Life?” I asked. Sophie gave me a ‘seriously’ look. That wasn't good. “Uhh, fine” she answered plainly. “Ok, good to know” I replied. Sophie walked away. Ugh, why did I say that? I sounded like a stalker. Sophie probably thought I was the weirdest person on earth. How could I have messed up so bad?

hows life..??

Dad’s car pulled up. Again? It’s not that I don't like it when dad picks me up, it's just that when he does, it usually means there's an emergency. And I don't like emergencies. Me and Conor got inside the car. And, as what was becoming more and more usual now, the drive home was silent. Not a word to be said. When we got home, mom wasn't there. Again. I was worried. But I didn't really have time to be worried. We got homework today, and I had to finish it. And, since mom wasn't here, I had to help with the extra chores.

where's mom?

It was 4:30, Via was home. “I’m home!” she shouted. I heard her running upstairs. She came into my room. Well at least she didn't barge in, like yesterday. “Is mom home?” she asked. “No,” I replied. Via gave me that same worried face. OK, seriously, what is up with that face? I didn't have time to think. Still had to finish my homework, and do the chores.

is mom home?

no

 It was 6:30 now. Via and dad were making dinner. I was doing the laundry. I hate the laundry, I would much rather cook. I’ve been doing chores since 5:00. And my homework was only half finished. But I’m not sure if I'm gonna be able to finish it at this rate.

7:30. We were eating dinner. I still didn't finish my homework, and mom still didn't come. I finished dinner a bit early today. That was good. Now I could do my homework. But I still had some chores to do. Ugh. I was washing the dishes. ‘Twing!’ Sarah was texting me. I rushed to my phone.

“Hey” the text read. I typed fast. “Hi,” I said. “Ur not texting much these days,” Sarah wrote. “Sry” I typed back. “I have 2 do more chores”. Sarah sent a confused emoji. “My moms not home these days, that's why I have extra chores” I typed. “Oh, how come?” Sarah asked. “I don't really know” I typed. “She's not feeling well”. “I’m sorry” Sarah texted. “I want 2 no y ur so upset at school 2day,” She asked. Oof. That was something I didn't really want to tell. But, there's not much I can hide from Sarah. “My 1st impression was a failure” I typed. “Huh?” she said. “I was trying to be friends with the new girl that came 2day” I said. “Ohh” Sarah replied, “so how was it a fail? you’re an expert with new ppl, so what's wrong?”.

Why does Sarah hafta know me so well? And so, I told her everything. From how mom wasn't feeling well, to how that was spoiling my mood, to why I was upset at school today, and about what happened with Sophie. Sarah was a considerate person, and that's what I liked about her. She told me that everything was gonna be okay, and that I would be able to make it right with Sophie, and that I just had to give her some time. She was a good person to go to when you’re upset, worried, and confused.

“Ok, Emma, it’s 9:00, go to bed!” dad said. Oh no! I didn't finish my homework! I exchanged goodbyes with Sarah and rushed to my room. I was frantically trying to finish my homework. And that’s when I realized mom still hadn't come home. I felt my face going pale.

‘Ding Dong!’. Who was that? And why were they coming at 9:15? And that’s when it clicked in my mind. It was mom! I was about to rush out my room. But I couldn't. I was supposed to be asleep. So I decided to listen. I heard some coughs, and dad frantically asking mom if she was okay, and what took her so long. Then I suddenly heard dad shout. He never shouts. Something was wrong. I ran out of my room.

!!?

**Cough**

Turns out, I wasn't the only one with that idea. Via and Conor were hovering over the railing shouting, asking what was wrong. I was so confused. And that's when I saw it. The worst sight of my life. Mom was in dad's arms, unconscious. “Via! Go call the ambulance! Fast!” Dad shouted. “OK!!” Via screamed. She ran to her room and was literally screaming into her phone.

VIA GO!!!

OK !!!!

I’ve never felt so panicked and hopeless in all my life. I ran into my room and started crying. I couldn't think straight. Nothing made sense! It was probably only minutes after, when the ambulance came. The sight was so terrifying. The doctors and nurses all inside our house, carrying mom on the thin stretcher into the ambulance.

I stood barefoot on the driveway, watching mom being taken away. I wanted to cry so badly. “C’mon Emma!” Dad yelled, “you’re taking too long!”. I turned around. Dad was getting inside the car. So were Via and Conor. I rushed to grab my hoodie, and literally jumped into the car. I was so confused, panicked, worried, and angry all at the same time. I didn't know what to feel. Worst of all, I didn't know if mom was going to be okay.

The ride to the hospital was a suspenseful silence. Conor looked confused. Via looked completely shattered and hopeless, and was silently crying. Dad looked extremely panicked and worried. And here I was, still deciding on what to feel. I was so useless.

It was 11:30. We were in the waiting room for at least an hour now. It was the most suspenseful wait of my life. The suspense is gonna break me down tonight. Finally, a nurse walked in. She said that we could go see mom. I walked into the operation room. I couldn't bear seeing what I was seeing.

Mom was all wrapped in wires and tubes. Her face was covered with a mask. Her body was completely motionless. It was the worst sight of my life. I couldn't bear it. I started crying. I didn't care if the doctors and nurses were looking at me. I just had to cry. Via put her hand on my shoulder. She was crying too. We didn't get to spend much time with mom. Dad said we had to go home if we wanted to go to school tomorrow. I guess he had a point. It was almost midnight. The drive home was dead silent. No one had the guts to talk.

It was almost 1:00 in the morning by the time we reached home. I headed up for my room. And that’s when I realized, I hadn't finished my homework. I couldn't believe it! It was still the beginning of the year, and I was failing already! But I was way too sleepy to sit and do my homework now, it was 1:00 in the morning! I couldn't do it. I fell asleep.

‘BEEP BEEP’ my alarm rang. Ugh. Could I sleep longer? I barely slept last night. I snoozed my alarm. That was very unlike me. But I didn't care. I had to sleep more. And so, I did. “Emma! Wake Up!!” you’re gonna be late!!” Dad yelled. What!? Did I oversleep? Oh no! I jumped out of bed, and got ready in 15 minutes flat. I rushed down stairs and ate breakfast. Dad dropped me and Conor off to school. The hallways were empty. Class had already started. I was late. I never used to be late. Ever. I even used to have the title of always being on time.

 I walked into class. I put my eyes on the ground. Everyone was looking at me. And it made sense. I was never late. Even Sarah looked shocked. I made my way to my desk and took a seat. I gave a little wave to Sarah. She waved back unwillingly. What was wrong? I was so confused. I waved at Sophie. She didn't even look at me. It wasn't just them, everyone was kind of giving me a ‘look’. What? Was it because I was late? I know it's surprising, but it's not that bad. Even Ms. Shaylee was kind of thunderstruck looking at me. What was wrong with everyone? Class went by really slowly. Especially with everyone looking at me like that. But I still don't understand why?!

Finally, class was over. It was torturous! I went to my locker, and started gathering things for my next class. “So why was everyone looking at me like that?” I asked Sarah. “Be quiet” Sarah said,” don't act like you don’t know”. Now that stung. But what was I supposed to know about? I didn't get it. I crossed by Kate and Mia in the hallway. I waved to them. They didn't wave back. What was wrong?

why was everyone staring at me?

BE quiet! don't act like you don't know

It was the next class. “..Now everyone get out your homework” Ms.Shaylee said. Oh no. I didn't finish the homework! I frantically tried to finish a few questions before Ms.Shaylee checked my homework. But I barely got to finish anything. Ms. Shaylee looked amused when she saw my work. I was sweating. She gave me a ‘look’. “I’m gonna have a little talk with you Emma” she said. Oh no. That was not good. Class was over. Everyone left for lunch. But here I was, busted.