II
ALYSSA MARIE FIELDERS
Alyssa woke up to the harsh sound of her alarm clock, thinking that something important had happened. She remembered the dream. Her shoulders sagged. It was just a dream.
“Morning Lyss,” said Alexis Bower. Alexis had been her best friend since – well – ever.
“Morning Alexis,” responded Alyssa. She sighed, and then jumped out of bed. She grabbed a shower, and then pulled on clothes. Then she noticed something off. Her clothes for today weren’t neatly folded like they were yesterday. They were askew and a little crumpled. She had probably hit them in her sleep. She selected a silver necklace that looked good with her pale blue sweater and a winding bracelet with alternating pale blue leaves and silver tiny beads. She combed her hair which today was straight blond. Her hair could look gold and sometimes decided to be wavy or in loose curls. She pulled it into a sleek ponytail. She pulled her scarf into a knot and let the long ends hang sideways. Then her phone buzzed, sending off the bell like chime it gave for a text. She swiped the touch screen and checked the text. It was from Jason. Her heart started beating a little quicker. She had a mega crush on Jason.
“How’d you get that scrape?” asked Alexis. Alyssa started thinking. In her dream, she had gotten a scrape!
“I guess I just scraped against my bed post,” offered Alyssa. So maybe it wasn’t a dream. Or it was just a coincidence. She checked the message. Why would he text her? The text read:
Lyssa,
It wasn’t a dream. Last night really happened; the mark is on my hand to prove it. This is so weird, that even Dan can’t believe it. Do u want to call or should we just meet? Text me!
- Jason
Alyssa texted back:
Jason,
Around lunch break, can u and Dan just grab whatever and meet me in the- Here Alyssa paused. Where should they meet? She thought of something. Meet me in the garden by the pond okay? We should be alone.
Lyssa
The answer came back super quick.
OK. Meet u there. Alyssa stashed her phone in her backpack. Then she remembered Kate. Her little sister would be worried if she didn’t get the morning text back in Attleboro. There weren’t a lot of bad things about moving to the new boarding school. But leaving Kate had broken her heart. Kate was adorable and sweet and loved her big sister. And before she left, Alyssa promised to text every morning. So she grabbed her phone.
Hi little sis,
What’s up? I miss u!! Call me when u get home from school OK? R u in the school play? Did mom let u? Sorry the train lines got canceled, but I will come home as soon as I can! Always remember your big sister loves u!!
Alyssa xoxo
Alyssa sent her seven-year-old Kate messages like this every day.
“Who’re you texting?” asked Alexis.
“Oh, just Kate,” answered Alyssa. Normally she told Alexis everything but she had a strong feeling the hour between the worlds must remain a secret. At least until she figured it all out which wasn’t likely to happen any time soon. And she had told Alexis the truth, just not the whole truth. Then her phone chimed again. Jason.
Sounds like a plan.
“I didn’t know Kate had a phone,” said Alexis, her face creasing in a frown. “In fact, I distantly recall your mom and dad telling her she could get a phone when she either went to boarding school or turned sixteen. Who was that?”
“It’s not so uncommon for me to get texts,” said Alyssa, fighting back a wave of panic.
“But this early? Lyssa, thanks to your mom, your alarm clock goes off at like the crack of dawn. You wake up everyone! So give. Who is it?” asked Alexis.
“Just Kate. She texted back through my mom’s phone, Why the suspicion?” said Alyssa. She hit the volume button and decreased it. Then her phone buzzed. This time it actually was Kate.
Alyssa,
Oooh, I miss you! Mom let me use her phone. This took forever to type. Mom let me be in the play! It’s Pocahontas. Guess what? John Smith is a girl! You have to come back for Easter Holidays. I’ll mail you your Christmas present OK? I miss you!! Don’t forget to text!! I love my Christmas present, thank you sooo much! Love you!
Your baby sister Kate
Alyssa sighed: Saved by the text. She flashed her screen in front of Alexis’s nose and Alexis nodded.
“What’d you give her for Christmas?” asked Alexis, smiling.
“A doll she’s wanted since she was six,” responded Alyssa.
“Then why hasn’t she got it?”
“It costs three hundred dollars with accessories and outfit,” said Alyssa, smiling slightly. Alexis doubled over; coughing on the mint she had just swallowed. When she came up for air, she gasped, “Three hundred dollars?!” Alyssa nodded.
“I wish you were my sister,” groaned Alexis.
“Come on. I the breakfast hall’s open at six thirty and I want to eat now so I can go finish my math homework before first period,” said Alyssa, dragging Alexis down the steps. The hall was almost empty except for Dan, Marie, Antoinette, and Katie. And Jason. He gave her a small smile and her stomach turned somersaults. She managed a smile back. Breakfast was a plate of fruit and cheese. Not the most exciting meal in the world. In the winter, they got hot chocolate. Back at home, Kate was probably eating an omelet and juice with hash browns. Lucky kid. Alyssa picked up her fork and started swallowing cheese cubes and slices of green apple as fast as she could.
“Lyss. Slow down, honestly. You’ll finish. How many more problems?” asked Alexis.
“Two!”
“Alyssa, just do the problems now and then eat,” said Alexis.
Alyssa paused with a fork of black olives half way to her mouth. “Why didn’t I think of that?” Alyssa grabbed her worksheet and quickly solved the problems. Then she ate at a much more normal pace.
“There,” said a satisfied Alexis. Soon, their table was flocked. Alyssa was the most popular girl in the school. Which basically meant she was pretty much stalked.
“Always wanted to gain shadows,” murmured Alyssa to Alexis as she carried her empty plate to the bin.
“Ms. Popular’s magic strikes again,” whispered back Alexis. At 7:45, Alyssa headed over to first period: English.
“All right class. Let’s get down to some serious work,” said Ms. Anderson briskly. “I am assigning new seating. There has been entirely too much talking in this class. Along with it, you will also have a project. Your job is to create a story about something fictional. It counts for seventy five percent of your grade. You will work in groups of three. I will announce partners in a moment. Now first row: Alexandria, Marie, Jack, and Joshua. Second row consists of: Dan, Alyssa, Jason, and Jean.” Ms. Anderson droned on. Alyssa dropped her binder, notebook, and reading assignment down on the board. She grabbed her assignment and dropped it in the basket.
“The groups will be as follows: Alexandra, Marie and Jack. Joshua, Jean, and Marie. Alyssa, Jason, and Daniel-“ she broke off as Dan raised his hand.
“Yes Mr.…”
“Trent
“I guess.” Alyssa flipped open her binder and pulled out a new sheet of paper. Ms. Anderson announced for them to start working.
“So what do you think?” she asked.
“One sec,” replied Jason as a babble of noise erupted around them.
“Ms. Anderson, may we go outside?” Jason asked.
“Yes you may.” The threesome slipped out into the hallway that was deserted. They sat in a row. Jason, then Alyssa, last Dan. Alyssa picked up her clipboard and her pen.
“So…” Dan prompted.
“The story has to be about something fictional, right?” asked Jason. Alyssa and Dan nodded.
“What we saw last night will more than qualify. We’ll just add a story in,” said Jason.
“We have to collect more data,” warned Alyssa.
“Sure. We’ll go back tonight,” responded Jason.
“We’ll meet you in the entrance hall?” asked Dan.
Alyssa turned to Jason. “Do not attack me again. And sure. Literature is over soon, so I’ll meet you in the garden.” Jason flinched. He glanced at the bruises on her neck and cheek.
“I really am sorry you know. I thought you were a kidnapper,” he mumbled.
“It’s fine. Forget it,” responded Alyssa. The bell rang and the three scurried their different ways.
“Morning Lyss,” said Alexis Bower. Alexis had been her best friend since – well – ever.
“Morning Alexis,” responded Alyssa. She sighed, and then jumped out of bed. She grabbed a shower, and then pulled on clothes. Then she noticed something off. Her clothes for today weren’t neatly folded like they were yesterday. They were askew and a little crumpled. She had probably hit them in her sleep. She selected a silver necklace that looked good with her pale blue sweater and a winding bracelet with alternating pale blue leaves and silver tiny beads. She combed her hair which today was straight blond. Her hair could look gold and sometimes decided to be wavy or in loose curls. She pulled it into a sleek ponytail. She pulled her scarf into a knot and let the long ends hang sideways. Then her phone buzzed, sending off the bell like chime it gave for a text. She swiped the touch screen and checked the text. It was from Jason. Her heart started beating a little quicker. She had a mega crush on Jason.
“How’d you get that scrape?” asked Alexis. Alyssa started thinking. In her dream, she had gotten a scrape!
“I guess I just scraped against my bed post,” offered Alyssa. So maybe it wasn’t a dream. Or it was just a coincidence. She checked the message. Why would he text her? The text read:
Lyssa,
It wasn’t a dream. Last night really happened; the mark is on my hand to prove it. This is so weird, that even Dan can’t believe it. Do u want to call or should we just meet? Text me!
- Jason
Alyssa texted back:
Jason,
Around lunch break, can u and Dan just grab whatever and meet me in the- Here Alyssa paused. Where should they meet? She thought of something. Meet me in the garden by the pond okay? We should be alone.
Lyssa
The answer came back super quick.
OK. Meet u there. Alyssa stashed her phone in her backpack. Then she remembered Kate. Her little sister would be worried if she didn’t get the morning text back in Attleboro. There weren’t a lot of bad things about moving to the new boarding school. But leaving Kate had broken her heart. Kate was adorable and sweet and loved her big sister. And before she left, Alyssa promised to text every morning. So she grabbed her phone.
Hi little sis,
What’s up? I miss u!! Call me when u get home from school OK? R u in the school play? Did mom let u? Sorry the train lines got canceled, but I will come home as soon as I can! Always remember your big sister loves u!!
Alyssa xoxo
Alyssa sent her seven-year-old Kate messages like this every day.
“Who’re you texting?” asked Alexis.
“Oh, just Kate,” answered Alyssa. Normally she told Alexis everything but she had a strong feeling the hour between the worlds must remain a secret. At least until she figured it all out which wasn’t likely to happen any time soon. And she had told Alexis the truth, just not the whole truth. Then her phone chimed again. Jason.
Sounds like a plan.
“I didn’t know Kate had a phone,” said Alexis, her face creasing in a frown. “In fact, I distantly recall your mom and dad telling her she could get a phone when she either went to boarding school or turned sixteen. Who was that?”
“It’s not so uncommon for me to get texts,” said Alyssa, fighting back a wave of panic.
“But this early? Lyssa, thanks to your mom, your alarm clock goes off at like the crack of dawn. You wake up everyone! So give. Who is it?” asked Alexis.
“Just Kate. She texted back through my mom’s phone, Why the suspicion?” said Alyssa. She hit the volume button and decreased it. Then her phone buzzed. This time it actually was Kate.
Alyssa,
Oooh, I miss you! Mom let me use her phone. This took forever to type. Mom let me be in the play! It’s Pocahontas. Guess what? John Smith is a girl! You have to come back for Easter Holidays. I’ll mail you your Christmas present OK? I miss you!! Don’t forget to text!! I love my Christmas present, thank you sooo much! Love you!
Your baby sister Kate
Alyssa sighed: Saved by the text. She flashed her screen in front of Alexis’s nose and Alexis nodded.
“What’d you give her for Christmas?” asked Alexis, smiling.
“A doll she’s wanted since she was six,” responded Alyssa.
“Then why hasn’t she got it?”
“It costs three hundred dollars with accessories and outfit,” said Alyssa, smiling slightly. Alexis doubled over; coughing on the mint she had just swallowed. When she came up for air, she gasped, “Three hundred dollars?!” Alyssa nodded.
“I wish you were my sister,” groaned Alexis.
“Come on. I the breakfast hall’s open at six thirty and I want to eat now so I can go finish my math homework before first period,” said Alyssa, dragging Alexis down the steps. The hall was almost empty except for Dan, Marie, Antoinette, and Katie. And Jason. He gave her a small smile and her stomach turned somersaults. She managed a smile back. Breakfast was a plate of fruit and cheese. Not the most exciting meal in the world. In the winter, they got hot chocolate. Back at home, Kate was probably eating an omelet and juice with hash browns. Lucky kid. Alyssa picked up her fork and started swallowing cheese cubes and slices of green apple as fast as she could.
“Lyss. Slow down, honestly. You’ll finish. How many more problems?” asked Alexis.
“Two!”
“Alyssa, just do the problems now and then eat,” said Alexis.
Alyssa paused with a fork of black olives half way to her mouth. “Why didn’t I think of that?” Alyssa grabbed her worksheet and quickly solved the problems. Then she ate at a much more normal pace.
“There,” said a satisfied Alexis. Soon, their table was flocked. Alyssa was the most popular girl in the school. Which basically meant she was pretty much stalked.
“Always wanted to gain shadows,” murmured Alyssa to Alexis as she carried her empty plate to the bin.
“Ms. Popular’s magic strikes again,” whispered back Alexis. At 7:45, Alyssa headed over to first period: English.
“All right class. Let’s get down to some serious work,” said Ms. Anderson briskly. “I am assigning new seating. There has been entirely too much talking in this class. Along with it, you will also have a project. Your job is to create a story about something fictional. It counts for seventy five percent of your grade. You will work in groups of three. I will announce partners in a moment. Now first row: Alexandria, Marie, Jack, and Joshua. Second row consists of: Dan, Alyssa, Jason, and Jean.” Ms. Anderson droned on. Alyssa dropped her binder, notebook, and reading assignment down on the board. She grabbed her assignment and dropped it in the basket.
“The groups will be as follows: Alexandra, Marie and Jack. Joshua, Jean, and Marie. Alyssa, Jason, and Daniel-“ she broke off as Dan raised his hand.
“Yes Mr.…”
“Trent
“I guess.” Alyssa flipped open her binder and pulled out a new sheet of paper. Ms. Anderson announced for them to start working.
“So what do you think?” she asked.
“One sec,” replied Jason as a babble of noise erupted around them.
“Ms. Anderson, may we go outside?” Jason asked.
“Yes you may.” The threesome slipped out into the hallway that was deserted. They sat in a row. Jason, then Alyssa, last Dan. Alyssa picked up her clipboard and her pen.
“So…” Dan prompted.
“The story has to be about something fictional, right?” asked Jason. Alyssa and Dan nodded.
“What we saw last night will more than qualify. We’ll just add a story in,” said Jason.
“We have to collect more data,” warned Alyssa.
“Sure. We’ll go back tonight,” responded Jason.
“We’ll meet you in the entrance hall?” asked Dan.
Alyssa turned to Jason. “Do not attack me again. And sure. Literature is over soon, so I’ll meet you in the garden.” Jason flinched. He glanced at the bruises on her neck and cheek.
“I really am sorry you know. I thought you were a kidnapper,” he mumbled.
“It’s fine. Forget it,” responded Alyssa. The bell rang and the three scurried their different ways.