Chapter Two

Shivering, teeth clattering and ragged breathing. There I stood in a field in the middle of nowhere, snowing heavily leaving no room to see where I was incase I was somewhere so familiar. I dragged my leg through the 10-inches thick snow, not knowing where I was going, looking for any sign of human presence.

I reached a hill and tried looking ahead but the snow made it difficult. As I put my leg forward to climb down the hill, I lost my step and rolled down the cliff onto a frozen lake. I stood up and moved as little as possible but didn't stop the ice giving way and I fell into the cold lake. I immediately woke up and discovered it was a dream.

I looked at my surroundings to discover I had slept off on the bench in the park. Whoa I gotta head home, Asher and Mrs Esther must be worried I thought. I checked my phone and discovered it was few minutes to 7 so by 6:52pm I should have arrived home, I didn't intend staying that long here so I got up and headed home. I could really use a nice warm bath and a meal to satisfy my hungry stomach. I eventually got home by 6:54pm, as I opened the door I was faced with a angry Mrs Esther.

"Where have you been? I've tried your number countless times it wasn't reachable" she asked.

"I went to Mr Blackwood's office but unfortunately didn't meet him so I stopped by the park and didn't know when I slept off on a bench. I hurried here knowing you and Asher will be worried" I explained to her.

" At least, you should have given me a call or something"

"I'm sorry but I did tell you where I was going. The note you left, I wrote mine also but seems you didn't see it" I told her.

She didn't say anything and opened the door wider for me to come in. I stepped in and as I was hanging my coat on the rack, she spoke up;

"I'm sorry dear for shouting at you. I was just worried about you" she apologized.

"It's alright, I understand. I'll be in my room, I want to take a shower first. I really need it" I said exhausted.

"Okay dear, I just started preparing dinner. Make sure when you're done, you come eat your dinner" she patted my cheeks.

"Okay, Where's Asher?" I asked her as I stepped into the living room.

"He's in his room. He talked about changing his clothes or something" she said dismissively.

I headed to my room that's close to mine. I opened his door to see him ransacking his closet and murmuring, I shook my head and closed the door quietly and continued on to my room. I went to the bathroom and put on the water to let the water rush into the bathtub, I then removed my clothes and pulled out my pyjamas shorts and big faded blue t-shirt which belonged to my dad.

I entered the bathroom to put off the water, I checked the water to see if it was warm enough and it was. I entered the bathtub and washed my hair and body and rested in it. My mind drifted off to what I'll be doing if Nana had been here and so many things. I shook off the thoughts and got out of the water when it had gone cold. I changed into the shorts and the t-shirt and headed to the dining.

As I passed the living room, Asher was curled up on the couch with his headphones on so intrigued in his pad and I was certain he was playing games.

I walked to the dining table to eat what Mrs Esther prepared for me, spaghetti and meatballs. I saw her walk into the kitchen because our house was built in a way that the dining area faces the kitchen directly.

When she saw I was at the table, she walked towards me and sat down while sorting out the mail. She sorted the mails while humming a tune and I quietly ate my food. I headed to the kitchen to wash my plate when I finished eating.

I walked to the living room and sat beside Asher to look at what he was doing and it was definitely video games. I tugged on his headphones and he looked at me and then pause his game and smiled at me.

"Hey sis" he said as he dropped the pad on his laps and hung the headphones on his neck.

"Hey Ash, how was school today?" I asked.

"School went well today. One of my friends, Tim embarrassed himself in front of the new girl in our class. We teased him throughout about it and he would not admit that the girl didn't shun him-"

He went on gesticulating about the event and I couldn't help but feel guilty that I'll ruin his mood by telling him about Nana but like they say the earlier the better.I didn't realise he was done untill he waved his hand in my face and I came back to reality.

"Wow that's good to know Ash" I said.

"You weren't listening. You spaced out" he said pouting.

" Yeah I'm sorry but I have to tell you something and I apologize for keeping it from you" I said as I held his hands.

"Sis what is it? You're scaring me. Is it about what you said in the morning you'll tell me?" he asked worriedly.

"Yes it is" I studied his expression and it was the same as before.

"Nana is dead. She died this morning" I said.

Asher looked so dumbfounded as he tried to process what he just heard. Not long thereafter, tears streamed down his face and he began sobbing. This sight broke my heart but it had to be done.

"But she promised she'll be fine, she said she'll come back" Asher said in between sobs.

I drew him close and hugged him s he cried more Into my cloth. I couldn't help it as hot tears rolled down my face. I cuddled Asher more and tried to comfort him. I dried my tears and looked down at Asher who's crying had reduced.

"It's okay Ash, you still got me, Carmen and Mrs Esther and I promise to make sure we live happily. I assure you that so be strong okay?" He nodded.

"I will miss her so much sis."

"I know. We all miss her so we have to brave and be happy" A little sad smile etched on his face and was gone instantly as it came.

"How about we watch a movie? I asked.

"That'll be fine sis" he replied solemnly.

I decided we watch The Bad Guys, a cartoon hoping to cheer him up a little. We both enjoyed the movie as he lightened up. By the time the movie was about to come to an end, I noticed he wasn't awake anymore so I carried him to his room and tucked him in, kissed his forehead. It was so much harder not having Nana here anymore.

I felt like giving up and just waking up from this dream. I closed the door and headed to my room and took out my laptop and sat on the bed. I checked and saw 4 missed video calls from Carmen. I called her back, it rang for a while and I thought she was busy with other things. She finally answered as her face popped on the screen with her hair looking a mess;

"Hey babe, how are you doing today? I've been wanting to hear from you since like forever" she said dramatically throwing her hands up in the air.

" I was with Asher. I told him about Nana and he was broken hearted" her face fell.

"Oh babe, poor thing. I hope you all have the fortitude to bear the loss"

"It's fine. So how was school today?" I asked shifting the topic.

"Well it was boring, devastating without you and worse I was lonely" she cried out.

"Stop being dramatic. I thought you could survive without me but tsk you can't" I said with a little smile.

"Whatever. By the way, we have Calculus test on Wednesday by 9:30am and some assignments that need to be submitted tomorrow and next" she told me.

"Okay then, send me the assignments we have and hopefully it goes well with you" I replied.

"Whatever. Ok hun, I'll be leaving you now, you look like you could really use a good night rest. Take care, bye

"Yeah yeah bye" she cut the call.

I laid in my bed and truly I needed the sleep, I have to make sure I take care of myself. I drew my duvet up and snuggled into my pillow and sighed as I got ready to sleep. I have to make sure I get in touch with Mr Blackwood the next day to know the arrangements of the funeral but later kicked against it and would go to school tomorrow and then meet him after school. I then sent Carmen a text letting her know. I thought about so many things and that way I slept off though still tensed.

I woke up this morning a little better than yesterday and prepared for school. I chose an emerald green t-shirt and loose sky blue jeans with a pair of white converse, grabbed my bag and phone. By the time I went to eat breakfast, I noticed that Mrs Esther has prepared Asher for school already.

I ate my breakfast and took my lunch. Carmen came and picked me up in her Black Jeep Wrangler and off we went to school. As we reached school, I took my things out of my locker and headed to the first class of the day, History. Hopefully today goes well.