+ T H R E E +

It's, 3:30 PM, when my mother's minivan finally parks into a slot in the, Asheville parking lot. She smiles. I can see that she's hoping I've had a good first day. But it's safe to say, that I haven't. But my sister is quick to tell all about her day. She goes on and on about it for at least half of the ride.

     When my sister's finally finished, my mother looks over to me through the rear view mirror. "And you, Jules?" She asks, "how was your day?"

     "Normal for the most part, I guess." My being vague seems to bother her, but I don't have much of a choice. I can't tell her about me spending the day sitting in secluded corners, or about Summer Oxford, and her fiery choice of words. She would most definitely, march into the front office, and defend her dying teenage daughter.

     That was the last thing I needed while being new to a school like, Asheville. But she only nodded, her attention slipping back onto the road.

     Once we finally pulled into our driveway, my sister taps my shoulder, pulling an earphone out from her ear. "So," she whispers, as we make our way to the front door. "Were you being serious  about joining the team?"

     I shrug, slipping off my sneakers at the doorway, placing them neatly right beside Melanie's. "I don't know. Are you okay with me serious about it?"

     "Of course. This year has been especially hard on you, since the appointment, and I think It'd be nice for you to join a team." I snicker under my breath at how much she sounds like my mother. If I were having the conversation with her, the exact same words would've been said.

     "Then, I guess it won't hurt to try out." I smile warmly, dragging my tank along with me, as I stomp up the staircase. Melanie claps, her grin widening. "This is going to be so fun! I mean—when was the last time we did something like this together, Jules?"

     I have a feeling the question is rhetorical, but I answer just to see her glare playfully. "Third grade—the talent show. Remember the magic trick?" I laugh, pushing the door open to our bedroom. She follows me, groaning, most likely embarrassed by me bringing it up again. "Oh, no! That was awful."

     Her cellphone chimes, and she frowns down at it for a few seconds. I ignore her, going onto to take the cannula's out from my nose to change. Melanie calls out my name, settling into her mattress. "Jules—" she begins with a pleading smile. "How would you feel about going for a bit? To uh, Charleston, maybe?"

     My eyes almost pop out from my head at her question. Charleston was on the other side Asheville, meaning our parents would never allow it. "Melanie, you know we can't—"

     "And why not? What's the pain in just asking Mom and dad? I'm sure they'd let me go if you came with."

     "And what if I don't want to come with?" I raise an eyebrow, settling onto my bedspread. She groans, "come on, Jules. It'd be nice to get out of the house for a bit, right?" She has her fingers interlocked, resting in front of her as she pleads.

     "Yeah, because your loser sister needs you to get her out of the house." I'm joking, but she stops begging for a moment, a serious expression taking place. "You know that's not what I meant, Jules. Things have been especially hard on you these last few months, and I just think it'd be nice to get you out of the house for a bit."

Her intentions are good, I'm just not sure if our parents will see it the same way. "Fine," I shrug, "but only if Mom and dad say yes."