Annabel: Just Listen

Daisy: How I Live Now

It was the last day before Winter vacation for Annabel, and everyone was excited to get out of school for awhile. She walked to her last class and got a call from her mom telling her she was picking her up right that moment. Annabel got into the car and asked her mom what was going on. “ We’re going to England and our flight leaves in an hour.” her mom said. I didn’t say anything on the way home, and I didn’t ask any questions. After I packed we drove for what seemed like 5 minutes to the airport, and still had extra time before our flight. Kirsten and Whitney were already waiting when my mom and I got there. We boarded the plane, and it seemed as if our flight was much longer than 6 hours. None of us really talked, except for Kirsten.

    “Welcome to England!” the flight attendant said when we landed. It was a lot different from New York. Kind of old, and rusted. Abandoned looking. We got a ride to our hotel and our hotel wasn’t that bad. Small, brick building that seemed like not many people came there.

    We checked into the hotel and decided to go check around. The first thing we did was go and get food. While we were there I met this girl named Daisy. She asked us where we were from and I told her, New York. “ Really? Me too!” she said. Daisy didn’t really look like a girl from New York, but she explained her story to us. “ Would you like to come over with your family for dinner? We would love company.” Daisy said. My mom and dad were kind of hesitant about this, but they thought it would be a good idea. We followed them to their house, only find out they don’t have a mom. This boy named Edmond greeted us, and this cute little girl named Piper. Their house wasn’t really what i’m used too. It was beat up and old. Piper made us tea, and then asked us what brought us here. “ Coming to England was a last minute thing for the family, but i thought it would be a nice bonding family trip.” my mom said. “Does it seem chilly in here?” Piper asked. “Start up the fire and get some more wood.” Daisy replied. After talking for awhile Piper and Daisy started cooking dinner. They cooked chicken, potatoes and made gravy. Dinner was delicious and they invited us for dinner tomorrow.

    The next day I woke up to a knocking on the door only to see Daisy and Piper there. I opened the door and Daisy asked me if I wanted to come to the river. “ But it’s 8am, and it’s freezing.” I said. “Oh we’re not going in the water, we just go down there to hangout!” Daisy replied. I shouted to my mom and asked her if that was okay. “Just don’t be out too long please!” my mom said. So I got ready and off we went to the river. It was really nice. We had a snowball fight, and made a snow fort big enough to fit Piper, Daisy, Edmond, and I inside of it! Finally after hours of playing in the snow, we went back to their house to eat lunch and warm up by the fire. That night, my family and Daisy’s family had dinner like the night before.

     We did the same thing of playing in the snow for 2 days and then my mom offered  to make them dinner for a few nights. On our fifth day in England my family and I stayed home and relaxed for the whole day. We watched the news, played some card games and just talked. I don’t think the families bonded like this since we were little kids, and it feels right. It feels like we should be this way, close.

    It was Tuesday morning,  and snowing. Big white flakes falling from the sky, it was beautiful. It seemed like nothing I’d ever seen. “Mom, i’m running over to Daisy’s for a little, i’ll be back at 1 or 2pm.” I shouted to my mom. “Okay have fun!” she replied. I ran over in the snow and through the big white flakes falling from the sky. As soon as I was going to knock on their door Piper opened with a big smile. “Good morning Annabel, would you like some tea?” she said. “Good morning Piper, sure tea would be nice!” I replied. “Good morning!” Daisy said. “Good morning.” I responded. We all sat by the fire and drank some tea.

    It was 1pm and I decided to walk home and ask my mom if I could stay over Daisy’s tonight before we left for Christmas. When I got to the room I asked her if I could stay at Daisy’s and she said sure.  So I packed some clothes and then ran back to Daisy and Piper’s.

    That night we sat by the fire and told stories. Piper and Daisy’s story was amazing, and then I told them mine. After we told stories I explained to them that I’d be leaving in 2 days. So Daisy gave me her number and email address, and I gave her mine. The rest of the night we talked , played games and sat by the fire to keep warm. It was about 11pm and we went to bed.

    I woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs, so I scurried downstairs and ate breakfast so I could get back to the hotel.  I said thank you for  breakfast, and headed home with Piper.

    Before we left to the airport we said goodbye to Piper, Daisy, and Edmond. We gave each other hugs, said goodbye and then left.