Hi everyone!

I hope that your weekend is going well!

I recently got an email from NaNoWriMo, reminding all of us writers that NaNoWriMo is coming soon! To be completely honest, I totally forgot about this event! I had some fun doing it last year, but it was really just a waste of time. I didn’t really have a good story line, and ended up releasing a new chapter every week of what it ended up to be. And… I still have t finished it, and don’t plan to. Although, I have an interesting idea for a piece that I want to write eventually, so maybe I do it for NaNo!

You can read my “novel” from last year here. https://readingreadingalldaylong.wordpress.com/category/my-stories/

So, let me know what you think! Are you participating in it this year or are you still thinking about it like me?

Good Night Book Owls!

School was back, up and running today. Today we have, what is called an NF day. This translates to a “not free” day. This means that there is no learning, but you must show up to school and do educational things, and at the same time you must follow your schedule. So, if you have history at period 1, you do history things, such as skim a textbook or work on an upcoming due project.
Luckily, today is the day that I and Leah have all the same classes together, so I can sit and talk to her about everything that’s happening.
This morning my mom makes I and my brother pancakes, although rushed, they were still delicious. “Hey Rachel, what are you doing at school today?” my mom asks. Why on earth would she ever want to know? I answer her anyways. “We have an NF day.” I say. “How about I pick you and David up a little bit earlier and we can do something fun. You both have seemed a little bit stressed these past days. I wanted to make it up to you both yesterday, but I was very busy. What do you say? Yes?” she says. I wanted to get out of the house and search more about Derek, but I guess this will have to wait. “Sure, I guess it will be fun.” I reply. Maybe it will be, you never know.
I arrive at school eight minutes early. So, I decide to drop David off at the free daycare and do some searching on Derek Smool. As I walk to the library, I spot Jared, my crush since grade four. I am now in grade eight. Jared has deep green eyes and short brown hair. We talk a lot, and some people say that he has a crush on me to, although I am not so sure about that speculation. “Hey Jared.” I say. “Hey Rachel! I’m going to the library to start my geography assignment, want to come with?” he asks. “Sure.” I say, casual and calm.
As we walk into the library, there are all kinds of beautiful poster, that advertise many things. School wide bagel day, kindergarten volunteers, library monitors and even sales representatives. “I have to get my school log in code; I’ve seemed to lost mine. I’ll meet you at the computers over there.” He says. I give him a quick thumbs up, and I’m off. I log in and start my research.

I have a feeling that today will be harder.
I wake up and my father is not there. He is at work 6:30am sharp. Like I said, it will take time to adjust. I still have about eighty three good years left. Not to worry, I reassure myself. Today, the morning news is good, filled with funny talk show hosts and segments, that aren’t so depressing. Today will be better, I reassure myself, again.
As I head downstairs, I wonder what my father is doing right now. Hopefully, he is doing well. Maybe he is blessing a new baby with a DDK that is average, not above or below.
My mother is making me my favourite breakfast; French toast. David is eating scrambled eggs, his favourite as well. “Good Morning Rachel.” My mother says. “Good Morning Mom.” I reply. She seems to be in a rather good mood. I knew things would be better today, I just knew it. “David told me that today you were going to makes cookies with him, after school. Is this true?” she asks. “Yes mom, we were going to go to the bakery down the street yesterday, but it was closed.” I tell her the truth. “Why didn’t you go?” she asks. I reply “It was allegedly told that this was the last place that Derek Smool ate at, before he got sick. It has been shut down, just for now I guess.” She doesn’t seemed surprise. She tells me that she heard it on the news last night. I wonder why she didn’t tell me?
After eating breakfast, I go upstairs and get ready. I listen to some music to get me in a better mood, like usual. Once I am done, I get my bag and get ready, but just before I walk out my mother calls me.
“Rachel, why didn’t you take the bus yesterday?” she says calmly. “I wanted to get some fresh air.” I lie. My mother senses that I am lying through my eyes but doesn’t bother to ask. “School is closed today; everyone was instructed to stay inside. They’re investigating.” Great. Just peachy great. I wanted to leave the house just one day and go to school, not having to worry about home, but of course school is cancelled today, of course. “Can I call Leah to come over?” I ask. Then I can have someone to talk to. “Sure. You can make cookies with her if you want.” Uh.
“Hey Leah, want to come over today?” I ask. “Uh, I wish. My grandfather’s sick. It’s only a year until his DDK, so we all knew it was coming soon.” Boo. I wish she could come over but I totally understand, I lost my grandfather the year of his DDK, it was hard for all of us. We expected it, but at the same time we didn’t. “Did he get eighty five?” I ask. “Yeah, I have to go, talk to you later.” She says “Bye, best wishes.” I add.

We walk in the house in silence. The silence stays even after we walk in. My parents are sitting on the couch, staring at us. Gesturing, with their eyes, to sit down. We do.
“We have some news.” My father says. This can’t be good, I think. “You’re father has been recruited as a full time scientist. “YAY!” David yells. Maybe David is right, maybe this is a good thing. My father will bring in more money into our house and find out wonderful information. Maybe, he can help me find out the information about Derek Smool. “We should all be very proud. Your father will be home on weekends and at 8:00 at night on weekdays to see us.” My mother says with a shy smile, and teary eyes. I run to her and give her a hug. I can see the sadness on her face. She must think of the positive outcomes for this to work. “Uncle Mark has also been recruited, he will be my assistant.” Uncle Mark is my father’s brother. He has two wonderful twin daughter who are only three years old. I wonder how he will be feeling. Leaving his wife and two toddlers must be troubling for him.
“Don’t be upset mom, at least he will be home during the night, and on Saturday and Sunday.” I say. “We will just need to adjust to the change. Don’t worry.” My mom looks at me. “I know sweety, thank you. You are right, as always.”