Part 1

I have known Sarah since she was fourteen. She was so happy and kind. I used to dislike her because I was jealous of her, but then one day, I learned her backstory and that changed my perspective to a completely different level.

"I feel bad for Sarah. If only more people liked her. I don't know why they wouldn't though, she's a sweet and happy person," Laila said.

"I know right! I really don't understand, but I feel like something is off like the others are jealous of her or something," Jane said shrugging.

I overheard them and they were right, most of the girls were jealous of Sarah because Sarah had a ton of friends and most of them were boys. We all tried to be friends with the boys, but we failed. Then Sarah came along and they all seemed to know her, and she was amazing at sports and that is what the boys cared about most, sports.

"I'm going to try to be a better friend to Sarah because she has a hard time at home," Jane said.

"I will too. The poor thing has to deal with that every day when she gets home. School is literally her escape house," Laila said.

I didn't know what they were talking about and I really wanted to know. Was Sarah really having that hard of a time at home? I walked behind Sarah when we walked home because she was always talking to the boy that was next door to her. I was a few blocks further than Sarah and Mason. Mason was popular at school because every sport he tried he was incredible at, just like Sarah.

I overheard Mason say, "Are you going to be ok with your mother there? Do you want me to stay until supper?"

"No, I'm good. I will handle my mother on my own," Sarah replied.

"Are you positively sure?" Mason asked.

"Yeah – well, actually --- no, I really would like it if you could help me, but you have so much homework to do, and I don't want to bother you and--," Sarah said in a quiet sad voice.

"I was going to come anyway and Sarah I've known you since you were five, you won't bother me at all. I can do my homework while you practice and then I can help you with your homework, even though you probably don't need it. I just don't want you to be in that house alone… with her," Mason interrupted.

"You've really been a great friend to me Mason, thank you," Sarah replied with a smile.

I couldn't hear the rest because I was at my driveway, and then I looked at them one last time and saw Sarah collapsed on the ground. Mason picked her up calmly and ran to his house with her in his arms. I panicked, I didn't know what was going on, but I ran over to where she collapsed and grabbed her books. I picked them up and I noticed there was red liquid everywhere and then I realized it was blood. I ran to Mason's house and knocked on his door, breathlessly. I heard a lot of running and then suddenly it stopped. I knocked once more and finally, finally, he answered. He looked white as snow and enervated.

"Hi! Sarah dropped her books, I saw her with you and I thought I could give them to you. Is she ok? Her books have blood on them and I was wondering if I could do anything to help," I asked.

"Oh, Thanks! I didn't realize that I left her books behind. I have it taken care of but I appreciate the gesture," Mason said.

"Ok, I just wanted to make sure she was ok," I said.

I gave him the books and walked back home. After a few minutes, I heard sirens of an ambulance truck. I ran to the window and saw Mason talk to a man in white and red. I saw Sarah carried carefully in the truck. Mason seemed so calm that it scared me, and then I saw a young, angry woman coming outside. I had no clue who she was, but she yelled at Mason and Mason did not hesitate to stop her from going in the truck.

"I wonder who she is," I whispered.

"Oh, that's Sarah's mother."

I turned around and saw my cousin, breathing heavily. I didn't hear her come in, I was in my own little world. She had a weak smile and she looked like she ran 40 miles. She plopped on the couch and said, "Mason is very protective when it comes to Sarah. He won't let Miss Smith near Sarah when she is in that condition."

"How do you know so much about Sarah? I thought you two weren't that close anymore," I said.

"Just because I had a fight with her doesn't mean I don't know about Mason and her mother. Sarah and I have been best friends forever, one fight won't split us up that easily," Charlotte replied.

"Ok, Ok! So, why did Sarah collapse? Is there something wrong with her?" I asked with worry.

"Yeah, something is wrong with her, but I can't tell you because it's really not my place to tell you about her problems. If you ask her, I'm sure she'll tell you," Charlotte said, "You have to get close to her more, though. Aren't you jealous of her or something?"

"I'm not jealous of her… right now I just want to make sure she's ok. Even if I am jealous, it doesn't matter. She looks like she could use some friends," I said defensively.

"You just technically said you are jealous of her and her friends don't—."

"I didn't say I was jealous of her, I said if I was jealous of her. And I know she has a lot of friends, but I want to make sure --," I interrupted.

"Her friends don't know her conditions, at least most of them don't," Charlotte interrupted talking fast.

"Oh, why not? Conditions, she has more than one?!" I asked.

"Yeah and were you even listening to me at all? I just said that she does not like people to know, and Mason has kept that secret for a while now. Most people do not know that Mason takes care of her. Mason had to grow up faster than most people because of that woman," Charlotte points at that yelling woman outside the window.

"Now I understand what Laila and Jane were talking about," I whispered.

"Laila? Jane? They got me in trouble so many times, I don't think they like me. I try not to get in their way, but Sarah seems to like them a lot so I end up hanging out with them. I wonder why she likes them," Charlotte said in a questioning voice.

"Sarah has known them since fifth grade and then she moved," I said.

"Have you ever wondered why she moved away?"

"No, I thought it was because she was getting bullied," I said.

"Nope, she never got bullied. She left because… Do you hear that?" Charlotte asked interrupting herself.

The sirens got softer and softer and the yelling got louder and louder. As soon as I looked out the window, I saw Miss Smith slap Mason. Mason did nothing, he glanced toward where the truck disappeared and looked back at the woman. She seemed not to notice and kept yelling. I couldn't hear anything and I glanced at my cousin but she disappeared. Moments later, I see Charlotte walk to Mason, grab his arm, and drag him to his house. The woman just watched, looking like she was about to explode. Charlotte was attacking Mason with words, that I could not hear and the woman seemed to calm down and walked back to the house. After the woman was gone, Charlotte stopped yelling and talked to him calmly. Mason looked like he has been through this once before. Mason goes in the house and Charlotte was starting to walk back when a doolally dog came running towards her.

She stayed calm and the dog suddenly stopped right at her feet. She was looking for the spray for doolally dogs, but could not find it. I looked around and it was on the couch she plopped on when she first came in. I looked out the window and I see charlotte freaking out. I have never seen Charlotte freaked out, seeing her like that made me worried. She finally calmed down and reached out from her pocket a water sprayer that she used on me every day to wake me up. She carefully reached out her hand with the spray, like a policeman with a gun, acting as if she was going to spray it and walked around until her back was toward the house. She cautiously walked backward, but when she put her foot back, the front paw of the dog moved forward. It looked like they were dancing and trees looked like they were joining as the wind jostled their limbs. Charlotte bumped into the door and put one of her hands on the knob and quietly and slowly did she dare turn the knob. The dog noticed and started to show his teeth. Charlotte stopped turning the knob, slowly put her hand down and as soon as her hand was down, the dog walked to the hand and bumped it with his nose and he slowly looked down, wanting her to pet him. Charlotte was hesitant but eventually started petting him. The dog looked like a brown bear. He was shaggy and soiled. I opened the window and he stepped back a little.

"Are you ok? I saw your little dance," I asked smiling worriedly.

"I'm fine. Little dance, what are you talking about? Anyway, the dog's leg is hurt." Charlotte replied.

I looked at the leg and she was right, his leg had deep cuts as if thorny vines grabbed him like a hand and scratched him.

"Looks like he's lost a lot of blood. We should bring him in the garage and treat his wounds," I said.

"Yeah, you go open the garage and I'll lead him into it," Charlotte replied

I opened the garage door by the press of a red button and it made a noise as if it was fingernails against a chalkboard. It was a horrible noise.

"Is he still there?" I asked.

"Yeah, He jumped and hid behind my legs."

"I'm a little surprised he stayed. Bring him over here. I have the first aid kit so you can bandage him up," I said.

Why, me? Why don't you do it, after all, you're in medical school." Charlotte asked.

"Because it seems that he trusts you more," I said trying to dodge the bullet.

"He needs to learn to trust you too if he's going to stay with us," Charlotte said knowing what I was trying to do.

My eyes widen, "We're keeping him?" I asked in excitement.

"Yes, he came to us for help, did he not?"

"Ok, I hope mother will be ok with it," I said.

"She's a veterinarian. I'm sure your mother will say yes," Charlotte said in a stern voice.

"Ok, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories, sorry," I said feeling guilty.

"What are you girls doing?"

We turned around and saw my mother. She had bags under her dark blue eyes and a weak smile.

"Hello, Mrs. Moore," Charlotte said.

I stayed quiet, petting the dog, trying to keep him calm while I stop his bleeding.

"Hi girls, why do you guys have there?" she asked in curiosity.

"I was wondering if you could help him. I got him to hold still enough to stop the blood, but if he moves too much he will start bleeding again. Can you help him? His cuts are really deep." I asked.

"Cuts? Let me take a look at him," my mother said.

Charlotte and I held him and when my mother got close to us, he started to show his teeth, put his feet in a fighting position and growled.

"Why does he look like he's going to kill me?" my mother asked.

"He just has to get to know you, Mrs. Moore," Charlotte said.

"Ok, I've been in this situation before. Charlotte and Ruby come here and show him I'm not a threat," she said.

"Ok," we both said at once.

I hugged my mother and Charlotte hugged her arm awkwardly. He stops growling and sits and whimpers. We all laugh and run over to him.

"I think, we should name him Max," I said.

"I like that name," Charlotte whispered.

"I think Max is a great name, honey," my mother said.

She looks at Max's leg and said, "He won't be able to walk on it for a while and you girls have to take care of him until then."

"Mrs. Moore, you have a call," said Tisquik.

"Thank you Tisquik, who is it?" My mother asked.

"It's Mr. Moore, ma'am," he said.

Tisquik is a flying robot. It is common for people to have flying robots around their house.

"Can you put him on hold and let him know we adopted a dog?" she asked.

"I can," he said.

"Thank you. Charlotte, I need to talk to you later," my mother said with a kind smile.

Charlotte nodded and said nothing.

I broke the silence by asking, "Can we go out to eat?"

"If you can do the dishes and make Max a bed in your room."

"Ok, come here Max," I said in a cheerful tone.

Max limps over and he follows me to my room. I made a spot full of blankets and told him to lay down and surprisingly, he does. I start walking downstairs when I overhear something I shouldn't have.

"Charlotte, what were you thinking?!"

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Moore! I didn't think she would get mad at me…" Charlotte replied.

"Ugh! You should have thought before you acted and I am your mother." My mother said with anger.

"You're not my mother! Mason needed help, I couldn't stand by and watch that woman slap him and yell at him," Charlotte said in a stern voice.

"I am your mother! That woman was drunk and you could have gotten hurt," my mother said with angier.

SLAM! The door goes. They stopped talking and stared at my father who comes into the room. I ran downstairs and said, "The dog is in my room sleeping."

"Ok, did you do the dishes?" my mother asked.

"No, I haven't yet. I need to talk to Charlotte, are you guys done with your talk?" I asked.

"Yes, you guys go upstairs. Your father and I need to talk."

Charlotte about to burst out crying and I ran upstairs.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"No, I'm not. My best friend is in the hospital and I'm not allowed to go visit her and I just got yelled at for helping out one of my friends, from a crazy woman. I'm grateful Mrs. Moore took me under her wing, but I need her to know that I feel uncomfortable calling her mother," she said talking fast in frustration.

"I'm so sorry! I heard some of that conversation," I said.

"Yeah, I know. You're horrible at hiding," she said.

We stare at each other and start bursting out laughing, waking up Max. He barks and runs around the room and then jumps on me and starts licking me.

Charlotte and I see Sarah two weeks later at school.

"Hey, Sarah. How are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm feeling better. Thank you for dropping off my books at Masons'," she said.

"You're Welcome," I said smiling.

"We're going to be late for class," Charlotte interrupted.

We ran to class as fast as our little legs could carry us. We hear the bell ring as soon as we stepped foot in the classroom.

"You guys were almost late, take any seat that is available," Mr. Heart said.

I kept watching the clock, while he was talking about World War II, finally, school ended. I ran to my locker when I heard this awfully, peaceful sound of a piano. I walk toward the music and see Sarah in the music room. I listen for a bit more because it was calming.

"That is really pretty," I said.

She was surprised and played the wrong note.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to disturb you," I said.

"No, you're good," Sarah said while putting her gloves back on.

Sarah wears gloves all the time. She never takes them off unless she washes her hands and playing the piano. Her hands don't have a single cut on them.

"Why do you wear gloves?" I asked.

"I wear them because I have to. My mother doesn't want my hands to get hurt, so I can play the piano. When I was little she and I used to play piano together," she said in a sad voice, "I should get home, I have to practice more. I'll see you later."

"Ok, bye," I said, thinking about what she just said.

I walked home and when I got there, I heard the beautiful sound of a piano and then it stopped, and I heard yelling.

"Sarah, what type of life do you have?" I whispered.

"She has a stressful and painful one."

"I didn't know you were listening," I said a little embarrassed.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just wanted to answer your question. I'm sure Sarah won't mind if I tell you what's wrong with her. You and Sara seem to be getting closer. Your charlotte's friend, right?"

"Yeah, I am. I don't think you should tell me, what if Sara doesn't want me to know? I want to make sure it's ok with her," I said.

"She's ok with it, I asked her a while back"

"Why do you want to tell me, Mason?" I asked

"Because since you're Sarah's and Charlotte's friend, you need to know about Sarah's conditions. I only have time to answer one," he said while looking at the open window where the yelling came from.

"Ok… Why did Sara go to the hospital?" I asked.

"She has ALS," He said.

"What's ALS?" I asked.

"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, it's a degenerative disease affects the brain and spinal cord. It causes loss of control of voluntary muscles. To put it simply, she can't control her muscles all the time," he said

"So, you're saying that time she fell, she lost control of her body. Wait, why was there blood? Is there a reason she's losing control of her body?" I asked.

"She bleeds when she loses control. None of the doctors know why, but they know how to stop it," he said.

Mason looks up at the window and said, "I have to go, Sarah's waiting for me. Sorry, I'll be able to answer more questions later!"

"Bye," I waved as he ran to Sarah's house.

"You look like you're worried about something. Are you good?"

"Yeah, I'll manage," I answered, "Hey Charlotte, Mason came to me and told me about Sarah's ALS. I wish I would have known."

"Oh, wow I didn't expect him, of all people to tell you that information, he must really trust you," she said.

"That's good, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, Mason is like a big brother. Just get to know him and you'll love him," she said.

"I can see that," I said.

When we got home, we see Max running so fast he knocks me down.

"That must've hurt," Charlotte said while laughing.

"It did. Max is a cheetah ready to pounce on his prey," I said

"Yeah, no kidding. I'm just happy I'm not his prey," she said teasingly.

We both start laughing and walk inside the house.

"Oh, I need a recording of you saying, Sally sold seashells by the seashore super fast. It's for a school project," she said.

"Tisquick, can you record me speaking," I asked.

"I can," he replied, "Now recoding miss."

We recorded me. I got tongue tied a few times, but I think that was the whole point.

"Oh, yeah. I bought a collar for Max. I want to see if we can understand him. I hope it works," I said.

We have collars to help us understand what animals say. It's really cool, but I have never noticed how expensive they are until I bought one.

"That's awesome! Hurry up and put it on him," she said.

I tried to put the collar on him, but Max stepped back and growled. He gave me a look saying I dare you to try to put that on me.

"Let's not put it on him. I don't think he likes this collar," I said hoping he wouldn't attack.

"Maybe he doesn't want us to know what he's saying or maybe he doesn't like collars," Charlotte said.

"Yeah that could be it," I said.

The next day, I see Mason talking to his friends and he notices my eyes staring at him. He knew why we never finished our conversation. I looked away as soon as he looked up. I see Charlotte walking towards me with her black wavy hair swinging side to side.

"Hey. What's up?" I asked.

"Hi, I'm guessing you were staring at Mason because you have more questions unless you like him," she said teasingly.

"No way! I wanted to ask Sarah a couple of questions, but she didn't come to school today," I said.

"That's because she is at the hospital," she said with a frown.

"Is she allowed to have visitors," I asked.

"I think so," Mason said joining the conversation.

I turned around and asked, "Are you going to visit her now?"

"No, I have a soccer game, but I'm going after that," he said.

"How long do soccer games take?" I asked.

"They take about two hours," Charlotte replied.

"Ok, I guess I can wait," I said.

"Alright," Mason said in agreement.

We followed him to the field where the white and black ball laid. We watched the game. The scores were 3-3, all they needed was one more goal and they would win. Mason got the ball, he ran around the other team so fast that my eyes couldn't keep up with him. He shoots and scores. The crowd goes wild screaming at the top of their lungs in victory, making my ears bleed. Mason's team ran around like crazy chickens with their heads cut off. We stayed after the game waiting for Mason. Mason finally came out, but with girls hanging on him.

"Mason, you take forever," I said whining.

"I'm sorry, I had a crowd chasing me," he said.

"Well, say goodbye to them and let's go," I said pointing at the girls who were giving me a death glare, "Also, giving me a death glare is rude."

"I don't care, you are taking Mason for yourself," girl number one said.

"What if I am, so what? We are going to go visit another girl," I said.

They just stormed off with anger. Mason is dying of laughter and Charlotte had a smirk on her face.

"It's way too easy to make your fans angry, especially when they're girls," I said to Mason.

"You just made my day Ruby," Mason said trying to stop laughing.

"You're welcome," I said, smiling as bright as the sun.

"Now that that's over with, let's go to the hospital," Charlotte said.

We walked to the hospital and when we got there, the woman at the desk asked us to follow her. She must have known Mason or Charlotte because I have never seen her before. We stayed quiet until she said, "This is Sarah's room. Please, be careful and do not touch her. She has a needle tube in her arm and if she moves it, she'll hurt herself."

"Thank you," I said while we walked in the room.

We see Sarah with her eyes closed, moving her fingers as if she was playing the piano.

"Hey, you shouldn't be doing that. You might hurt yourself," Mason said rushing to her side.

"I have to, mom might get mad at me," she said with a shaky quiet voice.

"Are you cold?" I asked.

"Yes, it's really cold in here," she replied.

"I'll turn on the heater," Charlotte said.

"Thank you," Sara replied.

"Have you been eating? Are you hungry? Do you need to sleep? Should we go?" Mason asked.

"I just ate and I'm doing better," Sarah answered calmly.

"May I ask you a question?" I asked.

"Sure, I'm guessing it's about my mother and my relationship," she said.

"Yeah, I was wondering if you could tell me the backstory," I said.

"I'm willing to tell you, but it's a pretty long story. Do you think we can talk about it after I get out of the hospital?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure. I am so happy that you trust me," I replied with a huge smile on my face.

Charlotte and Mason talked to Sarah a lot and kept interrupting each other. Sarah was just smiling, entertained by them trying to talk to her. I would have talked to her more if the other two weren't over lapping each other. That day I saw Sarah collapse, I wish I could have helped her more and been by her side. We left a couple hours later and started walking home.

"I hope Sara gets better soon. I would have understood if she didn't want to tell me her backstory, but I'm happy she trusts me," I said with a smile.

"You are so understanding and amazing," Mason whispered.

"What was that Mason?" Charlotte asked.

"Nothing… nothing important," he replied blushing a little.

"Are you sure? I thought I heard you say Ruby was -," Mason covers her mouth before she could finish her sentence.

Charlotte grabs Mason's arm and yanks it away from her mouth.

"Are you trying to suffocate me?" she asked with anger.

"No, you are right. I'm sorry, that was my mistake," he said with guilt.

"It's ok, but please don't ever do that again," Charlotte said with a firm voice.

"Goodnight Mason see you tomorrow," I said smiling.

"Goodnight, Ruby. Night, Charlotte," he said as he started to run home.

"Night," Charlotte said waving.

"I need you girls to turn around slowly with your hands in the air."

We slowly turned around and we saw a man with cloudy blue eyes, the clear liquid was falling down his dirty cheeks making marks on his face. He had a frown on his face, but his eyes were glimmering with happiness, like his was smiling. Charlotte was ready to attack him, but all of the sudden the man was on the ground with max on top of him growling ready to bite his face off.

"Max!" I screamed with happiness.

"I'm sorry if I scared you, I just wanted to see Charlotte just one more time. I didn't mean to seem that I was going to do something bad to you," the man said in fright, hopping Max wouldn't hurt him.

"Max, come," Charlotte demanded with no emotion.

Max did as he was told and went to charlotte and sat right in front of me. I pet Max and said, "Good boy." Max wagged his tail and licked my hand.

"What do you want?" Charlotte said with her guard up.

"Well, I – it might be hard for you to understand, but I am your –" the man said.

"Why are you here?! You left her and now you came to take her back? You – you will not get away with this. I will not let you take her away from me," Mrs. Moore interrupting the old man with anger.

"I just wanted to see Charlotte. I will not take her away from her. I just wanted to know how she was doing. I couldn't take her even if I wanted to," he said with sadness.

"Who- who are you?" Charlotte said holding my hand tightly.

"Hey, Ruby I need to talk to you," Mason coming out of the shadows grabbing my arm.

"Do you need me here, Charlotte?" I asked with worry.

"No, go. I'll be fine, I'll text you when I figure out what this man needs from me," Charlotte said.

I knew I shouldn't have gone but Mason's seemed to really want to talk to me. I started to walk away when I hear Charlotte start to cry. I look at Mason and he knew that I had to go back.

"I'm sorry," I said running to my best friend's side.

I could feel Mason's eyes on me, but I didn't dare look back. Charlotte hugs me, I pat her head, and say, "It's going to be ok."

I didn't know what that old man said and I couldn't ask him because he was gone. Charlotte finally calmed down and we sat in silence on her bed. I waited patiently until Charlotte was ready to tell me everything. Finally, Charlotte said something and I was not expecting her to say that.