One

Ash flinched as the front door slammed shut.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Releasing a slow breath she looked down at the broken plate at her knees and sighed picking up the shattered porcelain. Her stepmother had just left after they finished…a discussion. Grimacing at the hot sting on her left cheek she walked to the kitchen placing the shattered plate into the recycle bin.

Summer vacation was over, and she had yet to make an appearance for her senior year. She bit her lip. It was the first week of the semester so there couldn’t have been too much her classmates had learned. Still, being behind would not fly. She needed to at least let the school know she was actually enrolled.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Startled out of her thoughts she searched for the source of the sound turning around to look at the window seeing an eagle and a robin sitting on the sill looking at her.

“What the-“ Tilting her head to the side Ash noticed that both birds had white ribbons tied around their legs.

“Surprise!” A cheerful voice screamed as arms wrapped around Ash’s waist lifting her off the ground.

Ash screamed as her feet left the floor. Once released she spun around glaring at her best friend Xue Bai-Song. Known as Snow, Xue Bai-Song was a tall girl with curled black hair sitting at a high side ponytail. Her thick lidded sapphire eyes shone with mischief her red lips in a perpetual smirk.

“How did you get in here!” Ash exclaimed trying to catch her breath.

“I borrowed Alex’s house key.” Snow said coolly as she walked towards the kitchen window and opened it.

“What?”

“I’m here to take you to school, duh.” Snow said untying the ribbons from the birds. “Thanks for your help. See you at school.”

The eagle and robin took off into the sky and Snow closed the window as the birds flew away. Snow looked back at Ash. “Come on before we’re late.” She beckoned.

Ash grabbed the pendant at her naval then opened it to see the watch inside. She glanced at the dirty dishes still in the sink. “I don’t have time.”

“Put ‘em in the dishwasher! We have to goooo-“

Ash looked around the house then back at her watch.

“Oh! I’m sorry, is your education not in your schedule? Let me guess, she wants you to clean this already spotless house. Or go shine and catalogue a new shipment of gems at the shop.”

“We do have something coming in at noon.” Ash muttered.

“The rocks can wait. School’s been in session for a week now, and you still haven’t shown up. You’re on several roll calls so teachers have been expecting you...” Snow trailed off furrowing her perfectly arched brows as she examined Ash’s face.

“What?” Ash asked warily.

“Your cheek is red.” Snow said with a quiet anger.

Ash’s eyes widened and she put her hand to her left cheek. “I -“

“We’re going to school.” Snow said sternly.

“Alright, but I still have to take care of this mess and be back in time to make dinner.” Ash said.

“No worries, I have friends that can help.” Putting two fingers to her mouth Snow let out a loud whistle. Instantly a herd of woodland animals came to the house. There were birds, deer, squirrels, foxes, and rabbits. Ash stared at them with wide hazel eyes.

“You’ve got to be kidding.” She stated.

“Nope!” Snow replied with a proud smile ignoring how Ash’s left eye was twitching.

Ash put her hands on Snow’s shoulders. “Snow, I love you, but how do you expect me to let a bunch of dirty forest creatures take care of my chores for today?”

Snow just grabbed Ash’s face and made her look closer at the animal horde. Ash squinted then gasped. The deer were carrying bags on their backs filled with bundles of cloth and various cleaning tools. “You didn’t?”

“I did! The Goosebury Cleaning Agency has sent their covert team to clean your house and no one will ever know!”

“But…that’s the most expensive package!”

Snow scoffed. “She says as if she couldn’t easily have this group on speed-dial. Stop looking a gift horse in the mouth and accept your gift.”

Ash stared at them unsure. “Um…okay, but just the first floor please.”

The animals nodded in agreement.

“I’ve already arranged payment, so we’re all good to go.” Snow said grabbing Ash’s arm and dragging her to the front door.

“Okay, um…well thank you. All of you.”

Snow continued to drag her out of the house through the front door where Snow’s red pick-up truck was waiting.

Madam, my animals are well trained and the cleanest creatures in all of Alonia. Now let them in.”

Rolling her eyes Ash opened the kitchen door and the animals immediately set to work. Ash gaped as the squirrels used their tails to sweep the floors the foxes and deer worked together to put away the dishes washed and dried by the birds.

Snow leaned down on Ash’s shoulder. “See, nothing to worry about. Now come on.”

Ash got in the car seeing that her backpack was already in the passenger seat. “How did you-“

“Got it when I got your house key from Alex. She packed your make-up kit in there too. Figured you’d want to put your face on.” Snow answered handing the house key to Ash.

Ash put her stepsister’s house key into the front pocket of her backpack heavily decorated with enamel pins and buttons. Snow started the truck and Ash sat back in her seat pulling out her metallic make-up bag.

“So, what have I missed?” she asked readying her foundation.

“Well, Alan and Flo are off.”

“Again?” Ash asked incredulously.

“Again.” Snow confirmed.

“What happened this time?”

“The usual, they’re back to being rivals. I’m sure they’ll be on each other like icing on a cupcake before Winter Break. The rest of the Seniors have a pool going. Although everyone agrees that Alan will crack first. Even some of the teachers are in on it.”

Ash just chuckled as she moved on to applying glittery purple eyeshadow.

“So, you gonna tell me about why you didn’t come to the first four days of school?” Snow asked.

“I was sick.” Ash answered nonchalantly.

“Hm.” Snow said unconvinced.

Ash turned to her. “Seriously I was. I…was having back problems.”

“You been taking your meds?”

“I’m out.” Ash muttered taking in her handiwork in her compact mirror.

“I’ll ask Uncle Goro to get you more.”

“Thanks.”

Snow turned on the radio while Ash painted her lips with black lipstick.