Arizona's Zone: Part 11

As soon as I was in my bedroom, alone, I cried. "It's all my fault," I sobbed into my pillow. I didn't see Jubilee standing at the door. "I think it's time you told your secret," a gentle, yet firm voice said. 


I didn't want to hide it anymore, so I told all. Jubilee nodded. "It's up to the police now," She said. "No! I can help!" I protested. Jubilee shook her head. "I don't think so. Why don't you help us prepare Nahji's room?"


"I don't want to do Nahji's room, I want to find Willow."
"Well, you're not making our new sister feel very welcome here." 
I sighed, knowing she was right. But I wasn't giving up.


The next morning, I smiled, remembering that there was no more school. I flew out the door with Spicemuffin yelling that I hadn't had my breakfast yet. :) I had no time for breakfast!


I searched till lunchtime. Grace had told me the name of the fast food place Willow had gone into. I decided to go there. The food was very cheap, both monetary and taste-wise. 


I decided to talk to the manager. "Did you see a little hungry girl the other day?" I bluntly asked. He eyed my for a second. "Sure did," He replied.


"Where is she?" I asked. "Dad came and got her yesterday." He said. I was suspicious. Willow didn't have a dad! She was an orphan. "What did they go?" I asked casually.


Now it was the manager's turn to eye me suspiciously. It was a while before he pointed out the window. "That blue house on the corner over there." I thanked him, and ran towards the house. It was an old house, with paint peeling off the walls.


I grimaced. "Well, Willow must be in there somewhere." I thought. I sneaked up to the porch, and looked around. The windows were covered with curtains. The door had windows!


I promptly stepped up to the door, and peeked inside. Suddenly, an old rotted board in the porch snapped under my weight! I gasped as the door swung open with a horrible creak.


The man standing there did not look pleasant. In fact, his eyes looked evil. "What do you want?" He demanded. My heart was beating faster than the speed of light. But it nearly stopped altogether when I spotted a gun on his belt.

Arizona's Zone: Why not? Part 9 and Part 10

{Woah, sorry it's been a while! I completely forgot about it. Still, it's good to know that people read my poor series. :)}
{And guess what? I'm putting TWO parts instead of just one.}

PART 9

It had been a week since seeing Ms. Jordyn. Every day, I had sent Grace or Natalie to bring food to Willow. I was too ashamed to show my face to the little girl I let down.


"You know what?" A voice snapped. To my great surprise, Natalie stood in front of me. "You need to snap out of it. You can't change what happened." I knew she was right, but I wouldn't admit it.


She sat down next to me, and wrapped her arms around me. "Ari, it wasn't your fault. A week, you've hidden in here. The girls in the gardening club and the author's group have missed you so much."


I didn't respond. "Arizona. Willow is so depressed. Arizona! She thinks it's because she did something that you're staying away."


I turned to look at her. "Tomorrow afternoon, after the club and the group. Tomorrow I will see her." Natalie smiled warmly. I smiled back.


I sighed in relief as the bell rang and glanced at my schedule.

8-8:30 Bible Group

8:35-9:15 Grammar

9:20-10 Science

10:05-10:50 History/Lit

Fifteen Minute Break!

11:05-11:45 Government/Economics

11:50-12:30 Lunch

12:35-1:10 Health

 1:15-2 Math

I had survived my school day...and math! Yuck. I stuffed my things in my locker quickly before running off to the Gardening Club. On the way there, I noticed Jubilee and Ivy running together to their Photographers Guild {just a homey studio created by the girls at the school} I laughed. The two BFFs {and my sisters!!} made quiet a cute picture.

I only vaguely remembered our activities. We planted some crocuses outside our dorm rooms, and Elizabeth gave us some exotic succulents from her extensive collection. I remember discussing plant names, and nothing more.

I was about to head to the Lake when I remembered the Authors Group! Meep. I darted off just in time for the gathering. We wrote some stories and exchanged books. By that time, I was almost too excited to stay in my seat!

As soon as the group ended, I rushed out to the Lake. "Willow!" I cried. Nothing. I scoured the banks of the Lake. Aside from some food crumbs, I found nothing.

I tried searching the woods. I wore my voice out yelling. Willow was not to be found. I stumbled to the meadows by the Lake. It started to rain. "Willow's gone, and it's all my fault," I cried.

The rain bore down heavier and heavier. Still, I stayed out, calling for my dear friend. My limp hair was soaked. My clothes were drenched. I shivered as my clothes started to freeze around me. November weather wasn't conducive to staying cozy in one's clothes.

I remember growing light headed. I ignored the sensation, and pressed on. Then, the world started to spin. My vision started to gray from the outer edges in. The blood drained from my head, and I collapsed.

❀❈❁✾❃✿❃✾❁❈❀

PART 10

"Ari! Oh Arizona!!" I heard a voice. I slowly opened my eyes. There was Grace. Her unseeing eyes were scary to me. "I'm okay," I murmured.

I looked around. I was still laying on the grass outside! "Natalie spotted you, and has gone for help." The sky was clear, and it was freezing. There was frost on the ground, and frost on myself.

"Tell me all," I said, and closed my eyes again. "Well, last night, you didn't come back to the dorm--"

"Last night?" I cried. "Let me finish!"

"We thought that you might've gone home. Then, this morning, you weren't at the Sunrise overlook. So, we searched for you. Natalie found you. She thinks you might have 1st degree hypothermia. Do you feel very cold?"

"Not very cold...just a touch. Actually, sometimes I feel warm." I said. Grace nodded. "She's right. Anyway, it's 7:30 in the morning, and 40 degrees F."


I nodded slowly. "Willow is gone," I whispered. Grace heard. She combed her fingers through her silky brown hair. "She was getting sad that you didn't want to see her anymore. I guess she decided to move."


A tear rolled down my face, and I sighed. 

~~~

After that, Natalie came with some paramedics who took me to the hospital. They gave me an IV, and a nasty cocktail of medicine. Yuck.

Then, after all that icky stuff, Natalie, Grace, and Joy walked in. They weren't smiling. "Willow was reported being seen going into a fast food place. She never came out."

Arizona's Zone: Why not? Part 7

{Oh my goodness! Has it been that long since my last entry?}

It was Joy. I forced a grin. She didn't smile back. "Ivy told me something was up with you!" She said. "I see she was right. Arizona, why would you do a silly thing like this?"

I'm pretty sure my hair must've been on fire, for I was really angry. "You think it's silly that there are orphans out there? You think it's silly that Willow has been starving until now?"

Joy shrugged. "You have to tell Ms. Jordan, you know." She stated. I shivered just thinking about having to talk to the headmistress. "We know." Natalie sighed. "I'll go," I offered. Grace squeezed my hand. "Me too."

"Not without me!" Natalie put in. Meanwhile, Willow was just standing there the whole time. "Me too!" She chirped. We all stared at her. "You realize you might not get to stay here?" Grace queried.

Willow nodded. "Maybe the headmissy will change her mind!" She smiled. Joy giggled, and I relaxed. "Head-missy, eh?" The chinese girl's eyes sparkled with absolute merriment.

I grinned. It was a funny thought. "Well, I probably should head off to my gymnastics practice." Joy said. "Good luck on your routine!" Natalie grinned. Joy nodded, and slipped out the door.

I shivered in nervousness. What would Ms Jordan do?

Arizona's Zone: Why not? Part 6

When we got home to the dorm, I was shocked!


Sparkles on the floor, a makeshift disco ball out of foil, and loud dance music playing! Little Willow wore pink bracelets, a pink scarf, pink hat, pink sunglasses, and pink belt! "WILLOW!" We all exclaimed.


"What the hey?" I said exasperatedly. "What?" She innocently asked. Natalie turned the music off, and Grace closed the door behind us. "What's all this?" Natalie asked. 


"My party!" She replied nonchalantly. "I got bored, so I made a party." My mouth hung open. "Describe it to me!" Grace pleaded. "You don't wanna know." I sighed.


We set to work cleaning the glitter off the floor, and Grace put the CD player and the disco ball away. Willow shamefacedly sat in the corner. She didn't get why it was wrong, but we told her that you can't just do this sort of thing in a dorm room!


After a lot of scrubbing and tidying, the rooms looked as good as new. We put all the accessories Willow was wearing in the closet. 


Willow sighed as she stared down at her dark green tunic and black leggings. I pitied her, and sat next to her. "You look just like Kale Allerion from DragonQuest!" I grinned.


At her unsure look, I laughed. "Kale is a bog wizard from the DragonKeeper books. When she goes on an adventure, she wears clothes like you do!" I smiled encouragingly.


"A wizard?" Willow eagerly repeated. I nodded. She jumped into the air. "I'm Kale the Wizard!" She giggled happily. We all laughed. Then suddenly, the door opened!!




Oh no! What will happen next?

Arizona's Zone: Why not? Part 5

Well, I had no idea whatsoever why Willow would want to open the window to the world and laugh. But when she did, I snatched her and slammed the window shut. "What's wrong?" Willow asked.


"Why in the world would you ever do that?" I asked exasperatingly. Willow looked at her feet. Then I heard many footsteps in the hall. "Quick, hide under the bed!" I ordered. The frightened girl obeyed.


Immediately, the door opened, and 10 curious girls streamed in. To my dismay, Brittany Sweet {the school snitch} was among the crowd. "Who was that strange girl in the window?" A teen asked. 


"Yeah! Do you have a stowaway?" Brittany asked tauntingly. "That was me." Grace's voice was unusually strong. 12-year-old Grace's slender 4'5" frame looked short next to Brittany's 5'7 height.


"Ha! Since when were you that small?" Brittany mocked her. "Since when did you become so oversized?" Grace replied coolly. Brittany fumed, but exited the room quickly.


The other girls left slowly when they saw that that was to be our only answer. As soon as the door slammed shut, we all turned and praised Grace. "Thanks!" I said gratefully.


"For what?" Grace asked. "For taking the blow from Brittany, by blaming yourself!" Natalie patted her on the back. Grace smiled meekly. "You're welcome."


"Safe now?" Willow's sweet voiced piped. "Yep!" Natalie called out. The little girl scrambled over to me just as Grace and Natalie stepped out the door. "I guess we have to go..." I said.


"Why?!" Willow protested. "We got photography club today." I said sadly. "Stay here Willow." Grace said. "We'll be back in no time at all." Willow nodded unhappily.


As the door closed behind us, I got nervous. What would Willow do once we were at the club? 

Arizona's Zone: Why not? Part 4

To my surprise {and delight}, Natalie and Grace totally fell for Willow! "But Ari," Grace reminded, "It's against school regulations." I nodded and said that I knew.


So, we put our heads together and thought. The room inspector would be back, and I couldn't let her find my little charge! Natalie thought of something very clever.


"By now, all the rooms on this level are inspected. We could station her in one of the janitor's closets until the inspection is done. It wouldn't be any more than five minutes!" She suggested.


Willow looked up trustingly at me. "Should we do it Ari?" She called me by my nickname. I nodded. "Let's go!" I took her hand, and carefully led her out into the hallway.


Luckily, no one was there. Willow was comfortably tucked in a pile of clean rags in the janitor's closet. "Call back Mrs. Wilkers. We're all ready now!" I smiled.


The inspector was done in a couple minutes. "Good work, students!" She beamed, happy with the order she found. I exhaled deeply when she exited. "Glad THAT'S over with!" Grace giggled.


Natalie quickly retrieved Willow. The little girl was happily excited. "I got a place to live!" She cheered. "Not yet," Grace said. "Yeah, we still got to figure out a bunch more things." I said.


"Like what will Willow wear and how she'll get out and about," Natalie added. "She can't stay in two rooms forever, 'Zona." I nodded.


She was right. "For now, Willow, we'll have to stay here." I stated. "You can borrow some of my old clothes." Once she was all dressed up in capris and a tunic {and once her chocolatey hair was put in braids}, she hopped up on the windowsill. 


"Willow!" I cried, but it was too late. She swung open the windows, leaned out, and laughed. From below, I could hear questions of, "Who's that?" I was appalled. NOW what?

Arizona's Zone: Why not? Part 3

If you will remember, in the last post, 2 figures stepped into my dorm room. I said, "Um, hi!"
"Arizona, are you okay?" It was Natalie...and the room inspector! Oh no! "I um...yeah....I guess...but..."
"Good!" The inspector smiled. Her name was Rosy Wilkers.


To my great relief, she mainly stayed in the main room, where the kitchen and living room was. Mrs. Wilkers was pleased to see our organizing system working.


Then she stepped into the next bedroom.


I started gasping and sweating. What if she found Willow hiding in the closet? I started to hyperventilate, and did a pretend collapse. Natalie noticed, and was at my side instantly.


"Arizona!" Natalie shook my shoulders. "Mrs. Wilkers, I really think this is a bad time for room inspection. Can we do it tomorrow?" She requested. My thoughts exactly. YES! TOMORROW!


Mrs. Wilkers smiled kindly, with a look of concern. "Yes, yes, of course. Let me know how Arizona is later." Natalie nodded. "Yes ma'am!"


As the inspector stepped out, another girl stepped in. "Are you here Natalie?" A musical and gentle voice asked. It was Grace, my other roommate. She is blind. "Yes, we're all here." Natalie replied.


The door shut just then, and I jumped off the floor. "Arizona!" Natalie cried in disapproval. "Did you forget to clean the bathroom or something?" I shook my head. "Much worse."


"Can you girls keep a VERY important secret?" I asked. They nodded. "You must swear never to tell anyone ever. And if they ask, don't reply!" They nodded silently again. "We swear."


"Okay," I said. I led them to the closet, and opened the door. Willow stepped out, and threw her arms around my waist. I winced to see what Natalie and Grace's reaction would be.






Stay tuned y'all! Next part coming soon. 
Yeah, sure, Ivy's not too happy about me taking over her blog, but she'll have a post soon. I promise. :)

Arizona's Zone: Why not?

Arizona here! And since it's too much work to change colors with every sentence, I'm just going to change colors every paragraph.


Today after school, I was playing with my Finn McMissile toy. I had a plastic bag of grapes in my bag for a snack, and occasionally, I snacked on them.


As I wandered near the lake, I noticed something moving in the bushes. I stealthily and silently moved closer. I crouched down next to the bushes, and slowly pulled them aside. Inside, was a girl!


Sympathy filled my heart. It was a little girl, about 7 years old. She was dressed in brown rags, and her long hair was tangled and matted. Her eyes turned up to me in fear, and I softened my gaze.


"I'm Arizona," I gently greeted her. "What's your name?" I asked. "My name is Willow," She timidly replied. "Hi Willow!" I grinned. "Whatcha doing here?" She looked down.


"I'm an orphan, Arizona." She mumbled. "Do you," Willow began softly, "Do you have any food?" She requested. I dove into my bag and gave her the baggy of grapes. "That's all I have." I sadly replied.


"But, you can come into my room, and I'll give you some more!" I suggested. Willow perked up. The grapes, {the fruit and the stems} had disappeared. "Let's go!" She smiled.


I knew it was against school policy for an unregistered girl to stay in the school, but after all, she was an orphan. Why not? Why couldn't she stay? I decided then and there to keep her, no matter what the school policy stated.




Stay tuned for Party 2 to see what happens next!