I decide that going to school is better than sitting around doing nothing. Megan eventually caves too, feeling bad for even arguing with Mom in the first place. She doesn't walk with me though; she's taking Liam to his grade school first.

When I get to where Natalie and I usually meet, she's not there. I wait the usual ten minutes, but she still doesn't arrive. I shrug to myself and start making the walk alone, guessing that she just left, not expecting me to be back today.

When I get to Q street I stop for a moment, and stare at the light post that Genevieve usually hangs out by. It seems so empty without the little girl to dance around it and add some sort of... Color to the everyday drab of city life.
I sigh and continue on my way to school, mentally preparing to be bombarded with questions from everyone in school about Lacy.

Sure enough, right as I'm about to enter the school doors, I hear someone call my name from behind me. I turn around to find one of the girls from my class whom I've hardly ever said a word to in my life. Her backpack bounces against her back as she jogs to catch up with me.

She stops and runs a hand through her short blonde hair.

I wait patiently for her to start talking as she just stands there, looking at everything and everyone but me. Finally her eyes find mine and she blows a long breath through her lips.

"I... I'm so sorry," she stutters, awkwardly placing a hand on my shoulder.

I mentally groan, not at her, but at the fact that I may have to explain the story about fifteen thousand times today.

I search for the quickest way to explain that Lacy is ok.

"Oh don't be!" I start, just as the girl is about to remove herself from my awkward presence.

She looks at me like I just killed a thousand puppies. Her facial expression is actually hilarious and I find myself laughing a little, which only makes her more confused and horrified.

"She's ok!" I explain before she reports me as insane.

"Oh!" she exclaims, "Ohhhhh!" And before either of us know it, we're both guffawing like idiots. A couple of people pass and give us funny looks that seem to say, "Isn't that the kid who literally just lost her sister to cancer... Laughing?"

As we regain composure, the air between us becomes awkward again.

"Well," she chirps, "I... Uhh... I'm so happy to hear that! See ya around!"

I give a little wave to her retreating figure and sigh. Strolling inside, I get many a sympathetic look. Geez. The attention is already too much for me.

"BRIDGET CLARISSA TOLIA!!!!"

I laugh at Natalie who's flying towards me like I was the one who just got a kidney transplant. Katrina follows not far. I feel bad watching her try to push herself down the hall, but she's grinning from ear to ear. I'm guessing Natalie's already told her everything she knows.

"Thanks Nat!" I call sarcastically, "Now everyone from here to Timbuktu knows my middle name!"

"Who the heck cares?" she replies as she reaches me. I'm immediately in her arms and I think she's about ready to bawl... Right on my shoulder... In the middle of the school hallway.

"How'd the transplant go, is everyone ok?" she asks, not letting me go.

I don't know what to say to that other than, "Yeah!"

Natalie hugs me tighter, if that's even possible and Katrina watches with an amused look on her face. I smile at her over Natalie's shoulder. The stares from everyone and his brother continue to fall on us but I do my best to ignore them. Natalie finally separates herself from me and holds me at arm's length. Then she lets her arms fall to her own sides and takes in a deep breath.

A boy whom I don't even recognize come up to us.

"Sorry about your sister," he mumbles.

I look at Natalie and Katrina and smile a little. Then, I turn back to the boy and say,

"It's alright, she's ok!"

His eyes widen and a smile spreads across his face.

"Oh! Umm... Congrat- I mean- umm... Yay!"

I chuckle and he says an awkward goodbye before turning to leave.

"Please tell your friends!" Natalie calls.

"Geez, Michelle's incident really did spread to everyone, didn't it?" I say, wincing a little.

Natalie shrugs. "This news will spread like wildfire too," she predicts.

I heave a deep sigh of pure joy; just happy to be somewhat back in the swing of things. Then I look back at Katrina.

"How's the wheelchair doing?" I ask, still pained by the sight of her in that thing.

Her smile falters a little but she tries to keep the cheer in her voice.

"It's not all bad."

"Works for me!" Natalie jokes, deviously drumming her finger against each other. "I get to be her 'elevator partner' and miss the first five minutes of every class!"

I'm not sure how Katrina will take that comment but thankfully, she just laughs.

"Natalie! Oh my word, where are you and your family staying?" I ask, remembering the fact that her house is compel toy demolished.

"We're staying at our grandparents for now," she replies with a shrug.

I'm about to reply when I'm interrupted by the first bell.

The massive swarm of students begins to move through the halls. It's off to class.

     _______________________

Immediately after Liam, Megan, and I arrive home from school, the family tells us to get in the car.

"We're gonna visit Lacy! Dr. Marvin has some test results," Dad announces.

I tense up at the mention of test results, not wanting to hear bad news after such a crazy, but amazing, turn of events in our favor.

We all pile in, me mentally preparing for the worst news, despite my better judgment.

"How many people said they were sorry about Lacy to you?" I ask Megan while I buckle in.

She smiles. "Too many to count. But that's alright; I enjoyed seeing their faces when I told them that she's actually alive."

She proceeds to imitate the shocked expressions her classmates wore, reminding me a lot of the kid on the movie case of Home Alone, except happier.

I let out a snort. "That face is on point. Exactly what everyone I told looked like," I inform her with a mischievous grin.

     _____________________

"Family!"

I smile at how Lacy just uses one word instead of naming us all as we file into her room, immediately followed by Dr. Marvin.

Lacy has a lot more energy than she had yesterday, as is understandable.

"Hey, baby!" I greet her, going and sitting on the side of her bed.

"She has a name; it's Lacy," Michelle informs me.

I glare at her before retorting, "I'm aware."

Ben laughs and rolls his eyes.

"Never change," he says with a smile,  bringing Michelle into himself and rubbing the top of her head with his knuckles.

"Get off me!" Michelle says, flinging both his arms off with a disgusted look on her face. She crosses her arms and huffs. But then she can't hide her amusement any longer and she lets herself chuckle.

"Alright everyone!" Dr. Marvin calls. "I've got news!"

He's just gonna announce this in front of the patient? I wonder to myself. But instead of telling us about Lacy's condition right there, he simply says,

"Lacy can go home on Thursday!"

We all break into wide grins and Liam says, "Yay!!!"

Michelle's face scrunches up in thought a little and she asks, "What day is it even?"

Dr. Marvin laughs.

"Tuesday."

"Ooook," she nods.

Dr. Marvin gets a more serious look on his face and turns to our parents.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Tolia, if you would follow me this way for just a moment...."

I lick my lips nervously and watch them stroll out the door. Will this cancer ever give us a break?

"Guys, wanna play Unicorns of the Magical Forest? They took my toys but we can play the character with puppet hands!"

I turn my head at the sound of Lacy's voice and smile at her sweet face, already as bright as if none of the events of the last few days ever happened. She holds her hand the way you do when doing shadow puppets.

Even Michelle can't resist her offer.

Our hands become characters and we all forget about the entire world except our little family.

I kiss Lacy's cheek tenderly, wishing this day would never end.