Too early for Ivy, her alarm clock buzzed, waking her up. Groaning, Ivy reluctantly flipped back her covers and got up. Walking across the hallway to Maggie's room, Ivy went over to her bed and flipped back Maggie's covers.

"No..." Maggie whimpered pathetically.

Ivy chuckled, "Come on, kiddo. Do I have to tickle you?"

"No!" Maggie sat up quickly, and groaned, "I'm awake." She grabbed her glasses from the bed stand next to her bed and shoved them on her face.

Ivy stood up and went back to her own room, brushing her hair and piling it into a graceful bun and pinning it with bobby pins. She changed into black pants and a long-sleeved peach colored shirt, and wedge heeled shoes.

"Ivy, I'm headed out for the bus stop!" Maggie called out. Ivy walked out and gave Maggie a big hug, "Be safe. Use your pepper spray if you have to."

Maggie grinned, "Don't worry! I'll be fine."

"Okay then. Have a great day." Ivy waved goodbye as Maggie walked out the door towards the bus-stop. Checking the time on her watch, Ivy walked out to her car, climbed in, and drove to ISO. She parked her car, and walked in, setting her purse on the floor under her desk.

She had just started to work when Jake called out, "Ivy, please come here." A little confused, she stood up and walked over to his cubical.

He smiled, "Please, sit down."

Ivy sat down, waiting for him to explain.

"As you know, you have worked for us for a few years now, and we've really appreciated the work you've been doing." He began.

A wave of apprehension washed over Ivy, "Am I getting fired?" She managed to get out, swallowing hard.

"Oh, no!" Jake hurried to assure her.

"Then what is this all about?" She asked, still slightly worried.

"You have worked with us for a few years now," he repeated, "And we have really appreciated your services. So we are giving you a promotion."

"Seriously?" Ivy asked, surprised. Jake nodded, "As part of promotion, you need to go to an out-of-town conference, explaining some things and furthering your knowledge." Jake continued talking, explaining what all the promotion included, and informing her when the conference was.

Ivy nodded, and stood up. She walked back to her desk and sat down, continuing to work. Reports of the missing meteorite had spread practically everywhere. The site where it was supposed to have fallen was covered in people and reporters. Ivy opened up one of the video reports and watched it, learning nothing more than what she already knew.

"It probably just burned up before it hit the earth." Ivy murmured to herself.

When the clock indicated that it was 6:30, Ivy turned off the computer on her desk, put her phone and hand lotion back into her purse and stood up. Saying a quick goodbye to her co-workers, she left the building and got into her car. As she drove, Ivy considered her promotion. She smiled, knowing that she would be able to take care of and provide for Maddie better. Ivy stopped at Starbucks, ordering a medium cup of coffee with cream, and continued home, sipping at the hot beverage. After arriving home and pulling her tan car into the garage, Ivy went inside, lugging her backpack with papers from work and her purse. Gratefully, Ivy set the bags down on the counter of the kitchen. Maggie was in the kitchen, making grilled cheese sandwiches for both of them. She put the spatula down and went over to Ivy, giving her a tight hug.

"How was school?" Ivy asked, taking her phone out of her purse and sticking it in her back pocket.

"Great. You know Katelyn?" Maddie quickly stepped back over to the stove and seizing the spatula, flipped the sandwiches over.

"Yah. She's your friend, right?"

"Uh-huh." Maddie bobbed her head in confirmation, "Well, she's moving."

"Wow. Will she still be able to come to this school?" Ivy went over to the cabinet and got two plates and cups out.

"Thankfully, yes. But still, it's a big adjustment for her." Using the spatula, Maddie lifted the sandwiches, one by one, onto the plates Ivy held out. After setting the plates down on the table, Ivy poured milk into the two cups and brought them also over to the table. They both sat down, and after praying, began eating.

"So," Maddie asked between mouthfuls, "How was work?"

"I got a promotion." Ivy smiled at her younger sister, whose face turned from slack-jawed amazement to a face-splitting grin.

"That's awesome!" Maddie exclaimed, setting her sandwich down and wiping her greasy hands on her jeans.

"But I'll have to go out-of-state for a conference to further my knowledge—or something like that." Ivy informed her, "I can get someone to take care of you if you want." She offered.

"Pshaw." Maddie gave her older sister an are-you-serious look, "I'm thirteen years old! I do not need a babysitter! I can make grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and maybe spaghetti! I'm totally covered!"

Ivy laughed, "Okay, then. You'll have to keep the door locked at all times, and just go out the garage door so that you can close the door behind you."

Maddie gave Ivy a thumbs-up. "Got it. When do you leave?"

"In two days."

"Wow, kinda short notice, huh?" Maddie asked, resuming eating her sandwich.

Ivy nodded, "Yah."

After finishing eating, Ivy and Maddie cleared the table and placed the dishes into their dishwasher. Next, Maddie sat down at the kitchen to do her homework, and Ivy plopped on the couch to look over some papers from her work, ISO. When Ivy deemed it was bedtime, she put her papers back into the backpack, and Maddie put her school books away. As Ivy left Maddie's room from saying good-night, Maddie stopped her, saying, "I'm glad I have you left, Ivy." Ivy felt tears spring to her eyes, remembering her parents, "I'm glad I have you too, Maddie."

"We'll always be together, won't we?"

"We will. I can promise you that." And with that, Ivy turned off the lights.

Hey guys! Chapter Two is Complete! Sorry it took me so so so very long! I have an outline, so I knew what I was gonna write, so I am left excuseless. lol I hope you still hang in here with me!

Please vote and comment if you are enjoying this! If you have any suggestions, comment! I love to hear from you guys also, so if you want to, you can message or comment me anytime!

Bye bye!

<<Evara>>