Worst Enemy, Best Friend

PART 1

“Bye Dad!”, I called as I looked over my shoulder. Then I entered Albany’s Middle School for girls. I walked to find my locker in daze. It was gigantic compared to my small school in Tallahassee.

I kept walking, glancing every which way. The next thing I knew I was lying on the floor. I heard laughing.

The contents of my bag was everywhere. As I scrambled to pick it up I heard a girl say sweetly, “Oh, I’m sorry.”

I looked up and that was when I first laid eyes on Jasmine. “Sorry!”, she said with a sweet smile. Her and her clone laughed and waltzed away. Embarrassed, I picked myself up and headed to class. I was determined to forget this run in.

Later at lunch, I picked a table as far away as I could from Jasmine. She still pranced over, with her clones, to taunt me. “Hey, This is MY table, we don’t want YOU here”, she announced loud enough that every kid heard.

For the rest of the day no one would look at me. I walked home eyes stinging. I was determined not to cry. Our new apartment was a wreck. Boxes and papers strewn everywhere.

I glanced at the desk and found a note. Dakota- Went to the store. Back soon. love, Dad.

I went to do homework but couldn’t focus. It’s not everyday you meet your worst enemy. I let the tears fall.

I began a letter to my Mom. Dear mom, I miss you.

PART 2

My alarm went off at 5:45 AM like always. Groaning I stumbled out of bed to get ready.

I dressed quickly. Then, I headed downstairs.

” Morning Mom. Did you just wake up?”

“Something like that”, she replied, “Have good day at school.”

I grabbed my lunch box and headed to school.

I sighed thinking about my C- chemistry homework. I reached Albany Middle school.

There was miss perfect new girl. Getting her books and A+ homework. Her life seemed perfect. She had it all together. I was so envious.

I found Sophie and we went to say ‘hi’ to Dakota.

“Hey!”

Startling her she dropped a few books.

“Your such a clutz always falling and dropping things”, I remarked.

I left her and headed with Sophie to class.

On the way home my guilt caught up with me. Why was I so mean? When did I change? I entered our house.

I dashed up to my room. In the haul, I collided with my mom. She was dressed in a mini skirt and had on make-up.

“Where are we going?”, I questioned.

” Don’t you remember were going to my boyfriend’s house? He just moved here with his daughter from Tallahassee. She goes to your school.”

“DAKOTA?!”, panic rose up inside of me.

” I think that’s her name”, my mom replied calmly.
“Your boyfriend is Dakota’s father?! Are you kidding me?!!!!!!”

In a mad rush I stormed into my room.

Meanwhile……..

Hmm. What is 4 squared? 16. More gummy bears!!! Dakota sat at her desk finishing homework when her phone beeped. She had a text.

Dad: hi Dakota:? Dad: we r having company tonight Dakota: KK Dad: Please change into something nice. Also can u clean up a little Dakota: Okay

Well, I guess this homework will have to wait.

PART 3

“Bailey it’s time to leave.”

“I’m not going Mom, you can’t force me.”

” Bye!”

” Wait! You know I can’t stand being home alone.”

” Well, I guess you’ll have to come.”

(Sighs) ” Fine! Let me get changed. ”

At Dakota’s house

“Hi Daddy! Who is coming over?”, I asked excitedly.

“Well I’ve been doing online dating and we moved here to be closer to Amber, my girlfriend.”

” Oh, so she’s coming over?” I said disappointed.

Doorbell Rings

“That would be them.”

“I’ll be right back. I need to get something from my room.”

“Hi Mr…..”, I stuttered.

“Call me John. You must be Jasmine. Your mother has told me so much about you “, he babbled.

“Oh, that’s nice “, I nodded. Looking for an escape I casually asked, ” Where’s the bathroom? ”

I walked down the steps and stepped to the dinning room.

“Hi, I’m Dakota. It’s nice to meet you Ms. Amber “, I commented.

“You can call me just Amber “, she replied warmly.

Suddenly the door creaked open.

I gasped.

” Hi Dakota!”, Jasmine exclaimed.

I could tell she was faking. “Oh, Hi Jasmine!”, I responded playing along.

“Why don’t you two catch up while John and I talk “, Amber suggested. obviously oblivious to our silence.

I took a deep breath and counted to ten. This would be a long night.

Dear Diary, It was horrible! Jasmine was giving me dirty look the whole time. If I tell dad though his hopes will be crushed. He loves Amber.

Love Frustrated,

Dakota

(Sighs) “What will I do?”

PART 4

Dakota’s House

“Bye Girls! We’ll be back by 9:00!”, John announced.

“I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Ok”, Dakota said reluctantly.

I couldn’t believe mom was making me stay home alone!

She knows how much I hate it.

I mounted the steps my mission find Dakota’s room

She must have something embarrassing!

I entered her room.

AHA! A diary.

I grabbed it and ran out. I went to descend the steps when my phone beeped. Sophie.

Sophie: Hey! I’m having an epic party. Come over now.

Jasmine: KK. One sec.

Sophie’s house

Music blared. People danced. Glasses clinked.

“Sophie, great party!” I announced.

“It so awesome, right?” she called over the loud music.

“Yes! I just have to be home by 8:40″, I told her sadly.

Italia’s restaurant

“it’s so nice of you bring me here”, Amber said,”Where we had our first date!”

John cleared his throat, “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you……”

“Will you marry me?”

PART 5

Jasmine’s house (Dakota’s POV)

“Ok, girls,” Dad and Amber announced, “we have something very important to tell you. It might change-up a few things but… we are getting married!

“what?!” we yelled at the same time. ” Yes, in three months, on Valentine’s day.” they replied.

Jasmine ran to her room screaming. Dad and I left to give them some space, while Amber went to find Jasmine.

(Jasmine’s POV)

“Jasmine?” Mom asked.

I sobbed into my pillow refusing to talk to my horrible mother.

“John and Dakota went home so you can come out now.” she said grimly.

“Good and,” I replied, “I NEVER WANT TO SEE THEM AGAIN. Don’t you dare marry him!”

“I know your upset, but why?” Mom questioned calmly.

” Dakota is perfect, she doesn’t suffer from a death of her Mom, they have a fake, wonderful life!”

I was so mad I took the ring off of moms finger and flung it across the room.

And that was the end of that!

Dakota’s Room (her POV)

Dad is getting married! This can’t be happening!

I have to write about this, it’s so confusing! Why so soon after Mom’s death?

Dear Mom,

How do you feel about Dad getting married? Well, he is. I don’t blame him. She’s nice and all but she can’t replace you. Her daughter must be going through a lot. No one is mean without a reason. For Dad’s sake I’ll try to accept it.

Miss you mom, Dakota

Amber’s house (Also Jasmine’s) The next day(still Dakota’s POV)

The cupcakes are done.

“Great,” Amber exclaimed, “I thought you might want to look through some wedding dresses with me. This is like a bachelorette party!”

“Except Jasmines not here.”

“Yes, she had a party to go to but I still thought we should get together and hang out while John is away,” She responded.

“These are delicious!” I exclaimed.

“My grandmas secret recipe,” she said

“Hey! Your left-handed?”

“Yes,” she replied

“Same!”

“We have a lot in common,” Amber said.

“Like what?”

“Well… we like baking, sewing, we’re left-handed, we think your father makes horrible puns, and, she paused, our moms both died when we were young. I know what you’re going through so if you ever want to talk.” she mentioned cautiously.

“Did it get better with time?”

“You mean her being gone?” She said understandingly.

“Yes.”

“They all said it would, and eventually it did, but a lot of time went by first,” Amber commented.

“Jasmine hasn’t gotten over it yet, had she?”

“She is going through a lot,” Amber commented,” She just misses her dad and thinks it’s to soon after his death for me to get married.”

“I feel the same way, but that might be changing. I thought my dad was a lunatic but now I see that he just loves you, and ya know what?” I added.

“what,” she asked seeming utterly confused.

“I might just like too! Friends?”

“How about family?” she responded.

“I like that!”

Part 6

Dakota’s POV

I yawned. My bed was warm. I wanted to stay under the cuddly, covers and sleep. Then it hit me. Today was the wedding!

I couldn’t believe my dad’s wedding is today! I was excited but nervous. Would my Mom be replaced? How could I stand my soon to be step sister! I could smell my dad’s chocolate pancakes and so I hurried downstairs.

An hour later…..

“Okay, girls now that we’re awake and we’ve eaten let’s get started,” Amber announced.

First we did make-up and hair. It was a lot of fun even though I don’t normally wear make up.

Amber went to get our outfits. Jasmine had refused to wear matching outfits but they were quite similar. I didn’t mind.

After that we had Amber do our hair. I kept mine down while Jasmines pulled her’s back.

“Isn’t it time for you to put on your dress?” I asked

“Yes, it takes forty-five minuets, though. So go entertain yourselves,” she replied.

“Can we take a walk?” asked Jasmine.

“Sure, just be careful not to ruin your clothes,” she warned as we skipped outside.

We walked out into the crisp sunshine. Even with the strangely warm weather, the snow was not all melted.

“Let’s go explore that thicket,” Jasmine announced.

She seemed to be acting weird but I reluctantly followed.

The thicket was anything but thick it was just some strangely thorny bushes. On the one side there was a hill and if you fell off that you would tumble into the dirty thorny thicket.

I was studying this weird landscape when I heard Jasmine yell,” Come over here!”

She was at the top of the hill.

I ran to her. At the top, the sun glared in my eyes. All of a sudden I heard a scream, then everything was fuzzy.

Part 7

Jasmine’s POV

“HELP! Where are you Dakota? Why did you make me fall into this pit?!”

Dakota was also stuck in some thorns, too. “What happened?” she asked.

“Uhhh, I tripped you and we fell into a pit of thorns, in which we can’t get out and no one knows we’re here. We’re gonna die!!!!”

“Don’t be so over-dramatic, we’re out,” she said rolling her eyes.

“Ouch! I can’t walk,” I wailed.

“What happened to you?” she asked.

“My arm is definitely broken, my skin is cut on my face and my arms. HOW WILL I LIVE?!”

*Dramatic sigh* “You’ll be fine,” She announced.

At the wedding place…

“Where have you been?!” asked Amber

“In the woods,” I replied, “My arm is broken.”

“We’re going to have to cancel the wedding and take you to the hospital!” Amber announced angrily.

Everything after that was a daze, going to the hospital, the lights, me getting a concussion and throwing-up, IN PUBLIC! I literally died….. Ok not literally.

After we went to the hospital turns out Dakota was fine. I had a lot of bruises, a broken arm, and a concussion; serves me right for acting like a brat. I ruined Mom’s wedding and now I had so explaining to do……

“You made us miss our wedding! What happened?” Amber asked.

I was about to lie, when Dakota said suddenly, “It’s all my fault, I was goofing off and I tripped.”

Then I had a change of heart.

“No,” I said, I’m not letting you take the blame. I was going to trip Dakota, so that she’d ruined her outfit and the wedding would be canceled. I’m so self-centered, I ruined everything! How can you ever forgive me?”

“I forgive you. We all make mistakes. They help us change,” Dakota said casually.