prologue

« · Prologue: 3^rd of September, 1998 · »

The day of September 3^rd was bright and sunny, not a cloud in sight. It was a perfect day for a birthday party down by the lake. Going into more detail, it was Ryleigh Jameson’s 10^th birthday party. Ryleigh has long, golden blonde hair that was put up in a high pony tail. She has chocolate brown eyes and a million dollar smile. She was wearing a red Snoopy shirt with jean shorts and sandals. At the party, there was Ryleigh, her older brother Benjamin [more commonly known as Ben], her younger brother, Cayden, and their parents, Dennis and Leslie. Ryleigh’s two best friends, Kody Shires and Zac Efron were also there. She’s known Kody ever since the day the Shires family moved in next door and Ryleigh’s known Zac since the beginning of time. Kody has silky, light brown hair that she left down so it could fly freely in the wind. She has beautiful blue eyes and a smile that never leaves her face. Zac has soft brown hair, gorgeous blue eyes, and a smile that would outshine the night sky. Their parents went to high school together and still remain close friends. Zac’s family was also there: his younger brother, Dylan, and his parents, David and Starla. Even though Zac and Kody are a year older than Ryleigh, it never made a difference to them.

After Ryleigh opened up her presents, it was time for cake and ice cream. She was just about to take a breath when Kody and Zac groaned with impatience.

“Come on Ryleigh! Make a wish! Make a wish!” Kody and Zac chanted. Ryleigh smiled and giggled.

“I’m thinking! I’m thinking!” Zac and Kody went silent, but stayed smiling. Ryleigh closed her eyes and made her wish and then blew out her candles in one breath. Everyone cheered and clapped.

“What did you wish for?” 7-year-old Cayden asked his older sister.

“If I tell you, then it won’t come true!” Ryleigh responded. Cayden simply shrugged his shoulders and ran over by Dylan.

 

“Cake and ice cream anyone?” Leslie asked the kids.

 

“YEAH!” they all screamed. All of the adults laughed as Leslie started to cut the 50 pound, 4 layer chocolate cake. Ryleigh was always a huge fan of chocolate. If it was vanilla, she’d refuse to eat it. Now Kody is the complete opposite. She hates chocolate but absolutely loves vanilla. Ryleigh thinks that she’s crazy for not liking chocolate. As for Zac, he’ll go for either one, but prefers chocolate because Ryleigh goes psycho when he goes for the vanilla when there’s chocolate available.

 

“Thanks mom!” Ryleigh said as Leslie place a big piece of the moist chocolate cake in front of her.

 

“You’re welcome hon,” She said as she placed a piece in front of Zac.

 

“Thanks, Leslie!” Zac said.

 

“You’re welcome Zac! And ice cream for you Kodes?” Lauren asked Kody.

 

“Please and thank you!” Kody said with a smile. Leslie smiled back and got out the ice cream, an ice cream scooper, a bowl, and a spoon. She scooped out two big scoops, put them in the bowl and place it in front of Kody. “Thanks Mrs. J!”

 

“Anytime, Kody.” Lauren said and then walked back over the adults. The kids ate their sweets in silence until they were done, which wasn’t that long.

 

“So what did you wish for?” Kody asked as they walked over to the trash cans to throw out their garbage.

 

“Did you not hear what I just said?” Ryleigh said with a giggle. “If I tell you...then it won’t come true.”

 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah! C’mon Rye! We’re you’re best friends! Tells us!” Zac asked, almost begging.

 

“No! I’m not telling you!” Ryleigh said and ran off in the other direction. Kody and Zac laughed and followed her. Zac ran in front of Kody and right to Ryleigh’s heels. He brought his arms around her waist and spun her around a few times. They both fell to the ground laughing so hard that their stomachs began to hurt.

 

For Ryleigh, the rest of the day was a blast. It was one of the best days of her life. That night, she went to bed with a smile on her face while remembering her laughing fit with Zac and Kody, and then remembering her wish. This was a wish that wouldn’t happen for a long time, if ever. And Ryleigh knew that. Her wish kept on repeating inside her head. It was a wish that she will long await for, but in the end, Ryleigh knows that it will be worth the wait.

 

« · 27^th of August, 1999 · »

 

“Why are Zac and Kody going to a different school than I am?” 11-year-old Ryleigh asked Leslie as they stood in their driveway waiting for the bus to come and get her and bring her to school for her first day of 5^th grade.

 

“Because they’re in a different grade than you are.” Leslie tried to explain.

           

“But we’ve all went to the same school for years. Why are they splitting us up?” she asked and looked up at her mother with a sad look.

 

“Honey, I honestly don’t know. It’s just what the school district decided. I have no control over it.” Leslie said as a big yellow school bus came to a halt in front of their house. “Alright Sweetie, I’ll see you when you get home.” Leslie said and gave Ryleigh a kiss on her cheek.

 

“Bye mom, see ya later.” Ryleigh said and walked down the driveway to her bus. It wasn’t that Ryleigh didn’t have other friends, or wasn’t able to, it’s just that she’s known Kody and Zac much longer and is more comfortable around them.

 

As Ryleigh walked onto the bus, she looked up at the bus driver who had thick, curly red hair and a bid smile plastered across her face. “Good morning!” she said cheerfully in her thick Irish accent. “How are you doing this fine morning?”

 

“Good morning,” Ryleigh smiled back. “I’m doing well, how about you?”

 

“I’m fine, thanks for asking!” The bus driver said as she closed the doors to the bus. When Ryleigh got on, there weren’t many kids on the bus. Only about two or three. She decided to sit on the left side two seats behind the driver. It’s a pretty safe spot. Close enough to the driver to tell them that someone’s bothering you, but not too close so that you can have a conversation and they not overhear.

 

Time went by slowly for Ryleigh as they picked up the kids at each stop. The bus was so much more crowded than when she had first gotten on. Kids were sitting two �" three to a seat. Ryleigh was still lucky enough to be sitting by herself. The other kids were too crazy for her.

 

They had finally come to their last group of kids to pick up. Ryleigh watched as each one passed her sea, just waiting for one of them to sit in the empty seat next to her. She turned her head to look out the window when someone cleared their throat to get her attention.

 

“Excuse me…” the kid said. Ryleigh turned to face them. It was a girl and she looked about her age. She was wearing a light pink t-shirt with a flower on it with jean shorts and white sneakers. She had a backpack with a variety of blue colors on her shoulders and a purple lunchbox in hand.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“May I sit here? There’s no more seats open.” The girl replied.

 

“Sure,” Ryleigh offered with a smile. The girl smiled back and sat down.

 

“My names Aubrey Taylor; What’s your name?” Myllie asked.

 

“I’m Ryleigh Jameson. Nice to meet you,” Ryleigh said politely back. “Are you new here?”

 

“Kinda, but not really,” Aubrey said. “I’ve lived in Virginia my entire life, but just went to another school.”

 

“Ooh, so why are you going to Conley now?” Ryleigh questioned.

 

“I really have no idea. My parents explained it to me but I don’t really get it.” Aubrey stated. Ryleigh giggled at her response. “Who’s your teacher?”

 

“Miss Voltl [pronounced: vol-tl],” Ryleigh said.

 

“Hey! We’re in the same class! I have her too!” Aubrey exclaimed.

 

“Cool! Now I’ll have someone to talk to.” Ryleigh said with relief.

 

“What do you mean by that? Did you just move here?” Aubrey asked.

 

“No, I’ve lived here all my life. I just don’t have very many friends.” Ryleigh said. “My two best friends are a year older than me.”

 

“Oh…well now you have me to talk to!” Aubrey smiled brightly. Ryleigh nodded and smiled back in response. “Hey, I think we’re at school!”

 

“Finally! I thought this bus ride would never end!” Ryleigh giggled. Aubrey laughed along as well.

 

“Same here!” Aubrey smiled. Ryleigh smiled back.

 

The kids piled off the bus in a line, once off grouping with their friends. When Ryleigh and Aubrey got off, they walked together in the building to go to their classroom.