(.3.) •╔════◄░░░░░░►════╗• I like the sound of the wind blowing when I'm reading, writing, or even anything. It's really just a nice sound to hear. I always pick up my sketchpad, go outside, sit under a tree, and sketch. I don't know what I draw most of the time, all I know is that it's a really cool and abstract piece of art. I should make really an art wall. What should I call it? 'Wall o' Julie art' or 'Julia's wall of fame'? One day, I just grabbed my sketchpad and drew. While I was drawing, I just looked ahead of me and started to draw that. The houses, trees, and cars parked in the driveway. It looked complete, almost. Someone was staying in the way of my view of one of the houses. "Who is that?" I thought. I tried to move, but the view was still the same. I should just get creative. "Maybe, a stick figure? No, to basic. Maybe an alien princess? No, to unreal and difficult to draw. A shadow figure? Yes!" I thought As I was finishing up the legs, the person turned around and said something. It sounded inaudible and mumbled. They came closer. Who was it? I heard something like, "Hi!" or "Hello!", but it was still very faint. I continued to draw. They came even closer, almost onto the lawn. "JULIA! HI!!!" I heard someone say. I looked up, only to see Ash in front of me and looking down at my sketchpad. "Whatcha doing?" She asked. "Drawing," I answered back. "What are you doing here?" "I saw you outside, you looked like you were bored out of your mind!" "I was drawing. I don't think I was that bored." "Yeah, I guess. Whatcha drawing?" "Just the neighborhood-" Ash cut me off. "Maybe make a map of the place so you know everything here! Aren't you new to the place?" "Yeah, I am. I don't think a map made by me is gonna help me find everything here." "Well...come with me and we can walk around town!" "I gotta ask my parents. They get worried sometimes when we first move and they don't know where everything is. We move a lot-" She cut me off again. "Come ON already! Just have some fun! It isn't like we are going out of-the-state or anything!" "I guess you're right, but-" "NO BUTS! C'mon. Vamanos!" I went inside and I put my sketchbook down on my desk. I went to go outside, but my parents' just cut me off. "What's your deal?" I thought. "Where are you going? And who is that girl in our yard?" My mom asked, in a tone. "We just are gonna walk around. She's my friend. She wants to show me everything this town has to offer!" I replied. "What's this girl's name?" My dad added. "Ashlynn, but she likes to be called 'Ash'. Don't say I can't go, please!" I begged My parents paused, discussed it, and after 5 minutes, they said yes, on one condition. "Be back before 5. We have dinner with Shannon and her family. She wanted us to get to know them more." My mom said. "Bye!" I replied. Why should I have to go to a dinner? Why can't my parents' just go? This is why I hate my life. As we walked around, we saw many ice cream places, bakeries, and restaurants. One of them looked really fancy and the food looked amazing. This must be a really big and fun town. "You find anything interesting yet?" Ash asked. "No, why? Is there like a big teen area around?" I replied. "Just wondering. There may be one, but I don't know where, Julia." "You can call me Jules or Julie if you want, sorry I haven't told you that yet." "Cool, cool! So, wanna head back? I have to be back before 5 by the way." "Same with me! I have to go to dinner with my neighbors!" "Cool! Same with me." We started to head back, but we decided to hit an ice cream shop because it was so hot. "What flavor?" Ash asked me. "Maybe chocolate? What are you getting?" I replied. "Wow, your basic. I'm getting vanilla ice cream with some chocolate sauce and some mini marshmallows." "That's a little extreme, Ash." "I know. I don't really care anymore." As we ask for our orders, Ash recognizes one of the employees there. She walked over to them and talked for a minute and then she went back to me. "Who was that?" I asked. "My cousin. He works here sometimes." Ash replied. As we walked back home, we finished our ice cream so our parents' wouldn't suspect a thing. "It's 4:59, Julia. Where were you?" My mom asked in a tone, again. "You said 'be back before 5!', not 'be home before 4:59!'" I replied. "Fine, you win. We need to go to dinner, alright? We can't be late!" My mom yelled. "Ok!" I shouted from my room, getting ready. Who were we having dinner with? What family? What address? Is it Ash's family? I don't know, but I will find out soon enough.
