The Shed Of Forever

CHAPTER ONE

THE MOVE

Dear Mom, Dad, and Anna,

This was more than a trip. More than a move, and more than just a shed. No one believed me- it seemed dumb to them. It was more than a shed.

It all started when I moved to Oregon from my birth home in Michigan because my mom had finally found a new job in Oregon. The weather was quite the change. 50 below on a daily basis to at least 60. When we first moved I felt so sweaty and icky all the time. I’m sure I was. Since I was over 500 miles away from my old school, I obviously had to attend the nearest school- Columbus Dienna Middle School. I lived in a small town named Dienna Pass. It was named after the founder Frank Dienna. I thought His name was sort of silly, but I never told anyone that- Until one day.

I sat in the back seat of my family’s CRV. My older sister sat next to me watching some cooking show on netflix while I listened to my parents singing their hearts out in unison with whoever was singing on the radio. It was quite entertaining, actually. My sister barked and shrugged her shoulders every now and then.

It bothered me, but I knew she couldn’t help it- she had Tourette’s syndrome which basically meant she had tics all the time. The tics are small or large uncontrollable actions, depending on the size of the issue being faced. My sister doesn’t talk much, and she doesn’t treat me like a sister. She just smiles at me every now and then. We don’t really do all that girl-talk stuff like normal sisters. I’m okay with that.

My mom rolled the music volume down and turned her head back around the seat. She smiled at us.

“Evelyn! Anna! We’re almost there!-“ yawn “-Finally!” My mom said.

“Mom, I thought I told you to stop calling me by Evelyn. I like it better when you call me Evie like always.” I said. My mom frowned.

“Either way, Evie, you and your sister will always be my sweet babies.” She said with a wink. I rolled my eyes and giggled at her comment, and then leaned back in my seat, to watch the world around me buzzing by me by the second- only this time, I was burning hot. My parents soon pulled into a concrete driveway and made the big announcement.

Announcement. Announcement. Announcement.

CHAPTER 2

THE FRUIT FLIES

“We’re here!” My parents shouted. I groaned at the heat as I got out of the car. It felt like the sun’s surface.

“It’s so hot.” I huffed. My dad laughed.

“It’s Florida! The night is the coolest time… so get ready for tomorrow.”

“Ugh.” I said. “Wanna go look inside, Anna?”

“No-“ Bark! “-Thanks…” Anna said. I frowned but then ran inside. My dad came in behind me.

“Hm… it shouldn’t be this hot… I’ll call Roland- I knew there was something fishing about him...” he said.

“Oh, Barry, you shush. Roland is a very nice man who sold us this house for a good price. You should be greatful.” My mom said. Then, of course, my parents continued to clabber.

I ignored them and looked around. A fruit bowl in the middle of the dining table had bugs all around it. Yuck!

“Mom! Dad! There are bugs all over the fruit!” I shouted. My parents laughed so hard they couldn’t breathe before answering me.

“They’re fruit flies, Evie, they do no harm.” My dad said, hardly controlling his urge to laugh. I could’ve thrown up, right then and there, but I didn’t. I noticed one of the fruit flies was straying away from the rest. This bothered me. I’m a perfectionist. I sighed and walked over to the couch, and then slumped down. It didn’t feel like my old house… I didn’t like that. Even though we’d put our furniture in one of those moving trucks that would magically appear in your new destination, the house owners still left us with all their junk, so we had to use that while we waited for our belongings to be shipped. I saw my sister run up the stairs out of the corner of my eye. I decided to follow her.

“Wait up, Anna!” I shouted, sprinting towards her. She blinked, then barked. I continued running, until I caught up to her. She was staring into the biggest bedroom in the house. I wanted it. Mom and Dad saw us gaping at the size of the room.

“Girls, that’s me and your mom’s room. I see you eyeing it.” My dad said.

“You guys are such a buzzkill!” I huffed.

“Watch your mouth, young lady.” My mom said. I stomped to the other end of the hallway, where three more rooms were located. One bathroom, and two decently sized- Not at all compared to my parent’s room- bedrooms. I looked at both before choosing one. The first one was exceptionally large, but the other had one trait that forced me to choose it- The nook. In the corner was a small nook enclosed by 2 walls. I knew what I would put there. I had a hanging chair that I would always sit in back at home. It had lights strung around the net for the perfect amount of light for reading. I looked around for Anna, and then found her.

“Anna? Do you want this room?” I asked. She was in the room I didn’t want.

“Well, if you do, then no. I want you to have the room you want.”

“No, Anna, it’s fine. I-uh, wanted the other. It has a little nook for my hanging chair. It’s perfect.”

“Oh, that one you always-” Bark “-read in?”

“Yup!”

“Well that sounds good.”

“Thanks… I’m gonna go see what we’re having for dinner.”

“Okay-” Bark “-See ya.” Anna said. I nodded, and smiled, then turned around to head downstairs. My dad was sitting on the couch, struggling to figure out the TV.

“Need help, Dad?” I asked, startling him.

“Oh, Evie, thanks but I’m good.” He said.

“Okay. Well then what’s for dinner?”

“Me and your mom heard about this chinese place close to here. It’s known to have really good potstickers- your favorite!”

“Cool. Well, uh, I chose my room, it has the perfect place for my hanging chair.”

“Oh, that’s great! I’ll have to come check it out after-” He looked down at the remote. “-This.”

“Yup.” I said, then my mom came in through the front door.

“Where were you?” I asked.

“Oh, I was just checking out the outside of the house. It has a lot of weeds, so we’ll need to get pulling tomorrow. I want to get my garden started ASAP!”

“You know I hate pulling weeds. I was hoping you wouldn’t bring your garden obsession with you.”

“Sorry, hon. You should go explore tomorrow, with your sister.”

“Mom, I don’t know if Anna would like that. You know she likes to be alone.”

“Exactly my point. She needs to get out of her comfort zone”

“I guess you’re right.” I mumbled. “Well, uh, can you order dinner soon? I’m getting really hungry.”

“I was just about to do that.” My mom said, picking up her phone. “Min Lou’s, right?”

“Yup! Erm- I think.” My dad said. My mom sighed, and called the number. I asked for 8 dumplings to share with Anna. My parents ordered Tako Yaki and fried shrimp, along with sushi rolls. About 30 minutes later, we were all seated at the dinner table, me and my sister staring awkwardly at our plates.

“So, are you girls excited to go to your new school on Monday? Just two more days until your new start!”

“It’s kind of scary, not knowing anyone doesn’t help.” I mumbled.

“I’m done. Can I be excused?” My sister asked.

“Erm, sure, Anna. You only ate 2 dumplings, aren’t you hungry?” My mom asked, obviously concerned.

“No, I’m fine, I’m just tired.” My sister said, and I watched her sulk up the stairs slowly. I soon finished and asked my parents if we could go out for ice cream. They told me there was an ice cream shop down the street. We went, while Anna stayed home. She didn’t want to come. I got mint chip and met a woman named Kiera who had been working there for 15 years. We talked for a while, before my parents dragged me home. I loved that place. Oliver’s Ice cream. Oliver’s Ice cream. Oliver’s Ice cream.

CHAPTER 3

THE SHED

I woke up to the sound of lawns being mowed. I peeked out the window and saw a boy who looked about my age across the street. I got dressed, brushed my teeth, grabbed a granola bar, and ran across the street.

“Hi!” I said. The boy was mowing his lawn. He didn’t hear me. I said hello, but louder. This time, he heard me.

“Oh, hi. Can I help you?”

“I’m Evelyn! I just moved in across the street.”

“Oh. Nice! I’m Xavier. Welcome to Dienna Pass!”

“Thanks! Nice to meet you. I’m gonna go, see ya!”

“See you.” He said, and I ran across the street. I saw the same fruit fly, yet today it was outside away from the rest.

“You’re different… like me.” I whispered to it. It continued flying forward. I couldn’t help but follow it. It continued to fly, and I ran after it. Then it stopped at a shed covered in moss and overgrown vines. I slowly tip-toed to the door, and opened it. My arm started to feel like it was being pulled into the door. I used all my strength to pull back, and I immediately sprinted home, slammed the door, and ran into my room, shaking. What just happened?

My breath felt like a tornado. My heart pounded like thunder. I felt weak, so I crashed to the ground and breathed a sigh of relief. The shock in my bones shook my body to it’s peak. My mom knocked on the door.

“Evie? Are you okay? I saw you run up the stairs from outside so fast…”

“Yup, I’m Erm- I’m fine. It’s no big deal.”

“Okay, If you say so. But if you wanna talk, let me know.” mom said. I smiled. A blast of air hit my face. The air conditioning finally worked.

Finally. Finally. Finally.

CHAPTER 4

BESTIES

At daycare, I found my best friend. I was only 2, yet I knew how much I cared for this person. Lucy, my best friend, wasn’t here anymore, though. She got a rare form of cystic fibrosis, and she fought so bravely for 4 years. Sometimes she’d miss school for appointments, but I knew it was for her own good. The safest, warmest place I’d even been was inside her arms. She’d hug me so tightly, I knew she loved me. We both bonded over my old stuffed animal, Celia the lion. Everyone knows that best friends do nails, tell secrets, and play truth or dare, but me and Lucy were together every moment of every day that we could, and that was enough. I knew that she would’ve comforted me in this moment. At the age of eight, she was gone. I cried so much. I hid in my room all day, sobbing, and feeling numb. I’d give anything to have her back. I really would.

I spent the rest of the day inside- I didn’t dare go back out. I watched Xavier play with his little sister out my window all day, and I felt lonely. It felt horrible. Eventually, it was dinner time, so I parted from my laptop and headed downstairs.

Dinner was always a doozy. With Anna’s Tourette’s, she spat her food mid-chew. At this point, we were used to it. We all just pretended it didn’t happen, because she couldn’t control it. Mom and dad never made Anna clean up the table, because they said she shouldn’t get punished for something she can’t control.

I sat at the dinner table, fork in hand, munching on my leftovers from last night.

“I have good news and bad news, kiddos. Which do you want first? Choose wisely.” My dad said.

“Hm… bad news.” I said.

“Well the bad news is that our moving truck took a wrong turn and Is currently in North Carolina.”

“WHAT!?” I shouted.

“I know, it’s horrible, but the good news is that they’re giving us a 50% refund, and the stuff will be here by tomorrow.”

“Well I’m only helping put stuff away if I can stay up late.”

“Evie, you have school tomorrow.” Mom said.

“Fine.” I said, and turned my head. “Look! The truck is here!”

“Finally!” My dad shouted, and he was out the door. I ran after him, and stood back as he gave the mover the payment. The mover had long, black hair that was put up in a bun, and a beard. He scared me, so I just minded my own business in the corner of our front yard. He looked up at me from his clipboard and I shot my head in the other direction. I couldn’t let him see me staring. Then he opened the truck and helped us get everything inside. I helped, but only around my family. At 9:00 I was starting to get tired, so I headed inside and laid down on my blow up mattress. The moving truck man came inside, hauling my bed in. I huffed, and stood in the corner of the room. He and my dad put my bed down, and then my dad told me to get to bed. The moving man left, with his clipboard and something yellow in his hand. I rolled my eyes, and waited until the moving truck man had left the house to change. He barged in once, and he could again. I changed into my favorite pajamas, and got in bed. I was finally feeling like this was my home- well, sort of.

At midnight, I had to go to the bathroom. I also realized I forgot to brush my teeth, so I creeped to the bathroom, and did all of it. I sneaked back through the hall, until I saw a shadow. My heart pounded.

“Evelyn? Evelyn is that you?” A voice whispered. A light flashed, I feared I was dying. I opened my eyes to see my sister Anna in the middle of the hallway, messy hair and all.

“Seriously?! You scared me.” I whisper-shouted.

“Sorry, Evie. Night.” Anna said, rubbing her eyes. I turned around and headed back to my room.

I thought all night about going to a new school.

New school. New school. New school.

CHAPTER 5

IMPRESSIONS

I woke up at 7:00, and ran to the bathroom after I got dressed. I wore my purple sparkle jeans, and a sequin skirt. I also wore a shirt that said “QUINN INOSTOL MIDDLE SCHOOL- MICHIGAN” so that everyone would know that I came from michigan. Celia wasn’t on my bed. My heart sunk. I ran downstairs, where my mom was flipping pancakes.

“Oh, Evie! Morning! I forgot to mention that you have to walk to school. It’s a couple blocks, so start getting packed.” My mom said, smiling.

“Okay.” I said, and then I stuffed all my things into my bag. Smiling, I ate all my pancakes at the dinner table, and then ran outside. I managed to catch up to Xavier and we talked on the way to school. We talked about his little sister, and how we both liked video games. I didn’t tell him about the shed. When we got to the school, he showed me to my locker and classroom. But first, We had to pass through the dreaded office.

At my old school, the office ladies hated me. They always remembered how me and Lucy made a ruckus all the time. Of course, they gave me pity when Lucy passed, but after about a week, it was back to the usual. I didn’t expect this place to be much different.

“Hi, I’m Evelyn Willis. I’m new here! Nice to meet you.” I said to the office ladies. I had practiced a million times before to make sure I made a good impression.

“Welcome, Ms. Willis!” We’re so glad to have you here. Feel free to take a seat- oh, and I must say, I love your skirt!” The woman said, smiling. I nodded and sat down next to Xavier. The second woman tilted her head forward to see over her glasses, like all the mean evil librarians did in the movies.

“Mister Trinity, can I help you?” She said, looking at Xavier.

“Erm, no thank you, Miss. Violet, I was just showing my friend Evelyn around. I guess I’ll go…” He said.

“Good.” She said, and watched Xavier walk out the door. Then she looked at me- “I’m hoping you won’t stay very close to him. He will be a bad influence on you, Ms. Willis.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I said, while nodding. Then I went to class.

At lunch, Xavier sits with his friends. They tease him, and I know he hates it. It makes me upset. I sat down next to two girls at a table who were both talking and giggling.

“Oh, hi! Can we help you..?”

“Oh, no, I don’t need anything- well, you could say I need friends.” I said, trying to sound casual.

“Well then, you’ve come to the right place! I’m Trisha, and this here is Olivia.” Trisha said, smiling.

“Oh, nice to meet you! I’m Evelyn.” I said.

“Nice! Well, uh, take a seat!” Trisha said. I sat down.

As I munched on my turkey sandwich, I overheard Xavier being teased. I frowned.

“Trisha? Olivia?”

“Yeah?” Trisha said.

“You guys know that guy Xavier, right? Well I think he’s being bullied.”

“Oh. Well we see it too, but no one is brave enough to stand up to Daniel.” Trisha said.

“Who’s Daniel?” I asked. Trisha looked at Olivia. Olivia looked away, quickly.

“He’s just a jerk who makes fun of everyone.” Trisha said.

“Oh.” I said. “Well then I’m not everyone!” I said, and stood up from my seat. Everyone In the lunch room stared at me- even the lunch ladies. My stomach dropped. Daniel glared at me, smirking. I stomped over to his table. Xavier looked at me, firmly.

“Don’t tease my friend. You’re a bully.” I said. It sounded much more assertive in my head.

“Make me! Make me not bully your boyfriend.” Daniel said. I was so embarrassed that I ran out of the lunch room. Olivia ran after me. I sat down, my back against the wall. Olivia did too, and didn’t say anything. I smiled.

“Why are you so quiet..?” I asked.

“I see no point in saying things I don’t have to.” She mumbled.

I nodded in agreement, and sat next to her until the bell rung, silently. When the bell rang, we parted ways.

Bells. Bells. Bells.

CHAPTER 6

WELCOME TO IODA

Other than meeting some new people, and the whole situation with Xavier. The whole day was uneventful, until I walked home.

“That Ms. Violet lady told me you’re gonna be a bad influence on me. How rude.” I said, giggling. I didn’t dare bring up the elephant in the room.

“You’ll get used to it. Then you’ll believe her.” Xavier said bluntly.

“Come on, Xavier, you know I won’t believe some random old lady who says that you’re a bad person.” I said, trying to cheer him up. It didn’t help.

“Thanks, but everyone says that. It never works out, anyways.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m gonna be your friend no matter what.”

“Thanks, Evelyn.” Xavier said, and he blushed slightly.

I was feeling good. We continued walking, but stopped, when something caught my eye.

“Xavier! Wait!”

“What? I gotta get home.”

“Look, it’s a-“ It suddenly occurred to me what the necklace was.

“A what? What is it?”

“Nothing. Just… let’s keep walking.” I mumbled, and stuffed the necklace gently into my pocket. We walked silently home, until we both went inside our houses. I dropped my bag on the dinging table, and ran up to my room. I laid the necklace out and stared at it. It was the necklace Lucy gave to me on her last birthday.

I couldn’t believe I had forgotten the necklace at home, but I was astonished that it had gotten here anyways. I had no idea how. I was staring at it, intently, when my window slammed shut. I perked up, but no one was there. It was time to go back to the shed. I was ready.

I stuffed my belongings into a backpack. My necklace, my phone, a granola bar, and a bottle of water. I knew that everyone in the movies always needed water and forgot it, so I knew I had to be better. I was shaking the entire time. I hurried downstairs, hoping no one would notice where I’m going.

“Hey, hun. Where’re you off to?” My mom asked.

“Oh, uh, just going to explore.” I said.

“Okay! Have fun.” My mom said.

I ran out the door, down the street, and to the shed. I stood back, and took out the necklace, and stuck it in the keyhole. It glowed, turned, and the door sucked me in. I fell onto the concrete but felt nothing. I blinked slowly. A centaur-like creature loomed over me. Where was I?

“Hello. Welcome.” The creature said in a deep, booming voice.

“Where am I…?” I asked, shaking.

“Stand up.” He said. I did, and saw something I hadn’t seen in 5 whole years.

Standing there, with angel wings and the same smile I remembered was Lucy, my best friend. I ran up to her, into her hug. She squeezed me tight like before and I sobbed happy tears.

“How?! Am- am I in heaven?” I asked.

“No, Evie. When you die, you live in this universe. The Ioda universe. When a loved one finds you, you escape. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark figure run past Lucy.

“Can I take you back? Please, Lucy. Please.” I said, trembling.

“Yes, if you wish.” She said. “Grab my hand. Pull me out.”

“O-okay.” I said.

“Close your eyes and think of the moment I died. Use every bit of energy you have left in your bones…” Lucy whispered.

I did, and screamed. I started floating up, when something grabbed my other hand. I glanced over my shoulder, to see me holding onto my own hand.

“STOP! PLEASE!” I screamed.

“No. I need to get out too.” The copy of me said, smirking.

“Let go of her.” Lucy said. I couldn’t. We suddenly were on the ground outside the shed. It was sundown.

“Good job, Evie! I missed you so much” Lucy said, throwing her arms around me.

“Hehe, thanks. Where’s my clone?” I asked.

“Oh, no… just- don’t worry.” Lucy said. I saw a man walking down the street. I hid behind a trash can, pulling Lucy with me.

“Don’t worry! They can’t see me unless I have an Ioda stone.”

“Where do we get one?”

“It should be behind the shed we came out of.”

“Okay.” I said. I went behind the shed and dug with my bare hands. Nothing.

“It’s not that easy, trust me. Since your parents can’t see me, let’s go to your house. Can I stay over?” Lucy asked.

“Oh, sure.” I said. I led her back to my house, while we laughed and talked about our memories.

Memories. Memories. Memories.

CHAPTER 7

ON THE GRASS

When we got there, my mom was on the couch, talking to my clone.

“Mom!” I shouted. She looked up, her eyes bulging.

“Who are you?! Why do you look like my daughter?!”

“Mom, I promise on everything, I’m your daughter.” I said.

“Faker! Get out of my house or I’m calling the police.” She said.

Sobbing, I ran out the door, and laid on the grass. I’d have to sleep outside tonight.

In the morning, Lucy was still by my side on the grass. I had a bad headache and I was exhausted. While Lucy slept in, I thought about how I could convince my mom that I was the real me. I couldn’t come up with anything, so I shook Lucy and told her to wake up.

“Lucy? We have to go to school.” I said.

“Oh, right. What’s that backpack for?” She asked. It then hit me. I had been sleeping on my backpack all night. I immediately ripped it open, and grabbed my granola bars. I threw one to Lucy, and ate mine up. Then we walked to school. Xavier ran up behind me, panting. He knocked Lucy out of the way, but he couldn’t see her anyways. I whispered an apology to Lucy.

“Hey, Evie. Why’d you leave without me?” He asked.

“Oh, sorry, I forgot. Last night I went into this shed, pulled out my dead best friend, and also let my clone out.” I said.

“That’s quite the dream…” Xavier said, chuckling.

“No, like it really happened.” I said. I realized how dumb I sounded, but surely Xavier would understand.

“Well if it really happened, then where’s this friend?” He asked.

“You just knocked her out of the way. You can’t see her because we need some stone.”

“Like the one on your necklace?” He asked.

“OH! Might be… let me ask Lucy.” I said, and turned my head.

“Xavier can still hear me. And, yes, an Ioda stone is a fancy ruby like that one.” She said, casually. Xavier looked astonished.

“Cool! Evie, try letting Lucy touch it!” Xavier said.

“Okay, I’ll try.” Lucy said. She touched it and it glowed yet again. She suddenly became opaque and Xavier looked at her, stunned.

“I thought you were kidding.” Xavier managed to squeak.

We walked to school, laughing, and goofing off. The good feeling didn’t last too long, though. When we got into the office, the lady in the office told me that I was impersonating myself and that I needed to leave, immediately. She also shooed away Lucy, saying she was dead and it had to be some sort of joke. Luckily, this meant me and Lucy got to spend a whole day together. We went to the park behind our school and sat on the swings.

“I think your clone got the stone already. There should be one more under a willow tree somewhere. That’s typically how it works. Apparently the dead love willow trees. We need two stones to make me visible to everyone. Some people can’t see with one stone.” Lucy said.

“There’s a willow tree in my backyard.” I said.

“Wouldn’t your mom see us?”

“I guess… may we could sneak over the fence.”

“Wouldn’t we get arrested or something?”

“I doubt it.”

“You’re smarter than I remember.”

“I’ve been going to school…”

“Right. And I was just dead.”

“So should we go?”

“I guess.”

“Okay…” I said.

Willow trees. Willow trees. Willow trees.

CHAPTER 8

THE GREAT WILLOW

We walked over to my house, and I hopped the fence. I slowly crept over to the storage bin. I felt around for a shovel and eventually found one. It was the shovel I had used to dig up my first weed back at home. I shed a tear, hesitantly. I choked the rest of my tears back, and headed over to the willow tree. I dug for what felt like an hour, when I found the Ioda stone. I gasped, and held in the urge to screech. I ran over to Lucy.

“Did you find it?” She asked.

“Yes! I found it under the willow tree!”

“I told you.” Lucy said, giggling.

“You did.” I said. I glanced over my shoulder to see Anna and my clone making bracelets. Anna never did that with me. My heart sunk, and I turned my head away. The sun was beaming down on us, so we decided to go to the local ice cream shop. All we got was water and we sat in front of the air conditioning for a bit. The owner stared at us The Whole Time, because since he couldn’t see Lucy, it looked like there was just a floating cup. Lucy explained to me that if someone had talked to her before her death, they could see her. I was in luck. The ice cream shop had a new owner, so even though we went there all the time before she passed, the owner couldn’t see her. The employees could, though. Kiera, who had been working there since before I was born, was a super loyal employee to the place, and loved me and Lucy. When she saw Lucy, her eyes widened. I explained everything to her, but she just smiled. I could tell she believed me.

“Lucy, Evie, come on back. I’ll show you our new ice cream flavor!” Kiera said, smiling ear to ear.

“Okay!” Lucy said, and we ran back together.

“I present to you… triple berry! It has raspberries, blueberries, and bananas.” Kiera shouted. I was confused.

“Why are bananas in it if it’s triple berry?” I asked.

“Oh, right! Bananas are berries and they’re cheaper than strawberries- that actually aren’t berries- so we decided to use bananas. No one has questioned it.”

“Yeah, didn’t you know?” Lucy asked. I felt alone.

“I kind of didn’t.” I said.

“Okay, girls, let’s calm down, alright?” Kiera said. I turned around, and left the shop. We hadn’t used the new stone yet. I was too scared. I saw Olivia walking down the street with Trisha. I overheard Trisha talking about all her life’s problems. Olivia was silent. I couldn’t bear how bad I felt for her.

“So you actually didn’t know that?” Lucy asked.

“Well, yeah.” I mumbled.

“How come? Haven’t you been going to school?”

“I have.”

“You’ve changed.”

“So what?”

“You’re different now.”

“Well- well… you try having a dead best friend!”

“WHAT DID YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT?!”

“MAYBE YOU COULD’VE FOUGHT HARDER, AND I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ALONE, SOBBING FOR WEEKS! MAYBE YOU COULD’VE NOT GOTTEN YOUR DUMB CYSTIC FIBROSIS IN THE FIRST PLACE!”

“Maybe you could’ve been supportive…” Lucy mumbled.

“Maybe I could have. But it’s too late now.” I said, and stomped off, in tears.

When I got home, I almost went inside. I almost went to my room. Then I realized I’m not supposed to. It’s all because of my stupid clone. I didn’t even know who my clone was and why she was here. All I cared is that she’d stop ruining my life.

Cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis.

CHAPTER 9

BURNING

This morning was not like the last. I woke up alone. I thought a lot. Most of the pictures in my head were pictures of people and things I couldn’t have anymore. No more food. No more love. No more mom. No more Anna. No more Lucy. No more dad. There was no point in smiling. Though the sun was bright and burning, The world felt dark and gloomy. I had always wished I would get to hug Lucy again. Now she’s back, and I still can’t. I counted off my issues. I took out a piece of paper and a pencil.

My best friend hates me.

I have a clone, who’s impersonating me.

I have to sleep on the grass.

I’m starving.

I have no one to talk to.

Then I write down my goal.

Fix all five before Thursday.

It’s Tuesday night. I have one day. I get to work. Most of them can be fixed altogether. I can fix two right now. I pick up my things, stuff them into my backpack, and walk down the street to Oliver’s Ice Cream Shop.

“Back already?” Kiera asked as she whipped up a milkshake for a customer.

“Yup.” I said, sliding onto a stool.

“You must be starving. Want some mint chip?”

“I’ll take a triple berry.” I said.

“Way to try out something new!” Kiera said, as she squirted the triple berry ice cream into a cup. “Here ya go!”

“Thanks!” I said, and started digging in.

“How are you and Lucy doing?”

“We’re okay. I think she’s mad.

“You girls seem like good friends.”

“Yeah…” I mumbled.

“Want me to talk to your mom?”

“No, thanks.”

“I believe it’s you, Evie.”

“I know. You’re Kiera.”

“Thanks. You’re a good kid, Evie. A good kid.”

“I know.” I said, and I flipped my hair. We both broke out laughing, and everyone in the store stared. We soon slowed down, and she handed me a bag of soup crackers. I smiled. I had fixed two of my issues. The fruit fly from before flew around Kiera’s head.

Fruit fly. Fruit fly. Fruit fly.

I finished my ice cream, and thanked Kiera. I stuffed my soup crackers into my backpack- I feared I would need them later. As I ate, I worried about Lucy. She was alone. So was I.

“See you!” Kiera said, as I left.

“Yeah! Thanks!” I shouted. Once I stepped out the door, I stopped. I needed to think. I sat on a bench outside of the ice cream shop. After a bit of just staring out into the world, I took out my notebook and pencil again. I wrote.

My best friend hates me

have a clone, who’s impersonating me.

I have to sleep on the grass.

I’m starving.

I have no one to talk to.

Ideas:

Scream at my mom until she believes me

Try to get everywhere before my clone

Have Kiera tell everyone

I liked the second idea. I checked my watch. 7:30 am. School started at 8:00 am. I put my things back into my backpack and sprinted to the school. After a block of running, I was out of breath. I checked my watch. 7:32. I kept running until I got to the school, taking a sip of water every few blocks. I got there at 7:40 on the dot. I opened the office door and, to my surprise, was greeted by my clone talking with Miss. Violet.

“Can I help-“ Miss Violet said, but she didn’t finish her sentence because of how shocked she must have been.

“Who are you? And- why are you impersonating me?!” My clone said.

“Uh, exuse me? You’re the one who’s stealing my identity!” I shouted, angrily.

“What’s going on here? Do I need to call the police?!” Miss Violet asked, frantically reaching for the phone.

“No! You don’t have to.” My clone said. “I’m the real Evelyn.”

“No I AM!” I screamed.

“This Evelyn was here first. I have to assume she’s the real one of- well, you.” Miss Violet said.

“You’ll regret this…” I whispered to my clone, and stomped out the door. I crashed to the ground and sobbed. Olivia came up the dirt path to the school.

“Evelyn? Are you okay?” She said, and she sat down beside me.

“No…” I mumbled.

“Why’ve you been so mean to Trisha lately?”

“Huh?” Then it occurred to me. “Oh, right.”

“Yeah… you haven’t been acting like yourself lately.”

“Look, I know this sounds crazy, but I pulled my dead best friend out of a shed along with my clone and now my clone is out here impersonating me. I can’t even go into my house.”

“What?”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry this is happening. I believe you.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Olivia said, and then handed me a granola bar.

“Thank you.” I said. She smiled, and went inside.

I felt a little better now, so I got back out my notebook.

My best friend hates me.

I Have a clone, who’s impersonating me.

.I have to sleep on the grass.

I’m starving.

.I have no one to talk to.

Ideas:

Scream at my mom until she believes me

Try to get everywhere before my clone

Have Kiera tell everyone

Have a competition.

I decided I would have a competition to show everyone that I was the real me. I wrote a letter to my parents and sister.

Dear mom and dad and Anna,

I know this is weird, but that girl is my clone. The girl who has been coming home every day is not me. Please trust me. On Thursday at 10:00 please come to Oliver’s Ice Cream shop. Prepare questions to ask me and my clone. Only things the real me would know. I will prove to you that I am the real me.

Love Evelyn. (The real one)

I folded the note up, and wrote urgent on the back in all capital letters. Then, I got up, put away my things, and walked back to my house. I ate a soup cracker on the way. When I got to my house, at about 8:10 am, I slid the letter through the mail slot, and ran over to Xavier’s. I knocked on the door, quietly. Xavier came to the door. Lucy was by his side.

“What do you want?” Xavier asked, sternly.

“I just wanted to hang out…” I mumbled.

“What a faker. You’re a BULLY, Evelyn. A bully.” He said, and scoffed.

“Meet me at Oliver’s Ice Cream at 10:00 am tomorrow.” I said, and then turned around to walk Oliver’s.

“Back again?” Kiera asked.

“Yeah. Can you have this place closed at 10:00 am tomorrow?” I asked.

“How come? It’s our busiest time of the day…”

“Look, I’m doing a competition to show everyone that I’m the real me. Please?”

“I’ll work something out. You can count on it.”

“Thank you so much, Kiera.”

“No problem, Evie.” She said, smiling. Then she waved goodbye, and got on the phone. My plan was coming together. Finally.

Finally. Finally. Finally.

CHAPTER 10

PREPERATIONS

I sat on the swings in the back of my school. Everyone was at recess, but I didn’t quite blend in. Everyone gave me mean looks. I waited for Miss Violet to come outside. Everyone was outside, so I ran into the office and got on the PA.

“Everyone, come to Oliver’s ice cream tomorrow at 10. Skip school, I don’t care, just be there. Please. I’m begging you.” I said, tearing up. I heard pounding footsteps approaching. I ran out the door, and hid in a bush. Then, I wrote down every important thing that had happened to me since I was born. Every fact my clone wouldn’t know. I was coming for her. Olivia stopped by my house after school.

“Hey, Evie.” She said.

“Oh, hey! What’s up?”

“Nothing. What are all those cards for?”

“Nothing.”

“Your clone has been really mean.”

“I know. I can tell.”

“Was that you on the PA today?”

“Yup.”

“I’ll come. What’s gonna happen?”

“You’ll see. Just prepare questions about me that my clone wouldn’t know the answer to.”

“Okay. Will do. Well, uh, I have to go, but good luck.”

“Thanks, Olivia. Thanks.” I said, and we both smiled. I was ready. I grabbed my backpack and put it on my back. I went over to my fence and hopped it. I slept under the willow tree that night. I slept so well- for Lucy.

Lucy. Lucy. Lucy.

CHAPTER 11

GAME DAY

I woke up early to review my flash cards. Olivia came by at 8- still in her PJs- to review them with me. The usual herds of kids on their way to school had disappeared, other than a few kids. Me and Olivia headed to Oliver’s at 9:30. My clone walked behind us, holding hands with Anna. My body stung. I kept my eyes straight. When we got to Oliver’s, Kiera was there- wearing a t-shirt that said “GO EVELYN! THE REAL ONE!” That made me smile. She gave me a banana split and a large bag of fish crackers. I asked her to freeze the banana split so I could have it when I won. People started to arrive at 10:00 on the dot. My stomach was churning, so I stopped eating the crackers. Olivia went outside to sit down, while

Kiera quizzed me one last time. Then, it was go time. Kiera had set two cardboard boxes down as podiums. They both said Evelyn. I stood at the one closest to the windows. Kiera stood between me and my clone. She plugged in a microphone, which made a loud ringing sound before capturing her voice. Olivia mouthed “Good Luck” to me. And Then, we started.

“Welcome, friends, peers, family members, and strangers to The ‘Who is the clone?’ competition! Today’s competitors are- well, Evelyn and her clone. On my left, is the real Evelyn, and on my right is her clone. If you have any questions for me to ask these girls, please raise your hand, and I will come collect pieces of paper with your questions on them.” Kiera said. I was on her left. Lots of hands shot up. My parents handed Kiera an entire stack. I didn’t see Lucy in the crowd. Xavier sat in the front row, with my family, and my friends Trisha and Olivia. One empty seat was left for Lucy. After Kiera collected the cards, she came back up.

“I’ve read over all the questions, and boy are they good! Time for question one. First person to say ‘Buzz Buzz’ gets to try first. Ready, contestants?” Kiera asked.

“Yes.” Me and my clone both said in unison.

“Good luck…” I whispered to her.

“Question one, why did the Willis family have to turn around on their 2016 road trip mid way?”

“BUZZ! BUZZ!” My clone screamed. “I forgot my stuffed animal, Celia.”

“That is… correct… question two, what was Evelyn’s first word?”

“BUZZ! BUZZ! Celia.” My clone said.

“Correct. True or false: Evelyn has been bumped up a grade.”

“BUZZ! BUZZ! False.” My clone said.

“Correct…” Kiera said, and looked at me with a desperate look on her face. I continued to buzz in too late for all the questions. I was feeling hopeless. We went on for 25 minutes until something happened. I heard a familiar voice in the crowd. It was Lucy.

“I HAVE A QUESTION! It’s not written down, but…”

“Go ahead.”

“What day was Evelyn’s best friend death?” Lucy said, breaking into tears.

“Buzz… buzz…” I said, trying not to cry. “Friday September 16th, 2014, at 2:28 pm was when I lost the most important person in my life.” I said, sobbing. Lucy ran up and hugged me tight. My parents followed, as we all balled our eyes out. Anna barked a bit, and everyone stood back. Anna walked up to me and hugged me. She had never hugged me before.

“I’m so sorry…” she whispered in my ear.

“It’s… it’s okay, Anna.” I said, and she barked. She then stood back, and Kiera shouted,

“WE HAVE A WINNER!” She pulled me over and put her arm around me. “This, my friends, is the real Evelyn. The compassionate Evelyn. The daughter, sister, best friend, and more Evelyn. This is the Evelyn we all know.” She said, and cried. Everyone cheered, and though it was only about 100 people in the crowd, I was so happy.

“WHAT?! HOW?! SHE ONLY GOT ONE RIGHT!” My clone screamed.

“But she got the most important one right.” Lucy said, sassily. I felt bad for my clone. What if she was the real me and I replaced her?

“I’m sorry.” I mumbled to my clone.

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry for replacing you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” My clone said, while taking off a mask. It was the moving man. His body lengthened and his hair was sucked into his head. He was the moving man. Everyone looked stunned.

“Your stuffed animal… Celia. She was my daughter. She died as an infant, so I made a stuffed lion. Her favorite animal was a lion. When I died, Olivia, my niece, pulled me out of Ioda. She talked to me about you. I decided to fly into your room. Since you didn’t know me, you couldn’t see me. I found your lion, Celia. I had to take her from you, so i made sure I could be your moving man. Taking it back wasn’t enough. I was so angry that your mom picked up your toy Celia and took her after I had dropped her on my walk, alone. I had to ruin your life. I regret it. I just need that Ioda stone you have around your neck. Please. I just want to touch it.” He said.

“Okay.” I said, and let him touch it. He became opaque. He was finally visible to everyone. Lucy then used our second stone.

“Thank you, thank you so much. Olivia, come on, let’s go.” He said, and smiling, Olivia went with him. Before leaving, she hugged me. Most people had left. Kiera looked at me.

“That was funny.” She said.

“It sure was.” I said, and I went home with my family.

Family. Family. Family.

CHAPTER 12

HAPPY ENDINGS

Though my letter to you is ending, this was just the beginning for me. Me and Anna started making bracelets daily. Mom called Lucy’s family and they were reunited. Lucy now lives next door. Kiera and I talk all the time. I always sit in my reading chair. I am now, as I’m writing this letter. I am good friends with the moving Man- who I’ve learned is named Victor- and He’s letting me keep Celia. Me and Lucy take Xavier and Olivia to visit Ioda every Friday. It’s the highlight of my week. Lucy gets to attend school, although Miss Violet is still confused out of her mind. We all got in trouble for skipping school on the day of the competition. And best of all, Xavier, Lucy, Olivia, and I, go to Oiver’s ice cream every day now. I hope that now you believe me. It’s confusing, I know. But I know you love me. Me and my friends have named the shed. It was the shed of forever.

Shed of forever. Shed of forever. Shed of forever.