The Lost and Found (A Sequel to Change of Identity)

Chapter 2 Reflections on Reflections

I yawned and stretched my arms. For once, I didn't have a nightmare last night. I glanced at the clock. 6:00. School starts at 7:15 here, I should get up. I looked over to see Mabel was still asleep. I got up to wake her.

"Wake up, Mabel! School starts today!" I shook her and she groaned.

"Just five more..." She yawned. "Months."

I rolled my eyes. "No." I pulled her out of bed and she fell to the floor, then sprang up.

"Fiiiine, Miss Bossy Pants." She elbowed me jokingly and ran to her dresser to find some clothes.

I smiled and grabbed the clothes I had already set out, prepared as always. A white t-shirt, a red flannel jacket, distressed blue jeans, and black sneakers.

I quickly changed into them and went to the bathroom to brush my hair. Mabel was already there when I walked in. She'd put on a bright blue sweater with pink rhinestones forming an "A+" and a light pink mini skirt, along with matching light pink ankle boots. I smiled. Mabel had a talent for mixing her personal style with what was considered "normal" for kids our age.

I grabbed a hairbrush and yanked it through my messy hair. I wasn't too keen on actually caring for it, unlike Mabel. But at least I brushed it in the morning. I finished and started to braid it behind my back as Mabel started our usual morning conversation.

"Must be hard to do that behind your back."

"It is."

"I could help."

"No."

"But this is my fault, and the least I could do is-"

"No."

"At least let me-"

"No."

"Fine." She grumped and put a bright blue headband on.

I finished and tied my braid off with a dark blue band.

"But it's so messy!"

I sighed. "For the last time. I like it that way."

I looked up to check the mirror and see if I'd actually braided it and not thrown my hair into a mass of tangles like usual, and for once, I'd actually managed a braid. But I still glared at my reflection, as usual. I couldn't stay mad at Mabel for anything for long, but this...it was hard not to not stay mad at her. And believe me, I tried.

"Want chocolate?" Mabel dangled a chocolate bar in front of my face.

I turned away, annoyed.

"Aw, c'mon. If you're gonna be mad at me, yell at me instead of not talking to me, please!" Mabel begged.

I sighed, but didn't reply.

"YELL AT ME!" Mabel screamed.

I whipped around and glared at her. "You want me to yell at you? Sure. You took a completely irrational turn! I mean, come on! You could've just asked me to try to hang out with you and your friends, but instead you did this! I mean, seriously, how did that ever seem like a good idea? And on top of that, you didn't even think it through. I mean, 'no known cure' was clearly written on the journal page and...and..." I took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm done."

Mabel was surprisingly grinning. "See? Better?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"C'mon!" She giggled. "Let's have breakfast! School starts in like 45 minutes!"

I smiled as I watched Mabel bound down the stairs and slowly followed.

Mabel always knew how to make me feel better.

And I loved her for it.