Playing Along

"Nat! Get your brother up for school!" My mom yelled from the kitchen.
I yawned sleepily, and slammed shut the book, 13 Gifts, I was reading. I went downstairs and banged on Jamie's door.
"Get up! Get ready for school!" I yelled, then walked into the kitchen.
For some reason I couldn't seem to get Jamie to understand anything other than short commands. I grabbed some cereal from the pantry and sat down at the table with some milk and a bowl. I poured the stuff, got a spoon, and started to eat. Midway through the bowl, my brother wandered in.
"Nat, hi. I had the weirdest dream last night!" Jamie sat down without getting any food.
I nodded and went back to eating.
"Soooo, I was at this camp, and this horse guy was claiming that I was like half-god or something. I tried to go home but I ended up at this weird cabin with the word Poseidon engraved over the door. So I went in and suddenly I was home." Jamie got up and started to eat on the counter.
I bobbed my head. "Cool."
My mom walked in just as I was putting my dishes away.
"Good morning Nat! My, what are you doing in your pajamas at this time?" My mom wore a crisp business woman outfit, with her red-brown hair hanging down off her shoulders.
"Mornin mom," I said, "I was just gonna get changed."
To avoid any confrontation, I ran upstairs and got ready. I wore a purple T-shirt, jeans, my best friend's alternate friendship bracelet, and Keds. I brushed out my brown hair and put it in a pony, then brushed my teeth. I looked in the mirror. There. I'm good.
My phone beeped on my dresser. I looked at it.
"Holy crap I have to go!" I yelled, and grabbed my phone and backpack.
I whirled out the door, and ran to school. I got there just as the bell rang. I spotted Kim walking in the door. I ran a few more feet to catch up to her.
"Hey!" I wheezed.
"Hey to you too! Where were you?" Kim asked.
I took the time to look at her outfit. She wore a blue shirt, a jean skirt, the friendship bracelet, and her long blonde hair set back by a ponytail.
"Hmm?" Kim brought me back. "I had to deal with Tammi all morning!"
I put my palm to my head. "I'm so sorry. I had an alarm emergency."
"Here's class!" Kim and I entered Ms. Hillary's class together, and jumped in our seats just as she began taking roll.

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