Meadowsprings Family

By Jennifer Gramlin

Rachel is in her eleventh year at Meadowsprings High School. Rachel is shy but has a big heart and yearns to help those around her. Her eleventh year takes a turn when her math teacher, Mrs. Williams, falls ill to cancer. Wanting to show her appreciation and what Mrs. Williams means to the school, Rachel and her friends set out on a project to bring the school together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662452635

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Meadowsprings Family

Jennifer Gramlin

Copyright © 2021 Jennifer Gramlin

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2021

ISBN 978-1-6624-5262-8 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-5263-5 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

In honor of Rachel French. A wonderful teacher. A great wife and loving mother. Always loved and missed by the Oakland family.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

—Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

The verse ran through my mind over and over again. I know this verse will have some sort of meaning at one point in my life. I guess that’s why I am writing it in the journal Pastor David gave to me. I’m sure I will know soon.

Chapter 1

I raced out of the house with my little sister, Katie, behind me. The last thing I heard from Katie was her complaining about stupid boys and the annoyance of school. I shook my head as we went our separate ways. Even if I understood where she was coming from, not saying anything is the wisest choice. We have started school a little over a week ago, and I already feel drained. The morning walks help me wake up and get a little energized. It’s better when I walk with my friends, but that won’t happen for another five minutes.

Hey, Rachel! Andy shouted as he ran toward me and wrapped me in a hug. Good morning.

You’re early today, Andy, I pointed out. There goes some of my peaceful silence.

I know, Rachel. I just needed to get out of the house. Mom is making me nuts! I got into trouble for something my brother should have done. I just don’t get it. Why am I the one that always gets blamed for everything even if she told him to do it? Proves that she loves him more than me, he explained angrily.

I guess that’s how life works sometimes. Can’t say I understand though. I just do what I need to do, even if it doesn’t need to be done. There are some things where you can’t count on people to do what is asked of them. Andy nodded in agreement. Well, let’s get to walking. Kayla will ask why we are late if we continue to stand here and talk. Come on.

Yeah. We both know how she gets when things or people are late, he agreed. You seem distracted. Is everything okay? I hummed in acknowledgement.

You got all that from me just humming? I asked. Andy gave me a look. Fine. It’s not really a big deal though. I’ve been thinking about things. It was the truth, just not the whole truth.

School? Your credits? People who can annoy you? he questioned. I laughed and shook my head. Is it your family? Lack of going to church? Life in general? I covered his mouth. He licked my hand.

Ew, that was so nasty! I shrieked. Andy laughed and put some distance between us. That about sums everything up. There’s Kayla, so please calm down. Kayla was jumping, giggles filling the air around us. She has a grin that can make anybody’s day. Somebody has also had a lot of coffee this morning.

How many cups?

Three cups to be exact. Kayla giggled and linked arms with me. I mentally cringed. When she drinks one, she is hyper. Drinking three, well, we might as well be doomed. Good thing I don’t have many classes with her.

I have weird friends. Kayla, there is a car coming. I do not have a death wish right now. Andy, refrain from saying anything because that conversation has ended after that week. Bad enough you asked a teacher. She has been keeping an eye on us, no thanks to you. Andy snapped his mouth shut and sighed.

Kayla looked at me in confusion. What conversation?

I looked away, not wanting to explain.

Rachel? Andy, what did I miss? Kayla begged him. Andy shrugged helplessly, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop him from answering her. Andy gives in easily.

Oh, you know, Kayla, Rachel and I were planning on jumping off a bridge and how people would find our bodies after two or three days. It was really fun planning it out. Andy smirked at me. Kayla let out a shriek of anger and slapped the both of us.

I wouldn’t really do it! I defended myself. I value my life on some sort of level, thank you very much. I rubbed my arm. You hit hard. Honestly, Andy was the one to start the conversation. I may have had a death wish for a long time, but not enough to go through with it. There is no need to get so abusive.

Andy, don’t you dare walk out into that road! There is a car coming. Kayla screeched. I grabbed Andy’s arm and held it while the car passed. He pouted as I glared at him. You will be the death of me, Andy!

Now you can walk. I’d rather not explain to the police why you were hit by a car. Your family also doesn’t need to plan your funeral, I told him, letting his arm go. I do question how much of a death wish he really has, I thought.

You guys are party poopers, he whined. Kayla and I rolled our eyes in annoyance.

I don’t know how getting hit by a car is a party, but whatever, Kayla snapped, which led to them arguing the rest of the way to school.

"Come on, Kayla, it will put the fun in funeral." A resounding slap echoed through the neighborhood, earning a look from an older woman who was walking her dog. I walked faster.

I’m just going to continue since the school is right there, I said, pausing in front of them. They ignored me and continued to argue, so I walked away. They make me insane.

I entered the school as my friends ran toward me. I didn’t bother to wait at the door for them. Good morning, Mr. Patterson, I greeted. I think it’s going to be a good one, don’t you?

Good morning, Rachel. I agree with you. A good one indeed. How are you today? Mr. Patterson asked.

Good so far, since it is only morning, I answered. It can only get better! Mr. Patterson nodded in agreement.

Thanks for waiting, Rachel, Andy thanked me sarcastically.

Anytime, I replied.

I was being sarcastic, he muttered.

I know, Andy. I’m going to class. See you guys at lunch. Kayla, if you keep glaring at him, your face will stay that way, I called over my shoulder. Those two have got to learn that I don’t wait for them when they argue, I mumbled, annoyed but amused. I am not going to sit around and listen to it all day. I love them anyways.

I opened my computer and started on some work. Ms. Gwen, my English teacher, looked up and smiled. Good morning to you, dear. You’re always working as soon as you get here, girlie. Do you ever take a break before class? she asked.

I gave a small shrug and replied, I like to keep busy. It’s either be busy or let my thoughts take over my mind. Something no one really wants to happen. Once I enter my mind, it’s hard for me to get out. I also want to do my best and catch up on my credits. I’ve been staying up late to get assignments done. I’m hoping to reach my credit goal this year. I am doing so much better than when I first came here. Mom is proud of me.

Everyone is proud of you, Rachel. Mr. Patterson praises you in every meeting. As long as you are getting sleep and not stressing yourself out, then I won’t worry, she said, knowing the lack of sleep I get. I blushed.

I am. I’m sure Mr. Patterson praising me is overexaggerating it, I assured her. She only shook her head.

Rachel, I forgot to give you this back. Great book, Kayla said. Before I could say anything, she was gone.

Friends can be odd sometimes, but I guess that is what makes them special. Ms. Gwen laughed and nodded her head in agreement. They are their own kind of wonderful.

As students started to come in, it quickly got loud. That’s the only thing I hate about students; they are loud and annoying. I put my headphones on to block them out. I had to take them off right away though. I keep forgetting to ask her my question. This has been happening for a week now. I have a memory of an old person sometimes. Ms. Gwen, did you get my email about the assignment? I asked.

I did. It should be fixed now. Thank you for finding that issue. A little late on that question, aren’t you? she answered.

Yep, I get distracted easily. I hate computers, I said. She laughed.

We all do, Rachel, she agreed. I think you and Mrs. Williams hate them the most. I laughed. Mrs. Williams does hate technology, there’s no arguing about that.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was ready for home and the comfort of my bed. I was wrong about today getting better, although that may be the headache talking. Remember, Rachel, you want to make this year the best, so quit being negative, Andy reminded me.

Doesn’t mean I have to always want to be here, I muttered. Andy only laughed. Ha ha. Laugh all you want.

Always. He started to have a laughing fit, and Kayla joined in. I slowly backed away from them, a little creeped out. I don’t understand what’s so funny. I tripped over Caleb’s foot in the process. He helped keep me on my feet, thankfully.

What’s wrong with them? Caleb asked. Caleb looked at them oddly before turning to me. What’s so funny? I don’t understand them anymore.

They’re insane. All the best ones are. That’s life for us. I am pretty sure they live to not make sense to anyone. I laughed as he smiled and went back to his friends. He’s a good guy—odd, but good.

Rachel, get back over here, you need to finish your food! Andy yelled. Food is good for the soul.

I didn’t get food, I shouted back. He narrowed his eyes, and Kayla started laughing all over again. I rolled my eyes. It really isn’t all that funny. You should know this by now. I never eat right.

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