Nancy & Anna's Never-Ending Friendship

By Saanvi Talwar

Dear diary, if I knew cracking this mystery would lead to this, then I would never have approached it. I think though, sometimes life has its perks, like making a new special companion. However, I think writing this story was quite a challenge. So I hope you'll really cherish this story and it'll become o

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Writing Founder
• Release date: Mar 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9781962380812

Book preview

Diary Entry

Dear diary, if I knew cracking this mystery would lead to this, then I would never have approached it. I think though, sometimes life has its perks, like making a new special companion. However, I think writing this story was quite a challenge. So I hope you’ll really cherish this story and it’ll become one of your favorites. So get comfy, and cozy before you start on your audacious adventure. Enjoy!

meenakshiShezarAbdul Sattar202024-04-29T22:14:00Z2024-04-29T22:14:00Z20136238163932Aspose4261255619766716.0000

Chapter 1

H

ave you ever heard the sound of a dog getting stuck to the sound of an ice cream truck?

Everyone would probably be too busy to see it! I know I wouldn't after being completely lonely and by myself for eight weeks without my best friend, Anna. All of my senses went on high alert as I gazed at the calendar as my eyes drifted to date with a looped, red ring and I let out a big, deep, and exasperated sigh.

The noise rang through my ears like tiny freshwater droplets tinkling down the silver-gray crystal clear windows trimmed with black, sleek cotton.

Clink-clink-clink-plink-plink-plink-plink-doo-clink-plink went the icecream truck standing patiently out in the torrid, summer heat as the melodic chimes filled the air.

Woof! Went the piercing innocent bark of my dog, Chocolate lolling out her pink bubblegum tongue and giving me an endearing look with her big milk- chocolate eyes examining my pale face.

Fine, I grunted, pulling onto her lead and strolling out with a soft, black- and-white ball rolling along the pathway.

I know that’s you Sprinkles, I said, calling out and bursting into laughter.

The sweet, gullible panda bear circled around like an acrobatic gymnast looking energized, giving me a warm, beaming smile.

Awwww, I love you too, I said, crouching down and giving her furry belly a scratch as I tinkled with more laughter.

Well, kid looks like you get a pet two for one, a snarky voice replied as I shook my head.

Sorry, I said as I cocked my head at the man.

He was six feet tall as he loomed over with a freshly clipped mustache and angular jaw while he bared his teeth and burst into tears while the corners of his eyes wrinkled.

Yeah, funny, I said uneasily as the man continued to ignore my weak smile.

I’ll need to plan my escape soon or I’ll never get to leave. EVER!

You know the dog needs a walk, I said quickly as I spluttered out my quick excuse and dashed off, feeling overwhelmed.

That was a close one, I muttered as Sprinkles dawdled over to the white, sleek truck dotted with mouth-watering images of sumptuous ice cream treats of someone's dreams.

Hold on, Sprinkles, I cried, following over as I felt a quick tug on the lead and panicked, alarmed.

No, Chocolate, I yelled.

I halted at the ice cream truck and breathed in cool breaths inhaling the crisp air and letting out a cough.

Bad girl, I said, shaking my head harshly at Sprinkles who frowned in response.

Sorry I muttered thinly under my clouded breath, feeling guilty.

Swiftly, a tall, lanky girl appeared at my side who gave me a curious toothy grin with her ringlets held back with multicolored clips as she wore a black floral top and blue, denim shorts lined with tiny white, cotton frilly lining.

Hey, you’ve probably seen me y’all summer since I’m Chloe, she said, giving me an unexpected nudge as I stumbled backwards.

I looked at her baffled, scanning her animated expression as she held out her dark, tanned hand warm-heartedly as I held out mine slowly.

Then without a second to waste, Chloe gave me a rapid handshake as I gave her a shaky face in reply.

So, you uh want some ice-cream, she prodded me, snapping me back to attention in her business- girl- selling- ice cream- voice.

"Can’t spend that much cash or my brothers will get me in trouble, "I said, shielding my eyes from embarrassment.

Hey, don’t be embarrassed you ain’t’ they only one she cried as she pointed the finger at her chest wincing.

You, I said, feeling astonished.

Of course, she replied in an obvious tone.

Well, same here, you know, you see here, I’m alone right now I said, launching into an easy going conversation.

What about your brothers? She said as I shook my head.

Well, um,they all have friends and I unfortunately don’t, I said as the girl's eyes grew like big softballs.

Well, I gotta go, I said, waving my hand timidly and sauntering off.

Wait, would you at least like an ice cream cone? The girl asked me happily.

Nah, I said I don’t have any money to spend, I said, frowning.

Well, I can give you one, for free, she said, winking her eyes at me.

You really would, I asked, surprised at the kind gesture.

Sure, why not? She said, giving me a brightened smile.

I shrugged my shoulders in disbelief and turned back, walking towards the luscious ice cream truck filled with piles of delicacies.

I’ll take a marshmallow, swizzle s’more scone,please, and maybe some extra sprinkles, I said, batting my eyelashes, optimistically.

Coming right up, Chloe said and vanished behind the long tall counter and returned with an ice-cream cone topped with piles and piles of sprinkles of all sorts.

Yum’s in my tums, I said and chortled at my own joke, and Chloe joined in enthusiastically.

You watched Spirit in Palaimino Bluffs, we said simultaneously and stared at each other dumbstruck and broke into tears in less than a second!

Yeah, it’s way better than my brother's superhero movies, I cried, cleansing away my laughing tears of joy, as Chocolate whined at my heels.

Sorry, got to go, I said, hurrying off.

Nice meeting you Chloe called out happily.

You too, I said and shut the door behind me.

I looked at my room feeling disheartened by the damp, quiet, negative environment. I let out a sigh and sat down at my favorite plush chair while I started to unwrap my ice-cream cone but was interrupted by the loud ringing of the phone.

I ambled to it and picked up the receiver waiting patiently.

Hello I called.

Hello, sweetie, a voice said.

It was mom!

Mom, how are you? I asked while I unwrapped the ice-cream wrapper and heard the crunching noise as I munched on it in big, frozen bites.

What’s that munching noise I’m hearing?

The sound of a mouth- watering marshmallow, swizzle s’more cone with some extra sprinkles, I replied. A new girl, Chloe, gave it to me.

That was kind of her, my mom said.

So I can’t wait to be seeing you at home today, I said, beaming on the other side of the phone line.

Well, uh, that’s why I called. I won’t be able to be home today, my mom said softly.

No, George, only one cup of water, yes, just for Eliza. I’m sorry, I mean Gingersnap, my mom said to someone- who I knew wasn’t me.

Sorry, sweetie, I also wanted to tell you that your brothers will be home soon and your dad is helping me out at the clinic today, she said.

And my sisters, I asked her, puzzled. Where are they?

At grandma’s in California, my mom said airily. I thought I told you.

No one told me, I said, feeling melancholy. Why couldn’t I go?

Because your brothers insisted they wanted you to stay, my mom said cautiously.

Of course they did. Yay me, I said sarcastically.

That reminds me, did you get any new postcards from Uncle Matt my mom asked me eagerly.

Well, not besides lame whimsical jokes, pictures of him smiling, gardening facts, more lame jokes plus riddles he recently started adding and well, that’s it, I said sourly.

I’m his sister, but my brother writes to you all the time instead. I’m not sure if I should be happy for you or jealous.

Maybe both, I said, shrugging as an uncomfortable lump lay in my stomach.

Make sure to eat some vegetables for dinner and do your chores my mom said full-heartedly.

I let out a groan.

Hey, eating your veggies makes you, my mom asked me, waiting for me to reply.

Healthy and bright, I cried.

Yes, Louis, I know, my mom said, acting calm.

Sweetheart I’ve got to now, but I’ll see you soon, my mom said.

This summer was already making me pretty lonely and my mom spent all her time at the clinic taking care of all sorts of animals.

I didn’t really mind it at first since I always wanted my own freedom but now I wanted someone to spend time with rather than sitting crouched delicately on the top of my roof like I was a pitch-black raven who mysteriously lost her friends.

See you soon too, mom, I said, but my mom hung up first.

I stuffed my last bit of ice-cream into my mouth and headed upstairs into my bedroom and scooched into my fort while shuffling my postcards.

I named it Frozen Adventures after me and my friend Anna's favorite movie, but she wouldn’t understand it. After all, it was an inside joke.

It’s been so long since I had seen Anna and her rosy-cheeked face that would always break into happy beams, but ever since she left Camp Watermelon, life had changed.

Well, I was going to go, but my mom forgot to sign the registration form and lost track of days with all of her work going on, and you would understand if you’d seen her long stack of papers she had to go through.

However, it got too late and soon enough, Anna had no choice but to go to summer camp without me as I felt disheartened. One thing that kept me positive was that Anna had promised me not to have fun at camp without me.

She was probably ticking the days feeling bored and thinking the camp was horrible, but if we went together as we planned then Anna would have said, this camp is totally watermelons.

But our plans had failed.

Anna went to camp without me.

I opened the box and saw a postcard from Anna. Then I opened it eagerly, feeling over-excited.

The postcard read:

Dear Nanc,

Today I saw a walking watermelon! It had tiny black seeds and bright red colors, oh and I didn’t forget the bottom with the light green, dark green, and white. It was so adorable!

Oh, and do you like my handwriting?

There was a writing class I took part in! It was ah-mazing! Don’t worry. This is almost over!

Your friend who loves you,

Ann

Four exclamation marks?! My friend had never used that many in one postcard ever before. It made my stomach lurch.

Also what did she mean