Woozworld Oreos

So someone gave me this AWESOME idea!
Here's how it works:
You people email me at: woozworldoreos@yahoo.com
and give me a story.
I'll publish one every time I update the blog every Friday!
So give me your best!
Here's one that I got sent in:

“Ashlynn,” my mother called. “Are you ready to go, honey?”

I was lying on my bed, staring at my ceiling that used to be covered in those little glow-in-the-dark stars.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples.

There was countless times Aaron and I had sat here, talking and gazing up and ‘Ashlynn’s stars’ and making up constellations.

“Ashlynn, I said are you ready to go?” my mother sounded defeated, as if afraid of what I would say.

I could picture my mother in my head, Clara Darling, standing at the end of the stairs, her auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail but falling out in places, her green eyes tired with dark circles under them.

“Ashlynn, honey, please…” My mother pleaded.

I curled up in a ball.

“No,” I whispered softly, swallowing the ball in my throat. “No, I’m not ready.”

The ride to Bentley was quiet and full of depression.

Half of me didn’t care about anything, and the other half felt guilty that my mom was so tired of my sadness.

Mom was never one to enjoy silence, so she decided to break it.

“I think you’ll really like Bentley. It’s a great town. You can walk the boardwalk, seeing little boutiques and little restaurants. It’s really a quaint little place. It’s right off the beach, and the only bad time is during hurricane season. Most people leave for Harrisburg during that time. Some stay, though.” She drew a deep breath, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel. “I remember going there with your Aunt Hannah when we were kids. We had such fun. You’ll love it.”

I leaned my head on the window. I hadn’t bothered to put on makeup or get myself ‘dolled’ up, like Mom had wanted me to.

“I wanted to stay in Penelope.” I saw Mom glance at me out of the corner of my eye.

“I didn’t. It reeks of depression, Ashlynn. You need to move on. Start new. I don’t think we should go back to Penelope—I mean, I like how the town’s name was Penelope, like a person, but—“

She was doing it again, rambling on.

“Mom,” I sat up and turned towards her. “You don’t have to say anything, you know?”

We arrived at my aunt’s house at about two o’clock.

She was sitting on the porch, in a pair of pink overalls.

She had a collie at her feet—one of those Lassie-looking kinds. She grinned when she saw our car.

Her house was a little like a

Georgia

farmhouse, with a wrap-around porch and white paint on the walls.

She stood up when we pulled in.

My mom cut off the car and gripped the steering wheel, her eyes closed in annoyance.

“Be nice, Ashlynn. Don’t act all depressed around your aunt. She doesn’t need that.”

I stared out the window, ignoring her.

She sighed and stepped out to greet my aunt.

It had always amazed me how she could change like that, from a tired mom to a happy woman.

I stepped out and went around to the trunk.

I opened it, gathering my two bags.

The main stuff I either left behind, or were on the way here with the moving van.

My mom and my aunt were being like little girls, giggling and jumping up and down, and chattering like birds.

I shook my head. I didn’t see how they could be so happy; completely ignoring the situation.

I looked around.

This was a back road, but off the beach.

There was seven houses total, but only four looked occupied, including my aunt’s.

Her and my mom got over their joy, and I saw Aunt Hannah looking around for something. She said something to my mother, who gave her a look. I guess that was a little bit of sister-eye-talk or something.

“Ashlynn,” My mom turned towards my direction. She obviously couldn’t see me though, since I was crouched down behind the car. But I could tell she sensed me.

“Get out of behind there and say hello to your aunt. What did I tell you in the car? Get over here now, Ashlynn

Jordan

!”

My mother placed a hand on her hip, which basically meant she meant business.

I crept out, clutching my bag.

Aunt Hannah grinned at me, her eyes memorizing me, like she was going to file me away in some dusty cabinet for later.

“Why, Ashy, honey, you have grown!” She gushed and brought me in a tight death-hug, causing me to drop my bag.

“Yeah, last time you saw me was when I was three, Aunt Hannah.” I tried to smile, but it probably looked more like a smirk because the life left in me was being squeezed out.

Aunt Hannah let go of me. Her face was practically glowing.

I noticed how pretty she was, with classic beach girl looks, the big blue eyes, golden blonde hair, and a smile so white it blinds. She was beautiful aged, as well, but she was prettier than my mom—with more all-American girl looks then my mom’s dark and mysterious looks.

“Call me Hannah, dear, ‘Aunt’ makes me feel so old. Now, you are simply gorgeous, Ashy! Look at you! Those eyes are so green!” She laughed and cupped my chin, turning my head for a better look at me. Her eyes twinkled and her smile wrinkles bunched together, like the folds of a comforting blanket.

“You’re a good liar.” I pulled away and picked up my bag. “Where are we staying, Mom? Is it with Aunt Hannah?”

My mother tried to smile at me, but her eyes showed that she was mad how I was acting. It’s not my fault, though. Why can’t you accept that? I screamed at her inside my head.

“Well, no,” She blinked hard and pointed to the house next to my aunt’s, a blue house almost identical to Hannah’s, but it had a white porch swing. “We’ll be staying there, at the house me and your aunt used to stay back when we were kids.”

Hannah was glancing nervously back and forth between me and Mom.

“Okay, so I guess you two need some time to get settled in. But I have a surprise waiting for you tonight, see; I’ve invited the whole block to come down to my place for dinner! A picnic under the stars, like me and Mal used to do.” She tucked a stray hair behind her ear. She blinked a few times and shook her head, smacking her hand to her forehead.

“Oh, look at that! I just told you the surprise! Oh well, at least no one else knows on the block!” She smiled and hugged me and Mom once more before heading back up the stone walk to her house.

When she was back in her house out of hearing range, Mom turned to glare at me, giving me one of those icy looks she does.

I ignored her and started to stroll up to the blue house.

She didn’t understand, and no matter how many times I tried to explain, she would never get it.

The front door was unlocked.

I pushed it open, but not before I saw a boy watching me in the big oak tree next door.

My room was on the second floor of the house, and it was beautiful. It was large, with doors that led to a balcony and a circular curve in one corner that held a window seat and a large bay window.

The walls were blue, with delicate clouds painted on the ceiling. I saw a queen bed with a curtain to go around it.

One wall was entirely a bookshelf.

I smiled a little and set my bag on the bed, which had an embroidered quilt with stars all over.

It took me only an hour to get moved in.

When I was finished I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

I wished I had brought my stars. Mom had said those stars made me so sad, so I didn’t need them.

Tears found my eyes and rolled quietly down my cheeks.

Times like this I missed him more than anything.

I heard a knock on my door.

“Ashlynn,” My mother’s voice called. “I’m going to go catch up with Aunt Hannah. Are you going to be okay all alone? You can go to town if you want.”

I quickly wiped my eyes and messed my hair like I had just woken up. Last thing I need was another lecture by Mom.

“Go to town?” I asked. I couldn’t drive yet, so how could I get to a town that’s at least five miles away?

“Honey, you can just walk.” My mother tried the doorknob, but I had it locked.

“Walk? It’s at least five miles away!”
“No, it’s only ten. But it’s ten if you drive. It’s three if you walk.”

“What? That—” I stopped mid-sentence.

I heard my mother feel her hands along the top of the door. She was looking for a key.

And, of course, she found one.

I crossed my arms and waited.

Mom opened the door and stared at me, her eyes searching for any signs of trouble.

I glared straight at her.

“There’s a path me and Hannah would use. Through the woods along the beach—it’s safe, and it’s a good way to get into town. You just pop out from the beach and the locals notice nothing.”

“Are you sure you want to let me go all by myself?”

“Ash—you’re fourteen. That’s plenty old.”

“It’s a perfect age for old men.”

“There is nothing criminal about this town, Ashlynn.”

“There’s something criminal about all of us, Mom.” I retorted.

I instantly regretted it, because my mother’s eyes drooped in defeat. She seemed so tired, but her spirit refused to just give up on me.

“I’m sorry—”

“No,” Mom smiled at me. “You’re just like your dad was: full of spunk. And you’re right. Maybe this town isn’t what it used to be.”

She turned and dragged herself out the door, closing it behind her.

I stared into space for a few minutes. Gathering myself, I changed out of my ‘mourning’ clothes, as I liked to say.

I put on a blue tee shirt and a pair of dark denim shorts.

My sneakers were sitting by the door.

I slipped into them and felt my way through the unlit house. Stopping by a window, I saw my mom and Aunt Hannah talking to each other.

I ran through the house and out into Bentley.

Keep it up! Good work, lady :P

So send me your stories! I'll publish them without or with your name--you decide!

Cheers,

emma

xoxo

Happy WoozCarz, our fellow Oreos!
So, I know you have all been excited to see who wins our contest, right?
Well, the polls ended Wednesday, and I was going to post the winners Thursday, but I had an AWESOME concert to attend in real.
So.. the winners are...
COMING SOON!!!
Jk, jk. I'll tell you today.
For the Most Popular Woozen...
the winner is....