8 C8

Hannah rolled over and then realized that the bed was soaked. Last night had been a bad night, and this morning wasn't starting much better than last night had ended. She stood and took off the now soaking wet night gown along with the goodnight. The clock read five forty seven. The alarm wouldn't be going off for another thirteen minutes. It didn't matter, she wouldn't be sleeping for that last thirteen minutes, she needed to go take a shower. She simply dropped the sopping wet goodnight on top of the nightgown, slipped on her robe and headed for the bathroom. While she was in the shower her mom knocked on the bathroom door.

"Hannah are you in there?" Emily asked.

Hannah reached up and wiped a tear from her face. Her voice betrayed her though. "Yeah. I needed a shower after last night..."

"Ok," Emily said through the door. "I'll pull something out for you to wear today."

"Alright." Hannah said, beginning to wash her hair. Knowing her mother, she would end up in a skirt or dress, as she had for the last eight years. She would never tell any body that her mom still picked out her clothes for the first day of school. It was one less choice that the girl that had turned twelve over the summer had to deal with making. She had enough on her plate as it was. Hannah shut the water off and got out of the shower, slipping her robe on. When she got back to her room, there were two outfits laying on the top of the dresser. One was a pink and black checked dress and a pair of black flip flops. Laying next to the dress was a blue top that read 'Fun in the Sun' and a pair of blue jeans. Laying between the two outfits was a goodnight and a pair of pink panties and a simple pink bra. It looked like her mom was suggesting two outfits for the first time since she had started school seven years ago. Hannah fingered the panties and thought about what had happened last night and picked up the goodnight. She slipped her legs into it and pulled it up to her waist. Now she had a choice to make. The pants, she knew by looking at them, were going to be a tight fit and that might give away the secret that she had. She picked up the dress and dropped it over her head. The three buttons on the back of the dress that were still undone caused the neck of the dress to hang loosely. As Hannah slipped her feet into the black flip flops that were on the floor, her mother knocked on the door. "Come in."

Emily opened the door and looked at her daughter, and then looked at the bed. She smiled at her daughter. "You going to be ok wearing that?"

"Yeah, I wore this dress all summer..." Hannah replied, her eyebrows raising.

"Not what I meant," Emily said, a chuckle escaping her mouth.

"I don't think I have a choice..." Hannah replied, her voice not sounding as confident as she hoped. She turned around so that her mom could button the three buttons on the back of the dress. Hannah could hear the shower running.

"I'm going to come in and talk to the nurse and explain everything to her," Emily said, grabbing a brush and a hair tie from the top of the vanity. "I'm going to leave her some of the goodnights in case you need them today or tomorrow."

Hannah nodded and looked in the mirror. She could see her mom in the mirror getting ready to brush her hair. Hannah bit her lip. She hoped that her mom didn't see her biting her lip. "Ok."

"What's wrong?" Emily asked, starting to brush her daughter's hair. Hannah visibly relaxed as the brush started working it's way through her hair, at least until Emily hit a tangle.

"Ow," Hannah said before giggling. "I'm just worried about someone finding out my secret..."

"I know, honey," Emily said. "I predict that everything will be ok. You're strong. How do you want your hair?"

Hannah shrugged, indifferent. If she were to do her own hair, she would probably just put it up in a high pony tail. She felt her mom start to separate the hair into three bundles. About three minutes later, the long blonde locks formed a braid that went half way down her back. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Let's go down and find breakfast." Emily smiled at her daughter as the pair left the room and headed for the kitchen. When they got there, Lexie was working on making some oatmeal. Lexie looked at Hannah and tipped her head to the side.

"Aren't you a little overdressed? Lexie asked, after placing the bowl in the microwave.

"I don't think she's dressed any different than she has all summer." Emily said, sounding confused by Lexie's comment. Of course, Lexie was dressed as she had been all summer as well. "You're dressed like you have been all summer, Hannah's just being her self..."

"Whatever..." Lexie said.

"How'd you sleep last night?" Emily asked, her eyebrows raised.

"I think I slept pretty good..." Lexie replied, pulling her oatmeal from the microwave.

Emily pursed her lips and decided not to pursue any questioning. A few minutes after Lexie had finished her oatmeal, a horn honked outside. Emily knew that horn belonged to Tina's car, as Tina was picking up Lexie to take her and Olivia to Sherwood Intermediate School. "Be good and have fun on your first day back." Emily said to Lexie as she headed for the door without so much as a goodbye.

"Wonder what's gotten into her..." Hannah said, finishing her own oatmeal and putting the bowl in to the dishwasher after rinsing it out.

"Not a clue, but I'll take you to school since I want to talk to the nurse anyway..." Emily said,

Hannah nodded and picked up her pink and black backpack and followed her mother out to the car. She wondered what today would bring as she sat in the front seat of the car. She hoped that she could make it through the day without someone finding out the secret that was hidden beneath her dress.