Chapter 2.6 - Growing Up Has It's Downside

  The next day I arranged a big swimwear party. Mostly for the girls birthday but also for mine and Antonio's birthday. I made sushi and cheesesteak, which was gone in an hour, then it was time for cake.

Antonio was first

Then it was my turn

Then it was Elena's turn and she received the Lucky trait

last was Alexis and she received the Vegan Trait

  Everyone ate a lot of cake and then hung out and swam for a few hours. All of us cleaned up and then went to bed, it had been a long day.

  The next morning I woke the girls up and took them shopping before school. Elena was really excited but Alexis didn't really care to much. We went Simbercrombie and Fitch to buy Elena's clothes and then we went to punk Topic for Alexis.

"Alexis couldn't you have picked a different store," Elena asked "This store is just depressing."

"I went to your stuck up snotty store so you can deal with my choice."

While Alexis chose her clothes, Elena and I waited near the front of the store.

"Mom, why is she like this?"

"I don't know sweetheart, but I don't think I like this very much."

After paying for Alexis's clothes we went to the salon. Elena got subtle make-up while Alexis went with black make-up. Elena also got blonde and red highlights to go with her brown hair.

"Elena, I like it. It looks very nice," I said when she came out.

As i turned around i thought I was going to have a heart attack. Alexis had died her hair black with pink and blue highlights.

"Alexis! What did you do to your hair?"

"Oh stop it mother! You told us to get what we wanted and this is what I want."

"But...you...I just..." I didn't even know what to say to her.

"UGH! you are so embarrassing mom."

  With that Alexis started walking towards the car. Elena and I got in the car with her and we all went home, silence the whole way. An hour after we got home the kids left for school.

  While the kids were at school Antonio and I received a notice in the mail from the DMV. Due to our age we would not be able to drive anymore, starting the next day. So we decided it was time to get the girls their own cars. We called the local car dealership, they came and picked up our 3 vehicles and dropped off the girls cars. W had them park the cars in the garage so the girls would not see them when they got home.

  A few hours later we heard the kids come home, so we met them outside.

"Alexis, Elena, can you come into the garage with us," Antonio said.

"Um, ok. What's going on?" Alexis asked.

"Nothing, we just want to talk to you girls real quick," I answered.

  We walked into the garage and had the boys take the covers off of the cars.

"NO WAY!!" Shouted Alexis

"This is awesome!" Elena said.

"Thank you mom and dad!" They said in unison.

  Elena got a pink 2011 Audi Convertible and Alexis got a red 2010 Chevy Camaro.

  After showing them the cars they went inside to look for jobs. Elena got a job as a Spa specialist and Alexis got a job as a Mausoleum Clerk. Then while Elena was playing a video game, Alexis made a drink (why??)

  On Friday Elena and Alexis decided to work out before their first day in high school. They wanted to make sure they looked good for the new boys they were going to meet.

  Later that day Alexis and Damon did not come home after school/work. They ended up going to Aquarius and drank...a lot. Stefan and Elena chatted when they got home. They talked about cheerleading and football (Elena had become the head cheerleader and Stefan got a position on the football team.) They were both very excited.

  The next day we decided to let the kids have a pool party with all of their friends. I ordered a few pizzas and made a couple of Key Lime Pies. they had decided they wanted to have a Hawaiian/Swim wear party. We placed a bunch of plastic pink flamingos in the yard, potted palm trees, a portable gnubb set, and a fire pit with chairs. Alexis and damon where actually excited about the party and they all hung out for a few hours before having to get ready for the party. Elena also called all of their friends and let them know what time to come over.

  While the kids were hanging out Antonio and I went to see my doctor at 9 a.m. For a couple weeks now I had not been feeling very well. I had been very lightheaded, constantly loosing my balance, short on breath, and I have barely eaten anything. I explained all of this to my doctor, Dr. Theodore Lum, when he came into the exam room.

"Isabella, I want to draw some blood for blood tests," He said "But I also want to do a CAT Scan and possibly a MRI."

"Ok Dr. Lum," I said extremely nervous.

  We ended up being at the doctors office until about 12 p.m. Going through all of these tests and being hooked up to so many different machines really scared me. I was glad Antonio was there to keep me calm because if he wasn't I probably would have gone crazy.

  When Dr. Lum came back in he sat down next to Antonio and didn't say anything for a couple minutes. Finally he began talking and I could just feel my heart jump out of my chest.

  When he was done explaining everything to us he got up and walked out of the room. Antonio and I looked at each other for what seemed like forever and then he came over and wrapped me in a hug and I instantly began to cry.

"It's going to be ok Isa. We will figure this out."

  After about 15 minutes I got changed and we took a taxi back home. We had both decided to wait until tomorrow to tell the kids what was going on. We wanted them to have a good time with their friends since they rarely ever had anyone over.

  At 4 p.m. the party had already started and we had about a dozen teenagers running around, laughing, and just have a good time with each other.

  Our kids had a great time with their friends that night, which made us happy because tomorrow probably would not be a good day at all.