Cartomancy by Kristin Cook Page B

yard. Astrid’s dad was waiting for them in the kitchen.
“What was that all about?” He was too tired to be mad at this point
in the evening. Both girls explained the whole thing to Astrid’s
dad. He didn’t seem too pleased about the picketing part, but there
is such a thing as peaceful protest, he reminded them. “I guess it
just goes to show you that you never really know how you’re being
perceived by others. There’s a lesson in there somewhere girls.”
Astrid’s dad waited for the girls to get upstairs before turning
out the kitchen light. He was at the top of the stairs when Astrid
opened her door. “I sort of love you a lot.” She said hugging her
dad. “You are my sunshine and I love you more” He said kissing her
forehead. Astrid turned to go back in her room, and her dad started
down the hallway when he stopped and said “But, you still only get
two hours a day.”
     

Chapter 21
     
    The next morning when Astrid’s dad went
outside to leave for work the whole street was lined with
television cameras and news crews. There were actual tents on the
sidewalk in front of the QAV. He immediately rushed back inside to
wake the girls. When they looked outside they thought it must be
some kind of joke. There were at least 30 different news stations
camped out in front of their house. “The neighbors keep calling;
they can’t get out of their driveways to go to work.” Astrid’s
mother said pouring a cup of coffee. “I guess I will go outside and
try to manage some of this chaos, at least to keep the peace with
our neighbors.” He said walking towards the door. Astrid felt bad,
she knew that this was all her fault and she followed her dad
outside to try and help. But, as soon as the reporters saw her they
swarmed around her like bees to their queen. Her father attempted
to protect her by backing her up onto the porch, but it was no use.
There were too many of them. The bright lights and camera flashes
were like lightening, and she had barely been awake for ten
minutes. She was pushed backwards onto the porch, and she fell down
hard. Hard enough to make tears well up in her eyes, she began to
tremble. At that moment, Waverly opened the door and pulled her
inside and slammed the door shut. The two girls sat on the floor
staring at each other. After a few minutes, Waverly spoke. “They
aren’t just going to leave ya know. We have to go out and say
something to them.” Astrid wiped her nose on her palm and brushed
her hair out of her eyes. “I have never been so scared in my life;
they just came at me from every direction.” Astrid began to tear up
again. Waverly wrapped her hands around her friend’s neck and
kissed her on top of the head. “I am so sorry that happened to you,
I can go out and talk to them if you want.” Astrid looked up at
Waverly and for a moment she almost said “okay” but she didn’t.
“No” she said sniffing up all her tears. “I dragged you into this,
and we’re partners, we will think of something to say, and we will
go out there together, a united front.” She stood up and held her
hand out to Waverly and pulled her up from the floor. Waverly
looked own at her feet and said “Maybe we should change out of our
pajamas first. There will be hot boys all over the world seeing
us.” She poked Astrid in the ribs. “The WORLD, Wave? Don’t you
think that’s a tad ambitious?” Astrid said bounding up the stairs.
“Well, duh? Why else would they call it The World Wide Web? I mean
it’s pretty obvious to me.” Astrid agreed that Waverly did have a
point. The girls got dressed and had prepared what they were going
to say. They were starting to go back downstairs when Astrid
stopped suddenly. “What’s the matter?” Waverly asked. “Pick up your
phone and look at it.” Astrid said. She was just standing and
staring at her phone and Waverly was confused. “Why? What’s wrong
with it?” She said looking around the room for her phone. She had
left it charging