Chapter 1

I closed my book to the front cover¨Bonnie and Clyde: The Making Of A Legend¨ as I put it on top of my nightstand. I then started to look out my window at the pitch black sky. My dog, Bailey, laying next to me was snoring. I could imagine him dreaming of squirrels falling out of the sky, with a big smirk on his face. I wish I could sleep. In one week I was starting middle school.. And I was terrified.

Suddenly my mind drifts off to another world, a world where everything is dark, and I start to over think. I start to think what if I get lost? Beaten up? Embarrass myself?

I quickly start to calm down by petting Bailey’s soft, curly fur. I whip gray hairs off my arm, as I chuckled to Bailey "You're such an old man." His muzzle was turning gray like a sheet of snow, as if he had a beard, and it was getting everywhere.

My eyelids became very heavy, as I started to go to sleep. But out of nowhere my mom rushes into my room, and sits on my bed. I jump up with a panic "What's wrong you never run! Something is wrong!" I said quickly. My mom raised her eyebrow and shook her head " Marley we need to-"

My mom was the interrupted by Bailey snoring, it was louder like he was telling us to keep it down. My mom glared at Bailey with a smirk on her face, and turned back at me “Marley we need to talk about something important” My mom whispered. What did I do this time? I thought, I opened my mouth to ask what I did but my mom beat me to it. She whispered very excitedly “Guess who’s going to be a teacher at your school!” My whole world froze as she smiled while pointing her thumb at herself.

What do I say? Am I happy or am I sad? I then smiled and yelled “Congrats mom!” I then gave her the biggest hug I’d ever given. My excitement woke Bailey, he sat up and stared at the wall, and started barking at it. My mom and I shook our heads and laughed, and started talking about her new job. She told me it was so she could get home earlier, and not have to drive for hours to go to work. Maybe this year won’t be as bad as I thought... Hopefully.

Chapter 2

A week had passed, I was in middle school. Everything was different, bigger, louder, but I enjoyed it. People loved my mom, people talked to me, and I was noticed a lot in the hallways by people I didn´t even know. Suddenly everything changed after Thanksgiving break. Everyone, everything was different. My friends I had made started to act weirder, as if they were older. People would stare at me blankly, as if I did something wrong. But then people started to talk more. More about my mom.

“Mrs. Hamilton is so mean! She gave me a stupid 43 on my test!” I would hear people coming out of her classroom. They would ask me for test answers, and accuse my mom of giving them to me. And teachers treated me like priceless works of art. They would never yell at me if I did something wrong, and that annoyed me so bad! I never got chosen as a partner, and when I did, I had to do all the work.

I threw my backpack on my bed and ran to the couch, Bailey was curled up in my favorite blanket like always.

I turned on the T.V, and switch the it to the news. I reclined my seat backwards, and Bailey sat on the edge next to my feet. I looked down at Bailey by my feet, he looked sad, and older.

My mom and dad then walked into the living room, and sat next to me. I looked over to my dad "Are we doing anything tomorrow? Itś going to be Friday night, we can go eat, go shopping, or -¨ My dad stopped me, ¨Marley, tomorrow, were going to put Bailey down." My heart skipped a beat as the T.V said ¨Have a great rest of your day!

Chapter 3

My dad mixed up his words like he was a child learning to talk “We just don’t want him to suffer anymore, b-but well get another dog...you can name it, take care of it, just like Bailey.” I turned off the T.V and started to shake. My mom came over and gave me a hug "I know heś your first dog, but sometimes you have to let go." Bailey then got up from the end of the couch and came to my side. I could imagine him telling me everything was going to be okay.

¨Marley whats the surface area of this prism?¨ My eyes widen, ¨Uhh, um," My teacher shook her head and called on somebody else. I couldn´t focus all I could think about was Bailey and how in seven hours he would be gone.

We drove to the vets office and put Bailey on the table. He was shaking as if he was cold. ¨Is he okay?¨ I asked my mom. My mom wiped her eye with her hand. “No.. he’s just really excited, he hasn't had much activity since he became an old man.” I could tell she was holding back her tears, Bailey had always been with her. All through college, to the moment I was born, she was going to miss him. I looked over at my dad, he was standing in the corner. I stepped to the side so he could pet Bailey too. We were all petting Bailey, while the room was silent, Bailey lay down and took a deep breath.

We all looked up together as the vet slowly opened the door. She whisper ¨Hello.¨ very softly and joined us by petting Bailey. ¨Are you ready?¨ We all nodded as I said goodbye to Bailey by scratching behind the ear. The vet then picked up Bailey. He was confused and I knew it. The both of them then walked out the door, and the last thing I saw was the tip of Bailey's tail, wagging. My mom and dad both put their hands on my shoulders, as I looked at the door. I then sighed as a tear dropped down my face

Chapter 4