• Nicolle rose early in the morning, her thoughts traveling. Ever since her brother was little, they always knew that his kidney's would give him problems. It was a weird case, none of the doctors could grasp why Chris's kidney's would not grow. And with his sudden growth spurts; his kidney's had no chance.

    Nicolle strode down to the dining room for breakfast. She saw her mother and Chris. "Morning guys," she said; as she grabbed a piece of toast from the toaster. "Morning sweety. Sleep well?" her mother asked. She does this everytime there's bad news. Stays optimistic; like nothing is wrong. "Hey mom, I want to run something by you," she murmured.

    Chris gave her one of those wild grins, "Be careful mom. She might want a car, and if that happens I am not walking to school!" He laughed and her mother giggled. "I want to see if I'm a suitable doner for Chris," she said with a matter-of-fact attitude.

    The room went dead silent. "What?" Chris and her mom said at the same time. "Sis, you got to be yanking my leg..." His words faded as Nicolle gave him a look of seriousness.

    "It's too dangerous," her mother said blankly. "Oh? And how so?" Nicolle asked. "What if you were a doner and the surgery went wrong? Or, what if Chris's body denies your kidney? Then you will be one short. And don't even get me started with your father," her mother said frantically.

    They never talked much about that side of the family, since their father walked out on them when Nicolle was 10; now 17. "What if your father's side of the family had some disease? You could die. And, i-it's just not possible Nicolle. So, who wants some eggs?" said her mother, trying to change the subject.

    "So you will let your other child die just because of 'what if's'?!" snapped Nicolle. "Sis, it's ok-," "It's not okay! Mom I'm doing this with your consent or not. I won't let Chris go through hell just because of your 'what if's'!" she growled.

    Chris looked down at the ground, his eyes sad. "I just don't want anything to happen to you," her mother whispered blankly. "I'm not a child anymore. Let me do this! I'm begging you!" Nicolle clasped her hands tightly in front of her. Her mother turned around, her grey eyes brimming with tears. "No sweety," she whispered. Nicolle's mouth opened and snapped back. "Fine." she said through her teeth. She gave her mother a sickening look, turned on her heels and stomped out of the room. I'm not going to give up so easily! I'm going to save him. He's not going to be put on five hundred machines to stay alive, not while I'm still breathing air!

    Nicolle charged out of the house, her mouth in a tight line, eyes electrifying. "Nicolle." She spun around to see Chris running towards her. "What?!" she said with a snapping tone. She didn't mean to, but her temper had past the safe zone. "Don't do this. There are five trillion people in the world. There are other doners besides you. I don't want you to get hurt," he whispered. Nicolle couldn't help but give him a tight hug, tears rimming the corner of her eyes. "I'm here to protect you little bro. And this is one of my jobs. If there isn't a doner in a month when you get put into the hospital...I'm going to donate my kidney, by any means necessary," she spoke the last words with a twinge of coldness. "Mom won't stop me," she said.

    Chris looked up at her; his sandy blonde hair getting in his face, "You're more stubborn than Johnny McCullen's dried gum, you know?" he mumbled. Nicolle laughed, ruffling his hair slowly. "I know. I get paid to be stubborn," she said through a chuckle. "Now get going before you miss the bus," she said. Chris nodded at her and ran back to the house.

    Nicolle's eyes squinted with uncertainty, I might have to lie to him. Nicolle started walking towards her school, but stopped and took the opposite way, straight to the Leena Hospital. "Lets just see what I can manage," she whispered to herself, head held high with renewed confidence.

    (Had renewed energy blaugh )