Chapter 6
1136 Words
Grace's POV
"Hey Grace, have you seen Trish?" Trent asks as I turn around. "I don't know what to do since her parents are coming home late."
"She'll be out in a few minutes. We're going to hang out—want to join?" I offer.
"Hey Trent, coach wants to see you! Didn't you say you used to play soccer?" Ivan shouts.
"Tell Trish I'll see her later; I completely forgot I agreed to try out for soccer," he replies, and I nod. "You should try out for the cheer squad; you've got the body for it," he adds.
Five years ago, I was a cheerleader in middle school, but I didn't make the squad in high school, and that's when my friends left me.
"Me, a cheerleader? You're right," I snort.
"What took you so long?" I demand when Trish finally arrives.
"Got held back by my tormentors—nothing new," she shrugs.
"You have to tell someone so they can stop it, or it'll get worse," I say.
"No adults can stop it. They're putting up flyers saying 'stop bullying,' but the irony is they won't do anything about it," she snaps.
Even when my friends left me, I was never bullied, maybe because I was quiet and hid my nerdy side. Trish is undeniably pretty, with a killer body and honey-blonde hair I wish I had.
"Let's go to Burger King, grab a burger, and head to my house," I suggest, and she nods.
***
"So, how's your locker mate?" I ask with a smile.
"We just started yesterday, Grace. I saw him this morning, but that's it," she shrugs.
"Why not start a conversation with him?"
"Easier said than done," she mutters as we eat.
"You clearly need a male friend in your life—I'm not talking about Trent. You need a bad boy to spice things up," I smirk.
"If you're talking about Hunter, then you've clearly lost it," she replies.
"I know you want to talk to him. Try to do it tomorrow," I press.
"I'll try, but no promises," she replies.
***
"Dad, I'm home," I announce as I open the front door.
"Hello, darling! How was your day?" Dad asks, kissing my forehead.
"Fine, and this is my friend Trish. Trish, my dad, Mr. Jennings," I introduce them.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Jennings," Trish shakes his hand.
"Likewise. Any siblings?" he asks as we sit in the living room.
"Yes, three younger siblings—triplets, two boys and a girl," she answers.
"Wow, a handful! Grace is an only child."
"Yeah, and it sucks," I mumble.
"So, what do you girls want to do while I prepare dinner?" he asks.
"I can show you my room and the big trampoline in the back," I grin at Trish, who nods.
"Sure, why not?" she shrugs.
***
"I'm home," Mom says as Trish and I return from the backyard.
"Hey, Mom! How was your day?" I greet her.
"Tiring. I just want to sit down and relax," she replies, handing me her bag as Dad kisses her.
"Can you girls watch the kids for me?"
"Actually, I have to go. I just got a text from my stepmother," Trish says, looking at her phone.
"Grace can drive you. Just be careful," Dad says as we leave.
____
Trish's POV
"Thanks for the ride! I'll see you tomorrow," I wave goodbye to Grace.
"Hey, since you're here, Lexi says we need to get groceries, and I don't know where the closest store is. Can you come with me?" Trent asks.
"Sure! How was practice?"
"Fine. I got my position back as goalkeeper," he smiles as we walk.
"So, who are your parents?"
"Business workers. They’re always busy, so I rarely see them," he shrugs.
"Ever wanted a sibling?"
"Yes, a sister close to my age so I can play the protective brother role," he sighs.
"Me too, because Mia already has Matthew and Mason. I feel sorry for her in four years," I laugh.
"Yeah, having two brothers your age and maybe in the same classes is tough."
We arrive at the store in ten minutes and shop for Lexi's items.
I bump into someone and stutter, "S-sorry," looking up to see a pair of hazel eyes.
"It's okay," Spencer smiles, grabbing cereal off the shelf.
"Trish, I found it!" Trent shouts, waving a bag of tomatoes.
"You're with him?" Spencer asks as Trent approaches.
"Yeah, he's staying at my house," I reply, surprised I just told him that.
"Hey, you're in my English class, right?" Trent asks, and Spencer nods, still watching us.
"Well, I better get going. See you guys at school," Spencer says.
"Did you see the tattoo on his arm?" Trent whispers.
"I think everyone can see that, Captain Obvious," I roll my eyes.
We pay for the groceries and leave.
Trent's phone rings as we walk down the block.
"Hello? What? Now?! Fine, give me fifteen minutes," he sighs and hangs up.
"What's up?" I ask.
"I have to go. It's really important," he says, handing me the two bags he's holding.
"Here, take a taxi," he waves one over, pays the driver, and I get in.
"Tell Mr. West I'll be back by 9," he says, crossing the road.
Just great.
"Where's Trent?" Lexi asks as soon as I reach home.
"He said he'll be back by 9," I shrug.
"Your father has a business trip tonight with an 11 PM flight and won't be back until next week," she announces.
Again?
"I'm going out, so you'll have to babysit tonight and tomorrow," she adds.
"But I have things to do; they're your kids anyway," I reply.
"You’re anti-social and have only one friend, so you won’t be doing anything after school tomorrow," she retorts. Ouch.
"How much are you paying me?" I demand.
"I'm paying you by making sure you have food. Just help your siblings with their homework; I have packing to finish," she waves me off as I rest the bags on the counter.
"Fine," I grumble.
*****
Hunter's POV
"Something's off with that Trent guy," Spencer says when he arrives at my house.
"Yeah, he gives me bad vibes," Victor adds.
"Guys, he’s new; we have nothing to worry about," I assure them while playing video games.
"But our rivals are getting closer to our boundaries," Victor informs us.
"I still don’t trust him; I’ll do some research," Spencer insists.
"You’re wasting your time, Rivers," I shake my head as he grabs my high-tech laptop.
One hour later.
"Guys, check this out," Spencer says, turning the laptop toward us.
I read the information, and my jaw drops.
"That means..."
"Yes, and we’ll be safe if we keep this a secret. No one must know, especially the boss," Spencer warns.
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