Chapter 4
1056 Words
"Hey Trish, you can ride home with my mom," Grace calls out as I leave school, standing by a silver van.
"That's okay, I'll walk," I reply.
"Nonsense! We're friends now, so come on. My mom doesn't mind," she insists as she approaches.
"Fine," I smile, sliding into the backseat. "Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Jennings."
"No problem! I'm happy my daughter has a nice friend. Her friends back in Australia abandoned her," she explains.
"Bye, Trish. Here's my number if you want to hang out," Grace says, handing me a piece of paper.
"See you tomorrow," I wave goodbye and head up the walkway to my front door.
"Hey, honey, how was school?" Dad asks as I’m about to go upstairs.
"Same old, same old. Nothing's changed except Jasmine and I aren't friends anymore, and I've made a new one," I shrug.
"I'm sorry to hear that. You guys were really close," Lexi sighs. "Remember that graduation picture?"
How could I forget?
"Yeah," I sigh and retreat to my room.
I lay on my bed, staring at the framed photo of Jasmine and me, arms around each other, grinning. I take it out and cut it up.
My phone buzzes:
3:30 pm Jazz: Please talk to me, Trish. I’m sorry I left you in the dark. You're my only close friend.
3:36 pm Jazz: I know I screwed up. Those girls or Oscar should never come between us—sisters before misters, right?
3:55 pm Jazz: Okay, I’m coming over because I know you'll be home.
I delete the messages and leave my room.
"Dad, I'm going out," I say as I rush to the front door.
"Hold on, we need to talk," he reminds me.
"We can talk later; I really have to go," I say quickly, kissing his cheek.
"Where are you going, Trish?" Lexi asks.
"Out."
"Out?" she gasps. "It's not Friday and you never go out."
"First time for everything," I shrug and grab my skateboard.
Yes, I have a skateboard, but I only use it for quick trips to the grocery store.
I put on my elbow and knee pads and my blue helmet, then skate down the street.
Where to go?
***
I end up at the library, checking out new books.
4:15 pm Jazz: Where are you? I went by your house and was told you went out. Since when do you go out?
Me: Seriously, Jazz, why are you still talking to me? Go hang with those mean girls; I bet shopping was a blast. I don’t need you.
4:18 pm Jazz: I'll pick you up for school tomorrow. I'm not losing a friend over a guy. If I have to break up with him, so be it.
Me: You don’t have to do that if you really like him. I’ll be fine; I’ll see you around school.
4:21 pm Jazz: Okay, I hope we can be friends again.
Me: Not now.
I grab a book, sit at a table, and start reading.
Two hours later...
"s**t, it's after 6 already," I mutter, realizing how quickly time flew by. I get up to return the book, cursing my forgetfulness for not bringing my library card.
"See you soon," I wave goodbye to the librarian as I leave.
I step outside, walk down the stairs, and hop on my skateboard to head home.
***
"She's back! I told you she wouldn't get kidnapped, Mason; you owe me 5 bucks," Matthew says to his brother.
"You’ll get it tomorrow," Mason replies, heading up the stairs.
"Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes, guys," Dad calls from the kitchen.
"Hey Trish, I need help with homework! Mason the brainy one won’t help!" Mia rolls her eyes from the top of the stairs.
"I need p*****t; my knowledge isn’t free!" he yells from his room.
"But I’m your sister!" Mia pouts.
"What do you need help with?" I ask.
"We started something called ‘algebra,’ and our teacher gave us a worksheet," she sighs.
"That's easy; I'll help you, and you should get Matthew to do his too," I say, eyeing him as he plays with a yo-yo.
"I can just pay Mason to do mine," he shrugs, and I shake my head.
"If you want to impress Claire, you should start doing your work. She told me she likes smart guys," Mia smirks. A girl who likes brainy guys? I like her.
"Sh-she did?" Matthew stutters, and Mia nods.
"I’ll go get my worksheet and meet you in your room," he rushes up the stairs.
"Are you lying?" I chuckle.
"No, I overheard her talking about it," she shrugs.
"Okay, so you combine the letters and then add?" Mia asks.
"Yes, it’s just like regular addition with a letter added," I explain.
"This is easy; no wonder Mason finished in twenty minutes," Matthew laughs as he writes his answer.
"Kids, dinner!" Dad calls.
"You can finish this later; let’s eat," I say, getting off Mia's bed.
"Dad, don’t forget Mason and I have soccer practice tomorrow, so don’t pick us up early," Matthew reminds him.
"And I have gymnastics," Mia adds.
My siblings have a better social life than I do. What a shame.
"What about you, Trish?" Lexi asks.
I shrug, picking up my glass of juice. Maybe I'll head back to the library for that new book.
"I’m going shopping; maybe you can—"
"No, I’m fine," I cut her off. Shopping with her is t*****e; she never knows when to stop.
"You sure?"
"Lexi, if she doesn’t want to shop, let her be. You know how she is," Dad says.
"But her closet is full of out-of-style clothing," Lexi protests.
"How about you buy some clothes for her if you want?" Dad suggests.
"Really?" Lexi smiles, and Dad nods. She kisses him on the cheek.
"PDA!" Matthew coughs.
"I have something to tell you, Tri—"
The doorbell rings, cutting Dad off.
"I'll get it," Mia offers, getting up to answer.
"Um, Dad, someone is here for you," she calls.
Dad mutters as he stands.
Matthew and I exchange glances as Mia returns.
"Guys, please meet Trent; he'll be staying with us for a while," Dad says. I look up to see a guy with jet black hair and dark eyes focused on me.
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- Writer
