The Baby Project

Chapter 6

“Since you got me this morning, how about we get back at Matt?” Mason suggests.

“What do you have in mind?” I ask, closing my book after solving the last problem.

He holds up a permanent marker, glue, and glitter. I smirk.

Payback time.

We leave my room and head to Matt's, where he’s sleeping on his back with his mouth slightly open.

Mason and I exchange smirks.

I draw on Matt's face while Mason decorates his clothes with glitter.

On his forehead, I write, "I like d*ck, sorry girls." I bite my lip to stifle my laughter. He’s definitely going to kill me.

“Kids, I’m home!” Dad announces.

Crap.

I quickly cover the marker, and Mason and I make a run for it.

“Hey, Dad,” I call as I skip down the stairs, almost tripping.

“You’ve got that evil grin on your face. What did you do?” He smirks.

“I drew on Matt’s face, and Mason covered his clothes in glitter,” I reply with a smile.

“Pure evil. Where’s that doll for your project?”

“It’s—”

The doorbell rings, and I go to answer it.

“What are you doing here, Alec?”

“Since I have a date tonight, you need to watch her,” he says, handing me the doll.

“But it’s your turn!” I whine.

“Not my problem. You wanted me to date,” he grins.

“Fine, but tomorrow and all day Saturday is your shift,” I say, shutting the door in his face.

“Oh, there it is,” Dad chuckles. “I have to tell you guys something during dinner,” he adds.

I just hope it’s good. The last time he said that was five years ago when he announced he was divorcing our mother after she cheated on him.

“Okay.”

“It’s not as bad as last time, I promise,” he assures me.

Five years ago

“Guys, time for dinner,” Dad called, and we all gathered at the table. Trish smiled at me as we sat together.

“I’m starving,” Matt whined.

“Me too,” Mason added.

“I have something to tell you guys,” Dad announced, and Trish and Trent exchanged glances.

“Is it about Mom?” Mason asked, and Dad sighed.

“We’re getting a divorce,” he stated, causing Mason to drop his fork.

“What?!” I gasped.

“I know you guys are upset—”

“That’s great news, Dad. You deserve better,” I interrupted, and they all stared at me.

“I’m okay with it,” I shrugged.

“And we have a court date next month,” he added.

“But I thought we agreed that the court wouldn’t be seeing us until we’re at least 17?” Matt looked at Mason and me.

I glared at him.

“It’s a family matter,” I snapped.

“Pff, I knew that,” he scoffed.

“Are you guys sure you’re okay with this?” Dad asked.

“Yes, Dad. Now let’s eat,” Matt said, diving into his food.

___

I haven’t spoken to my mother since my birthday. She left the city after Dad divorced her and moved on a year later. We haven’t met our stepfather, which I’m glad about.

“Dad, can I go to Asher’s house?” I ask, eager to leave.

“Sure, just be back for dinner.”

I grab the doll and walk down the block.

I knock on Asher’s door, and he opens it.

“Hey, Mia,” he smiles, and I hug him.

“Hey, I got stuck babysitting today,” I show him the doll.

“Me too, but—”

“Asher, you’re missing the best part!” a voice calls from inside.

“Who’s that?”

“I—”

I push past him and see Crystal sitting on the couch, watching a movie.

I gasp. What’s she doing here?

“Oh, hey Mia! You’re babysitting too,” she smiles.

I turn to Asher for an explanation. He’s never hidden things from me before. Last year, when a girl stalked him, he told me, and I made sure she never did again. Now she avoids me like I’m contagious.

“Let me guess, you forgot to tell me,” I say.

“It’s not like that, Mia. She just came over, and I told her she could stay for a few minutes,” he explains.

“Yeah, I just came for the work I missed in class,” Crystal adds, grabbing her bag and leaving.

“It’s nothing, Mia, I swear.”

“I believe you; you’re my best friend after all.”

“Always and forever,” he says, kissing the side of my head. “Now, Call of Duty?”

"Yeah, I want a rematch."

"I'm just going to win again," he replies.

"We'll see."

One hour later.

"I win again, victory!" Asher cheers while I grumble, "Don't be a sore loser, Mia." He ruffles my hair.

"I have to go; dinner's soon," I check the time.

"Okay, cupcake. See you at school tomorrow." He hugs me again.

"Bye, Mrs. Williams," I call to Asher's mother.

"Bye, Mia."

"You're dead, Mia," Matt glares at me. "I can't go to school with this on my forehead tomorrow."

"If you think that's bad, check your closet," I mutter.

"What?"

"Nothing," I smile while eating my mac and cheese.

"Dad, tell Mia to get this stupid stuff off my forehead," he grumbles, scrubbing at it.

"But why? After what you did to her this morning," Dad chuckles.

"But it was harmless," he pouts.

"Harmless or not, it was still a prank," I say.

At least Mason's hair is back to its natural jet black.

As we sit down for dinner, Dad announces, "I'm going on a business trip this Saturday and won't be back until next Friday."

"Who's in charge?" I ask.

"Mason, he's the eldest, but Mia, make sure the house doesn't burn down," he replies.

"I was 14 and didn't know how to cook! How was I supposed to know not to add water to hot oil?" Mason whines.

"Yes, Dad, I'll do all the cooking to make sure the guys don't live on takeout," I chuckle.

"Good."

I lie on my bed and grab my tablet, then call Trent.

"What's up, little sis? What do you need?" he answers, his roommate in the background.

"Nothing, just checking on my brother," I say.

"Yo, Trent, that's your sister? She's hot! What's your name, short stuff?" his roommate grins at me.

"Shut up before I kill you. Don't you have a hookup to meet or something?" Trent punches him in the gut.

"But she looks like she's freaking 19!" he groans.

"Well, she's not. I gotta go, Mi. Chat later." Trent ends the call.

Do I look 19? This isn't the first time it's happened. Last spring break, guys thought I was 17 or 18 when I was only 15, about to turn 16.

I change into my pajamas and get into bed.

Tomorrow is Friday, which means a party tomorrow night and sleeping in on Saturday.

"Wakey, Mia," someone shakes me awake, and I groan.

"I don't want to," I whine.

"Me neither, but we have to go to school before Claire takes over." At that, I open my eyes to see Ally with her hazel eyes staring back at me.

"What are you doing here?" I gasp.

"Spending the night here, b***h," she tosses her bag on the floor beside my bed.

"I didn't agree to that," I get out of bed.

"Well, you do now." She leaves, calling for my brothers, "Matty, Massy!"

"Who let the beast in?" I hear Matt complain.

"Oh, shut it, Matty. You love me."

"When hell freezes over."

"Mia, get my ice cube machine; we're going to freeze hell."

I laugh and shake my head at her.

After freshening up, I return to my room to find Ally going through my closet.

"You need new clothes," she states, pulling out an outfit.

"It's gorgeous," I smile.

"I know! Now put it on so I can do your makeup," she hurries me.

"Okay, okay."

After I get dressed, Ally does my makeup, and we head downstairs. Mason stands by the front door while Matt tries to cover his marker mark with a cap.

"Seeing anything?" he asks Ally, who shakes her head.

"See what?"

"Good," he nods. "Let's go."

"Wow, Mia, you look great!" Gloria gasps.

"I know, all thanks to me," Ally beams.

"I remember when you bought that online and thought it would stay in your closet forever," Gloria chuckles.

"I would have worn it eventually," I shrug.

"Looking great, Mia," Alec says.

"How was your date, Ace?" I smirk.

"Her brother is scary, but she's nice," he replies.

"Good, so when's your next date?"

"Soon, but she wants me to meet her parents for dinner on Sunday," he sighs.

"Aw, already meeting her parents? She must like you," Ally coos, and Alec glares at her.

"Shut up! When Sam first asked you out, you had a panic attack meeting his mother."

"It wasn't a panic attack; it was my asthma," Ally snaps.

"You had an asthma attack?" I frown.

"It wasn't bad; Alec is just being a drama queen," she retorts.

"Where are Sam and Asher?" I ask.

"I saw them talking to Claire and Crystal," Alec points behind him.

"About what?"

"Who's going to babysit tonight? Most people are coming to my party," Derek joins in.

Ally coughs, "Our."

"Oh yes, our annual welcome back party," he ruffles her hair.

"Speaking of babysitting," I smirk at Alec, "you have to tonight and all day tomorrow."

He groans.

"Be happy, man; at least you're free on Sunday," Derek nudges him.

"Yeah."

Just then, Sam and Asher join us as the bell rings.

"Looking good, Mia. Great job, baby," Sam kisses Ally.

"Yeah, great job," Asher checks me out with a smirk, and I playfully push him.

"Let's take this to Mr. Allen before he haunts us down," he chuckles, revealing his doll.

"Yeah, let’s go."