Chapter 4
1371 Words
"Sorry folks, due to circumstances, there won't be any school today," the principal announces, and the crowd cheers.
"However, everyone goes to the field, and your teachers will give you assessments for tomorrow," he adds, eliciting groans from us.
We head to the field, where our teachers distribute papers and refer to textbooks for some students.
"You get away with it this time, West," my biology teacher says to me.
"I didn't do anything," I reply with an innocent smile.
"We both know that's a lie, but good job," he says, fist-bumping me.
"That's why I like you, sir; you're the best teacher."
He chuckles, "And you're my best student."
"Flirting with the biology teacher, Mia? You're such a—"
"I dare you to finish that sentence," I glare at Claire. "Judging others won't make you look any better, especially since you hooked up with the gym substitute last year." I frown, and she gasps.
"How did—"
"Never mind that; judge yourself before you judge me," I walk away.
"Hey, what's going on?" Ally asks as she approaches me.
"We strike again, but what's up with you and Sam?" I demand as we sit on a bench.
"I don't know," she sighs.
"Better fix it before Claire makes a move."
"Are you sure he isn't mad at me?"
"He's just worried about you, Ally."
"Where's Gloria? I hav—"
"I don't know," I grumble.
"Did you two fight?"
"Looks like her true colors are finally showing," I scoff, noticing her laughing and talking to Derek.
"What do you mean?"
I explain what happened.
"Well, she's a fake. I'll make sure my brother doesn't date her," Ally says, and I smile.
"Hey Mia, time to go," Matt calls.
"Go where?"
"How about the lake in two hours?" Ally suggests.
"I'm in," Alec shrugs.
"Me too," Derek adds.
"Can Crystal come?" Matt asks.
"What about Glo—"
I glare at Mason to silence him.
"Sure, Crystal can come," I say, sharing a look with Ally.
"So, Crystal and Asher will join us, and Ally, Derek, Sam, and Alec will ride in Derek's dad's van," Matt says.
"Sounds good."
"Great."
***
"Who's carrying the cooler?" I ask, coming down the stairs in my bikini and bag.
"Put something on over that," Mason frowns.
"The drive isn't long; I won't be getting out until we arrive," I roll my eyes.
"Now!"
"Fine," I head back upstairs.
I put on a sundress over my white and blue polka-dot bikini.
"Let's go; we still need to get ice and drinks," Matt calls.
I hop in the front seat and buckle up.
At the store, I grab snacks and sunglasses while Mason picks up drinks and other essentials, and Matt gets gas. Asher looks for bait while Crystal stays in the car.
"Need help?" Asher asks as I struggle with the snacks.
"Sure," I hand him some.
"How are you not fat with how much you eat?" he laughs.
"Maybe running is in my genes."
We return to the car just as Derek pulls up in the van, with Alec in front and Sam and Ally in the back.
"Glad you're here, man," Matt greets him. "You can put the cooler in your trunk."
Derek gets out, and they load the cooler and ice into the trunk.
"Beer too?" Alec asks, holding up a case.
"Sure," Matt nods.
"Remember, the drivers can't drink too much," Asher points out.
"Shut up, Williams," Matt snaps.
"It's nice," Crystal says when we park.
"Yeah, we come here all the time," Mason says.
"Every spring break and summer; we sometimes camp out," Asher adds.
I exit the car with my bag as Derek parks next to us.
"We're back, bitches!" Ally screams to no one.
"Yeah, we were just here Friday."
"Look, my bird's egg finally hatched," Ally points to a tree where a baby bird is being fed by its mother.
"Hello, sweetie!" she waves.
"Is she alright?" Crystal asks me.
"I've been asking myself that for 17 years," Derek replies, and we giggle.
"Hey, I need help here," Sam calls, struggling with the cooler.
Mason helps him, and we all walk down the path to the lake.
I sit on the grass and put on my sunglasses.
"Who wants to play?" Alec asks, tossing a soccer ball.
"Let's go," Asher says, throwing his bag by me and running off with Alec, Sam, and Derek.
"Where's your other friend?" Crystal asks.
"You mean fake friend? I don't know."
"She's a b***h, that's what she is," Ally blurts out.
"Oh."
"Unless she gives me a proper apology, I'm not talking to her," I say, crossing my arms.
"I think she's a nice girl. Don't let her attitude ruin your friendship; trust me, I've been there," she replies, patting my shoulder before heading over to Matt, who is opening a beer.
"She seems nice," I comment.
"Yeah, don't let that fool you," Ally warns.
"Stop it, Ally. She hasn’t done anything to make me think otherwise."
****
I change out of my dress and walk to the water. "You look hot, Mia," Alec whistles.
"You've seen me in a bikini plenty of times, Ace," I roll my eyes as Mason taps him on the back of the head.
"Don't hit on my sister, or I'll hit you," he threatens.
"Mason, I can take care of myself," I sigh, then dive into the water.
It feels great to swim again.
"The water's fine, Ally," I wave at her.
"But I do—" she shrieks as Sam scoops her up and carries her to the water. "Put me down, Sam! If you don't—Sam!" she screams as he drops her.
"You're dead," she snaps, chasing after him. I laugh when he trips, and she lands on top of him, making him groan.
"You're he—"
"I dare you to finish that sentence," she hisses.
I get out of the water for a drink.
Alec plays some music, and we all start dancing and laughing.
Asher grabs my hand and spins me, and we dance together. Crystal is the only one not dancing, so Mason offers her a hand.
She smiles and gets up.
"They'd look cute together," I whisper to Ally.
"No, she and Matt. So he can leave me alone," she replies.
I laugh and shake my head.
____
When we get home late in the evening, Dad is waiting for us in the living room.
"Mason, Matthew, and Mia West, come here!"
"Uh oh," Matt whispers.
We stand in front of him. "Where were you last night?"
"Watching television," Matt smiles, but stops when Dad glares at him.
"I woke up at 1 AM and no one was here—not even your car. Care to explain?" he crosses his arms.
"Well, you see, Asher wasn't feeling well, so we all went to the hospital, right guys?" Mason looks at us.
"Oh yeah, poor guy came down with a bad cold," I add.
"He almost got pneumonia," Matt says.
Mason and I exchange glances. Too far.
"Oh really? And five hours before that, he was healthy," Dad raises an eyebrow.
"He just shows signs late," Matt shrugs.
"You're all grounded. If you pull a stunt like this again, it'll be a month with no phone or practice," he warns.
"But da—"
He laughs. "I was kidding. I'm glad you didn't get caught. Trish, teen life was boring; I wanted you guys to have fun."
We look at each other. "So we're not grounded?" I frown.
"Nope. But if you end up in jail like last time, you’re spending the night there. Now get lost," he waves us off.
"You're one of a kind, Dad," I laugh.
"Yes, but if you're going to date anyone, tell me."
"Don't worry; with these two knuckleheads here, I don't think that's possible," I sigh as Mason and Matt hold me down and ruffle my hair.
"Damn right, sis," Matt says.
"Well, I'm going to make dinner," Dad says, getting up.
"Aren't you going to help me?"
"Nope," he replies, leaving.
"And the award for best dad goes to you," I say sarcastically.
"Why, thank you," Dad laughs.
- Writer
