The Baby Project

Chapter3

“Dad, we’re home!” I announce as I open the door, with Mason and Matt pushing past me.

“I’m out back,” Dad replies.

I drop my bag on the couch and head to the backyard where our pool is.

“Good afternoon, Mia. How was your first day of school?” he asks while typing on his laptop.

“Fine, but we have this dumb project,” I roll my eyes and show him the doll.

“Baby project?”

“Yeah, and Alec is my partner,” I scoff.

“That guy who’s always flirting with you?” he asks.

“Yep.”

“Who are your brothers’ partners?”

“Ally is Matt’s, and Mason’s is unknown.”

“Your sister called earlier. She said she’s doing shifts at a hospital this year,” Dad informs me.

“That’s great! What about Trent?”

“He’s trying his best not to fail this year,” he chuckles.

I laugh and kiss his cheek before going back inside.

I hear a baby-like crying from upstairs.

“How do you turn this thing off?” Matt groans.

“I’m sure not by shaking it,” Mason snorts.

“Shut up and help me!” Matt snaps.

“Where’s her bottle?”

“It’s a boy.”

“No, it looks like a girl.”

“It’s my doll, so I’m saying it’s a boy.”

I roll my eyes and flop onto the couch, turning on the television.

What to watch?

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my bag.

Alec: Hey Mia, what are you doing?

Me: Watching television.

Alec: Shouldn’t you be watching our child?



Me: It’s a doll, it’s not alive, and I wouldn’t have any kids with you.

Alec: Not now, but in the future. ;)

This boy! I ignore the rest of his messages. He needs a girlfriend, not hookups.

The crying stops, and Mason comes down in just his boxers.

“Where’s Matt?”

“Playing video games.”

“How did you get the doll to shut up?”

“He stuck his middle toe in its mouth,” Mason shakes his head.

I gasp, “What?”

“I’m sorry for our future niece or nephew.”

“Nah, their mother will kill Matt if he does that,” I assure him.

“So, what are you watching?” He sits next to me, placing the doll in his lap.

“Hey, it has t—”

“The same color eyes as Alec, I know,” he interrupts. They both have deep ocean blue eyes, which explains why Alec gets hookups so easily.

“Let’s watch some Riverdale.” He grabs the remote from me.

“Fine,” I grumble.

Matt comes down after one episode and heads to the kitchen.

“So, Matt, have you called Crystal yet?” I ask.

“We texted a little. I’ll talk to her more at school tomorrow, and when she makes the squad, I’ll see her after school more often.”

“How are you so sure she made the team?”

“She looks like a cheerleader. No doubt she made it.”

She did make it.

“So, prank tomorrow at school?” Mason asks.

“How about we go after the movie tonight?” I suggest.

“Then I’ll go buy the stuff now,” Matt says as he leaves.

****

“Hello, Mr. West,” Asher greets Dad as he opens the door, carrying three packs of microwave popcorn, two movies, a bag of chips, and my chocolate.

“You’re the best, Ash!” I dash to him and hug him, noticing his cheeks turn red.

“You’re welcome, cupcake,” he smirks, and I blush in return.

“Hey, I’m hungry!” Matt shouts.

“Let’s go before brother bear rips me apart,” Asher whispers, making me chuckle.

“So, I brought Mission Impossible 5 and Maze Runner 2,” he shows us the movies.

“Yes!”

We all sit on the long couch: I’m at one end, then Asher, Mason, and Matt.

“So, which one first?” Matt asks.

“Mia gets to choose this time,” Asher says.

“Maze Runner.”

“That’s why you’re my sister!” Matt high-fives me over Asher and Mason’s heads.

Asher starts the movie, and we dim the lights.

One hour later, I hear a doll crying.

“Matt, your son/daughter is crying,” Mason laughs.

“That’s Mia’s; I taped my doll’s mouth,” he grins, and I shake my head.

I head to my room, grab the doll, and switch off the noise before going back downstairs.

The doorbell rings. “Pizza’s here!” I announce, heading to the door.

I open it to find the same guy from lunch, Michael, wearing glasses.

“Um... you ordered a pepperoni pizza,” he mumbles, and I nod.

“Matt, come pay!” I shout.

“What am I, the bank?” he grumbles, getting up.

He pays Michael, takes the pizza, and shuts the door.

“You didn’t have to be rude,” I snap.

“Mia, people like us don’t get involved with people like him.”

“Those ‘people’ are why we have electricity and technology today,” I retort. “I’m going upstairs.” I storm up the stairs.

“Cupcake?” Asher knocks on my door, but I don’t reply. “I have chocolate,” he presses, and I open the door.

“You like chocolate, huh?” he smirks as I take the Snickers from him.

“Why are you up here?”

“The movie is boring. Besides, I prefer hanging out with you over your brothers,” he grins, dropping onto my bed. He looks at me with those green eyes. “Mia, can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” I nod, sitting beside him.

“Do you l-”

“Hey, guys, what’s taking you so long up there?!” Mason shouts.

Asher sighs and gets up. “When you’ve calmed down, come down.”

He closes the door behind him. What was he going to ask?

I return downstairs fifteen minutes later to find them in a drinking race.

“I win!” Matt slams the can on the table. “The champion, Matthew West!” He cheers and then belches.

I roll my eyes, and my phone rings.

“Hello?”

“Hey Mia, how are you?” Trish asks.

“Trish, I miss you so much!” I exclaim.

“I want to talk,” Mason approaches, but Matt pulls him back and grabs my phone.

“Hey!”

“Hello, big sis. How’s the hospital treating you?”

“No, we haven’t yet, but we will soon,” he grins.

“Remember to use protection,” he chuckles at her reply.

“Yes, we’re fine. We have this stupid project to do.”

“A baby project,” he mumbles.

“Whatever, tell Hunter I said hi, and if he doesn’t put a ring on it soon, I’ll hunt h-”

“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” I take the phone back.

“Bye Trish, love you,” I hang up.

“Are you crazy?” I tap Matt on the back of the head. “Remember what Hunter told us during the summer?”

“Oh shoot,” he blocks his mouth.

“Don’t give her high hopes,” I snap.

“Now back to the movie,” Mason says.

---

“Ready?” I put on my black gloves.

“So you’ll stick notes in the office and put cups of water on the floor,” Matt instructs Asher and me.

“In the chemistry lab, I’ll place a bucket of fake goo above the door,” Mason adds.

“And I’ll handle the cafeteria,” Matt smirks.

We split up with our supplies, and Asher and I stroll down the dark, quiet hallway.

“So, what did you want to ask me?” I break the silence.

“Um... it’s nothing, don’t worry,” he waves me off.

I spot the snack machine. “Let’s empty it,” I whisper.

Thank goodness I have some money with me.

“Where will we carry them?”

“Sell them to the middle school kids,” I grin.

“We’ll do that after we finish our work,” he promises.

I nod.

We unlock the office door and get to work.

Three hours later...

“I’m tired,” I yawn.

“Well, if this works, we won’t have school in a couple of hours,” Asher reminds me.

We drop Asher off at his house and head home. I can’t wait to see our principal’s face in a few hours.

“Get up, Mia, you have school!” Dad yells.

“Why?”

“So you can work and earn money to buy that mansion you wanted,” he reminds me.

“Very persuasive,” I get up.

I pick out a shirt that reaches above my knees, a long-sleeve crop top, and my heels.

I brush my teeth, shower, blow-dry my hair, and curl the ends. I’m glad I have red hair; blonde didn’t suit me. I apply light makeup, mascara, and lipstick.

“Who are you trying to impress?” Dad teases as I sit down for breakfast.

“Myself. As captain of the squad, I have to look good,” I flick my hair.

“Yeah, sure, good. I saw someone just like you at the zoo,” Matt says, and I glare at him while Mason laughs and high-fives him.

“Dad,” I look at him sternly.

“Boys, behave. So what were you up to la-”

The doorbell rings, and Dad goes to answer it.

“Good morning, officer.”

We exchange glances. Uh oh.

“Mr. West, where were your kids last night?”

“I was asleep, so I don’t know.”

“I received a call from the hi-”

“Guys, did you do your homework?!” Dad shouts.

“Yes, Dad,” we reply in unison.

“See, my kids do their homework.”

“Yes, but-”

“Have a nice day, officer. Kids, time to go to school,” Dad cuts him off.

I grab my bag and doll.

“Bye, officer,” I say as I pass him, following Mason and Matt.

“Did you see the look on his face?” Matt laughs as he drives.

“Dad would make a great lawyer,” Mason laughs from the backseat while I sit in the front with Matt.

When we arrive at school after picking up Asher, many kids are in the parking lot, and the principal is at the front entrance with some teachers.

“Did you guys do this?” Sam grins.

“You know it,” I fist-bump him.

“Where’s Ally?” I ask, looking around.

“She’s running late with Derek.”

“Are you guys going to be okay?”

“I don’t know,” he sighs. “She hasn’t answered any of my calls or texts.”

“Then she’s a jerk,” Claire says, joining our conversation. “I can treat you so much better, Sammy.”

“Get lost,” Gloria snaps.

“I wasn’t talking to you, hippo. Seriously, why did your parents name you that? That’s the hippo from Madagascar,” she laughs, making Gloria grimace.

“Why yo-”

“Just shut it, unless you want your secret to get out.”

Gloria turns pale.

“Good. Now, Sam, remember we have to meet up and make a schedule,” she turns to Sam and then leaves.

“I just want to hold her by the throat an-”

“Calm down, Gloria. She’s not worth it,” I grab her arm.

"Yeah, just like your pathetic crush," she snaps, and I gasp.

She covers her mouth, "I'm so—"

"Just shut it!" I scream, storming off.

"Mia, wait, I didn't mean—"

"Leave me alone! Your real problem is that you're secretly a b***h!" I snap back.

"You don't mean that," she says sadly.

"Actions speak louder than words," I shrug.