I was having a terrible day, of course, recently that's nothing new. Billy has only got more violent over the last few months. I try my hardest to avoid him, but my mom and stepdad are gone all day.
I'm so lost in thought, I barely notice the phone is ringing, I run downstairs and pick it up
"Hello?"
"Hey! It's jane!"
My heart skips a beat, it's been happening a lot after small things…. When she touches my hand lightly… when she says my name… when she watches me skateboard…
"Hey, are you there?"
I snap out of my train of thought
"yeah! I'm here, what's up?"
"Me, Mike, and Dustin are having a movie night and I was wondering if you wanted to come! We're watching Star Army!"
"do you mean Star Wars?"
"Oh! Yeah, THAT'S what Mike said. By the way, he and Dustin might leave halfway through, Dustin is going to help Mike pack for his family trip."
I cringe when she says Mike's name. it's not that I don't like him- actually, that is what I mean. I don't like him because he seems to resent me for all the time I spent with El.
"yeah! I'll be right over there!"
"okay! I can't wait to see you!"
Relief floods over me as I realize what's happening.
I get to spend at least an hour and a half alone with El
I can probably stay the night so I can avoid dealing with my stepfather when he comes home drunk after doing god-knows-what with God-knows-who.
I get to escape my thoughts. Even though it was for the best, I'm still torn up about when Lucas broke up with me last weekend.
I run a comb through my thick red hair, put on some lip gloss and perfume, and grab my skateboard. El's house isn't too far from here.
After 20 minutes, I arrive. I knock on the door and Dustin answers.
"Hey, Max!"
He then launches into his television commercial voice
"welcome, we have popcorn, and half of my chocolate stash and if you're really lucky, maybe you'll find a scratchy blanket!"
"Dustin, shut up! You'll scare her off" El shouts from the living room.
"here come to sit next to me!"
Mike is sitting on the couch cushion on her right and she's gesturing to the spot on her left.
I grab a 3 Musketeers bar and sit down. I am just waiting for Mike and Dustin to leave so I can talk to El about something that has been on my mind for a while...