Caramel Coffee

I slammed my locker shut. Next to me Eli and Clare would not SHUT UP long enough for me to get a word in. They were talking about some English book-story-assignment thingie that I didn't care enough to care about.

"Guys…?"

"But Eli, 'The Hobbit' is a very deep and complex story—"

"Come on, Clare, I need to finish this, I don't have time to add more-!"

"GUYS!" I pretty much had to scream. They both jerked toward me, Eli seeming slightly annoyed.

"In case you two cared… I'm going now. See you tomorrow, go back to your babbling." After a second of silence, I turned and stalked off, Clare and Eli doing as I had instructed.

I weaved my way quietly through the loud halls, until they began to quiet, as students left for the day. Finally achieving my quest from my locker to the front steps (they were pretty much on exact opposite sides of school), I sat in the shadow of a tree, pulling a comic-book from my backpack. I hated having to walk through the entire school to get here, especially when I had to pass through next-to deserted hallways, and then having to sit alone in the front lawn waiting for Drew's football practice to be over so our mom can pick us up and bring us home.

I love my bro, but I guess there are pros and cons to everything. Since everyone…found me out, being alone at school is sort of creepy and scary for me. How do I know Fitz, or Bianca, or Owen aren't hiding behind that bush, tree, picnic table?

The time passed slowly, and finally, as I neared the final chapter of my comic book, Drew came hustling through the parking lot, drenched in sweat, covered in grass-stains, and outfitted still in his pads and uniform.

"Hey, Adam." He wheezed, panting slightly as he sank down to sit next to me.

"Finally…now maybe Mom will show up." I groaned. Drew shot me a teasing smirk and began to try and braid grass together. But he was too clumsy and strong- the grass blades kept snapping. I mean, come on, he can't even untie his own cleats.

I sighed and brushed out my long, curly black hair as nice I could with my fingers, looking at myself in the mirror I had put in my locker.

"Fiona!" I heard Holly J greet as she breezed over next to me. "Come on, school's over already. Let's go!"

"Okay, okay, calm yourself." I huffed, shaking my head in attempt to fluff my hair out. "Let's go. My treat."

Holly J smiled happily as we began our walk to The Dot for coffee. I'm so getting caramel on mine.

I sighed with boredom, flipping the cover of my comic book shut. The End. Well, that sucks. The end of a comic book was always the worst part. Why couldn't those stupid writers just write faster? I bit on the inside of my lip for a few seconds, wondering fleetingly what I should do now.

Finally, I got up from my bed and shoved my sneakers back onto my feet, and grabbing my beanie cap. I trotted down the hall and made sure to knock on Drew's door, something he never does.

"Whaddya want?" Drew moaned.

"Let's go... do something." I moaned. Drew swung the door open. He was wearing jeans and a gray T-shirt.

"Like what?"

"I dunno, something, I'm bored to hell here, Drew!"

My brother stood, leaning against the doorway for a minute, as if considering. "Fine," he finally agreed. "Let's go to The Dot and get milkshakes or something."