Chapter 1

(Casey's Point of View)

I looked down at my watch. It read 4:14 p.m. Tonight is the dance, I need to go! Where the heck is George?!! I thought. I looked around. Paul was walking to his forest green Ford Focus. He opened the door, sat down, and turned it on and started to pull away before my eyes. I waved as he drove right in front of me. He slowed down and rolled down his window. "What are you doing here so late?" Paul said. "Well my irresponsible step-father is at it again" I said. "Do you need a ride?" he said. "Thanks Paul but then I'd have to call George and tell him I got a ride. We both know he's not gonna pick up his phone, then again he lost his phone". Paul drove away. I sat down on the curb and twirled my hair. The dance starts at 8, I'll never get everything done in time! Suddenly, our ugly minivan drove up. I looked down at my watch, 4:22 p.m. The van slowed down and I saw George's 'I'm so sorry face'. I opened the passenger door and sat down. "I can explain" he said. I put my hand up and said "Don't. Not this time George. You're an hour and a half late". "Actually an hour and twenty-three minutes" he said trying to be profound. "George! I don't care if my mother is on a trip in Vancouver and took the car! You need to pick me up on time! I have a dance to go to tonight and I don't have enough time!" I said. "Oh come on, you'll have three and a half hours!" he said. We turned into our neighborhood. "George! Have you even thought that I'm a girl?! I have to do shower, do my hair, makeup, and my outfit! Along with making dinner since you can't cook!!!" I yelled. "Casey, calm down. I had a meeting at work and it lasted a little later then expected" he said. "This has happened since Tuesday when Nora left! My school gets out at three, not four! Maybe I'll just walk home". "Casey! You know its harder since she has a big business trip in Vancouver! I'm gonna be late everyday. Why don't you ask Emily for a ride?" he said. We pulled into the driveway. I quickly got out of the car. Emily has volleyball George! You know that! I've told you a million times! I ran inside and threw my coat on the rack. "Edwin clean this up!!" I said. Popcorn, chips, and kool-aid were all over the floor and coffee table. "Nah I'm using all of this" Edwin said. "For what?" I asked disgustedly. "Never mind, I gotta get ready. You and Lizzie need to helpme get dinner ready. I have a dance at eight" I said. "Fine", then got up from the couch and started yelling "Lizzie come on down". I walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Edwin and Lizzie came in. I saw absolutely nothing edible so I closed the fridge. "Change of plans, we're ordering pizza" I said. "Great, we have that on speed dial" Lizzie said sarcastically. I ran upstairs while they ordered. I found 4 laundry hampers on my bed and a note that read: Casey, Do the laundry tonight. I got a dance to go to. –Derek. I groaned, "Arrrghhh Derek!!!!!!" I screamed.