"Sorry it took me so long, my dad was–" She stopped at the door, a smirk threatening to escape her lips. "Is that one of Eric's nerd books?"
I put it down on the bed and sat up, "Yeah, it's stupid."
I guessed she could tell by the look on my face what I was thinking of.
"Why don't you call him, Claire?"
"Because I haven't seen him in years," I insisted, standing up. "He probably thinks I abandoned him when mom died. My dad hates me anyways."
"Your father literally took him away and left you with your aunt and uncle," She sighed. "I think you should at least look through a phone book and try to reach out. That's all I'm saying. It might help."
"You're right. Maybe I will."
"There's a phone book under the table in the living room," She shrugged. "Nobody will notice if you take it tonight."
"Thanks," I looked at the floor. Thanking people wasn't really my thing and every time I did it I felt uncomfortable for some reason.
"Of course, now give me a hug!" She spread her arms open, her voice going into falsetto.
My eyes widened and I dodged. She laughed.
"Okay, now come help me unpack, you nerd," She said, walking down the hall.
"Coming, whore," I called as I set Eric's comic back on the shelf.
"That's Mrs. Whore to you."
"I didn't know there was a Mr.! What a lucky guy," I laughed. I could hear a cackle from down the hall as I closed Eric's door.
Dinner was held in the kitchen at the small four person table since Eric was out with his friends. After Mrs. Forman called us all down, she scurried to serve what appeared to be vegetable soup, some rolls, chicken, and potatoes. It looked heavenly. Even when my mom was around, she wasn't much of a chef. Usually we would do a takeaway or, once Coop and I were old enough, we'd cook simple things. Cereal was a staple in the house, same with sandwiches. But, we never complained. Only dad complained. But, that's what he always did. Sometimes, I wondered if he was the reason mom had a heart attack at such an early age…
"Oh wow, Mrs. Forman, this is amazing," I smiled after taking a bite of the soup.
"I'm glad someone likes my cooking," She did what was her signature laugh. It seemed like it would be obnoxious to someone like Laurie but I found it endearing.
"Laurie, you like your mother's cooking, right?" Mr. Forman asked.
"Yes, daddy," She perked up.
"Good," He said. "Oh, and here's a twenty in case you and Claire want to get out of the house sometime this weekend. I know being around your brother and his friends is annoying."
"Thank you, daddy," She pocketed the cash.
I could see the game she was playing at. While I wouldn't do it myself, I didn't disapprove. Manipulation was the key to Laurie getting through life and damn she was playing her cards excellent.
The remainder of dinner finished without much interruption, the occasional school inquiries, and talks of the following day – Thanksgiving – etcetera. I wondered how I would be able to meet Eric's friends without Laurie finding out. Maybe I'd tell her I had stuff to do and would come talk to her at midnight. I'd figure it out. I was good at that.
Towards the end of dinner, I found my easy escape. Mrs. Forman had just gotten off the phone with her employer.
"Laurie, I was just called in for a surgery, do you mind doing the laundry for me? It's in a basket by the door."
Laurie grimaced. Before she could look like a jerk, I whispered, "I'll do it."
"Yes, of course, mom!" She beamed and grinned my way.
Not long after, I was helping Laurie clear the table. Mr. Forman seemed to have retired for the night and Mrs. Forman left for work.
"You are honestly such a life saver," She said, scrubbing the dishes.
"Oh, why's that?" I asked, drying the clean ones and putting them away.
"I have a date tonight," She said.
"Damn, girl, you work fast," I chuckled.
"Well, anything to not deal with being in this house," She said. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Laurie, I have a brother. I know how idiots are. And besides, Eric told me about his little girlfriend and I feel like she will actually be tolerable to talk to if I get lonely."
"Oh, Donna?" She asked. "I don't know how my brother scored a girl like her. She's actually cool."
Once the dishes were done and the table was set, Laurie made sure that her father wouldn't be coming out of his room for the night and left. I looked at the clock. It was quarter till eight. I picked up the basket and walked down the stairs to the basement to find it empty. About twenty minutes after putting the clothes in the wash – I was sitting on top of the dryer reading a book I'd brought from school – the basement door busted open; Kelso, Jackie, Fez, and Hyde entering. The first one who seemed to notice me was Kelso.
"Oh, hey, Claire," His voice was slightly lower in pitch than when I'd heard him talking to his girlfriend earlier. He made his way over to where I was sitting and leaned on the washer. "Fancy meeting you here. Couldn't resist my charm, eh? It's okay. If I was a woman–"
"Michael!" Jackie exclaimed and grabbed his arm, pulling him onto the sofa with her.
"What? She's hot," He motioned towards me. I lowered my book and grimaced.
Jackie made a shrieking noise, huffed, and walked right back out from where she came from. I felt bad for the girl. She seemed annoying but damn she deserved better than a dumbass.
"Hey, Eric," I smiled as I saw him and a redheaded girl weave their way past an upset Jackie.
"Hey, Claire," He said. "This is Donna."
"Oh, hi Donna!" I jumped off the dryer and made my way over to her. "It's nice to meet you. Eric's told me sooo much."
Eric's face paled. The guys snickered.
"I'm just fucking with you," I grinned. "He said you were pretty cool, though."
"That's cool," She nodded her head. "So, you're Laurie's friend, right?"
"Yep," I said, making my way back to my seat on the dryer.
"How's that treating you?" Hyde asked; it was the first time I'd heard him speak. I took him as 'too high to talk' based on his demeanor, so it shocked me.
"Not bad most days," I shrugged.
He laughed quietly.
"What?" I insisted.
"Well, if you don't hate her, you must be like her," He stated. It had an underlying tone of disgust and pissed me off.
"Dude, she's not as bad as you think. Sure, she's kind of a manipulative bitch sometimes, but when it's just the girls, she's really fucking chill, so lay off, hippie."
"Hippie? Who are you calling a hippie?" He stood up out of his chair to face me.
I slid off the dryer and stood face to face with him, grinning. I was a decent few inches shorter than him and it annoyed me because I preferred to feel intimidating. "Obviously you. We don't see anyone else too stoned out of their mind to take their sunglasses off inside."
I had to admit, I was more amused than anything; sure, annoyed, but I loved messing with people.
What he did next actually took me by surprise. He took off his sunglasses. But, that wasn't what shocked me; what shocked me were his eyes. Yeah, they were beautiful, but there was a tired look to them; he was a teenager and yet the pain in his eyes was intense. My smile fell. After a few seconds, we were snapped out of our stare.
"Um, guys?" Donna said.
He shook his head, put his sunglasses back on, and grumbled his way back to his chair. Thankfully, the washer stopped and I was able to move the clothes to the dryer.
"Um, Eric, can you put these in the basket when the dryer goes off?" I asked. "Laurie was supposed to do it but is out on a date and your mom won't be home from the hospital for another hour."
"Why would you help Laurie?" He asked.
I shrugged, "I felt like doing her a favor. She had a date and there wasn't much else to do."
"Laurie should be on a date with me!" Kelso said proudly.
"What about Jackie, man?" Hyde asked.
"Oh, I'm so breaking up with her," He insisted.
"Sure you are, hot stuff," I laughed. "I see the way you dote after her. You're whipped."
"Oh, so whipped, whore," Fez giggled.
"Anyways, I have people to call, so thanks, Eric?" I hoped he would help me out.
"Of course," He smiled. He was a good kid. It was a shame that Laurie didn't like him.
I smiled back at him and made my way up the stairs. Time to find my dad in the phone book. I shuddered at the thought.
