*Jackson's Point Of View*

I sat in the back seat of Mr. Wu's car, Melissa sitting in front of me.

I'd just gotten back from court. My license were suspended for a year. I got a four hundred dollar fine for reckless driving, which Mr. Wu had paid, which means he has even more control over me. He and Elaine were actually talking about this becoming an everyday thing since I couldn't get into any trouble if I had to do work at Melissa's house everyday. This sucks.

When we pulled into the driveway, I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car.

Melissa started toward the house.

"I'll be inside in a minute," Mr. Wu called to her. "I gotta get Cody started on his work." He turned to look at me. "Ok, Cody. Today, you will be washing the cars."

"Cars?" Plural?

"Yeah. Mine, my wife's, Melissa's, and the family car." He led me toward the large garage.

"D***," I said under my breath. Four cars?

Melissa's convertible was parked in the driveway, sitting next to a Ford Escape. Mrs. Wu's Mercedes was in here, along with the man's BMW.

I brushed two of my fingers against the expensive, silver Beemer, feeling the cool, slick exterior.

"Pretty nice, isn't it?" the car's owner said, standing next to me now.

"Yes, sir," I said with excitement. I'd never been so close to one of these things before.

He held up its key.

I reached for it eagerly, but it was pulled away. I couldn't keep the disappointment from my face as my smile disappeared.

"Take care of it."

"Yes, sir." I tried to take the key again, but wasn't allowed.

"Don't forget the bucket."

"Yes, sir." Once again, I attempted to grab the key, but couldn't.

"And the soap."

"Yes, sir."

Mr. Wu handed me the keys.

I hurriedly turned and opened the door, then got inside. I put the key in the ignition. I failed to hide the wide grin on my face. Once the car was cranked, I relaxed in my seat, exhaling, my palms gently touching the steering wheel, rubbing it a bit. I was about to step on the pedal when Mr. Wu stopped me.

"Wait a minute, Cody. I forgot. Your license are suspended. Remember?"

I frowned. S***! "Yeah, but I just gotta pull it up right there." I pointed to the open space in front of me outside of the garage.

"And you can't do that without a license."

"But it's just right-"

"Cody?" The man looked at me sternly.

"Yes, sir?"

"Get out of the car."

I hung my head. "Yes, sir." I opened the door, then dragged myself out of the seat. I watched as Mr. Wu took my place, driving the car up a bit.

So close…

*Melissa's Point Of View*

I stepped outside to find that Jackson was staring at my father's BMW, his arms crossed. He seemed a bit sad. I wonder why.

The hose was in a bucket next to him, the water running.

"Jackson?" I called.

He didn't notice me.

"Hello? Jackson?" I stepped closer to him.

The boy seemed to be lost in a trance.

I looked down at the hose in the bucket, then smiled.

*Jackson's Point Of View*

"Ahh!" I blocked my face with my arms, turning my head away. I heard Melissa giggle. "Mel, stop it! Stop it!" I couldn't keep myself from laughing.

I was becoming soaked as the girl sprayed me with the hose. I quickly picked up the half-filled bucket, then poured it on her.

We laughed some more.

I tried to grab the hose from her, but was sprayed in the face. I grasped Melissa's waist gently, her back toward me, as I tried to get a grip on the hose.

"Cody!"

I immediately let go of the girl, looking up towards the balcony to see Mr. Wu. Great. "Yes, sir?"

"Get back to work! Stop playing around!"

"Yes, sir." When Melissa handed me the water hose, I began filling the bucket again, my clothes and body soaked, my hair dripping.

*Melissa's Point Of View*

I--now with a dry outfit on--sat next to Jackson at the dinner table.

He had a towel around his wet body, trembling ever so slightly, water dripping occasionally. My dad would make him clean it up later.

But at least my father provided dinner for Jackson this time.

I bet he felt uncomfortable.

*Jackson's Point Of View*

I was in the kitchen, washing the dishes.

I'd never eaten at Melissa's house before. It was a bit awkward for me. I stayed silent while the family chatted about things: how school went, how work went, plans, etc.

It only reminded me of my parents--of how we used to sit at the dinner table and talk about what classes I needed help in, or how to avoid the school bully, or why I should stay away from girls, or what I wanted to be when I grow up, or which dog I wanted from the pet store, or what I wanted for my birthday, or how to make friends, or-

Glass shattering broke me out of my thoughts.

I immediately squatted down and began picking of the largest pieces of the plate I had dropped, cursing to myself.

"Cody, are you okay?"

I looked behind me to see Mr. Wu. "Yeah. I'm fine." My voice accidentally cracked. I quickly turned away when I'd noticed a single tear falling down my cheek.

The man exited the kitchen, later returning with a broom and dustpan.

I put the remains of the glass dish into the garbage can. "I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to. I-"

"It's okay, Cody. It was an accident." Mr. Wu swept up the small pieces of the broken plate, then dumped them into the trashcan. He looked at me, noticing my troubled expression. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I turned my watery eyes away. "I told you. I'm fine."

He observed me.

I was a bit jumpy as he stared at me. I could barely keep my tears back.

"Do you wanna take a break?"

"Yeah." I hurried out of the kitchen, taking a seat on the couch in the living room.

*Melissa's Point Of View*

I looked outside, but I found no sign of Jackson. I saw Dad in the kitchen, so I decided to ask him. "Hey? Have you seen Jackson?"

"He's in the living room."

"Oh." I started to leave, then stopped when I saw the broken glass on the floor. "What happened?"

"Cody accidentally dropped a plate. Something must be bothering him. He seemed…"

"Seemed what?"

"I don't know."

Okay then…

*Jackson's Point Of View*

I allowed a tear to escape. If I didn't, then more would force their way through, and I wouldn't be able to keep myself under control.

Why did my parents have to leave me?

I sighed with frustration.

"Jackson?"

I turned to see Melissa. I looked away, quickly wiping my eyes as I sniffled.

"You okay?"

I didn't answer, for I knew my voice would deceive me.

The girl came to sit next to me. She touched my arm. "Jackson?"

"Will you, please, just leave me alone?" I snapped, pulling away from her.

She looked at me with surprise, then stood and started to leave.

I sighed. "Mel…"

She ignored me, exiting the room.

I hurried to follow her. "Melissa, wait."

The girl stormed up the stairs.

"I…I said 'please'."

*Melissa's Point Of View*

It really gets to me that Jackson won't tell me what he's feeling. It's like he doesn't trust me. And, plus, he yelled at me! I don't care if he said 'please'.

I looked out of my window to see if Jackson had continued washing the cars. Instead, I saw that he was walking down the street--probably going home.

*Jackson's Point Of View*

I went into my bedroom and plopped down onto my bed.

Tre and Davion were playing with power rangers in the middle of the floor. "Hey, Jackson," they greeted.

I tried not to show my sadness as I smiled. "Hey, guys."

"Wanna play?" Davion asked.

"Uh, not today. Maybe tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay!" Both kids said in unison, excitement in their voices.

I rested my head on the pillow, closing my eyes.

But I soon heard Elaine's voice.

"Cody, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be at Mason's."

"He said I could take a break." I'd never opened my eyes.

"Oh, really? Is that why he called me asking where you were?"

I didn't answer.

"Well, you're not just gonna sit around here and do nothing. The laundry needs to be folded."

I groaned as I forced myself up. I pushed past Elaine.

"And dinner needs to be cooked." When I didn't respond, she spoke. "Can I get a 'yes, ma'am'?"

"Yes, ma'am." I saluted. "Anything else for you, ma'am?"

She stared at me sternly. "You better drop the attitude, Cody. You know I'm not gonna put up with it."