"Want you?!" My parents shouted in unison. We were at my house after the Mall episode. My parents had heard all about it and immediately rushed home. We all sat in the dining room and I was in the hot seat after explaining what had happened.
Dad pinched the bridge of his nose while Mom rubbed her temples. I twiddled my thumbs in shame.
"At least you're safe." Mom said as I felt arms wrap around me. I returned the hug.
"It's my fault," Sophie blurts. We all look to her. "I suggested we go to the mall. I should've been the one to push her into the elevator, not the other way around. I should've been a better big sister."
I leaned over and patted her hand as she wiped at her makeup smeared face.
"You weren't a bad sister." I console. "You kept Ella safe."
"But I'm the older one! Older than you! I should've been keeping both of you safe!"
I frown and shake my head. "Look on the bright side. I used that fishing line like a badass I kicked them where it really hurts." They all looked at me with confused looks. "They wanted me and I'm the one that got away."
Sophie sighed. "I just can't help but blame myself…"
"I was faster than you."
"Well, I think we all had an ...adventurous day," Father said, rubbing the back of his head. We all nodded in agreement.
"But how can we fall asleep after a day like today?" Evan whined.
I immediately knew what he was doing. Trying to play at that angle to stay up later. I sigh and shake my head, a small smile dancing on my lips.
"You all have school tomorrow. Better get some sleep now rather than later. So, go to bed." Father ordered.
We all grumbled and shuffled upstairs. The twins all went to their room. I was supposed to have a twin and that's why I have a room to myself. When they noticed I was an only child delivery, they didn't know what to do except make it a single bedroom. I didn't mind it too much, but on lonely nights, I sit outside my siblings' rooms. Listening in on the conversations that they would sometimes have. It would make me feel sad that I didn't have a twin myself. They were separated by girl and boy rooms when Evan and Ella came along. My bedroom was at the end of the hall and I would watch my siblings go into their rooms to sleep. Ella and Evan hugged before going into their respective rooms, which surprised me. Evan never hugs his "older" sister.
Guess a lot of emotions had been going through Evan, I thought to myself. Shay squeezed his sister's arm as she was just going in. She smiled thinly at him and then closed the door. He then turned his gaze to me as I stood at the end of the hall awkwardly. I look down in sadness. I hear him shuffle towards me and he wrapped his arms around me. I squeezed him back.
"I think you can sleep in Sophie and Ella's room if you don't want to sleep alone," Shay mumbled into my hair.
"I don't think I have anything to worry about." I shrug nonchalantly. Truth be told, I would love to sleep in their room.
"Alright." He pulled away and ruffled my hair. "Good night." He then disappeared into his room.
I frowned when his bedroom door shut. To be perfectly honest, I was scared out of my wits. Those weird men wanted to take me! Who wouldn't want to sleep in the company of others? But I was more worried about Ella and Sophie. What if they find me and saw me with Ella and Sophie? Would they hurt them too?!
I didn't want to endanger my sisters and, reluctantly, entered my bedroom. My morbid thoughts turned my normally calm and beautifully lit room into that of horror. My bed is draped in darkness as the moon glowed dimly through my windows and my balcony doors eerily. The objects in my room seemed to leer at me, hiding monsters that I knew didn't exist. Pushing my fear down I crawled into my cold bed and buried myself in the blankets as if that would protect me. Closing my eyes tightly, I wished sleep would take me before the nonexistent monsters would.
It took me forever to fall asleep.
The next morning, everybody had bags under their eyes. At least I wasn't the only one who had a rough night. We all knew our parents were already at work and, like zombies, shuffled around the kitchen to grab something to eat. We all ended up eating cereal. The dining table was the quietest it has been with the exception of the clinking of glass against silverware and the sound of chewing. To say it was awkward was the least of our worries as we tried to get ready to go to school.
We all decided to skip showering for today, after all, what's one day of no shower? Shay got behind the driver's seat as we all piled in. I managed to snag shotgun while Ella, Evan, and Sophie got into the back. We first dropped Ella and Evan off at Ardor Elementary then sped off to Ardor High.
We arrived as both my siblings jumped out. I checked the time and found we had ten minutes until class starts. I blink and lean back in the seats as school yesterday came flooding back to me. The mall episode had kept my mind busy from those events and I could feel my eyes misting up. I shake my head as I try to dispel the unshed tears. You won't cry! You won't cry! I tell myself as I get out. I put on a mask of indifference as I walk through the crowded halls. As I passed by their normal chatter, the students turned to whisper and gossip.
"Look at her."
"She looks...gone."
"Dead is more like it."
"I heard her boyfriend broke up with her."
"What? She was dating somebody?"
"I think it was Prowler or something."
"I wouldn't be surprised. She seemed kind of...clingy."
"Ha! About time he broke up with her. She's a freak anyway."
I snapped my head around toward the voice and stomped up to him, grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and brought him an inch from my face. "If you want to talk shit be about me, say it to my face instead!" I tossed him to the floor and watched him sprawl out. "Dirty bastard." I hiss in disdain at him as he starts backing away in fear. Inside, I felt oddly powerful just to watch one of my main assailants cower in front of me. Usually, Vinny would walk through the halls with me, telling the people in the halls to shut their pie holes unless they want to answer to him if they so as utter a word about me. But I didn't have him by my side so I had to defend myself.
I walked into my classroom, got my work out and cracked my knuckles loudly. Some people turned to me with weird glances as I poured myself over my studies. No friends. No problem. People think your a freak, then get ahead of the game. I think to myself as I flip to the next portion of our lesson. They want to mess with me. I'll make sure they regret it.
Lunch came quicker then I had ever realized. I guess school does go by quicker if you don't anticipate the bell. I quickly gathered my things and headed to the lunch room. I caught a glance at Vinny and was about to shout to him when I realized we weren't friends. My somber mood returned and I shuffled into line, grabbing a tray. I got my food and was about to head outside when I heard giggling. Turning my head toward the sight, I nearly threw my tray.
Vinny was sitting with Aria and her Bitches as they all laughed. Aria was clinging to his arm and laying her head on his shoulder. And he wasn't caring! I grip the edges of the tray as I felt rage build up inside me. I hope something bad happens to her! I think with malice.
A boy walks over with his lunch full of all the foods that were messy like mashed potatoes...and dumped it all over her. The lunchroom turned abruptly to the table as Vinny reeled away from her. She shrieked in rage and quickly grabbed the scrawny boy by the throat as the lunchroom watched, amused. I don't know what came over me but I thought, aw, hell no!
I stomped over to them and dumped my tray on her. She shrieked in horror and turned to me, releasing the poor male in her grasp. He dropped to the ground, coughing and sputtering.
"You don't have the right strangle anybody to death," I say firmly, putting myself between the boy and her.
"Says who?"
"Says me."
A collective "oooh" goes around the lunchroom.
"What gives you the right to tell me what to do?" She pushed me.
"When it involves others, then yeah."
"What about that guy you hustled earlier today?" She quirked an eyebrow.
"And I was wrong to do that."
"So who's to say defending him is wrong?" She points to the boy quivering behind me.
"Says the one who turned him purple." Turning on my heel I grabbed the boy's hand and stomped out of the lunchroom and into the back of the school where not a single student was in sight. I didn't stop until I reached a tree that was back here. This tree was my safe haven away from the rest of the school if Vinny wasn't here. I walked up to the tree and placed my arm on the trunk, slamming my head onto my arm.
"I'm so stupid!" I shout to myself.
"Umm, excuse me?" I hear a squeak.
I turn my head toward the noise and drop his hand, backing away and blabbing, "I'm sorry! I...I...uh…"
"That was pretty cool." He said.
"It...was…?"
"Yeah, um…" he rubbed the back of his head and blushed. "M-my name's L-Lucas." He stuck out his hand.
I look closely at him and find he's not that bad looking. Well, he's normal, to say the least. His skin was peach color with brown freckles dusted across his cheeks, curly dark brown hair, and chocolate brown eyes. His frame was small and thin which was suggested from his hastily thrown together, baggy clothes and floppy shoes.
I smile and took his hand. "Laila Moonstone. You, really don't mind my looks?"
He shakes his head. "I-I thought you l-looked pretty cool b-but I was too n-nervous to talk to you."
I laugh. "Well, you're talking to me now. Sit," I sit down by the trunk and pat the ground next to me, "I'm not going anywhere."
He takes a seat next to me. "Me either."
"What's your favorite color?"
"Blue. Yours?"
"Gold. Like my eyes."
He laughs. We continue making idle conversation with basic questions until the bell rang.
"I guess it's time for class," I say, getting up and then offering my hand to him.
He takes it and sighs. "Yeah. I guess so."
"See you tomorrow before school? Same spot?"
"Yeah. I'd like that."
We walk into the school in silence, their laughter at me earlier today faded into quiet watching. Lucas went to his class while I went to mine. Unfortunately, this class I had Vinny. Our desks were right next to each other and to say it was awkward was an understatement. I was pissed, he was...I really don't know about him. But, do I care?
Class started and we got out our materials to begin the art class. Yes, art class. I personally didn't want to take it since I'm not an artsy person, but Vinny did and I needed some credit.
"Today we vill be creating portraits." Mrs. Spots announced in her strange accent.
I frown. I already suck at drawing. I'm a badass, not an artist.
"You vill pair up and draw your partner's vase." I think she meant "face." "And I vill pick pairs." She took out a piece of paper and started listing names. I crossed my fingers, toes, and eyes in hopes that I do not get Vinny. But as the number of kids available started to diminish, my hope died with it. "And finally Vincent Prowler and Laila Moonstone."
I stiffen as I heard my name and his name. We both glanced at each other and I turned away from him.
"Okay, get to vork!" She clapped her hands. My classmates shuffled around as they tried to find a seat next to their partner. I sighed as I started with the simple sketch which involved a circle and a horizontal line through it. I quickly sketch out his features, not once glancing at him. I've known him for so long that his image is practically tattooed inside my mind. I finish sketching and start outlining then coloring. When I'm finished drawing I place my supplies down and flip the picture over. I'm not going to look at him, even in a picture. But, I can't help wanting to change some of his features. Like graffiti it. I flip the picture over and start scanning over the drawing to see what other tidbits I could add.
Maybe a mustache and a go-T, an eyepatch, snaggletooth, devil horns… I snicker as I imagined it that way and put the picture face down.
"Okay, time's up!" Mrs. Spots said and the class turned quiet. "Turn in your portraits. Don't forget to vrite your name!"
I scribble my name on the back of the piece of paper and turn in the portrait just as the bell rings. I quickly gather my items and scurry to the next class but I'm stopped by Mrs. Spots.
"Yes?" I ask, impatiently wanting to go to my next class.
"Vhat is this?" she demands, showing the graffitied version of my drawing. I swallow hard, noticing the features drawn in black ink.
"I-I don't know," I mumble.
She sighs heavily and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Vhatever. Go to your next class." With a flick of her hand, she sends me off.
The next day, I immediately got up and quickly showered while choosing a decent outfit. Tying my hair in its usual style and scarfing down cereal. Sophie and Shay just came into the dining room as I was finishing.
"Laila?" Sophie murmured sleepily, rubbing her eyes. "It's 6:50. What are you doing up?"
I smile and shrugged. "I have a feeling it's goanna be a good day today."
That instantly woke them up and they glanced at each other.
"Since when do you say that?" Shay asked.
Sophie looked confused then her face instantly brightened up. "You met someone, haven't you?"
I gave her a look that said, as if. "No," I reply. "Just made a friend."
Sophie let out a high pitched squeal that I swear broke Mom's fine china. She started bouncing around the dining room in euphoria. I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet as Evan and Ella appeared.
"What's going on?" A sleepy Evan asked.
Shay shrugged. "Your sister is freaking out over something."
"Ooh, is it love?" Ella asks.
"Yes." Sophie says at the same time as I say "No."
"Oh, Laila! I thought you'd never find a man without me."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask, putting a hand on my hip.
"Tell me, what's his name, age, grade, looks, style, hobbies, interests…"
"I think we can do that after school, Soph." Shay interrupted Sophie's endless prattling.
"Ah, true love." Ella sighed dreamily.
"It's not true love! It's not even love." I reply with an eye roll.
"It starts with meeting each other at school. Then he's going to give you gifts and then ask you on a date then ask to be your boyfriend then to be your fiance and finally you two will be married! He's the one for you!"
"What?!" I shout, nearly dropping my dishes. "Okay, we are not going to be boyfriend and girlfriend. I'm good with being just friends with him. Besides, didn't you say that about me and Martin?" Martin was a crush I had when I was in 8th grade.
"Yeah, but this is totally different."
"Again, you said that about me and…" I bite my lip. I can't bring myself to say his name.
Shay noticed this and said, "Okay guys! Enough about talking about love and dates and stuff. We all have school. So get ready."
"Since when have you ever been the boss of me?" Sophie asked Shay.
"Since now. Now, go, go, go, go!"
Everyone except me and Shay scampered out of the room to get ready. I snickered as they all left.
When I got to school, I got my butt into gear and dashed to the tree behind the school. Lucas was already there and on a tablet.
"Lucas!" I call out in excitement.
His head snaps up and a smile spreads across his freckled cheeks as he sees me running up to him.
"I had th-thought you d-ditchd on me." He says shyly, a tint of pink dusting his cheeks.
"And why would I do that?" He shrugs. "Oh well, I'm here now."
We talked until the bell rang in which I said goodbye to Lucas.
"Why are you saying bye? We have the same class."
I blink. "We do?"
He nods. "Mmhmm. I sit in the back of the class."
"Oh cool." I link arms with him and, together, we walked to class where we sat next to each other. I silently cheer in my head about having no seating arrangement.
The bell rang and students trickled in and then the teacher. The teacher, Mr. Sting, was in charge of a science health class so we always go on little field trips to "get fit and learn science." Today, he was holding pieces of paper which made me curious. Mr. Sting hates using paper unless he wants our parents to sign for something. Usually, his field trips don't require signing sheets unless it could be potentially dangerous. Seeing him with paper made me curious.
"Welcome class, today we will be preparing for our field trip tomorrow." I heard a few groans as well as some whoops as he says this: "We will be going camping!"