Robbie POV
I kill the ignition and open my door.
Beside me Cat does the same.
In the two vehicles behind us, Jade, Beck, Tori and Andre did the same.
The only real difference is that Tori stopped to get Olivia out of her car seat.
I haven't been inside in forever.
Hollywood Arts.
Cat did all the research when we looked into enrolling Sydney here, to find that it now was a private school.
When we got Sydney in, which was really just saying "Oh, she's Cat Valentine's daughter." she was determined to do all the orientation stuff by herself.
Cat has only been inside to drop off Sydney's grades.
I don't know about Beck and Jade.
Tori and Andre certainly haven't.
Until today.
One of the benefits of sending your kid to private school is being able to schedule a time to talk with a teacher.
We've never had to do it, but beck and Jade have I know.
Ellie and Principal Alsek are on a first name basis.
I take back what I said about not knowing if Beck and Jade have been inside. They have.
I'm dumb.
Thankfully it's nothing bad with Ellie.
The other kids are intimidated by her. That's why she is always in there.
She scares them.
That and the fact she likes to have fun in PE. By head hunting during dodge ball.
She's sent 3 kids to the school nurse due to bleeding.
I know she's gone in every time THAT happened.
"It's nice to go in for a good reason." Jade smiled, as the others caught up with us.
Cat smiled. "I bet."
We're seeing Sikowitz.
We've seen him since the kids were born, but not regularly. And we've emailed back and forth since Sydney started school.
I pull open the door for everyone, and catch Olivia's eye as her parents pass.
She made a noise and turned back for me.
"Hi! Hi Olivia!" I smile, then tweak her nose.
She giggled, and her mom smiled.
It's clearly been renovated.
Beck and Cat are both looking at the large mural above the dual staircases where there to be just one.
It now goes up pretty quickly.
The tradition of decorating your own locker appears to have continued to this day.
"Look at that." Tori laughed.
It's a huge clown face.
The look on Olivia's face says everything.
GET IT AWAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
She squeaked and curled into Tori's shirt as we walked by.
We're apparently making an educated guess that Sikowitz will be in his normal room.
"It's definitely gotten some money pumped into it." Andre said as we walk by a gold plaque of "Donors".
Something tells me that you have to give quite a bit of money to get on that plaque.
It's freaking made of gold!
We walk into the room, and find Sikowitz talking to a medium sized boy with a old school haircut.
It's like a buzzcut, but it's styled up.
"I think that's enough for today. I'm glad you stayed late. Thanks Jon."
The blonde boy turned and froze, eyes huge.
"Uhhh…uhhhh…"
I look up from him to Sikowitz, who was smiling.
The boy suddenly decided it was better to just make a break for it and sped off.
"Uhh…we didn't interrupt anything did we?" Jade asked Sikowitz, who was beaming.
"No. he needed to go anyway. Hi!"
"Hey!" Beck smiled, just as Cat tackled him into a hug.
"It's been awhile since I saw all of you in the same room. This room I want to say."
"Yep!" Tori beamed, as we all turned chairs towards the stage and sat down.
"Wait…is that…a baby named Olivia?" He suddenly lit up.
Andre smiled and Tori laughed.
"Yeah! Say hi!"
Sikowitz smiled and waved.
Olivia had her eyes wide open and stared.
"She's shy." Tori joked.
"Makes sense. She was born recently I remember." Sikowitz said.
"Uh huh. September 12th."
"Congratulations." He said.
Tori and Andre both smiled.
"Now I deal with your descendants on a day to day basis!" Sikowitz suddenly said, looking to cat and Jade.
"Yep." Jade said.
"Tell us, what are they like? We get them on their worst behavior." Beck joked, causing everyone to laugh.
Olivia squeaked, and Sikowitz smiled.
"They're good for the most part. Both are like their mothers."
"No…" Cat and Jade immediately said.
I laughed.
"Ohhh yes. Sydney is the least like you Cat, but she still has a great talent for thinking on her feet, and that voice…mercy." He smiled.
Everyone else smiled.
"Ellie…I have to wonder if you illegally cloned her, because she and Jade and almost identical."
"No way." Jade and I say.
"Yes way Mrs. West. She is very adept with scissors and has your temperament."
I see beck and jade look at each other.
"Wait…it's Oliver now. I'm sorry." He shook his head.
"It's fine." Jade smiled. "You knew me back then, I understand that it's a hard habit to break."
"Yeah, don't be surprised if I slip up again…" he mumbled.
"So…this whole intimidation thing…it's spot on?" Beck asked.
"Absolutely! Sinjin's son is the main target."
"SINJIN HAS A KID?" We all yell out.
WHAT?
Who on EARTH would have a child…WITH SINJIN?
Sikowitz laughed. "yes. Just as weird too."
I look at Cat, who looks like she just was told that the moon is a piece of cheese.
Then Olivia made a noise.
"Yes Olivia. You're exactly right."
Everybody laughed, and Olivia giggled and kicked her little feet.
"So how have you been Sikowitz?" Beck asked.
"Fine, fine. Same as always. Teaching here, reviewing shows, teaching at CCC. How about you guys?" he asked.
"I'm in the beginning stages of an album." Cat smiled.
"Awesome. You're all over my pearPod. Congrats on all the hits." Sikowitz smiled.
Cat beamed and rushed over to hug him.
"Robbie?"
"I just got off tour. I'm going to do another 2 week one in February after Valentine's Day."
Tori then piped up.
"I'm with this little one forever. I'm not doing anything else as far as I know."
"Sounds like you don't want to get back in." Sikowitz said, sounding surprised.
"Not really." Tori smiled and tickled Olivia, who cried out in laughter.
"Andre?"
"I've got some stuff going on, but nothing major. I'm teaching some kids how to work and grind." He said.
"Great. You're also all over my pearPod."
"Thanks sir." Andre smiled.
"How about you Jade?"
"Being Mom. That's my role right now."
"That'll keep you busy." Sikowitz said, and everyone laughed.
"And lastly, you Beck."
"I…I don't know. I just got done with a movie it feels like. It wrapped before the holidays. But that's probably going to be my last movie."
"What?" Cat, Tori, Andre and Sikowitz all yelp.
"I don't want to do movies anymore." Beck said calmly.
"Why not?" Cat asked.
"I'm tired of going away from home just to get 2 hours of work out of it. TV would pay me better over the long hall anyway. I like it more too."
"So no more movies for Beck." Sikowitz said.
"Uh huh." He replied.
"Hmm…sounds like you guys are winding down. Only Cat and Robbie are really active right now."
Andre, Tori, and Jade all shrugged.
Sikowitz laughed.
"Well, I want to ask you guys something. A favor, as it will."
"What is it?" Jade asked.
"You all know how I do auditions. 5 people behind a screen, and me out in the open. I'd like you all to be behind the screen for the next play I do."
"When will that be?" Cat asked.
"Mmm…March ish."
"I'm in." Beck said.
"Same here." Tori smiled.
"Yup." Jade said.
"Count us in too." I smiled at Cat.
"And I won't break the roll." Andre joked.
"Awesome, thanks." Sikowitz said.
"Why us? We haven't done it since we went here." Tori asked.
"Well…the kids' class is slacking."
"Slacking?" Jade and Cat both said, leaning forward.
"Seriously?" beck asked.
"Because yesterday was the first day of acting classes for the girls in Pasadena." I say.
"Acting classes? Well good! They might take my stuff more seriously."
"WHAT?" Tori, Cat and Jade all yell.
Olivia also cried out, but because of the noise.
"I'll explain. Their class is super talented. But it's lazy. You know how I always kept on you guys about resting on your laurels."
"Yeah, of course." Jade said.
"Well the class, especially Ellie and Sydney are just coasting. They're talented enough that they can be passable, but nothing stellar. Did any of you wonder why your kids weren't in any of the plays first semester?"
"Uhh…no." Jade said.
"We just assumed that you stuck to your principals about upperclassmen getting roles unless the sophomores were out of this world." I say.
"Well, they weren't. And I hate to say it, but I was crushed."
Jade just looks ready to explode.
"So the girls are being lazy. Is that where the class is getting it from?"
Sikowitz nodded. "The girls are the most talented acting wise. But since they're coasting, the class thinks they can too. I'm so frustrated I don't know if I can be impartial, which is the other reason I want you to come. You won't know who is who, so you can't be biased. I want to see if I'm right." Sikowitz said, running his hand thru his hair.
"I…I feel like I should say sorry." Beck admitted.
"I can't believe the girls are being lazy." Andre said
"It's so unlike them!" Tori added.
"But we also thought Ellie was all goodie goodie." Jade bit back.
"Clearly we haven't made enough of an impression that hard work beats talent." I say.
Cat just looks angry.
"It's no big deal. But I thought you should know."
"Yeah, definitely." Beck nodded.
"Thanks Sikowitz." Cat beamed.
"Anytime. I can't wait to see everybody come thru my class. It's a joy just to be able to compare and contrast you and your kids at that age." Sikowitz beamed.
Everyone smiled.
"It's good to see you Sikowitz!" Tori smiled.
"Yeah, we should invite you over hen we cook out or something." Jade said, looking to Beck.
"No no, that's not necessa—"
"We didn't ask you for permission." Cat frowned at him, then smiling.
"Sounds fun to me." Beck said.
"The kids will be freaked." Andre laughed.
"Do they know that I taught you guys too?" Sikowitz asked.
"I just told Sydney over the break. I thought she knew. I assume she told Ellie." I say.
"But your boys, they don't?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"Neither does yours." Sikowitz asked Beck.
"Nope."
"That'll be a shock." He joked.
We all laughed.
"How'd you know about all our kids?" Andre asked.
"Internet alerts." Sikowitz answered.
"Aww…we need to keep you in the loop more." Tori whined.
"yeah we do." Beck said.
Sikowitz looked thankful, but Cat was already digging in her purse.
She quickly wrote down her number, then passed it to Jade.
"Please don't post it online. That'd be mean." Cat said.
Everyone laughed.
"You know I wouldn't do that." Sikowitz said. "Before I forget, can you all sit up here and get a picture?"
"Uhh…sure?" Jade said.
"Why?" Andre asked.
The kids always stare at the picture of you guys after your detention skit when you were sitting up there. They're in awe of the "Golden Group".
Ahh.
Our press name.
We all hopped up on stage while Sikowitz pulled out a camera on a tripod.
"1…2…3! Great. Thanks guys."
"I'd love to stay and chat more, but I gotta go pick up the boys." Jade hopped up.
"Cool. It was great seeing you all."
All the girls hugged him, and Beck and I waved.
"Later Sikowitz!" Andre said.
I closed the door behind us.
"That was good."
Jade smiled and Beck said "Yeah. Refreshing to talk to someone who knew all of us before we were stars."
"Agreed." Cat said. "I hate everyone kissing up to me."
"Are you guys coming for dinner?" I ask everyone.
"Yup." Tori smiled.
"Of course." Jade smiled.
"Cool. See you guys then."
Kevin POV
…
Yay!
I finish washing off my plate and stick it in the dishwasher.
"Thanks Kevin." Dad smiled at me, coming with more dishes.
"I don't have to do those too do I?" I asked.
I need to talk to Matt outside.
It's important.
"Nope." He said, with a hint of a smile.
He's nervous.
I can't read people easily, but I know he's nervous.
We had everyone over for dinner. Uncle Andre and Uncle Beck, along with Aunt Jade and Aunt Tori.
Matt and Olivia also came.
But there's a problem.
One that has Mom on the couch stretched out, and has Aunt Jade pacing.
…
We don't know where Ellie and Sydney are.
Which is weird.
Mom texted and called her up until we had to start eating. Same for Aunt Jade and Uncle Beck
At least they ate.
I see Matt relaxing on the stairs, watching Aunt Jade wear a path into the floor.
I texted him that we need to talk outside.
Looks like he's just waiting.
"Hey Dad?" I ask, as he's washing dishes.
"Yeah?' he said.
"Can Matt and I go hit into the net outside?"
He looked up from the water and bubbles.
"Now?"
"Yes please." I smile.
He looked at me, and then bit his bottom lip.
"Ok. But keep it down and keep your phone handy in case either of the girls call you."
"Why would they call me?"
"Just do it." He bit at me.
"Ok…thanks."
"No problem. Sorry for snapping." He said, then looking sad and turning back to the dishes.
I hear Matt behind me as I walk outside and close the door behind us.
"So…what's this about?" he asked.
"Who do you think it's about dum dum?"
"Ashton?" He asked.
"Of course it's Ashton!" I say.
"What? Is she not texting you back?"
"No! She's not! And she was hanging out with that dummy Cameron today in the halls!" I say, grabbing a bat.
He grabbed the baseballs and followed me to the side of the house where the net is.
"I wonder why?"
"He plays football! I'm just a little baseball player!" I snap, as we set up the machine.
It pops up a ball so we can hit it. But we don't know where it's going. Could be high, low, inside or outside.
Coach recommended it so that we could practice at home, and keep our swings short and compact.
"I don't think it's a big deal man." He told me.
"I do." I bite.
The first ball popped up, and I smash it dead into the net.
"Violent."
"Yeah. The ball is his—"
WHACK!
"Face." I finish.
Matt laughed.
"Dude, you're gonna be so good this year."
WHACK!
"You are too." I say honestly.
We've been having our driver take us to the cages so we can hit off normal pitching at least once a week.
I hope this year we get onto the same team Last year we were on different teams.
When we played, it was like playing my sister.
That's how important Matt is to me.
He played Catcher, and I played third base.
The worst moment was when he hit a rocket to me, but I stopped it and got him at first by a full step.
Being out by that much is embarrassing.
WHACK!
"I'm not sure about that. You're hitting—"
Thunk.
Off the end.
"Dang it!" I yell, whacking my bat on the dirt in between my feet.
Matt stopped the machine. "My turn."
"I know…" I groan.
The rule is, first time you miss or dribble it off the end, next person up.
It keeps things going, and makes them fair.
"Kev, I'm telling you, Ash is your girl. Just tell her…I don't know."
"I want to take her to the mall. I know she likes shopping. Maybe I can buy her something." I say.
"That's a good idea." Matt smiled.
WHACK!
…
"I don't know what to—"
WHACK!
"What? Didn't catch that?" he said.
"I don't know what to—"
WHACK!
"What to what?" He yelled.
"What to buy!" I scream.
WHACK!
"I don't know! Maybe like a bracelet or something!"
No…
Too cheesy.
WHACK!
"Necklace? How about that?" I ask.
"Ehhh…"
WHACK!
"She's always got different kinds of shoes on!" I guess.
THUNK!
Matt sighed and tossed his bat away.
"Maybe we should research this online." He said.
Probably a good idea.
Robbie POV
Cat let out a massive sigh and closed her eyes.
"Where…IS she?"
"She'll show up." Jade said calmly, still pacing.
"Yeah, like you'll convince them while you're pacing about it." Beck said.
Beside him, Corey is holding Olivia and making silly faces.
He stuck his tongue out and smiled.
Olivia giggled and kicked her feet.
"They've never done this before?" Tori suddenly ask.
I whip around and stare at her.
"Not helping." Andre said, glancing at the TV.
"Guess not am I…"
She sat next to me.
"Dinner was great sweetie." I say.
"Don't patronize me." She snapped.
Beck bit his lip and didn't laugh.
"The boys are hitting into the net?" Jade asked.
"Yup."
Olivia giggled again.
"They're determined about that baseball." Cat said with a sigh.
"You sure you don't wanna go join them buddy?" I asked Corey.
He looked up from Olivia and shook his head.
"I'm good. Thanks Dad."
"I can take her if you want." Tori said nicely.
"I can't believe what Sikowitz said." Jade said.
"It's ok babe. We'll fix it."
"I was all mean because I hated my parents. Fitting, since they don't know their grandkids. But Ellie loves us!"
Corey had his eyebrows up, looking shocked.
I lean over and whisper. "It's no big deal buddy, just don't tell your sister we went to her school."
"Why'd you go to her school?" He whispered back.
"To see an old teacher friend."
He had the funniest look. Like "TEACHER? You're friends with a teacher?"
I motion for him to be quiet, then turn back to Beck and Jade.
"Maybe she likes the power over other people." Tori guessed.
"Yeah. Like that's any better." She said sarcastically. "I just don't get it!"
"We'll figure it out." I say calmly.
"I…Matt isn't this way you think?" Jade looked to Beck.
"I can schedule a conference with his homeroom teacher for Friday or Monday. We can see."
"Please." Jade said.
Then she went back to—
Beeeeeep.
Everyone jumped to their feet.
Cat and Jade ran to the door.
…
It's them.
Both girls have their backpacks.
"Where have you been?" Jade snapped.
Ellie shrugged.
"Sydney?" Cat growled.
"What's going on?" She innocently asked.
"Uhhh guys?" Tori suddenly said.
Everyone turned to her.
"We're gonna go home and let you guys talk." Andre said.
"About what?" Sydney asked, looking nervous.
Suddenly a small voice said "I got her."
We all turn around and see little Corey gently cradling Olivia, who is curled to his chest.
"Uhh…you sure Corey?' Andre asked.
Tori looks like she could melt into oblivion.
"Uh huh. I can't get the door though."
Cat jumped thru the girls and opened the door.
"Bye!" Cat kissed Olivia, then waved to Andre and Tori.
"Thanks for dinner." Andre smiled.
"Dinner?" Ellie yelped.
"Thunk." Went the door.
"Yup." Jade frowned.
"What's going on?" Sydney asked.
"Let's let Corey back in and then we can start this."
…
Corey opened the door and slipped in, then shut it.
"Where were you guys? Mom and daddy were worried!" Corey piped up.
Ellie suddenly made a move to him, but Jade practically tackled her.
Corey jumped in fright.
"I think you should go upstairs and play NextBox or something ok?" I smiled at him.
"Ok." He smiled.
"Don't you dare make a move towards him. Got it?" Jade bit at Ellie.
"Ok, fine! He's freaking 8! What gives him the right to question me?" She barked.
"What gives you the right to be out, PAST CURFEW without calling or texting anyone?" Beck asked, holding his hands out.
It's 9 o' clock. They're always supposed to be home by now if they haven't called ahead.
"We were with friends!" Sydney said quickly.
"Who?" Cat asked.
…
"Doesn't matter." Ellie said.
"Yeah it does!" I reply.
"Why?" Sydney asked.
"Because Sydney. Tonight you knew we were supposed to have everybody over for dinner! And everyone came! Except you two! We didn't know where you went after school!" I tell her.
"We were worried sick!" Jade snapped.
"But we're fine!"
"That's not the point!" Cat yelled. "You were gone and didn't tell us for SIX hours!"
"Oh get off it Cat." Ellie bit at her. "Everything is fine. No need to flip out about it."
"Okay!" Jade yelled, silencing me. "You. Get your stuff and get your ass to the car."
"Why? I'm hungry!" She replied.
Jade took one step forward, and stood in front of her daughter.
"Do…what I said. Eleanor." She frowned. "And don't call her Cat. Show some respect."
Ellie looked down and away. Clearly her mother's words hit home.
"Fine."
She then whipped around, opened the door, rushed thru it and slammed it behind her.
"Oh we're not done missy…" Jade grumbled.
"I'll get Matt." Beck jumped to the back door.
Then Syd followed him.
"Whoa! Where do you think you're going?" I ask.
"To my room." She stated.
"No. Please sit down." Cat asked nicely.
Sydney kept going up the stairs.
"Syd, c'mon." I said, following her.
"Leave me ALONE Dad." She yelled.
"Sydney, why are you so mad? Are we missing someth—"
SLAM!
I freeze in front of her door.
She slammed the door in my face.
Click.
AND locked it!
I peek over the balcony to see Cat looking up to me, shocked.
Then I heard the back door open.
"Bye Aunt Cat!" Matt said, running and hugging her.
"Love you sweetie. Great seeing you." Cat smiled.
Matt then ran out the door.
Then Beck approached Cat.
"I think we're missing something." He said.
"Yeah. It's not like them to be so…hostile." Cat said.
"We'll look into it…" beck replied. "Thanks for dinner."
"No problem." Cat smiled.
Beck then walked out the door.
…
"What happened Mom? Are they back yet?" Kevin asked.
I walked downstairs.
"Yeah bud. They're back, but I think they're mad at us for being mad." I fudge the facts a little.
"Why? They know the rules." He said. "I know I have to be back by 8 if I don't call or text you guys."
"We think there's something they aren't telling us sweetheart. We'll figure it out." Cat smiled.
Kevin poked his head into the freezer and came out with a container of ice cream.
"Mind if I join you?' Cat smiled again.
"Sure. I got two spoons." He grinned goofily.
Cat laughed and followed him to the table.
I'm going to see if I can get Sydney to open up.
Between me and her mom, she talks to me easier.
This time my ankles don't pop on my way up the stairs.
The door to the theater where the NextBox is kept is shut tight.
Knock Knock Knock.
"Sydney. Can I come in?"
…
"Sydneyyyy…"
…
…
I knock again.
"Can you please just go away?" She suddenly said quietly, next to the door.
Unfortunately it's still shut.
"No. I can't. What are we missing Syd. C'mon." I ask kindly.
"Go away Dad. I'm busy doing homework."
"Oh we both know that's not true." I say.
Then she whacked the door.
"GO AWAY!"
…
Whoa.
"Are you hungry? I can get some stuff to heat up for you if you'd like." I say.
…
…
"I'll be right back." I say.
I feel terrible as I walk back downstairs.
"If you see your sister, don't say anything ok dude?" I tell Kevin as I walk over to the fridge.
"Got it. Why is she so mad?"
"No clue." Cat and I both say.
"Are you making her food?" Cat asked.
"Yeah. Ellie said she was hungry, so I'm guessing she is too."
"Oh yeah. Good point." Cat said.
I get out the green beans and chicken and set it on a plate.
Unfortunately potatoes don't save.
We had to throw the little we had left out.
…
…
Baked potato.
The girl loves them.
I grab a potato, clean it, poke holes in it and stick it in the microwave.
The simple and quickie way to bake potatoes.
Blink.
…
"Jade texted me. Apparently Ellie admitted that they were at the movies, and the reason they didn't call is because they were in the movie. They meant to, but ate after school and forgot." Cat said.
"That'd explain it." Kevin cracked.
"Kevin…" I say.
"What?"
"This isn't any of your business. Just keep your head down. Your sister is probably just feeling bad about forgetting." I say.
"…Okay."
He then took the ice cream back to the freezer and closed the door.
"Love you dad. I have to read for class, then will sleep." He said, hugging me from the side.
I turned him around and hugged him fully.
Before I let go, Corey came running and crashed into us.
"Oof!"
"Love you Daddy." He said.
Cat beamed and said "Don't let go yet!"
She got on the other size and we smushed the kids.
"Ahhh! Don't smush me!" Kevin squirmed out.
Corey laughed, then hugged his mom.
"Time for bed ok?" Cat smiled. "We'll be up to say goodnight."
"Ok."
"My light will probably be on." Kevin said.
"That's cool. Good luck reading." I say.
Corey followed his big brother upstairs.
Cat then turned to me and hugged me tight.
"We didn't mess up…did we?"
"We probably could have been nicer about it. But we were worried. Ellie's the one that messed up." I reassure her.
"Yeah…"
The microwave dinged, and she grabbed the plate while I slipped on a hot pad and grabbed the potato.
I quickly put on butter, and grabbed her favorite things she puts on them.
Sour cream, chives, grated cheese, and finally salt and pepper.
Then Cat grabbed the tray I use when I make her breakfast in bed and loaded it up.
We even put a bottle of raderade we know she likes.
The journey up the stairs always makes me nervous, but goes without event.
I set it down at her door and knock.
"Sydney? I heated up some stuff for you ok? It's at the door." I call out.
"Love you!" Cat added on.
…
I gently guide Cat away from Sydney's door and towards the boys' section of the upstairs.
First, Corey's room.
He's putting on his pajamas now.
"Gosh you're getting big." Cat said, causing him to look up and smile.
"Thanks mommy."
He then stood up and hugged us.
"Night bud." I say.
Cat followed him as he slipped under the covers and tucked him in, then turned on his night light.
"Love you." Cat smiled.
"Love you too mommy."
Cat and I creep out of the room, and towards Kevin's.
The light is on.
"Knock knock." I say softly, also knocking on the door to announce our presence."
"Oh hey." Kevin said, turning around.
"Whatcha reading?" Cat asked.
"Shakespeare." He groaned. "When will I ever need to know this stuff?"
"In conversation. It comes up more than you'd expect." I say.
"Really?"
Cat nodded.
He groaned. "I'm so tired though…"
"Sleep. You can read it on the way to school." Cat suggested.
Kevin froze, then turned in his chair.
"You're a genius."
"That's what I'm here for."
He hugged cat's waist, then said "I'll finish the chapter, but read the rest tomorrow."
"How much you got left?" I ask.
"One more chapter."
"When's the class?"
"1st period."
Cat and I both cringe.
"Yeah I know."
"Good luck. And go to sleep." I say, walking out.
Cat kisses his cheek, then follows me.
On our way downstairs we notice that the tray is gone from Sydney's door.
I spend the next 30 minutes or so wiping down the kitchen, while Cat wipes up the table and counters.
The maid is coming tomorrow to clean what we miss.
After we finish, we collapse in our room and watch TV.
Some movie that was on whatever channel Cat had it on last.
Knock Knock.
Cat suddenly straightens up.
"Come in." I say.
…
"Hey."
I can feel Cat light up beside me.
"C'mere…sit."
Sydney nervously slipped past the TV and sat near her mom.
I mute the TV.
"I'm sorry I yelled." She said quietly.
Cat smiled gently and played with Sydney's hair.
"Is everything ok?"
"yeah…everything is fine."
"You're not all hormonal are you?" Cat asked.
God does she have to be so blunt about it?
It's awkward enough for me. I'm the one that buys the damned tampons for her.
"No. That's in two weeks."
…
"Jade said that apparently you guys were at a movie and forgot to text us when you had dinner." Cat continued.
Suddenly Sydney looked very confused, but covered it up just as quick.
Hold up…
"Yeah…it was a disaster. I should have called on the way home."
"Who drove you?" I ask.
Cat freezes, I assume because she knows how good a question it is.
"A friend from school. It was a bad day, so it was kind of like a girls night out thing."
She kept her eyes on the covers.
"Okay…do you wanna talk about it?"
She shook her head.
"Nuh uh. It's over now. No need to dwell."
"Well…ok." I say.
I don't think there's anything else to say.
At least not to her.
"I'll see you guys in the morning." She said, getting up quietly.
"Ok. Sleep well." I say.
She quickly leaves the room and shuts the door behind her.
"What are you thinking?" cat immediately asked me.
I held my hand up.
I think she's still at the door.
She always forgets that we can see her feet if she stands by the door.
Cat's face lights up, then she quietly unmutes the TV.
…
The feet at our door walked away.
"What?" Cat asked me.
"I don't think Ellie gave her mom the right story. I think it's a half truth."
"But why?"
"She reacted to the story like it was based it fact, but the details were wrong." I say.
"Dinner…no text…movie…I don't get it."
"Me neither. I say we just forget about it. She's home now." I sigh, collapsing into my pillows.
Cat curled up to me.
"Yeah…"
(A/N: To everyone who is asking about the premonitions from Winds Of Change, you'll see shortly. Have a good weekend everyone. Thanks for reading.)