We’ve lucked out with Jared. He’s legitimately a cool guy and what’s more, he has no interest in filling Rivers’ shoes. He’s kind of like a nomad. He’s on the football team but once training is over, he steps away. For him, it’s all about the game. I’m pretty sure he just wants to see the next few months out, stay out of trouble, and graduate, just like the rest of us.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he saw our group as trouble, and he’d be right. Anyone wanting to keep out of the spotlight should stay far, far away from us. The only problem is– we draw people in like moths to a flame.
Jared helps me put the massive bag into my locker and before I know it, he’s giving me a kind smile and slinks away. I’ll have to let Noah know that he did me a solid today so if the guy is ever in trouble, we’ll be sure to return the favor.
I grab my lunch from my locker and head towards the bleachers. Noah hasn’t been in school today and with Rivers nowhere to be seen, the work for Anton has been doubling up. I think Anton has the shits that Rivers is gone and is taking it out on Noah by giving him almost enough work to make sure he doesn’t get to live his life.
Noah knew he wasn’t going to make it to school today so I had to drive myself, and with Tully stuck at home, it makes for a very long and painful day.
Most of the guys from the football team are out on the field kicking a ball while a few of the cheerleaders linger around, watching them and calling out, desperate for their attention. The majority of students opted to stay inside today as it’s pretty damn cold. Any other day, I would have stayed in there too, but without my pack, it’s just not the same.
A few of the cheerleaders notice me up in the bleachers by myself and try to wave me down, asking me to come and hang out. I promptly ignore them. They knew it was a long shot asking so I don’t bother feeling bad about it.
They quickly shrug off my rejection and I grin to myself, still loving that I have that kind of power over people. Only a few short months ago, the entire school would have laughed at the suggestion that the cheerleaders would be disappointed that the designated loser, Henley Bronx, didn’t want to hang out with them. How times have changed.
The rest of the day drags by but I keep my head down in math class, determined to actually learn something today. By the time the end of school bell sounds, I couldn’t be happier. I practically run down to the student parking lot and dive into dad’s old pick up.
After having yet another trip to the mechanic, she purrs to life and I peel out of the lot as happy as a pig in mud.
With Tully’s bag of schoolwork beside me, I start heading to her place, stuck in my own mind, picturing her reaction when she realizes that I brought her weeks of missed schoolwork. She’s going to hate me, but it’s going to be so worth it. Besides, if she plans on owning her own florist business one day, then graduating high school would probably go a long way in helping that to happen.
I’m just about at Tully’s place when I find myself slamming on the brakes. Shit. Aria. Was I meant to pick her up this afternoon? My mind starts swirling trying to remember if I was on sister duty. I rip my phone out of my jeans pocket, having to raise my ass off the seat to slide it out before pulling over to the curb and quickly calling dad.
“What’s up, Squish?” he questions in a weird tone, probably wondering why the hell I’m calling at this time of the day. After all, he rarely hears from me until night time.
“Was I meant to get Aria?” I rush out, nearly in a panic as the image of her standing alone by the school gate waiting for me flashes through my mind and makes me feel like an absolute turd.
“No,” dad says with a slight chuckle. “I’ve already got her.”
“Wait,” I say as confusion comes over me. “How do you have her? I’ve got the truck.”
I practically hear dad rolling his eyes through the phone. “Yeah, thanks for that, by the way. We had to walk. Squirt hasn’t stopped complaining the whole way home.”
“Shit. Do you want me to swing by and pick you guys up?”
“No, don’t be ridiculous. We’re just about home anyway.”
“Only if you’re sure,” I tell him.
“How many times do I need to tell you not to question me?” He all but growls down the line. “Now, listen. Are you home for dinner or staying at the hospital tonight?”