6

6
We finally told Casey a week later, I could tell just how upset she was to hear it. Though she didn't shed a tear, the look in her eyes said it all. She shut down afterwards, we both did. However, we grew closer in the process; neither of us would talk or even flash a simple smile at anyone but each other. We felt the same amout of pain though nobody could tell who had taken the loss the worse, me or Casey.
After the funeral, my father had started coming down to Pheonix to see us. He'd take us to a movie, sometimes even to luch or out to dinner while he was in town. Be wanted to take us both with him when he he'd leave but, he could'nt not until he was able to sell our old house.
Until then, Carol hired a sitter for Casey and they had me enrolled in school here in town. It was there I met Conner, who was just slightly shorter than me and had brown hair, and a somewhat devious smile. By then I had my own car and would drive to school. I'd sometimes offer him a ride when I would see him walking to the bus stop and of course, he never hesitated to take me up on my offer. We ended up becoming good friends and with in that first month every one knew who I was.
It was as if I struck gold or something, I could'nt understand it. I figured Conner must have been the most popular kids there and once everyone heard I of all people was his friend, so was I.
"So tell me, what brought a british guy like you to Pheonix." Conner asks as he sits down next to me.
"I'd rather not talk about it." I say lightly as brush my hair out of my face.
"Oh come on, there must be some kind of story to it." He says, as he takes a bite of his food. "You know my story. Im your friend, I should at least know yours."
"Fine" I say as I turn to face him. "If you must know, it was never our plan to move here."
"Really?" Conner says, cocking an eyebrow.
"Yeah really." I say with a sigh. "My mother and Sister were going to work out of town so, both my neice and I were supposed to stay here with our aunt untill they got back."
"I don't get it, why enroll in school if your not staying?" He asks as he takes another bite of his food.
"Well thats the thing" I say as I look down towards the floor and back up at him. "They both died in a car accident on their way to the place they were working at. Since then, we've been here."
"That's rough man."
"You're telling me" I say lightly as the bell rings for class, standing up from the table and grabbing my bag. "I'll catch you later."
"Still on for that race tonight?" He yells to me as I begin to walk off, seeing me turn and walk backwards.
"Would'nt miss it for the world" I yell back to him, turning back around and heading down the hall to my next class.
I walk into the classroom and sitdown at a desk in the far corner of the class, next to the window. I take my notebook from out of my backpack, setting it on my desk and opening it to a blank page and begining to sketch as the rest of the class wonders in. Each of them rambling on about what they've done over the weekend or what they planned on doing.
They fall silent as the teacher begins his lecture, he was ranting on about what seemed to be Roosevelts presidental term. I toned had him out by then, continuing to sketch on the blank page and erasing my mistakes as I went along. I glance up at the clock for a brief moment, catching the eyes of the person sitting next to me.
"Whatcha drawing?" She asks in a whisper as she looks down at my note book, seeing a rose on the page.
"Family crest" I whisper back to her as I sit up a bit in my chair. "Least it will be once it's finnished."
"Cool" she says as she looks forward, just as the teacher turns around. "Name's Mika by the way."
"James" I say lightly as I look forward and cross my arms over my chest.
"You don't smile much do you?" She asks as she looks back at me.
"Not anymore, but there's a story behind it."
"Awe, you poor thing" she says playfully with a smile. "You'll have to tell me about it sometime." She says, winking at me before silently turning around and returning to her work.
"What just happened?" I think to myself lightly as I c**k an eyebrow. I shake my head lightly and go back to my drawing, the bell ringing as I pick up my pencil. I let out a lightly breath as I grab my things and stand up, following the crowd of students as they head into the halls and out of the building to head home.
"James wait up" I hear Conner yell as he jogs up me.
"Oh, hey" I say as I glance over at him, taking my keys out of my pocket as I make my way over to my car, a light blue Honda Accord, and unlock the doors.
"Are you catching a ride back with me?" I ask him as I open the driver side door and toss my bag into the back seat.
"Not today, me and some guys are gonna head to the café if you want to tag along."
"Not this time man" I say as I lean against the door. "I've got some stuff I gotta take care of."
"Suit yourself" he says as he turns and walks off, getting into a car as they pull up behind me.
I wave him off and slide into the driver seat, closing the door as I start the car, pulling out of the parking lot and taking off down the road, heading home. I come to a slow stop at the light as it turns red and glance over at the car next to me, the woman driving flashing a smile as she looks over at me. I smile back at her before pulling away from the light as it turns green and turning down the narrow road that leads to house.
I begin to slow down as I near the house and pulling into the driveway next to the sitters car and shutting off the engine. I grab my bag from the backseat and get out of the car, making my way to the front door, seeing Casey look out the window and smile.
"Hey you" I say as I walk through the door and pick her up as she runs up to greet me. "Did you miss me?" I ask her, seeing her nod.
"You're all she would talk about" the sitter says as she walks into the hall.
"Oh, hi Sarah" I say as I look over at her.
"How was your day?" She asks as I set Casey down.
"Not too bad, almost better than usual." I say laughing a bit. "Yours?"
"Relaxing for the most part. Should've heard Casey though, she'd ask about you every five minutes." She says with a giggle. "Where's. Uncle Jay? When will he be back."
"Guess I know who the favorite is." I say laughing with her as I set my bag down and head into the kitchen.
"Yeah, she seems to like you more than anyone."
"Couldn't blame her, I practically spoil her." I say as Sarah walks into the kitchen behind me.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, I take her too all types of events and stuff when I can. Plus I usually buy her a souvenir when we go to track to watch the races."
"That's nice" she says as leans against the kitchen island.
"Oh that reminds me there having some races tonight. I plan on taking Casey with me here shortly." I say as I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. "You're more than welcome to come with us."
"Sounds like fun but I'm gonna have to pass"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah" she says with a smile. "I have to study for tomorrow. Thanks for the offer though."
"Alright, but if you ever wanna join us let me know. We'd love to have you with us."
"I'll keep that in mind." She says as she pushes off the counter. "I should probably get going though."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then" I say handing her an envelope with her days pay.
"Indeed you will." She says as she begins to head for the front door. "Have a nice night James."
"You too, and good luck on your test." I say as I hear the front door open and close, hoping she heard me.
"Sweet kid" I think to myself as I head out of the kitchen and into the living room "Alright Casey, are you ready to go?" I ask her as she looks back at me.
"Ready to go where?" Carol asks as she walks into the room.
"Aunt Carol...I didn't hear you come in." I say as I look back at her. "We're getting ready to leave for the track."
"No you're not." She says, setting her purse on the sofa.
"Why's that?" I ask confued a bit.
"Because I have something to give you first." She says as she reaches into her purse and takes out a mid-sized smart phone, handing it to me.
"You got me a phone?" I say smiling a bit as I take the phone and turn on the screen.
"My number is already in it. Just call me when you both get there and when your on your way back."
"Thank you" I say hugging her lightly.
"You're welcome hun." She says as she hugs me back. "Now go have fun and be safe."
"We will." I say as I turn and begin to head out of the room. "Come on sweetheart."
She slides off the sofa and runs up behind me, taking my hand as I stop and look back at Carol.
"We should be back before dinner." I say lightly seeing her nod.
"Okay, stay safe." She says as I turn towards the door and open it leading Casey out of the house and shutting it behind us.
I unlock the doors and help Casey get into her car seat, fastening her in easily before getting in and pulling the door close. I put on my seatbelt and start the car, shifting into reverse and slowly backing out of the driveway and onto the road.
"Race track here we come" I say as I shift into drive and take of down the road looking up in the rearview mirror at the house, watching as it slowly fades into the distance.