Chapter Eight

I crawled into bed and fell asleep almost instantly. About an hour later I heard my parents come home and go to bed. I sighed and nestled deeper under my covers thinking of the days events.
The next morning I woke up early. I was starting to get nervous about Monday and what was going to happen with Vadia. I dressed and tiptoed downstairs. Grabbing an apple I slipped outside. The sun was just coming up and I wanted to go the “spot” and watch the sunrise. I was half hoping that Jerry wouldn’t be there, but the other have wanted him there. I reached the bench and watched the rest of the sunrise. It was so simple, why wasn’t life that simple? I sighed and stayed at the bench for another hour.
When I got home mom and dad where awake, I found mom in the kitchen making pancakes. “Hi sweetie!” she said cheerily. “You haven’t been your self lately, are you ok?”
I looked at her and smiled, “I’m fine, really but I do have some news.” I explained about Cory and how her parents said she could come if it was all right.
“I don’t see why she can’t, it’ll be good for you to see her anyways, and you don’t seem to have found any friends here yet.”
If only you knew. I rolled my eyes when she turned back to her pancakes. “Okay well I’m going to call her and tell her.” I dashed up the stairs and into my room grabbing the hall phone on the way.
“Hi Mrs. Forbes, this is Abebi, is Cory there?”
“Just a second and I’ll see if she’s awake.” I heard Marcy’s cheerful voice say on the other end.
After a few seconds I heard a groggy: “hello? Bebe is that you? What are you doing calling me this early in the morning?”
I giggled, “because I thought you’d want the time to make sure you were ready to come here for spring break.”
Beth let out a loud squeal in the other end. “Are you serious! I can come! Oh my gosh, I have to bring my tooth brush, movies, extra little snacks, I have to make sure I bring enough shoes, new CD’s, my new outfit.” she paused for breath and I started laughing hard. “What’s your problem?” she demanded while I laughed my head off.
Choking down laughter I said, “You! You sound so funny, listing off the things you need, I thought you already packed!” I doubled over with laughter again. I heard a “hmpf” as i tried to compose myself.
“Are you done now?” Cory asked sarcastically.
I sighed, “yes I am. Did I hear you say new outfit?”
“I’m surprised you heard anything after that laughing frenzy. Yes I did, it’s cute skirt with a rosebud print, and a cream colored top.”
“Sounds cool, any special reason you bought it?” I asked slyly.
There was a long pause. “What is that supposed to mean? Are you implying something?”
I giggled a little. “I don’t know, am I? You tell me.”
“Hmpf, I suppose you think I bought it to impress the boys, is that it?” Cory asked defiantly.
“Oh I don’t know, maybe.” I paused for a second. “Is that the reason?”
I heard a short laugh, “maybe.”
“Ok, well now that, that’s settled. When are you coming? And what will you be coming in? A box?” I teased.
“No smarty. Not a box, a plane. I think I’ll be leaving Friday so then we’ll have the whole weekend plus the whole week still and you can show me around.”
I didn’t say anything. Show her around, that means she wants to meet the boys. Why was I so protective about that? Was I really - jealous?
“Bebe you still there?” Cory asked.
 “Uh, yeah I’m here. Sounds good. I can’t wait to see you. Oh have you talked to Kate? I lost her number somewhere in these piles of junk that hasn’t been unpacked yet and she doesn’t have our new number since she was away when I gave it to you.”
 “No I haven’t talked to her, I think she’s still gone. She is so lucky to have traveling parents, she gets to go with them all the time and not worry about school since her mom used to be a teacher.”
“Yeah I know. Well anyway, if you talk to her give her my number. Have fun packing the rest of your junk.”
“It’s not junk and- Oh!.”
I heard digging in the background, “what?”
“I just remember something else I need to bring! I’m looking for a notebook to write on. Matt is constantly taking them. Little brothers.” I could almost hear her rolling her eyes.
I chuckled. Ah the sweet pleasures of being an only child. “Well good luck with that and punch Matt in the arm for me.”
“Ok, will do, I’ll add it to my own tortures. Talk to you soon. Bye.”
“Bye.” I hung up the phone, laid back on my bed and stared at the ceiling.
-I told you that you were jealous.-
Me jealous?
-Well, maybe just a little worried then.-
Hm.
-What? It’s perfectly normal, not that it should be happening anyway since you were never supposed to talk to the boys. I told you it would take you off track.-
Ok, so maybe you were right a little. But that doesn’t mean you’re totally right.
-Well just so long as I’m right a little bit-

The rest of the day was uneventful except for Cory calling every hour to ask if she should bring this or that. Or what the weather was like here and if this would be okay to bring or should she bring something cooler, or warmer. I finally just gave up and ignored the phone and let mom answer it, telling her I was busy and couldn’t talk. So mom was the one with the phone growing to her ear.
The next morning I got ready for school dreading to go for fear of what to find. I wasn’t ready to see if Vadia had found out about who had pulled the prank. They’d probably be “buddy, buddy” until Principal Collins called Vadia to his office and to tell her what he had found out. Then a war would break out. I could see it all now. I shook my head to clear away the awful thoughts. This wasn’t going to be a good day.
I practically ran to school because I hadn’t watched the time and now I was going to be late. About a block and a half away from school I paused to catch my breath. A car pulled up next to the curb.
“Can I give you a lift?” Kyle said rolling the window down.
I looked down the block and saw how far it was, my legs felt like jelly. “Sure, that would be great.” I said getting into the car.
  “Um, about the other day. I sure am sorry. We never meant to get you that upset.” Kyle said apologetically.
“Like I told Jerry, it’s fine. It’s over now so lets not talk about it.” I turned to look out the window. I could see Kyle frowning through the reflection as he drove along.
“You talked to Jerry already?” he asked gripping the steering wheel.
I watched him carefully through the window. “Yes, I met him at the park Saturday night. He told me he was sorry about getting mad about it and all. I told him it was fine.”
Kyle began to tap the wheel with his fingers. “I see.”
A faint smile spread across my lips. “It was kinda weird, I didn’t expect to see him there I thought I was the only one that knew about the place.”
“Oh.” Kyle was quiet for the rest of the trip and I was very thoughtful.
We parked the car and got out. Jerry was just walking up to the steps when he noticed us. I saw a slight frown then it disappeared. “Hi Kyle, Bebe.” He said as we walked up to him.
“Hi Jerry.” I said and smiled at him shyly remembering that night. Kyle mumbled something about being late and some people caring about getting to class, and walked past us into the building. Jerry, confused, looked at me for an explanation.  I shrugged and went inside.
Right after my third class I heard Vadia being called to the principal’s office. I shuddered and hoped nothing would happen to poor Principal Collins with the witch in his office. After seeing Vadia slap him down I was scared for him. But I thought no more about it and went to my next class.
Later in the afternoon while washing my hands in the bathroom I heard a stifled sob. I was startled for a second, thinking I was just hearing things. But after a look around the bathroom I noticed one of the stall doors was closed. I walked up to it and knocked.
I heard scuffling of feet, “t-taken.” A voice said. It sounded vaguely familiar. I thought for a second, then it hit me.
I knocked again. “Melcia? Are you in there?”
 The door slowly opened and Melcia’s light red hair appeared. “How did you know it was me?”
“I recognized your voice. Melcia what’s wrong?” I queried as I noticed her tear stained face.
She wiped her face and opened the door wider. “Abebi, I don’t know what to do! The Principle told Vadia that Biff denies being responsible for the spider, and now she putting all the blame on me. She said that I gave Vadia the spider, and I didn’t! Now Vadia is sticking to the story and she won’t talk to me, she said I won’t be recognized as a popular anymore. She said no one will want to invite me to anything, and I’ll become a geek with no friends.” She finished her last sentence in sobs.
I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t stay here, I had to get back to my classes. But I couldn’t just leave her here either, that would be wrong.
Get ready to mark down another lie.
-Oh brother.-
 

Author's Note

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated!