+chapter.three+

Before I knew it, it was time for me to get going. “Well guys, I hate to say it, but I have to go.”

“Ohhh,” Felicity whined. “Are you gonna be able to hang tomorrow?”

“Probably. If we have company again, I’ll ask Mom if you guys can come over to hang out in the back. Who knows, maybe you can spend the night.”

“Sounds good to me,” Cleo replied.

“Same here,” Felicity and Mark voiced.

It was only Friday, so they had off for the weekend. I’m sure their parents wouldn’t mind if they spent Saturday night at my house. “See ya later!” I called as I skated away.

“Bye!” I heard the three of them call. If there was ever a way to get away from my hectic life, it was with those three. They gave me the chance to have the life of a normal teenager. I love that feeling, considering my days as a teen are almost gone. I hated going away and leaving them, sometimes for months on end. I tried to spend every moment I could in Oklahoma, with them. I was always sure to keep in touch, whether it is post cards, letters, or the occasional long distance phone call.

I skated home, knowing that every second that passed was one more second till I saw her again. If Mom only knew how rude that girl was. I sighed. There was nothing that could be done now.

After a few minutes, I reached home. I went through the back door after taking off my skates. Mom was putting in a steak. “Oh, hi, Hon. Have fun?”

“Yea. Cleo, Mark, Felicity, and I went to the park,” I replied, sitting down in a chair.

“How are they?”

“They’re good. I was wondering if they could maybe sleep over tomorrow night,” I asked.

“It’s fine with me. Ask your father though.”

“As your father what?” Dad asked as he walked in the kitchen.

“If Cle, Mark, and Lic can sleep over tomorrow.

“I suppose,” Dad said.

“Awesome. Thanks,” I said, got up, and left the room.

I headed up to my room to get a change of clothes. I took what I needed and headed to the upstairs bathroom. Surprisingly enough, no one was in there. I smiled, happy I wouldn’t have to wait for a sibling to get out. My thoughts wandered to the girl. ‘I wonder if Lic is right. Is she as bratty as I think?’ I thought. I pushed my thoughts of her to the side, not wanting to get in a bad mood.

It only took about twenty minutes to take a shower and wash my hair. I got out and got dressed. I walked out of the bathroom in a pair of black JNCOs and a striped shirt. I walked to my room and picked up my airwalks. I sat down on the bed and put them on. Tonight was gonna be one helluva night. After I tied the laces on my shoes, I pulled out the hair dryer. Setting it on the hottest setting, I began to dry my hair. That IS what you do with a hair dryer, you know. I flipped on the television to VH1. I groaned as I saw the “River” video flash on the screen. I quickly changed channels to MTV. Daria was on. It’s an okay show, so I decided on watching that for a bit. If high school is anything like that show, I am SO glad that I’m home-schooled. Even though it can be a pain.

Once my hair was dry, I stood up and turned off the television. I looked at my watch. It was already five after five. I walked down the stairs, knowing I would have to go up to get Zoë, tell one of the girls, Zac, or Tay to come down and pick something of theirs up, or set the table.

As soon as I set foot in the kitchen, my mom took notice to my presence and used it to her advantage. “Ike, Hon, can you run up and get Zoë?” she asked. I knew that was coming.

“Sure, Mom.” I ran back upstairs and into my parents’ room. Zoë was sitting in her crib, talking to her stuffed toys. I smiled and picked her up. “Come on, Zoë. Mama wants you downstairs.” I grabbed a small stuffed teddy and handed it to her. She took it great fully and put her head on my chest. I breathed a laugh and walked downstairs again. I entered the kitchen and put Zoë in her high chair.

“Thanks, Ike,” Mom said, putting a bottle on Zoë’s tray.

“No problem. Need me to set the table?”

“Could you? That’d be great.”

“Sure,” I replied simply.

“Thank you so much!” Mom exclaimed before hugging me.

I just smiled, as I always did and pulled out a load of dishes. I set eleven places. We had just enough plates and silver ware. After I was finished, I headed to the living room to turn on the tube and chill until the guests arrived. I would finally learn that girl’s name. I walked in the living room, Zac and Taylor on the couch, talking. Most likely yakking about that girl again. I sighed and collapsed on the recliner, listening in to their conversation. Yep, I was right. I tuned them out and stole the clicker from Tay. He didn’t notice, considering he was in his own dream world.

For the second time that day, I turned on MTV. “One Week” by the Bare Naked Ladies was on. It being an awesome song, I left it on. I sat there, flipping between VH1 and MTV for awhile.