Chapter 7

The only good thing about Friday is that you can think about the next two days of relaxation and survive them.

The bad thing about Friday is that our school held majority submissions on Fridays, which meant detention for almost everyone.

And right now around twenty-five senior students were cramped in the detention room because after yesterday's food fight nobody even vaguely remembered anything about the limit sums that needed derivation or something like that. Who even cares?

"This is all your fault." Simone hissed at Drew, punching his rib.

He winced, shooting her a glare. "How is your poor memory my fault?"

"I would have remembered if you hadn't started that dumb fight yesterday."

"Oh please! You enjoyed it more than anyone here." Drew said, waving her off. "Don't bore me. Your voice is annoying."

"Oh yeah? And Ira's isn't?" She scorned.

He gave her a warning glance but didn't reply.

I raised my eyebrows inquisitively. "What do I not know?"

"We." Colton corrected, staring at the two fighting crazy humans.

"He flirts with Ira, a lot." Simone spoke. "And she doesn't even care."

"No!" Drew instantly retorted. "She just doesn't open up easily."

"She even had her homework done and she did Eva's too."

"They are sisters! Twins!" Drew instantly defended her.

"She didn't even care to remind us." Simone shouted and I wondered why she was behaving in such a prissy manner. Ira and Simone got on well so what the hell was this about?

"She wouldn't know you had forgotten." Drew said back, supporting Ira for an apparent reason.

"You give her too much importance, you don't even know her." Simone snorted, shooting an ugly look towards Drew.

"My personal life isn't of your business okay? Take your nose and dip it somewhere else." Drew snapped walking over angrily to the other side of the room.

Simone stared at his back with a mixture of guilt and longing. My eyes widened as I analyzed my best friend.

Oh, dear Cupid! Did you mix up arrows again?

I pressed her arm, grabbing her attention, and lightly whispered. "Do you like Drew?"

Simone fell back as if electrocuted. "No! What? Are you mad or something?"

I gave her the don't-try-to-fool-me look and after a few silent seconds, she sighed. "Maybe."

I patted her shoulder affectionately. "It isn't Ira's mistake you know."

"I know." She blew a heavy breath. "I said really bad things about her huh?"

I nodded. "They are our very good friends and despite their weirdness, they have been with us through it all. I think you should tell Ira about your feelings."

"No, not yet." Simone disputed. "Even I am not familiar with them yet. I need to sort it out first."

"Okay but you need to understand that this wasn't Drew's fault and sure as hell, not Ira's."

"Yeah, sure!" She replied, resting her head on the off-white wall.

"Gossip girls." Nathan teased smirking at us.

We just rolled our eyes and soon everyone was engaged in an intense debate about which Avenger was the best, I of course went with Captain America while Simone voted for Iron Man while the majority of guys were awestruck with Black Widow.

"Detention over!" A voice hollered from the open door and we ran out with relief. Our lunch break was detention because of the food fight and after school for 45 minutes due to incomplete homework.

Life's awesome. Note the passionate sarcasm.

"We are going to be so late for the party." Simone groaned, pulling my arm towards her car.

"Racheal!"

I turned back to see Colton waiting beside his bike impatiently for me.

"Just a sec." I gave an apologetic look to Simone and ran over to him before she would force me out of his sight.

"Hey." I greeted grinning at Colton.

"Hey." He grinned back, his white teeth sparkling. For a while, I was stunned by his beautiful smile.

"You there?" I blinked looking into his amused eyes.

I gulped. "Yes yes of course. You were saying?"

"The car is almost ready."

I sighed with relief. "Great when will I get it?"

"By Monday."

"Mom did suspect a little you know." I said, twisting my fingers. "It was hers, after all, she said it doesn’t feel like Julie, But I told her it might be because she is so tensed due to the latest case."

"The owner knows his car the best." Colton winked.

I glanced at his black bike with a blue and red design on it. It was new. "I see you got your bike back."

He patted his bike tenderly. "Yeah, today early morning. I missed her. The red and blue looks good, huh?"

I touched the blue line with my forefinger, following the line as it curved and met the red. "Yeah, it looks good."

"You are coming tomorrow right? For the opening party?"

I nodded. "My mother's already bought her dress. She's really excited about it."

"Great. Wear um- black." Colton said in a low voice, his fingers tapping on the bike nervously.

I frowned, my finger still following the design. "There's a dress code? Mom's got a peach dress."

"No no. It's just that I think black would suit- like you'll look beauti-"

His words were most unfortunately interrupted. "Racheal?"

I froze at the voice. My finger on the red and blue intersection. I slowly turned to face the all too similar face.

"Kevin?" I took in his dirty blond hair as they covered his forehead and allowed his hazel eyes to sparkle with naked curiosity and hurt. Even in a plain grey polo t-shirt and dark blue loose jeans he looked really good. His blue sneakers were my favorite and he had promised he would gift me a similar pair. Unfortunately, that day never came. Suddenly I felt a pang of loss.

"What are you doing here?" I finally asked, gulping down a myriad of emotions and memories.

His eyes went to Colton and his eyes turned hard before finally meeting mine. "I came to see you."

From the corner of my eye I saw Simone Maxwell, leaning on her car with an amused face. Clearly, she enjoyed watching me in distress.

"Oh?"

"Yeah I uh- my sister, you know Carol?" he continued at my nod. "She wasn't well so I couldn't come for four days."

"What happened to her?" I inquired worriedly. Remembering her tiny seven-year-old, gentle yet mischievous personality.

"She fell down the stairs, slipped on a Lego. Her left arm is fractured for a month." He paused hesitantly glimpsing at Colton. "She uh- wants to meet you. It's no pressure of course." He hastily added. "She was just lonely, you don't have to come. I mean you have-"

"I would love to see Carol." I smiled at him reassuringly.

He smiled back, his blue eyes drowning in gratitude. "She misses you - we all do."

I bit my lip. The memory of Carol, Kevin, and me playing hide seek in his house and his mother entering with her special Nutella cheesecakes coming to my mind. Somewhere deep down inside I missed them too.

Realizing the topic was leading in a dangerous direction, I hastily changed it. "Why are you still here? The school left."

"Catching up on four days of studies."

I nodded with understanding and just then Simone sauntered casually with a delightful grin on her face. "Are you coming to the party Kev?"

Kevin smiled at her graciously. They always got on well. At times I wondered if they had secret meetings and hair braiding sessions. I wouldn't be surprised. "Yes, Ali invited me though I'll only be there for some time."

Simone nodded. "Okay then meet you by 7.30. Tell Carol I said get well soon and that I got some new Disney movies."

Kevin chuckled. "Sure, she misses you too. You should stop by some time."

Simone winked at me. "We will. Won't we Racheal?"

I sent her a death glare. "Of course." I bit through my teeth.

She latched her arm with mine, her eyes shining with mirth. That traitor! "We should go now, gotta get ready and stuff."

I smiled at Kevin, waving my hand. Then I turned to Colton, whose face showed no expression whatsoever but somewhere his eyes had hardened and the smile had completely vanished into a straight line. Even his stature seemed stiff.

"Uh bye?" I spoke hesitantly, wondering what happened to him.

He glanced at the still waiting Kevin behind me and his eyes turned cold. The realization that Colton Hastings was jealous hit me so hard that I stumbled backward. I blinked with utter disbelief and amazement. Noticing my stare Colton cleared his throat awkwardly and got on his bike. He gave us a quick wave and drove off leaving my stunned self rooted to the ground.

"Well, that was interesting." Simone mused, grinning merrily.

I rolled my eyes. Turning to Kevin I waved again. "Bye! Meet you at Ali's."

"Bye." He muttered distractedly, staring at the way Colton just drove through.

"Let's go." Simone whispered, pulling me to her car.

The drive to my place was silent. I wondered if I had imagined Colton's jealous face. Honestly though green did look good on him. Everything looked good on him, too bad he wore too many layers of arrogance.

Simone parked in the garage and we walked to the front door. Since she had bought her party clothes we thought we might as well change here since my house was closer to Ali's.

As soon as we entered inside a furious voice stopped us. "Food fight really? What will it be next, vandalism?"

We glanced at each other with an oh-shit face and slowly turned to face my lawyer mother. Her black hair tied in a high pony and her black lawyer suit still worn she looked ready to sentence us to death.

"Mom-" I started but was cut off with her penetrating voice.

"Are you in love with detentions and grounded days?"

"No!"

"Good then stop doing such things. One more call-" She raised her right forefinger close to our face. "-one more and you, Racheal are so dead. As for you Simone I'll make sure your punishment is severe too. Got it?"

We nodded vigorously. "Yes, mom."

"Yes, Aunt."

"Good now, what is it that I hear about this party?"

The whole situation screamed Joseph Aron Smith and my mind was already forming a revenge plan. He was going down, so down that even Hades wouldn't be able to find him.

Still don't know why my parents had to create that devil!

"It's uh, a friend's birthday." Simone answered.

My mom raised her newly trimmed eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," I replied. "A real good friend actually. And Colton was asking if we were attending the opening party tomorrow." I instantly changed the topic, taking my fake boyfriend's name. It somehow seemed to brighten her mood. That kind of made me worried.

As predicted, her angry mode dimmed and a small smile lit up. Simone stared in disbelief. "Of course we are attending. It's going to be wonderful. My latest case does need me to acquaint myself with some high-profile people. This is definitely going to help."

"Yes, I'll send him the confirmation. Thanks, mom." I spoke, pulling Simone upstairs hurriedly before she got over her Colton phase. "He also said peach would enhance your eyes." I lied, getting a bit creeped out by my mother's dazzling smile and heated cheeks.

The second we entered my room, Simone spoke. "What in the Narnia was that?"

I sighed, going into the washroom to pee. "Let's just say Colton charm works on an elderly woman too."

"Eww, that's creepy." She shuddered to enter inside.

I instantly pulled my top down. "Dude, what the hell? I'm peeing."

She just rolled her eyes, splashing water on the face. "There's nothing there that I don't have and nor anything I would be jealous of."

I scowled. "Gee, thanks. Such a best best friend! Don't you know something such as personal space?"

"Who's he? Is he hot and single?"

"Clearly someone you don't know and wouldn't be compatible with." I hissed, walking out.

She followed, slapping my butt. "Oh my my baby don't be shy." She sang, winking at me. "I have seen everything with my eye."

"I swear at times I wonder about your sanity." I muttered, changing into a tee and shorts.

"Why are you changing? We have to change again."

I collapsed on my bed with a sigh. "This feels good."

She fell beside me. "Let's ditch that noisy party and just sleep and watch some rom-coms."

The idea sounded incredibly appealing but I had to talk to Colton about today's incident. "Nah I need to talk to Colton."

Simone faced me with a wide smirk. "Someone's got a crush on Racheal."

I slapped her arm. "It's not true. It's just fake."

She raised her eyebrows. "Is it?"

I almost said yes but stopped wondering if it was just fake. I did like his company and talking to him. We chatted until 2 am two days back. That surely meant something right? No one chats with just anyone after 12, shit gets real then.

I pressed my forehead on the pillow. "I don't know." I whined.

She ran her hand on my back, soothing me. "I think you need time to think. How about we just stay here? You'll get some space away from Ian and Colton, we can sleep and eat plenty of delicious foodstuffs and your mother would be ecstatic about us not attending a high school party."

I nodded giving in to the wonderful suggestion. Just lie on the bed and drool over some hot guys while eating Nutella dipped popcorn seemed the perfect solution.

"Great should I call Eva and Ira too? Their comments on movies are hilarious."

I chuckled. "Yeah sure."

After a few minutes, I heard Simone's happy voice. "They are coming over and bringing some chips and energy drinks. Do you want me to invite Josh?"

I lifted my buried head with a furious scowl. "Hell no. But you can tell him to start saying his good-byes. His days are limited."

Simone laughed. "I love the way you two fight. I wish I had a sibling."

I snorted. "Well wish again then. They are a pain in the ass. You know as a kid he never peed on dad, little on mom, and every fucking time on me. It's like from his very birth he took an oath to get on my hit list."

Simone choked on laughter as I rolled my eyes. "It can't be that bad."

I rolled my eyes. "It's worse."

"At least you two have each other." She responded. "You two love each other."

I shot her a flat glance. "Are you nuts? I love him as much as I love Voldemort and FYI I hate him."

"That's just a cover-up. Deep down you do, you know it."

I frowned at her persistence. "What is this? Family reunion?"

"No, I'm just making you realize how-"

Fortunately, her sentence was cut off by the ringing bell. "That would be the twins." I happily said, running downstairs.

Simone almost banged into me as we stood immobilized watching the sight in front of us. My mom grinning and opening the door to let enter six people. Colton came first, followed by Drew then Ira and Eva, and then Nathan and Adrian.

"What the fuck?" I cussed staring at them as they smiled and made themselves comfortable on the couch. My eyes went to the twins who smiled guiltily.

"Nathan asked me if we were attending the party." Eva explained. "I replied no as we were coming over yours and the next thing they picked us up and we came over here."

"Great." I mumbled dejectedly. There goes the idea of a simple girl's night out.

"Hey, but we got food." Nathan lifted two huge opaque plastic bags.

Simone stepped forward and opened the backs, dumping its contents on the table. 2 packets of Cheetos, 3 packets of Doritos, 2 packets of Lays, and 3 cans of Pringles in the first bag. The second bag had cans of Coke, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, and Sprite. And another small bag contained various chocolates, Oreos, and donuts.

My mouth watered at the mere display of heaven. I sighed heavily. "Well, I guess you are all forgiven."

"My thoughts exactly." Simone sided, picking up Zesty Ranch Dorito and bursting it open.

"Hey fatty, share." Drew called out, throwing a pillow at her.

She flicked him off and offered the chips to everyone except an annoyed Drew.

"Would you like something to eat?" my mother called from the kitchen door and then saw the numerous contents on the table. "I guess not." She added with an amused smile. "In case all that isn't enough to satisfy you demon stomachs we do have bread and some Pasta and homemade chocolate chip cookies."

"Thank you, Diana, you are a gem." Said Colton, with his cheesy smile.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance as I saw my mother grin brightly and walk into the kitchen and come back with a jar full of her special cookies. I, her own daughter was never permitted to have access to the jar and here she was, handing them over to Colton like she had known him forever. Infuriating sweet-talking hot jackass.

"I have to go out to investigate regarding a case." Mom called out, picking up her purse.

I stared at her outfit with a questioning look. "In a plain green tee and track pants?"

"Yes, the suspect shouldn't suspect." And she left the house with a small wave and a goodbye.

As soon as I heard her drive away, I ran to the stairs and called out. "Joseph Aron Smith. Down. Now."

"What did he do now?" Colton mused, coming up behind me.

I scowled at his closed door. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

"I will." Colton replied, taking a few steps up. "Hey, Josh, familiar with the janitor's closet?"

"Huh?" I frowned in question.

He just winked at me with a secretive smile that screamed he knew something I never should. I hit his arm. "Hastings, what did Josh do in there?" I wasn't even sure if I wanted to know. Everyone knew there was no cupcake eating in there.

"Ask him Smith." He took another step and we saw a shadow through Josh's door slit, clearly, he was standing next to the door but was dreading to open it. "Josh." Colton sang with an intimating tone. "We don't want your sister to know what you were doing in there, right? Open up!"

"Maybe you could just kick his door open." Drew suggested munching on Pringles.

"Don't you dare finish it all." I warned, glancing sullenly at the half-empty Pringles can.

Just then the door opened and there stood the terrified self of my darling younger brother. I stared at the anxiety in his eyes yet his stance said he was ready to fight and not scared at all.

"You donkey." I hissed, taking a step closer to him. "Why did you tell mom about the food fight? I didn't say anything about you getting into that other guy fight, did I?"

"I didn't tell." He protested, clutching on his door handle, ready to run inside for safety if I took another step ahead. "She found out and threatened me by confining my phone. And she would have you know." His voice lowered to a whisper. "I think mom's in danger."

I furrowed in shock. "What? Danger?"

He nodded slowly, coming closer. "When she came back home, she was terrified. She was shaking Racheal like someone had just threatened to kill her. And then she asked where you were if you were safe. She seemed so scared that I couldn't even lie so I told her you were in detention. She asked if was due to the food fight. I was surprised she knew but I nodded anyway and she told me to stay in my room and not get out." He paused, looking with disgust at an intently eavesdropping Colton. "What are you hearing this for? This is a family matter dude. Stay out."

Colton swung his arm over my shoulder. "I am her boyfriend which means I am family. Now continue."

"Say, Josh." I piped, worry gripping me hard as I thought about my mother's terrified face. She was never scared of anything, like ever. She would just flip them off or say something too intellectual for them to even comprehend it but she never ever showed fear.

Josh sighed, continuing. "I think this case she's dealing with, whatever it is, is what's keeping mom on her nerves. Wasn't she telling this was a high-profile case? I think someone is threatening her. She's in danger, Racheal, grave danger."

There was a deep silence, laying like poison. Engulfing each person in its killing taste. The sudden crunch of a chip seemed like a stick of dynamite that made everyone jump. I turned to Drew and he closed his mouth, swallowing the Pringle as a whole and then choking.

Rolling my eyes I turned to my brother with agitation. "Why on earth did you not tell me that before? She went out Josh. Alone! What if something happens to her?"

"I didn't know!" he protested weakly. "She wouldn't have gone out if she wasn't sure it wasn't safe."

"Anything can happen anytime."

"Oh don't I know it!"

We stared at each other, him with defiance and me with annoyance. I didn't even know what to feel anymore. The person who gave birth to me was outside knowing she was in grave danger. She was probably fighting a couple of underworld gangsters right now and I could do nothing about it, absolutely nothing. Yeah, I hated her sometimes, but I love her. She was my mother after all.

The arm around my shoulder tightened comfortingly. I looked with naked fear at Colton. He smiled reassuringly. "Hey, she's a fighter. Why don't you call and ask her where she is?"

I took a deep breath, inhaling some of his soothing scent. "Yeah, I should do that."

"Hey." Josh spoke. "Sorry. I'm worried too."

I patted his arm, sending a small smile. "I know, we are in this together. Let's call our strong mom."

We went downstairs and the others instantly started talking about random topics like they were never eavesdropping. They stared at us with innocent eyes as we came closer and I rolled my eyes at their act of morality.

Simone gave us a fake bright smile. "This won't be the right time to say Kevin texted you, would it?"

One hard glare from Colton was enough to shut her up.

"I thought not." She muttered, keeping my phone back on the table.

I grabbed it back and dialed the number I knew by heart. With every ring my heartbeat rose, fear circled around me like a tornado and worry was mixed in it. "Why isn't she picking up?" I whispered, my fingers drumming on my thighs nervously.

"Hello?" the melodic familiar tone was enough to make me sigh with intense relief. I could have sworn was I never happier to hear my mother's voice before.

"Mom!" I exclaimed, the tornado around me slowly clearing, replaced with an ocean of alleviation and serenity.

"Yes, hon? Don't tell me you all want more food now. Do you all want your stomachs to look like watermelons?"

I giggled, ridiculously happy at knowing she was safe. "No, I just- where are you? When will you be back?"

"Soon. I told you I had some work. Do you want me to get pizza on the way?"

I almost wanted to say yes but after Josh's revelation, my hunger seemed to have diminished. "Nope, we ate a lot." I lied.

"Okay. Take care and stay home." Mom ordered and the tone of the deadline was unwelcoming.

"She's safe." I declared with contentment.

"Great." Spoke Eva, coming over and hugging me. "Let's watch some crazy shit like Hangover or Dumb and Dumber to lift our spirits up."

I hugged her back, pulling a reluctant Josh with me. "I don't think I should stay here." He whispered.

"Rubbish, look at the food. I'm sure you want to stay." I mocked, making him sit beside me. Colton sat on the other side of me and soon everyone was laughing at Alan's poor life.

The rest of the evening was spent in a cocoon of bliss and fun and the night with half-closed eyes while typing replies to Colton.

Mom was safe, Josh wasn't in trouble, my friends were content and I was floating on a cloud of ecstasy as my fake boyfriend sent me cheesy pick-up lines. My last thought before I finally gave in to the plea of sleep was his last text.

Blackmailer- 'You know what's beautiful? Read the first word.'

~~~