Love Me Sweetly

Chapter Three

By the time I'm out of the school building, I know I've lost him in the crowd of students. So I start to slow my pace as I walk towards the back of the library, Sammy told me to meet him at. When I get there I see Sammy scanning the area and when his eyes land on me he does a double take then comes running up to me.

"God, Carina I thought you died or something. Why haven't you been answering your phone?" 

"Sorry I turned it off during class."

"You turned your phone off during class." he asks like it's the most absurd thing he's heard.

"Yes. I did and maybe you should start doing the same." I say as I flick his nose and walk away. He chuckles as he catches up to me.

"So how was school?" 

"Good I guess, but then again it was school."

"Well I hope you didn't make any plans" he tells me, and I raise my eyebrow in a questioning matter. "Dad says were going to the diner tonight. It's a mandatory Saunder event, I guess." he grumbles.

I laugh at him because he probably had plans for tonight that had to be canceled. Going to the diner was fine by me though, it was one of the few things I missed when leaving.

Our walk home is filled with laughs and silly banter.  But then a thought runs through my head, that maybe Sammy knows about what's happened to Jessica since I've been away.

"Hey, Sammy?"

"Yeah?"

I decide to take the direct approach and just straight up ask, "What's happened with Jessica since, I've been gone?"

He just shakes his head and replies, "Whatever rumors you've heard, are probably true."

"But that's just it I haven't heard any rumors." I say and he's about to respond when his phone starts ringing. He answers and starts on a series of yes's and okay's so I know it's either one of my parents he' talking to.

When he hangs up the phone he rolls his eyes and turns to me, "We have to hurry. Dad says he wants to leave soon."

Sammy doesn't wait for a response from me as he start to speed up his pace. I guess I won't find out what's happened while I've been away just yet.

••• 

When Sammy and I arrive home we're greeted by the raised voices in argument. My dad walks out of the kitchen with my mom following, yelling at him to listen to her. He looks at Sammy and I and points up the stairs and then at his watch.

I don't need to be told twice, I'd do anything to be out of the crossfire of that argument. My mom and dad have been arguing with each other ever since I can remember. They aren't the 'lovey-dovey' couple unless out in public.

I rush up the stairs towards my room and set my bag down. I honestly don't get why we had to rush home since I don't plan on getting all dressed up to go to the diner.

A few minutes later Sammy walks in with a scowl on his face. "Can you believe that Jessica doesn't have to go." he runs his hands through his hair and plops down on my purple bean bag. "It's not fair that after she's crashed the car just last night  the only punishment she gets is having to wait for the repairs to be done."

My eyes shoot up. So that's what that yelling was about last night.

"Oh and could you please tell me why Graham Hayes is asking me what your phone number is. " he asks and my head immediately turns his way. 

"What?" I ask rhetorically. He turns his phone over and shows me the screen.

Hey Sammy I lost your sister's number. Would you mind giving it to me again?