My Foster Sister

Chapter Two-McDonalds

As we enter McDonalds, the bell jingles. Brian and Jessica head up to the counter to order. I told Brian my order before so I could pick our table. This is what mom had planned so we could get to know each other. She gave us money then went to go grocery shopping. This morning had been uneventful when we went to church. I had gone to help with the children, so I didn't have to deal with the constant awkwardness with Jessica. In the afternoon I finished my homework, when mom came into my room and told me that we're going to McDonalds. Joy.

I go over to a booth and sit down. I look around. The restaurant isnt too crowded thankfully. Across the room there is an old couple. A couple of booths behind me is a mom with three rowdy kids. There's also a bald middle aged man in the middle, sitting quietly by himself. Brian and Jessica are at the front ordering. Brian's in a black t-shirt and jeans. Jessica is wearing a purple crop top, very short Jean shorts, and brown wedges. Her red hair is in a braid over her shoulder. She's just about as tall as Brian in those heels. I have no idea how she even wears heels every day. I can't stand wearing heels. I prefer soccer cleats.

The teenage girl working behind the counter has her eyes attached to Brian. She wears a fake smile and hands the bag to him. She's basically devouring my little brother with her eyes, and when she writes something on a napkin and hands it to Brian, I start to get out of my seat to tell her off. But before I do, Brian glances over his should to glare at me. I slowly sit back down with a huff. It ticks me off when girls openly check out my brother. He's fifteen for crying out loud!

Brian and Jessica turn around and walk over to me. Brian slides in the booth across from me, as does Jessica. After a few seconds, Brian gives me my food. I smile at it. Nothing like a chocolate milk shake and fries for dinner.

"So, Jessica, what's your favorite kind of music?" I ask to break the silence. I pop a french fry in my mouth, then wipe my hands on my jeans. I'm wearing my jeans, soccer t-shirt, and tennis shoes today. My hair's pulled up in a pony, and I have on some mascara. A pretty casual look.

"Pop and rap," she responds quietly. A piece of red hair falls out of her braid.

"Oh. That's nice," I say very conversationally. Not. "I like country and fifties electronic."

She nods her head.

I glare at Brian, tired of trying to make conversation. I'm not one for small talk and I'm failing miserably. It's Brian's turn now.

"Do you do any extra curricular activities? I swim and Caroline sings and plays soccer," Brian chatted. Jessica looks up from her salad.

"No, not really. I like shopping and like getting on Facebook and Twitter. Um, I like parties. Those are fun. Oh! I also enjoy cheerleading! I mean, who wouldn't want to see hot guys up close?" She concluded, smiling at that idea. Wow. Typical.

She glances at me, almost like she's searching for approval, and I just stare back at her. What the hell am I supposed to say to that? Then she looks at Brian and he puts on a smile. She grins back. Then we move on to some more awkward silence.

Just as I'm about to ask when her birthday is, the door jingles and in comes a group of eight high schoolers. I roll my eyes when I recognize four of them being from "the cool crowd". The thing is, with my school, there's so many people I don't even know about half of my grade. But, I have been unfortunate enough to have a couple of classes with some of the populars.

As they walk up to the counter, I see Jessica quickly fixing her hair and taking out her phone to check her reflection. She puts on some more lip gloss and pulls on her crop top to reveal more of her stomach. I share a knowing look with Brian before I go back to casually eating my french fries. I just hope they don't notice us. I hate talking to them. I try to keep my distance from the populars, they only mean drama and attitudes.

But with no luck at all, I look up at them and make eye contact with Drew, the annoying player. In terms of attractiveness, he's alright. Brown hair and a strong build. Too bad he's a jerk. We've shared at least six classes together since freshman year, and all he does is flirt. Not to mention I've had the pleasure of sitting next to him twice. I quickly break away from his eyes and look at Jessica instead.

"Do they go to our school?" She asks me excitedly, her voice raising at the end. I nod my head. Unfortunately.

Just as I start to hurry through my french fries, Jessica starts to slow down her meal, ever so slowly pulling her salad fork to her mouth and taking a bite. I sigh in annoyance. Brian's already finished also.

As I scoot out of the booth to throw my trash away, a body slides me back into the booth and sits beside me. I clench my jaw and bring my eyes up to meet Drew's. Why? Why does this always happen to me? He turns to give Jessica a once over after he has so kindly studied my outfit. His gaze lingers on her exposed skin before meeting her eyes. Brian's face remains neutral like this doesn't bother him at all. Loser.

"Hey Courtney," he says to me in his deep voice, resting his hands on the table. The table that he was not invited to sit at.

I roll my eyes at his lack of memory, for calling me Courtney. I'd rather him not know my name, so I'm fine with it.

"Hey," I grumble back, stirring my milk shake with my straw.

"Would you like to introduce me to your friends?" He asks politely, but I know whatever he's thinking right now is no where near polite by the look he's giving Jessica.

"No," I tell him bluntly. Because I don't. Everybody turns and faces me. I raise my eyebrows in question as to why everybody is staring at me. I was just being honest.

"This is Brian, and I'm Jessica," Jessica replies, saving the conversation that I had wanted to be over.

"Jessica is such a pretty name," he declares, making her blush. I roll my eyes. That exactly what he said when he figured out my name, and you can see how pretty he really thinks it is.

"Drew? Can you move?" I demand in a question. He moves and I go to throw my trash away in hopes that he'll be gone by the time I get back.

But I have no such luck. He's still seated across from a giggling Jessica.

"So will you come to the party this Friday?" He asks and hands her a paper. She grins at him.

"I'll be there," she replies. When he sees me standing there by the table, he gets up and gives her an innocent smile. But as soon as she turns to get her purse, he smirks at me and winks. I glare at him hoping that my glare will kill him.

But, it doesn't. Drew finally goes back to his table and we all finally leave McDonalds.

During the walk back home, Brian turns to me and says,
"Well, we all got someone's number except you, Caroline."

I couldn't care less.

-----Tuesday----

"So what's she like?" My best friend, Delilah questions. Her light brown hair is in a ponytail, and her thick black glasses are perched on her nose. Delilah isn't overweight, but she is very curvey. She's in a cute floral dress and some black converse. We're sitting in the public library doing our homework, but we're both having a hard time concentrating. I'm wearing navy blue leggings, a loose white tank, and black combat boots. My hair is down.

I think over her question. I don't want to be mean, but I do want to be honest.

"Well... Jessica is very...social," I respond. Delilah raises her eyebrows.

"Come on, Caroline. What do you really think?" She says, seeing right through me. I sigh.

"I don't really know. She doesn't talk to me a lot. But I see her all the time trailing some Popular in the hallway, or hanging out by one of their lockers. She's going to Drew's party this Friday, Delilah," I reply. Delilah grimaces.

"Good luck with her," she remarks. I shake my head. I wonder if Jessica knows what she's getting herself into.