The Test [#1]

Chapter 3: Lissa

Daniel and I just kept on taking turns riding my bike. We went to the park and just stayed there for the rest of the night.

I think I can speak for both of us when I say, we are tired.

But unfortunately, the sun came up and we had to go back.

Now, we stand in the sidewalk being scolded by our parents. Señora Rodríguez yelling a bunch of things we can't understand. My mom is more of a silent yeller.

"Stop," I say, holding a hand up.

This probably didn't help me.

"I think we get it," Daniel says for me. "No need for a whole lecture."

I turn towards Daniel and give him a hug. "Sorry for getting you in trouble. Have fun at the academy."

He hugs me back after a while. "It's okay," he says.

I look at my mom. "We can leave."

She takes my arm and leads me far from Daniel's into my own.

I rush into my room before she can start yelling at me again.

"Clarissa," mom says, knocking on my door. "Open the door."

I don't reply. Whether I open the door or not will not bring me my best friend back.

"Lissa?" Sam says. "Can I come in?"

I snort. He's never wanted to come in before. "Whatever."

Sam will not understand. He's always out doing his own thing. I get in trouble for having dreams and for actually wanting a life.

"I'm coming in," he says.

When he comes in, he doesn't smile, he shrugs, then sits over beside me. "Why are you doing this? There's no point in putting on a show. You're not going anywhere."

I roll my eyes. "I know, Sam. You don't have to rub it in my face."

He smiles. "But I will help you see Daniel every so often."

I glare at him. "It's not funny, Sam. Stop."

He holds up his hands, as if surrendering. "I'm serious. I'll drive you up to the academy and you guys can make out or whatever it is you do."

I throw my pillow at him. "We don't make out, Sam. That's disgusting."

He looks at me. "You'll of course have to pay me."

I laugh. "Mom only gives me twenty bucks a month."

He nods. "And for six months, you'll have to pay me your salary."

"What do you need a hundred and twenty dollars for?"

He shrugs. "That's not your business. So either six months worth or you'll just have to find a new best friend."

"Fine," I agree, just as my phone starts to ring.

"Hello?" I say, dismissing my brother.

"Lissa," Daniel says sadly. "I'm so sorry for bothering but I'm just wanting to let you know that-"

"What? Calm down. What happened?"

"They won't let us have phones," he says. "It interferes with the signal thing they use."

"That doesn't even make any sense," I snap. "How am I supposed to call you?"

"I don't know," he says quietly.

I was already starting to cry again. "You can't leave me, Daniel," I sob into my hand. "You promised you would stay."

"That was before my parents decided I have to go," he says softly. "But I'll write you a letter. And I can log in to my email through their computers." When I don't stop to answer him, he sighs. "Lissa, please don't cry. It's going to be okay."

Mom knocks on my door before coming in. "Breakfast is ready," she says softly, not looking me in the eye.

I sniff. "I have to go, Daniel," I say in a soft voice, not trusting myself. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too," he replies, his voice breaking.

After a moment, we both hang up at the same time.

I walk past my mom without bothering to even look at her. Sam was standing in the kitchen.

"You okay?" he asks when he sees me. "I heard you crying."

I nod. "I'm fine," I say flatly.

He nods but doesn't stop staring.

"What?" I snap.

Instead of answering, he pulls me in for a hug. "It will be okay," he whispers into my ear.

I wipe my face. "I know."

WELL, THIS ONE IS A LITTLE SAD. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?

THANK YOU FOR READING. COMMENT ON ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE.