Uncaged

Chapter 5

Life was good. Brad hadn't been to school all week, and there was a rumor that his father had pulled him out and he was going to go to either a military academy or private school depending on who you heard it from. I had no idea if that was true, but if so, I was thrilled! Since he was the ringleader of the snide comments, and there were a lot of rumors that I had something to do with his disappearance, I was getting a lot of people avoiding me. I had a feeling that Jane and Ben had something to do with those rumors, but I liked it. Quiet was my preference. Just let me get through school and on with life.

I was mowing the Weeks' yard, thankfully no worse for wear from the party, and cranking the music so I could hear over the mower. It was a good day, I passed two quizzes easily, and this was the last lawn for the day before I went over to the garage. It was also near the end of the month, so I could collect all the yard money from my clients. It wasn't bad, a dozen clients at $150 a month, so $1800 total all in cash. That money went right into the family account, so I felt like I was doing my part. My granddad's garage money went to the same place, though part of that was for me to buy things for the beast or other projects.

The lawn jobs were fast. Other than the Garrison house on Saturdays, I could use the rider mower on all of them, and even with edging and blowing I could knock out two after school before heading to the garage. It was a good set up. The Weeks' place was my second, and once I was all wrapped up, I pulled the mower up onto the trailer attached to the pickup. I took a big drink of water, and then felt my phone buzz. Looking down, I saw a text from Jane.

Jane – Hey, looking good mowing!

Lucas – Huh? Where are you?

Jane – Jasmine's. Look up I'm waving!

I looked over at the Garrison's place and saw Jane waving at me from the top window. I waved back, and then pointed at my watch, letting her know I was out of time and had to go. I jumped in the truck and started driving to the garage. I wanted a shower, but I'd need another one after the garage too, so it was pointless.

I was parking at the garage when I realized something weird. How was Jane waving at me? Jasmine's bedroom was at the back of the house, that was why she always waved when I did the back yard! Maybe they were working in an office or something?

I sent another quick text to Jane, asking her to call when she left. I needed to talk to her now, I was feeling like there was something I was missing with the Jasmine situation. I'd never told her about Jasmine watching me before, but this really bugged me now.

Work was brisk though, a lot of people evidently needed stuff done to their cars, and that meant the time went fast. Just the way I liked it. I'd almost forgotten about Jane until she called while I was having a quick dinner in the break room.

"Hey Jane! You still with Jasmine?" I asked as soon as I answered.

"Nope, just got home, waiting on dinner." Jane said with a gusty sigh. That girl lived for her meals.

"What were you doing over there? I didn't think she was in your social circle?" Jane and Ben were friends with almost everyone. Maybe not good friends, like they were with me, but being a twin was some sort of a ticket to popularity for some reason, so everyone liked them.

"Nah, she got partnered up with me for a history project. We have to write up a paper on the sack or Rome. Fun stuff," she complained. Unlike me, Jane was in those higher AP classes, so she got the harder projects I was happy to avoid.