"When will it be over?" Why must I always be reminded that it isn't. I want it to be and I know he knows I do but he asks everyday.
I had to think for a response, as I do everyday. "Jack, I really don't know. It isn't up to us anymore." Now I've resorted to saying the same thing. It's great to know my kid brother doesn't lose hope. He's all I got.
"But it's been so long and we try so hard and-and-and I don't get why we have to suffer so much Ariel."
"I would do something if I could, you know I would. I am very aware that it's been a long time and you know that we've tried so much and can't help."
~~~
Our father had been a fugitive for six months and no one has found him yet. He held out family together and we weren't given information as to what he'd done or why he felt he had to run.
Since he left, nothing's been the same. Jack and I had to be homeschooled and my mother has been stressed trying to keep us up. She hasn't failed yet.
But now that she has to work, we have to go back to school. Now we don't have access to Dad's bank so we can't attend our private school anymore. School starts in three days and I have to walk Jack to school before I start junior year of hell.
~~~
Three days later.
It was odd waking up so early and going downstairs when it was still dark out.
When Jack saw me he immediately asked,"Is it over?"
"No buddy sorry" I said softly," well did you eat because we have to leave in-right now!"
I nudged him out of the door, Mom was already on her way to work so it was just me being responsible. Ew.
We got to school and I didn't want to let him go,"Okay bud, have fun, make friends, but remember that you're only nine so no girlfriends."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever Ariel, see you when you pick me up." I kissed his head and he waved goodbye. I wished I could stay with him.
~~~
First days are always the worst when you know no one. When lunch came around I realized how lonely I was and how much I didn't even know people in my own classes. Apparently someone noticed me though.
"Hey Abigail! Aria? No Ariel! Hi, hi come sit with us!" I had no idea who this girl was but she had long honey brown hair that sat in perfect curls. I didn't even recognize her a little.
"Um, hi. It's Ariel, just to clarify. D-do I have a class with you?" Oh god why am I so awkward, I never used to be like this but I lived in fear that people knew about my family situation.
"Oh great, I'm Clarissa. Nice to meet you" She exclaimed sticking her hand out,"We have AP U.S. History together. Mr. Hadder is such a bore. Oh hey I noticed you weren't sitting with anyone, wanna sit with us?"
It was only at this point, after all Clarissa's babbling, that I was still standing, food tray in hand. "Uhh sure I guess. Thanks."
"Awesome! So this is Gwen," Clarissa continues pointing to the blonde to her right,"and Stacy," she says pointing to the dark haired girl who was wearing a sun hat that went past her shoulders.
I was so confused, these girls were beautiful. I didn't get why they were talking to me of all people it's not like I could ever fit in with them.
Through the corner of my eye I could see a couple boys approaching our table. And in this moment I could hear Stacy mumble,"Oh god here it goes." I didn't get it.
Then Gwen and Clarissa stand up facing the boys. First Gwen says,"Camden get your ass back to your table," crossing her arms then turning back to look at Clarissa expecting her to say something.
"Okay Marcus we don't want either of you to be here at the moment we're busy." Clarissa said surprisingly politely.
Marcus, I'm guessing said,"Oh yeah? Doing what? I know you guys don't actually eat for real during lunch."
Stacy counters,"Actually we do, obviously," pointing to her plate of salad as proof," but actually, not that it is your concern at all, we're trying to make a new friend see." She says irritated and pointing right at my nose.
"Well hello. I'm Camden, and you?" He says to me. I was actually speechless for a hot second.
"Yeah I heard. The name is Ariel, not that you actually care," I said as I scooted away but still put my hand out just to be polite.
He shook my hand while turning around to Marcus to say,"Dude she's totally into me."
"Ha. Don't get your hopes up." I say just to disagree.
Clarissa speaks up again,"Okay that's about enough, you can go away now." And the boys listened.
After they left Gwen told me,"They are so not worthy of time don't let them talk to you if they try."
"Oh what's so bad about them?"
"They hit on every girl and they've never held a relationship longer than three months."
"Oh that's pretty lame but I-I must confess. Um I've never had a boyfriend."
Their jaws dropped, I couldn't imagine what they were thinking. I was so embarrassed that I even said that.
Stacy jumped up and exclaimed,"OMG Ariel we have to get you someone worthy within the next month!"
"Stacy don't make a scene!" Clarissa nagged. "But I totally agree with Stacy, you need a boyfriend."
Gwen got out of her shocked state of mind and ask,"Wait, what the fuck that means you haven't kissed anyone?"
"Nope." This was way more embarrassing than I hoped my first day would be.
The bell rang and Clarissa demanded,"After school, flag pole. See you there." And they left before I could reject.
~~~
"So, buddy, how was school?"
"It was pretty good, did you make friends?"
I hesitated to answer,"Um kind of, not really" in the moment I realized that I stood up Clarissa,"Oh sh-shoot."
"What did you forget?" Jack said jumping to conclusions.
"Oh it's nothing. It's fine I'll handle it tomorrow." Hopefully they're forgiving.
AUTHORS NOTE:
So I don't write very often and there are probably punctuation errors. Hopefully it's okay :/
Thanks for reading
