Anything For You

9: How Do I Explain This To You?

-at class-

-Natalie's POV-

We had a sub today. Miss Andrews' sister had died, and she was sixteen. The sub didn't even try to keep reign over the class. We just talked the whole time.

Castor was sick today. I was talking with Jaydah, Bria, and Cara.

"And so I dove to save the ball during practice, but got kicked three times in the side. It was revenge for upstaging Sasha Perez. The next day was the tournament game, and we lost because I couldn't move fast enough to get the ball." Bria finished her story.

"Ok. Let's see who's life is worse." Jaydah said.

I fully expected to win that contest.

"Nah, let's not. Let's figure out how to deal with Leo," Cara said. I shot her a quick glare.

"What's wrong with Leo?" Bria asked.

"So I'm helping my dad re-open the new planetarium wing at the museum. And I had this notebook with everything in it." I pulled it out. "So Leo is a jerk whose tried repeatedly to ask me out. Every day. But I keep saying no. So he stole this, and blackmailed me into going to lunch with him today."

"Speaking of Leo, do you know he's listening?" Leo said. I calmly turned around, though I wanted nothing more than to slap the smirk off his face.

"What do you want, Leo?"

"Lunch is off. Gimme the notebook."

"No way! I need it!" He grabbed for it, but I snatched it back.

The bell rang. Leo gave me a nasty scowl, and stalked off.

I set a quick pace for home. Cara came with me.

"Hey, uh, can I sleep at your place tonight? My dad...well, let's say he bought a lot of alcohol. My siblings all have somewhere to go."

Ohhhh crap. We have the museum tonight.

"I'll-I'll have to text my dad. No, I better call. But one question. Are you good at keeping secrets?"

Cara nodded. "The best."

I texted Dad.

I have a huge problem.

He replied after a few minutes:

What is it

N: well my friend Cara's dad has problems, and her siblings all have somewhere to stay. Cara doesn't. So she asked if she could come over, but there's the museum problem.

D: I don't think she can

N: she says she's really good at keeping secrets. I believe her.

D: maybe. She can come over, but both of you may stay home tonight.

N: thank you, Dad!

I turned to Cara. "You can." Cara breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks. I really, really needed this break. It's been worse. Sometimes I'd have to pack up the kids and sleep in someone's doorway. Thanks a million."

"No problem, Cara. Just let me know if you need anything. I may get to take off work, to hang out with you."

"Will we get to go to the museum? I love that place. My siblings think it's boring, but it's better than being at home. That place holds so many memories. When mom still lived with us, we would go for hours. I would just stare at a famous exhibit, like Teddy Roosevelt, and wonder if I could ever have the courage to do things they did. Like, it would be so neat, if history was back in time again, if I got a chance to prove myself. Pretty weird thinking for a kid, huh? I wanted to be a hero. Plain and simple. That's what my sister thinks I should get a medal for. Being a hero for her."