Melted

Chapter 10

After Gen's car pulled away, I didn't know what to do. I couldn't just call her up and ask her to hang out. We weren't going to go shopping and stop at Maria's for malt shakes. My heart felt shattered. I was hoping the reality wouldn't set in for a while. Instead it set in the second her car disappeared.

I pulled out my phone to text her. To tell her that I already missed her. Maybe to beg her to come back. A text from Peter flashed on the lock screen. Peter said he was going to come. I really thought he would show up. It might've provided me some comfort. Instead, he promised to come, but never showed up. Suddenly, I knew how Genevieve felt while waiting for smoothies.

Knowing Peter, he was probably out with a girl. I know we kissed, but that didn't mean anything. He was allowed to date whoever he wanted. For some reason I just hated seeing him happy with another girl. Was I not a good enough friend to hang out with? Maybe it was just that I was too much of a friend, and he wanted more of a girlfriend. No, that sounds stupid.

I sighed and read the text. Hey. Sorry, can't make it this morning. Meet me at the pier at noon. I have a surprise ;) I rolled my eyes. A surprise from Peter? That didn't sound very good.

I texted Gen, trying to ignore the text from Peter. Would I meet with him later? Of course, he was my friend. Would I bring a rape whistle? Of course, I didn't totally trust him. He flirted with every girl in the school, and made a move on at least half of them. Heck, he even flirted with the teachers.

My thoughts dissolved as I walked back home on the boardwalk. The sound of the oceans crashing against the shore drowned everything about Gen moving, and Peter being creepy. I didn't like thinking. I was much happier when I was four, and all that mattered was sliding down the slide.

I walked into a house full of screaming. I could've stayed out of it, I knew it was coming. They were so loud, I could hear them from the end of the street. My dad was yelling, while my mom was sitting at the table crying. Richie was standing by the couch, his lips trembling and his eyes glossy.

"A C? A fucking C? I don't even want you in school if you're getting C's!" my dad hollered. He cared way too much about grades.

"It was my first year!" Richard defended himself, "Besides, Mrs. Sampson hates me!"

"I don't fucking care about your sorry excuses. A C is not acceptable. How do you expect to get into college if you're getting C's? Oh, and also the fact that you got suspended for trying to blow up the school!" he shouted back. No, he did not go there.

"Dad! Leave him alone!" I screamed, still standing in the doorway. He glared at me.

"Brijit, you need to stay out of this," Dad warned, lowering his voice.

"No, Dad, you need to stay out of this," I retorted. Next thing I knew, I was back on the boardwalk. He didn't understand anything that was going on with Richard, even though he thought he did. Shouldn't he trust me? I was the closest to Richard out of everyone he's ever known. I mean, I'd never tell my dad the whole story, but he just had to trust me.

I headed down to the pier. It was almost noon anyway. Peter wouldn't be there, but I could grab something to eat. Although with all the long lines, I didn't have the patience to wait. My nerves were already high strung after my dad blowing up. He usually only yelled while he was drunk, which wasn't too often. Something happened at work that made him so angry. I was too afraid to ask.

I checked my phone, beginning to feel it was a little impatient. It was 12:15 and still no sign of Peter. Didn't he say noon? It was just like him to be late. I just needed to relax. My dad put me in a bad mood. Being around Peter should cheer me up. He was always funny and put me in a good mood.