totally clueless - e. tiscia [✓]

XI

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I get home in time for curfew. Of course, I still get in trouble for not coming home immediately after school. Daddy adds another day to my grounding, he must be in a good mood.

Tears of joy well up in my eyes when I see the leftover lasagna in the fridge.

Cher is already in bed pretending to be asleep. It's only 9 PM.

"I know you aren't asleep," I scoff.

She sits up, looking ready to argue some more. But when she looks at me, she just smirks.

"What?"

Cher crosses her arms. "Did Daddy catch you with that hickey?"

I put my hands on my hips. "Excuse me."

"Now that I know where you've been all day, I'm sure Daddy would love to know that you skipped school and went jeeping."

Shit.

"I was not out 'jeeping,' Cher."

"Whatever it was, don't you think Daddy deserves to know?" She looks at me innocently.

If she was going to play dirty, I was going to fight fire. "As if you haven't skipped school before. And speaking of things our dear father would love to know, what would he think of you smoking doobies at parties in the Valley?"

Her jaw drops. "You wouldn't dare," she charges.

Perfect opportunity to drop the bomb. "You're right. Because I'm a good sister and not a snitch."

Cher just rolls her eyes. "At least I'm not a backstabber."

"I admit that it wasn't the nicest thing I could've done, but I never asked for any of this. I'm really really happy with Elton. You know who wasn't? Tai."

"What and ever," Cher sneers. "I don't want to discuss this anymore."

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The next day in Mr. Hall's class, we are introduced to the illustrious 'Christian,' who's been splitting semesters in Chicago.

He strides into class like he fell out of the movie "Grease." He leans against the doorframe, jacket slung over his shoulder. Just by his demeanor, I can tell he's one of those '70s minded' types. You know? The ones who think they have a point to prove by being misogynistic?

"So this must be the elusive Christian," Mr. Hall greets.

He nods. "Where should I park?"

Mr. Hall scouts the desks. "There's one, third back."

Right next to me? Great.

He sits and chin nods at me. Ew. I shoot Elton a "help me" look.

Cher not-so-subtly pushes her fluffy pink pen off her desk. You're joking. No way my sister is interested in this hipster John Travolta wannabe. Well that shuts down her Josh thing. Anyone but him.

Christian picks it up for her and compliments her "stems." Elton laughs, seeing my eyes practically popping out of my head.

They stare into each other's eyes. At least, Cher stares into his.

"Cher?" Mr. Hall calls.

"Present," she replies, breathily.

"I guess we established that during attendance. It's time for your oral."

The class stares at our teacher in disbelief.

Cher is not exempt. "Excuse me?"

"Your original oral," Mr. Hall clarifies. "The topic is violence in the media."