Sisters: Butterflies at Graduation [book two]

Chapter Twelve (NaNoWriMo)

Dedicated to @DreamsToFollow because she is doing NaNoWriMo. Her dedication to the craft is amazing.

Chapter Twelve

Instead of waiting for Esmee in the library for a lift home after cheerleading practise (an endeavour she still hasn't told her parents), I walk to Zac's house. By the time I arrive at his front yard, he's parked in front of the house in the drivers' seat of Katherine's car.

An 'L' plate sticker is stamped to the trunk of the car. Katherine sits in the passenger seat. I think she is, anyway. I hear shouting. Zac's deep voice echoes over the top of Katherine's high-pitched exhales of frustration.

"Put the car into neutral!"

"What?"

"And put the hand-break on, goddammit we're rolling!"

There's a pause. "You do it then if you're such a pro!"

Zac climbs out of the car and slams the door behind him. His shoulders are hunched and his fists are clenched. He sees me at the top of the front path and I can't help but laugh. I forget that I dreamt about him two nights ago.

His muscles are tense when I hug him. "Don't laugh," he says, so instead I smile into his shoulder. "I can't wait until I can drive."

Katherine storms out of the car and gently slaps her son on the back. "You idiot," she says. "We'll try again tomorrow."

She stomps into the house and Zac and I follow. Mark watches a weather documentary in the old armchair with Max sprawled at his feet. Zac and I sink into the sofa and Zac puts his arm around my shoulder. I slip off my shoes and tuck my legs underneath my thighs.

"How come you haven't learnt how to drive yet?" Zac says, as Katherine disappears into the kitchen. "And I thought I was late learning."

"When I turned sixteen," I say, "Things were pretty bad and I didn't think about it. Now, I don't know."

"You turn eighteen in a few months."

I sigh. "Don't remind me."

Zac smiles and produces a packet of gum from his pocket. He offers me a piece. "It's a big one, we need to do something special."

"No we don't," I say, and Mark waves a dismissive hand in our direction.

Zac ignores it. Katherine re-enters the room with a satchel around her shoulder. "Yeah we do--"

"I'm trying to watch something," Mark says, a tone of irritation and annoyance in his voice. Max raises his head momentarily from the floor at the sound of the commotion.

"Let's go to my room," Zac says.

His hands plant themselves on the sofa to lever himself up but Katherine says, "Don't worry, Mark and I need to go anyway and see how the painters are doing at the shop," which causes Zac's muscles to relax again.

Mark grumbles something unintelligible before he gets to his feet. Max jumps up, wagging his tail. I stroke his head before he trots to the front door. "Do you want us to walk Max?" Zac says, as Katherine helps Mark finds his shoes.

"No, it's fine," Katherine says. "We'll go to the park afterwards."

"Did you buy any golden syrup?" Zac says.

"Yeah, it's in the cupboard."

I frown as Zac retracts from the sofa and goes to the kitchen. Mark, Max and Katherine say their goodbyes before they lock the front door behind them. I call for Zac, who remains in the kitchen, but he doesn't reply.