We're Not Related Anymore...

The Engagement Party

Jacob: Three Years Ago

I almost regret telling Maddie to find me in the library. Ever since I told her, I always find her there. When she spots me, she'll come over with a book she's just checked out and read it silently while I study.

Today she's reading a battered copy of the Hunger Games and keeps making noises. I'm not sure she even realizes she's doing it, but every time she reads something dramatic, she'll audibly gasp. If it was anyone else, I'd find it annoying. But I like having Maddie near me when I study. When I get bored with my Math homework, I take a break and just watch her. She has the most expressive face I've ever seen. Her freckled nose is scrunched in concentration as she reads whatever scene she's reading. She's so absorbed in her book that she doesn't even know I'm staring at her.

I look back down at my notebook and force myself to finish the last few equations. All the while, I'm thinking of things to ask her. Maybe I can ask her what chapter she's just read. All I know is that I like talking to her. She always has interesting things to say, and an opinion on everything. The only problem is that I like the sound of her voice while she's saying these things just a little too much.

I prop my chin up on my hand, scribbling away with my left as I do. I really, really regret telling Maddie to find me in the library. Now that I've spent more time with her, it really sucks that our parents are engaged. In all seventeen years of my life, I've never had a thing for a girl. It's always been school, sports, and studying. But now, I've met the first girl I've ever really liked and she's going to become my stepsister. The worst part, though, is that Maddie's choice to spend free periods with me has nothing to do with getting to know me better as a person. When she first came by the library, I asked her why she was here, and she told me she wanted to get to know her 'future stepbrother' better. But 'brotherly' is the last way I want her to think of me.

I'm on my last Math sum when I feel someone snake their arms around me. I stiffen when Betty's Chanel perfume assaults my nostrils.

"Hey, handsome, I thought I'd find you here," She whispers. Maddie looks up from her book, her eyebrows rising up into her hairline as she sees the way Betty hangs off of me. I not-so-subtly shake her off and she comes down to sit in front of me (and next to Maddie) while frowning.

"Someone's touchy," She says, sniffing. I've known Betty, unfortunately, my whole life. Our fathers have been friends for years and so we've grown up in each other's orbits. The problem with Betty though is that she thinks this means she has a claim on me. I've also never had a serious girlfriend which she once confessed (while drunk) she thought meant I was waiting for her to be ready.

She gives Maddie, who's gone back to reading her book, a sideways glance.

"And you are?" She asks. Maddie looks up from her book again and closes it when she sees Betty looking at her expectantly.

"Maddie Culkin," She tells Betty, returning the other girls 'better-than-you' look. Betty keeps her snarl in check when the surname registers in her brain. Her eyes widen and something like a genuine smile crosses her face.

"Josh's sister, right?" Betty says, sounding way too relieved. "So, another sister to add to the pile, hey, Jacob?" She asks. I snap my notebook shut and try not to let her words bother me. She runs a hand over her bleached-blonde bob as she continues to survey Maddie.

"I'm sorry, what did you say your name was?" She asks Betty. The smile slips off her face at the words.

"I'm Betty? Betty Rowland? Surely you've heard of me," She's the mayor's daughter. Something she's a little too proud of.

"Maddie's not from around here," I remind Betty, standing up and shoving my things into my backpack.

"Hmm," Betty says, following suit and standing up. "Whatever. When are you getting ready for the engagement party?" I look at the watch on my wrist to see the time. Truth be told, I'd completely forgotten that that was today. It had felt like a normal Thursday until just now. Usually, I have soccer practice at this time but the coach was sick and it was canceled.