Little Miss Nosy

Chapter Fifteen: Five Letter Words

- Edited -

"Where's your mom?" Carmen is sitting on the couch across from me, gently yet hurriedly typing away on her laptop with a fresh charcoal colored manicure.

"Don't know," I say, turning a page of my book without so much of a glance in her direction.

Mom didn't say much after the dinner. She walked me upstairs, made sure I didn't slip in the shower, tucked me in and said goodnight before retreating to her own room. But nothing else was said about the incident days after.

Our communication is lacking so much so that I'd rather be chastised and grounded for two weeks than be faced with complete dismissal. At least then I'd be able to gauge her true thoughts about what I did.

I know she feels more than what she expressed because we've taken five steps back from where we were before the dinner.

Carmen looks up from her screen with a pout and blows a puff of air. "It's too quiet."

"It needs to be quiet. That's what faux study hall entails."

"I study better in groups."

I shut my book. I know I'll have to reread the last few paragraphs over again since I couldn't process the words on the page along with Carmen talking. "I offered to invite Trevor but you two are fighting...again."

"Not fighting! I just need a break from his constant nagging." She squares her shoulders and puffs out her chest. I roll my eyes as she wags a finger. "Don't forget to turn in this assignment. You have a D in this class, you might wanna get that up. Carmen, stop trying to throw apples at the cheerleaders during lunch," she clears her throat after completing her Trevor impersonation. "I mean, come on! He's my boyfriend, not my dad."

"And what are you doing now?" I ask between her rapid typing.

"A history essay."

"And when is it due?"

She stops typing and glances at me. "Tomorrow during first period," she says sheepishly, finally putting two and two together.

"So maybe...Trevor has a point? He's just trying to help." I reopen my book and stare at the pages; not actually reading, just not wanting to get into it with her. We've had the Trevor talk so many times now I'd need another hand to keep track.

A drop of water lands on a page. I brush my newly dyed hair back onto my shoulders, level with the towel lying around my neck to redirect the little droplets.

"Half-way done. I deserve a TV break." Carmen bravely tosses her open laptop on the other end of the couch and scoops up the remote. "Any suggestions?"

I sigh noisily as she flicks through the news channels. "God, anything but the news."

The living room goes silent, and then, "You've seen what's been going on with him, too?"

I nod, aware that pulling the oblivious card about the 'him' in question is pointless.

"So, you think his reign of terror is back? I hope it's some bored copycat criminal or something. I kinda wish he'd stay gone. Life's just easier without him in it."

The book's spine groans in protest as I grip each side tighter with every word Carmen speaks.

My brother isn't a good role model. I wouldn't even call him a decent human being, so I'm always baffled by the way my body tenses every time someone utters anything bad about him.

"What'd I say?" Carmen asks, casting a wary glance my way.

"It's just..." I sit the book beside me and begin to pick at my cuticles. How exactly do you mention how much you wish a criminal were still in your life without sounding crazy? "Jacob has done bad things, but he's still my brother. I don't want him to disappear for good."