Skeletons in the Closet

Wilmer

Stuff got real when dad came into my room. "You need to get a job. If you continue failing your classes, you need a financial safety net," he said bluntly. My hands paused and a monster struck my character on screen.

"A job?" I exclaimed, pausing my game.

"Yes. A job,"

"But-" I began.

"No buts. You need a job. If you can get a job, and commit to it, and raise your grades, then maybe we can talk about getting you a car for yourself. You'll need one if you make it to college," I didn't appreciate the "if," but getting a car is something I definitely want so...

"Fine. Deal. If I can raise 5,000 bucks and my grades to a B, I want a car,"

"Shake on it?" My dad held out his hand. I shook, trying my best to have a good shake, but my flimsy hands and social awkwardness failed me. "We'll practice that so you don't fail the interview,"

Like I won't flunk the interview like I flunk everything else. Maybe Salvia can tutor me on social skills. That's the lesson I really need.

Speaking of which, I need to ask her if we're still good for tomorrow. Because I am going to die in this week's quiz if I don't hurry up and learn something. But I'll text her later, because right now Sly is calling me.

I panicked. My heart rang inside my chest. Were we going to address what happened at the party? I'm not ready for this. I'll never be ready for this. The phone stops ringing and a text pops up on screen, telling me my hesitation was too long a stretch.

I open my phone and read the text.

Sly: Hey can u remember the homework assignment from history? I 4gotgit

I sighed. Just a normal conversation. A perfectly normal question with an answer I can easily provide, if I can remember the homework for myself. But I can't text back. I can't let him know I ignored his call and I can't let a conversation begin. So I text Salvia and then circle back to him, a quick text for each.

I'm a mess aren't I. I can just feel it. I'm turning into the messy person I was not too long ago. But I can't go back to being him. He scares me.

I gotta face this here and now. I gotta tell Sly I got it bad. But I can't. I just can't.

I'm too scared. To be outed, or to be out. Too scared to be turned down or bullied or for Sly to belittle me. And what if he and Kendra are in love and I ruin it? What if what if what if. But he's calling again, like he's daring me to tell him. I answer.

"Have you seen the latest post on Skeletons?" he asked immediately. And I lost my nerve. I can't bring it up. Not in a conversation like this.

"No," I answered cautiously, switching to the app. I could hardly believe my eyes.

Is Salvia Gataki truly what she says? It appears not considering she was spotted walking home with Veera Wang, and stayed over at his house. When she left the next morning, it was revealed that Mirela (last name unknown) was also residing there. The answers are unknown.

"Have you read it?" Sly's voice came back to me. I was shell shocked. But also thrilled. But that wasn't what I said.

"I thought everyone knew Mirela and Veera were siblings?" I felt dumb, because I've only been here a month and I'm telling Sly what I know. But everyone seems to know. "I mean, unless it's a freshman or something I guess. But how could they just not know?"

"They're probably just doing it to try and create more drama. But like you said, everyone knows they're siblings, so that will be an epic fail," Then he hung up. Maybe to talk to Veera. Seconds later, the post was taken down.