Becoming the Gang Leader's Girl (A Good Girls Story)

Synergy

Following season 3 episode 11 of Good Girls. 

July

Sunday Night;

Saige;

Hearing knocking at Rio's front door, I hear him climb out of bed. I continue brushing my teeth, leaning over the sink and spitting. 

"Uh, Saige?" Rio calls, confusion in his tone. A bit worried and curious, I rinse off my toothbrush and rinse my mouth before walking out of Rio's bathroom and to where he's standing at his front door. 

"Ben? Is everything okay? How did you get here?" Questions spew from my mouth. Their apartment is a twenty minute drive to Rio's.

"My friend Sara lives a couple of blocks over. I stalked your Life360 and saw you here. I got a text from Mom that said she's not taking her GED test tomorrow," Ben explains. 

"What do you mean she isn't taking the test? What did she text you?" I ask. Ben hands me his phone after unlocking it and pulling up the text conversation with his mom.

From Mom: whats even the point??!! I'm just gonna fail the test anyway..IM STUPID!

"She's getting into her head," I groan. Ben nods into agreement. 

"I'll be back," I say to Rio. Grabbing my car keys, I follow behind my cousin down to my car. 

"I have not spent the last month being her tutor just for her not to take the fucking test," I mumble under my breath as I turn onto the street Annie and Ben's apartment is on. Turning into the parking lot, I park next to Annie's rundown car and get out. I follow Ben inside and up to the second floor. 

"ANNIE MARIE!" I shout, storming past Ben after he unlocks the front door. 

"You called for back-up?!" Hearing Annie whine, she appears in the living room a few seconds later, wrapped in a dark green fluffy blanket I'm pretty sure Beth got her for her birthday a few years ago. 

"You are taking that test tomorrow!" I state, placing my hands on my hips. No wonder Annie used to grumble that I was a mini Beth. 

"It'll just be a waste of time, Saige!" Annie whines, stomping her foot against the wooden floor. 

"We've been studying together for a month, Annie. You're prepared," I say. Annie throws her head back, swaying her shoulders side-to-side as if to say, "no." 

"You know the material, Annie!" I insist. 

"What if I fail?!" Annie exclaims in a burst of anger. I glance behind me to Ben, whose eyes are glued to his mom. 

"Then you'll take it again," I say. 

"If I don't take it, then I don't have to worry about failing," Annie states. 

"What example are you setting for your son?" I state, motioning with one of my hands to Ben. Annie frowns, glancing at Ben and then back at me. 

"He's about to start his sophomore year of high school. If he wants to dropout this year, you really don't have a fight against him. Don't teach your kid that giving up is okay, Annie," I say. A hard glare directed straight at me appears on Annie's face, her grip tightening on her blanket. I smirk to myself, knowing that she's taking that test tomorrow. 

"Remember, Rio will be here to pick you up at seven-thirty. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Giving my aunt and cousin a smile, I turn around and head to the front door.

&&&

Monday Late Morning;

Rio;