Needing 13 - Johnny Kavanagh

MAMA JUST KILLED A MAN

TARA

The tension in the classroom was suffocating, and my patience was fraying with every whisper and sideways glance aimed in my direction. My blood boiled, and I couldn't hold it in anymore. Slamming my hand down on the counter, I snarled loud enough for the entire class to hear, "Why the fuck is everyone yappin' behind my back?" My voice echoed through the room, instantly silencing the murmur of voices. Every single head turned to face me, eyes wide with shock. "I know I have my own fan club here," I added sarcastically, "but you're all more thick-headed than ever today, and I'd like to know why."

Miss Adams raised an eyebrow at me, clearly unimpressed by my outburst. "Miss Lynch," she said sternly, her voice sharp with warning. "Watch your mouth, or I'll be forced to give you detention."

The room was filled with the smells of simmering sauces and baking bread, but all I could focus on was the weight of the stares boring into me. We were in Home Economics class before big break, and ever since I'd stepped foot in BCS this morning—late because I'd overslept—people couldn't stop staring at me. Some looked at me with nervous glances, others with mocking smirks, and a few with something resembling fear.

Then Nora O'Brien, sitting with her usual crowd of smug-faced cronies, decided to chime in. "Miss Adams," she said with a snicker, "seeing how great Tara is at Home Economics, she shouldn't be in this class. She should be at home doin' what she's good at."

"What the fuck are you on about, O'Brien?"

"You don't know?" She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Your brother—"

Before she could finish, Kevin, sitting a few tables over, interrupted. "Nora, shut your gob," he hissed, his face pale and anxious.

Nora shot him a look of disbelief, her eyes narrowing with malicious glee. "But you're the one who spilled the tea, Kev," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Are you afraid to tell her when you've been blabbin' to everyone who'd listen since this morning? Are you afraid to drop the bomb on her?"

Tea?

Bomb?

What the hell were they talking about?

"O'Brien, spill or I swear to Christ, I'll spill this sauce all over ye," I threatened, my voice low and dangerous as I clenched the wooden spoon in my hand. "Someone explain to me what the fuck is going on already!"

Nora's smirk widened into something downright evil. "Ask your future brother-in-law."

What did any of this have to do with my brother? What was she playing at? I shot Kevin a pointed look, and he immediately stiffened like a rabbit caught in headlights. He was nervous, sweating, and his eyes darted around the room like he was searching for an escape route.

"Molloy," I said in a dangerously low voice as I took a step toward him, "tell me what the fuck you did to Joey, or I swear I'll—"

"I didn't do anything to Joey!" Kevin shouted back, his face flushed with anger, nostrils flaring as he clenched his fists at his sides. "This is all his fault. Your fucking brother has fucked up my sister's life!"

"I swear, if you don't start talking now, my fist is gonna make a pizza outta your face."

"YOUR JUNKIE OF A BROTHER HAS KNOCKED UP MY FUCKIN' SISTER!"

Your junkie of a brother has knocked up my fuckin' sister.

Your junkie of a brother has knocked up my fuckin' sister.

Your junkie of a brother has knocked up my fuckin' sister."

Joey had gotten Aoife pregnant.

My brother and his sister... were having a baby.