Thirteen Summers

eight

J O S I E

I had kept to myself even more, if that was possible, since that day. They made it clear they didn't consider me family, even Caleb couldn't look me in the eye, I got the hint.

In the days following, Cameron had returned and it was back to the usual. I only spoke when spoken to, I felt lonely because even though I spent a lot of time alone, this time I was truly alone because my mother wasn't here.

I had gotten closer to Aiden however and hanging out with him at summer school was what made me happy, I was grateful that at least one person wanted to get to know me — even if that person wasn't one of the people that were supposed to.

It pained me that the time for summer school to end was nearing. I wouldn't be seeing Aiden again for some time, his parents promised him a trip to the Bahamas if he passed the entrance exam and I already knew he would, he was very smart so I didn't understand why he was in summer school in the first place.

I still had the rest of the summer to get through and I planned to lock myself away in my room and get a head start on the material for the first semester of highschool, I couldn't let myself fall behind like that ever again.

"We should ditch one day." Aiden blurted out, staring at the sky above.

We were eating lunch outside today, on the bleachers. Aiden had his whole body laying on the bleachers next to me, his lunch sat on the row below. It was weird being here and it being completely empty other than the two of us but peaceful. For now, this place was all ours.

"I don't think that's a good idea." I countered, my brow raised. "They'd notice pretty quick, don't you think?"

"No, I mean like—" He paused to finish eating before he spoke again. "Like when we're in high school 'cause you told me you've never ditched class, we should change that."

"Is that really necessary?" I frowned, looking away from him and back down to my food.

"Come on, J!" Aiden whined, sticking his arm out to me. "Please, just once."

"I don't know..." I mumbled, still reluctant on the idea.

"It doesn't even have to be during freshman year, we have four years."

"Okay, fine. Just one time." I sighed, giving in.

Aiden whooped and I rolled my eyes, trying to stop the smile that eventually creeped up on my face.

Truthfully, I hoped that he'd forget about that. I couldn't sacrifice my education for even one day, I knew I needed to work hard from day one because once I turned eighteen, I'd be alone because I would no longer be under Cameron's custody and my siblings would have no obligation to put up with me.

From now on, my life and my future was all up to me, I had no Mother to rely on anymore and the more I realised that, the more unsafe and unloved I felt.

After school had finished, I waited outside and searched the parking lot for one of my siblings' cars. I leaned on the old brick of the school building while I waited, music playing lowly in my ears and my eyes on the book I was currently reading.

Every so often, I glanced up to see if the incoming car was one I recognised but it wasn't. I was waiting for about ten minutes before I saw a sleek black car speedily making its way in the school grounds, music blasting that grew louder as the car neared.

I took my eyes away from it and back to my book until said car decided to park right in front of me. I winced at the loud music that blared from the car, even with the windows up and doors closed, I walked away from the car and stood by the school entrance instead.