Family Feuds

Chapter 3

Later that afternoon, the gang gathered in the mall's food court. Jade had told them about her half-sister. She didn't especially want to.. But when she had talked to Beck the previous evening, he insisted on letting them know,since they were her friends. And since they had already seen the SplashFace video anyway.

"So there you go," Jade finished. "Apparently, I've got a half-sister."

"Having a half-sister is kinda cool," Cat said, trying to cheer her up. Jade just shrugged.

"What does she look like?" Tori asked her. "Does she look anything like you?"

"Not even close," Jade said, rolling her eyes. "She's got blonde hair, blue eyes and she dresses...like you."

"I don't know if I'm supposed to be flattered or annoyed," Tori stated, although she knew what Jade was implying.

"God, so anyways," Jade said, clearing her throat. "This makes my whole parent thing so complicated. Like I don't know what to do. Do I ask my dad what he knew or just ignore him forever?"

"Well, have you talked to Valerie since then?" Robbie asked.

Jade shook her head. "Can't stand this whole situation, or Valerie either, as a matter of fact," Jade added.

"Well, you should talk to her," Cat said softly. "You might be able to get a sister bond going." She playfully poked Jade on the shoulder.

"Doubt it," Jade muttered as she leaned back in her chair. "Tori, you have a sister. What's that like?" she asked.

"Hey, that's different," Tori retorted. "Well...Trina's different."

"Whatever choice you make, Jade," Andre said. "We'll support you every step of the way."

"Thanks, Andre," Jade said. She sighed. "I think I actually might call her. Might meet up for a coffee or something. I dunno."

"Do it," Cat encouraged her. "It'll be fun."

"Hope so," Jade said.

Once the gang had departed from the mall, Jade pulled out her phone and dialed Valerie's number. It rang for a while before someone picked up..."Hello?" the voice on the other end said.

"Hi, it's me. Jade," Jade answered.

"Oh!" Valerie said, surprised. "I didn't expect you to...Umm, well how are you?"

"More or less okay," Jade said. "Listen, could we meet and catch up somewhere?"

"Yeahh, sure?" Valerie answered, unsure of herself. "Well, there's a milk bar in L.A. I think it's not too far from the mall center? I could meet you there in twenty."

"Sounds good," Jade said back, and she hung up the phone.

Driving down to the milk bar didn't take Jade long. She parked and went inside. Once she found an empty seat, she ordered herself a latte, waiting for Valerie and hoping the caffeine would wake her up slightly.

After a few minutes, she spotted Valerie walking through the door. "What took you so long?" she asked.

"I didn't have access to my parents' car," Valerie answered, sitting down opposite Jade. She sounded out of breath. "So I had to bike all the way here."

"I see," Jade said.

"So... you said you wanted to catch up?" Valerie asked.

"Yeah," Jade answered. "I know we got off on the wrong foot when we met. I didn't know how to react, to be honest. And I hope there's no hard feelings."