The HOE Code

Chapter Two

"Marey!" The words startled me as I barely carried the portman to the patio. I turned around to see Gina, walking on her two-s as mom came chasing after her.

"Don't run, Gina. You'll hurt yourself!" I scowled, hoping she doesn't fall over the edge. And it's Marley for God's sake!

The last time she was chasing Marcus, she landed on her all fours, with a sharp bruise on her knee! Ugh, toddlers! I rolled my eyes, knowing what was next to come...

"Don't be rude, Marley. Give your little sister a hug." Mom said, as her sleek Bob shone bright under the sun. It felt like tomorrow when she got her hair dyed blue to match all her 'Vogue' crazed friends. Never mind. It's a rule of thumb to never criticize your mom's fashion sense. Especially when your pro fashion advice is to pair anything black / white, loose / tight with denim pants. I let out a sigh, pulling my arms out to pretend I was into the 'sisterly' embrace thing with the four-year-old in her pink crocs. Please don't drool. Please don't drool. I prayed silently as her pale arms went around my back, bending down on my knees.

"What a sight for sore eyes!" Mom remarked, and it didn't occur to me what she was wearing until that moment.

"You're not coming with me. Are you?" I asked wide eyed. She showed off her I 'heart' Weston High T-shirt, and white shorts that complemented the bright blue tee, and her awe-awesome hair. She's got to be kidding me.

"Nope. You will have your dorm, honey. Jake, and I are just renting an apartment in the town. It's for his business." She said, her magenta lips beaming at me. She is lying. She had to be lying!

"What business?" I asked as Gina let go of me with another 'Marey'.

"He's going to shift to London soon, honey. Seems like the branch manager approved his papers." She said, and my eyes went wide.

"I should have known. You lied to me, right? This whole I trust you thing was a facade?" I said, feeling my breath turning heavier.

"Marey!" Gina held onto my shirt's end and I couldn't help but cringe. Why the hell is this kid so needy? Doesn't mom and Jake give her enough attention all the damn day?

"Get away from me!" I scoffed at Gina and my mom glared at me.

"You can't do this to me. Jake? Getting promoted to London? He barely ever shows up at his work!" I gritted my teeth.

"He works from home! That's different." She defended her good-for-nothing husband. FYI, he is not my dad.

"That's the point! Why did he have to move to London?" I said, finding it hard to breath. I searched my pockets for the inhaler. When the steel felt cold against my fingers, I pulled it out, breathing in it, hoping mom would tell me the truth. But she doesn't. My breath turns normal but my heartbeat felt erratic. Good gracious!

"Marley! That's his choice..." Mom said, and I nearly lost it as I sat on the wood, with my legs crossed.

"You had me convinced when you agreed to let me join Weston High, and do what the hell I wanted to do!" I said, trying to not give away the desperation.

"I am not stopping you from going anywhere. I just need to know you'll be safe!" She crossed her arms, shooting me that 'I am your mom' look that she customized for every other thing we did together- PTAs, Sunday dishes, Daily Arguments, and now this...Her intense efforts for convincing me into believing she knows the best. Like that time when she told me she was getting married.

"You are just being overprotective!" I said, hoping she'll just let me be.

"How could I not after what happened to Bianca?" She asked, and I could feel the bile rising in my throat. She'd bring up Bianca of all the people?