Running Up That Hill

chapter three

Munroe, Connecticut, 1962, Seven years earlier

"Are you sure you want to start high school? It's such a big step for you". Lorraine has been having a hard time grasping I want to go to school.

Her and Ed have been homeschooling me since they adopted me. I tried public school before but none of them stuck with me bouncing around house to house in foster care.

But with Lorraine taking care of my little sister, Judy. I wanted them to focus on that while I can go to school and make more friends and have a teenager experience. I am 16 now and haven't experienced a kiss or a party.

I have one friend, her name is Laura Campbell. She lives next door, I met her when she crashed her bike into my yard. We were 14 when it happened, it's been almost 3 years of friendship now.

Laura knows what my parents do and what I am and she never judged me for it. I can remember what she asked me when she found out about my gifts.

"Do you think you could predict lottery numbers? We could win big".

"Yes, mom, I'm ready plus Laura will be with me". I try to reassure my mother. "Honey, it'll be fine if anything happens we can pull her right out." My dad, a man who can handle anything when it came to my mom.

He could handle anything, demons, poltergeist, haunted objects, homework. I had to snort to myself thinking about that.

"Just first a job, now school." Lorraine sighed.

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention. I got a job working with Laura at a convenience store/ gas station. It's small but I like it. I work nights since I do school during the day.

"I'm growing up". I laugh quietly. "Too fast and too quick!." Lorraine had a worried look on her face. "Just promise me to wear your gloves and if anything bad happens-"
"To call you" I finish her sentence.

I get up from the kitchen table and kiss my mom's temple. "I promise". I look at my dad standing on the other side of her and I held out my pinky with a smile and he wrapped his around mine.

"Have a good day, bean". My dad smiles at me. I wink at him as I grab my backpack my mother got me, it was the beginning of the school year and it was junior year.

After grabbing my jacket and pulling on my gloves heading out the door. I see my redhead best friend leaning against my truck. "Oh, my God, I thought Lorraine would chain you up in the basement".

I laugh at Laura being dramatic. I make my way down the driveway to my truck as we both get into it. I open my visor and the keys drop down into my hands and I start the engine up.

"I'm so excited, they have a bonfire party after school to kick off the year. We should go!". Laura is practically jumping up and down in the passenger seat. "We have work remember?".

I pull out of the driveway making our way to the high school that's a 20 minute drive.

"Ugh, you're right, maybe after. We only work until 6 tonight". Laura is always the life of the party and always wanted to be a part of it. I honestly think it's because she likes Garrett.

Garrett Saltsman, Masuk's all star quarterback. He had all the ladies wrapped around his finger, including Laura. Not me though, every time he comes in with his friends to the convenience store to get beer and cigarettes. He finds a way to make me out to be the weird kid.