The Unseen

Chapter 5

Cedrick was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee and looking through our files. Asher and I was were sitting at the counter stirring our cereal around. We were going to school. "Sarah, how's 9th grade?" He asked, still looking at my birth certificate. I shrugged at the question and put my bowl in the sink.
"It's okay, I guess. Biology is difficult. Algebra isn't so hard. English is really easy. It's a lot like last year." I said, grabbing a brown paper bag to pack my lunch. When I packed up and put my backpack on, it was thankfully 6:40.
       "Well it seems to be that time, kids. Don't be late and have a good day." He said, taking another sip of his coffee and smiling at us as we walked out the door.

Asher and I walked quickly to the bus-stop. There was a boy and girl waiting with their backs to us. When we approached them, the girl turned around with a stern look. I tried to put on my best smile to be polite, but her expression didn't change.
        "Who are you?" She asked, her voice sounding dull and tired. The boy turned around and gave Asher a look like he was sizing him up. Asher gave him the same look, ignoring my idea of smiling and going straight towards hatred. I dropped my smile and looked down at the pavement.
         "I'm Sarah." I said, quietly.
         "I'm Asher." Asher said, his eyes locked on the two of them. It was obvious he didn't trust them just by how they were talking and how they appeared. I would have to trust his judgement as best I could. The girl shot a glare at me, making me step back. It didn't make any sense. Everywhere I go, someone always has to find a way to hate us. Okay, Sarah. Don't think about it too much. It's only like two people out of this whole neighborhood...you'll be fine. I thought.
           "My name's Meghan Venice. This is my brother Ethan." She said, pointing to the boy next to her who was about a foot taller than her. He looked older than me. "You're not from around here, are you?" She asked, with a slight smile. It was one of those smiles that were supposed to intimidate people. I shook my head and she asked where we lived. Asher pointed down the street at Cedrick's house. "You live with the cop? Are you his kids or something?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at us. It annoyed me how her questions came one after the other.
           "No. We're in his custody for now." Asher said, frowning at the question. The girl nodded in reply and stared down at my shoes. She made a face at them and looked up at me.
           "Custody?" Ethan asked, his eyes widening at the word. It's like they didn't know what we were saying and if they did, there would always be a stupid question after.
          "Yeah." I said, trying to hide the annoyed look I was probably giving him. "Does it matter if we're his kids or not? Not every kid--" I stopped myself right there. I wasn't going to start with these people. Besides, I didn't really even know who they were so it was just a waste of time. Asher elbowed me and scowled at me. Meghan and her brother just shrugged.
          "The bus will be here in any minute." Ethan said, pulling his backpack over his shoulder. He turned around and looked out at the street. His sister was still staring at me. I glared at her.
           "What?" I asked, crossing my arms. She shrugged and just turned around with her back to me. Wow, Sarah. Not even twenty minutes went by and you're already screwing up. I put my face in my hands and shook my head. Asher was looking down at me and smirked, "What?" I asked again, trying to keep a straight face.
           "You already hate these guys and it hasn't even been that long." He laughed, adjusting his backpack. I shrugged and finally let myself laugh. "Come on though, you have to be casual and not shield yourself from everyone."
            "Yeah. I can't make any promises. The more you trust the person, the more pain you're going to feel when they finally bite you." My voice dropped when I saw Meghan glance at me. Asher burst into laughter, which startled me a bit. He was shaking his head, letting his bangs flop in his face.
             "People. They are people, Sarah. Not animals." He whispered, putting his elbow on my shoulder. I sighed and just shook my head. It was clear to me that I couldn't trust someone for a minute the first time I meet them.
              " I know what they are. They might not be animals, but they aren't all people." I whispered.
              "Bullies then. You'll have to accept the fact that people can be bullies." Ethan turned around to face me. My mouth went dry. I didn't think he would hear me.
               "We don't just instantly trust. It's something we lack in new people." Asher replied, taking his elbow off my shoulder and shoving his hands in his pockets.
               "Why?" Meghan asked, turning around with a confused grin. I was gritting my teeth to keep myself from saying anything wrong. Asher let out a long sigh and ran his hands through his hair. He laughed out of irritation.
               "Nothing. It really doesn't matter." He said, letting his anger leak through his smile. I elbowed him in the side and he shot me a look.
                 "Is that why you're in custody of a cop? Also where are your parents?" Meghan asked, raising her eyebrows, realizing that she was putting the pieces together. Asher scowled at her and I saw that his face was flushed and his eyes were darker.
                   "I told you it doesn't matter!" Asher yelled. I stared down at the sidewalk, feeling a rush of embarrassment cool me off.  "Geez! What else do you want to know, huh?! Ask the first--!"  
                    "Asher." I interrupted, shaking my head at him before he could continue. This conversation was just getting worse.

We stayed silent until the bus came.