My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 15: Saying You Don't Listen to Music Is Like Saying You Hate Pizza

Chapter 15: Saying You Don't Like Music Is Like Saying You Hate Pizza... Slightly Impossible

Carter
"Good morning," Aunt Hellen says, handing me a cup of coffee.

I give her a smile. "Hey."

"I have news."

I look at her, waiting.

She beams at me. "The court called. Your parents are free to go."

I stop what I'm doing to look up at her. "What?"

She walks around the counter and wraps me in a hug. "Honey, you'll be able to live with your parents again."

Kevin walks in the kitchen and sits down beside me. "What's going on?" he asks when he sees us.

Aunt Hellen smiles at him. "Carter's parents get out of jail today. If course, they can't actually see her until they have a house and stable jobs. But by next semester, she can move back to Florida."

Kevin's jaw tightens a little and he nods. "Sounds good."

"Honey," she says. "Aren't you happy? I thought you'd want to see them again."

I nod. "I do. But it's so soon. What will happen to you guys? We moved to get away."

She shrugs. "We can visit you guys. You can come over every summer or something."

I nod, standing up. "I should start getting ready if I wasn't to make it to school in time."

She smiles. "Alright. See you later."

*~*~*~*~*

"What do you mean you're probably moving?" Tommy asks as we head to the lunch line.

I grab some fries and a soda. "I'll tell you in a few minutes."

I pay for my stuff and head to our usual table. Tommy right behind me. "Start talking," he says, pouring ketchup all over his fries.

I let out a sigh. "My parents are out of jail," I say quietly.

His eyes widen. "Seriously?"

I nod. "They've apparently have been making tons of progress and the court decided that they are good to go. But they'll be on probation for a few months."

He frowns. "Your parents in Florida?" he asks flatly.

I nod, willing myself not to cry. "My aunt is super happy about it. Kevin probably is too. But I don't want to go."

"Well," he says. "At least you'll get what you wanted."

I take a sip from my soda. "And what's that?"

"You'll be away from Jonah."

Jonah. I hadn't thought about him. What will happen? Will he just forget about me? And Lindy. What will I tell her.

As if on cue, Lindy takes a seat beside me while Tricia takes a seat beside Tommy. "What are we talking about?"

Tommy gives me an indecipherable look before speaking. "Nothing. Just talking." He gestures for me to follow him out of the cafeteria. "We'll be right back," he says.

We stand in front of the library. "Have you told anybody else?"

I shake my head. "Just you."

He shuts his eyes. "Carter, you're my friend. Why can't you just stay with your aunt? It'll be easier."

I look around for a moment. "I guess I could ask."

He nods, giving me a sideways hug. "I'm sorry if I'm being rude."