Break

Chapter Thirteen

I leave her house at 5:00, covered in paint from our paint-splatter battles earlier. I decide to walk home so that my mind may wander without questions from my mom. As I walk out of the driveway, her mom's silver car pulls in. She steps out and pulls a large, purple suitcase out from the passenger seat. 

"Oh! You must be Claire! It's very nice to meet you; I've heard all about you. I'm Carol Forester, Alice's mom."

"Hello, Ms. Forester! It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, please! Call me Carol."

I hate calling adults by their first name.

"Oh, um... Hi, Carol. Well, I have to head home. It was nice meeting you. Good bye."

"Have a wonderful day!"

The walk home is short and hot. The sun beats down on my skin with fists made of flames. But, it gives me time to think. Really think. As I step into my house, the air conditioner greets me and takes me into its cool arms. As I sit down on the couch, I pull my phone out of my pocket and take a deep breath. 

Alice, we need to talk.

Did I do something wrong?

No. Nothing like that... It's about me.

Oh. Okay. What's wrong?

I just got out of a relationship. It ended a month ago.

I know.

Word travels fast for such a big school...

I want you to be my girlfriend, but I don't know if I'm ready. 

Do you still think about him? Do you miss him?

No and no.

Then what's the problem?

I don't know actually.

So... Girlfriend?

Yeah. Is that what you want?

I thought you'd never ask.

After we talk, I strip off my paint-soaked clothes and jump in the shower. Purple paint and a small amount of my fuchsia dye run from my hair. It is almost time to re-dye it.