Me With Him

chapter ten

It was eleven when Cason and Harrold finally woke up. I had made them breakfast because I knew they would we hungry.
''So how was the meeting with the gnat? '' Cason asked
''Good, want to go to the skate park?'' I replied
''Yeah sure.'' And with that we told Harrold goodbye and left. I began telling him all about my meeting and how Carter asked me out as he listened intensely. Unlike Harold his reaction was softer.
"Don't say nobody warned you. He's trouble." He scolded. After that little heart to heart I called Colbilyne and told her to bring Nick and have him call Carter and we would all hang out at the skate park. They got to the skate park and we separated by boys and girls naturally and started talking.
''So Nick and I had fun. We went to the movies and saw this awesome action movie but I went to the bathroom and threw up about five minutes in. Turns out I don't handle blood well.'' She said
''Well Carter took just took me home the long way because I said it was too quick but the car Ride was nice. We just hung out and we talked about our families, he opened all the doors for me, walked me to my porch, and kissed my cheek!'' We did a girly shriek-scream at that. Then we got together and I got thier attention.
''Hey you know that lunch I told you guys about? Yeah well it's my birthday lunch and all seven of my brothers will be there so please be nice and dress nicely like good jeans and a solid color shirt because we will be playing football.'' I got a murmur of oKay's and went home. I played Xbox for a little while then went to bed.
I woke up and remembered that it was Sunday. I got ready and woke up Cason.
''Wake up Cason. You promised to take me to the mall.''
''Go away.''
''You promised.''
Five more minutes.''
Cason if you aren't out of that bed when I get back I swear I will dump water on you.'' I warned him. After he still didn't move I went and got a five gallon bucket from the garage and filled it with ice water. I went back to the room and he was still in bed. I dumped the bucket on him.
His eyes shot open and he threw a couple of choice words my way. He got ready and drove me to the mall. I walked straight to hot topic. I got a few panic at the disco shirts and some sunglasses. I found Cason flirting with a Macy's cashier and dragged him to the car. He took me home and he ate lunch. Then we played Xbox the rest of the day. The next day was monday and I put on a new shirt black short shorts and tennis shoes. I put on my lacy hat and started walking. Cason had already left. When I got there I went straight to the group. Carter wasn't there.
'' anyone seen my boyfriend?'' I asked
''Nope'' Nick replied. I went looking for him. I found him with Courtney. She was his ex.
''Hey guys.''
''What are you doing here Lockergirl?'' Courtney asked. Her hazel eyes angry.
''Not joining your fan club that is for sure. Come on Carter lets go.''
''Your his girl of the week?''
''Yeah well at least I wasn't a rebound.'' I said coldly.
''Let's just go C.J.'' Carter said.
''You aren't even going to deny it?'' I was shocked and hurt at the same time. Then it hardened to anger. I ran out of school and went home. I took Harrold's gun and went to the woods. It only took one shot and I hit the target right in the bullseye. I fired twenty more rounds through that same hole. I had a lot of self defense training. Something to do with the gang activity in the area and my brothers being paranoid. I went back to school. I was only a half hour late. I told the teacher I was puking so I wasn't well enough to come right away. She let me by with a warning. The rest of the day was uneventful, the same old boring stuff. The only thing different was I ate lunch in the bathroom and avoided Carter. I don't know why, I guess I wanted him to worry. Yes I'm that bitter. Carter called me at midnight and asked if we were ok. I said we wouldn't be if he ever called that late again, but yes we were ok. He was just talking to her and I way over reacted. He sighed and told me good night. Then I hung up and went back to sleep. The nightmares haunted my dreams. Memories of my family at the beach. Back when my mother was alive, before my father left. I remember all the questions from children's services. How reluctant they were to believe that a perfectly normal family could just crumble. How they asked why he left, questioned how she died. They couldn't believe that a man broken and grieving the loss of his wife could just lose his mind and abandon eight kids. I remember the month in an orphanage while Brody was getting custody. It was all so horrible. All night I was waking up in cold sweats and tears. I hoped I'd be able to function the next day. I hoped none of my friends asked me what was wrong. Especially Carter. He could be quick to anger sometimes. Just ask that locker in the 7th grade. Or my face, or any guy on an opposing football team. Sometimes it was a bit much and I know that's just how he is but sometimes I feel like even when we were kids I pushed his limits and made him quick tempered. Maybe he would be a bit easier to get along with if I didn't push him so much. Maybe I should show more compassion. No. Compassion is weakness. What was I thinking? Blame irrationality on lack of sleep.