Me With Him

chapter seventeen

It was Monday and I had been ignoring Carter all weekend. I put on black skinny jeans and a red hoodie that said you wish you loved me in black. I grabbed my board and went to school. When I got there I was greeted by a bunch of sympathetic looks. I went to the library and grabbed a random book from the mystery and magic section. I went to my locker and Carter was waiting on me, but he wasn't alone. Infact Eric was waiting for me too.
''Boys, can I get to my locker?''
''Hey C.J. it's Eric Colbilyne's brother. I heard what happened and I was worried about you.''
''Eric I didn't forget you. And thanks for being worried about me but I'm fine.''
''Good''
''Carter what are you doing here?''
''I was hoping we could talk.''
''What would we talk about? The fact that Courtney kissed you, or the fact that I was standing right there when you kissed back?''
''Both I guess.''
''You left me humiliated and heartbroken. The way I see it, it's pretty clear who you want to be with.''
''I'm sorry.''
''Ha sorry, sorry?''
''What about us?''
''What us Carter, Carter what us? There's nothing left of us!''
''So you're just going to give up on us?''
''There's nothing left to give up on.''
''But...''
''No buts go be with Courtney. Bye boys.'' And with that I went to class. When it came to be lunch time I went to my old table. To my surprise Colbilyne, Nick, Brenna, and Justin were there waiting for me. I sat down.
''I figured you would be sitting with Carter and Courtney.''
''Nah, what he did was pretty messed up. And besides, we like you better.'' Nick replied.
''Thanks guys.''
''Anytime girl, anytime.'' Brenna said. So the day wasn't that bad. But what happened after school was the most interesting thing. Courtney stopped me while I was boarding home.
''Oh look it's Lockergirl.''
''Well you must be in a good mood. You finally have everything.''
''Yeah it's pretty nice.''
''Bye, since I'm pretty sure you just came to brag and I honestly don't care anymore.''
''Actually I came to tell you congratulations.''
''For what?''
''Does Carter know?''
''Know what?''
''I found the ultrasound in your bag.''
''Oh no you've got it all wrong. That's my nephew and or niece. Harrold and Rachel are going to have a baby.''
''Ok, sure got proof?''
''Yeah look at the back of the ultrasound. It says mini Harrold and or Rachel.''
''Oh ok here's you're picture back.'' She tore my copy of the ultrasound in half and dropped it in a storm drain.
''Oops'' she laughed as she walked away. I went home and told cason what happened. He got me a copy of his copy of the ultrasound so I would't have to tell Harrold. I was laying in bed listening to music when my eye caught the pink phone. I opened it up and pressed call.
''Hello, this is mr. Branson''
''This is C.J.''
''Oh I knew you would call eventually.''
''Do you want to meet?''
''Yes how about you come over?''
''No thanks, I would rather meet in the park in a half an hour.''
''Ok''
''Great see you then.'' I got ready and went to the park I sat on a bench and waited.
''Casey, wow.''
''Brandon Branson, I have some questions for you. If they offend you you can tell me and I'll stop.''
''I have some questions for you too.''
''We'll take turns, you first.''
''Why did you decide to call?''
''I decided I was curious. Why did you want me to call?''
''Because I figured I should try to get in touch with you and Cason first since I still have some time before you're all grown up. What have I missed?''
''I grew up the quiet girl people picked on and then this year I made friends and my life is a mess because of it. What have you been doing?''
''I have work, you don't need to bother yourself with that.''
''Well I would like to know what you did instead of raise us.''
''Fair enough, I am a business man of sorts. I deal alot with international affairs. How are your brothers?''
''Brody has a wife and two daughters, Kyle is in the military, Aron is in collage, so is Arnold but Arnold has a girlfriend, Kiethon is engaged and just graduated college, and Harrold has a college degree a fiance and a child on the way. I'm sure you know about Cason and his girlfriend.''
''Yes, good, what grade are you and Cason in?''
'' I'm in ninth and he's in tenth.''
''Oh.''
''Why did you leave?''
''To keep you safe the people I deal with aren't always nice.''
''Did they kill mom?''
''Yes, I wish I could say otherwise but you should learn the truth.''
''Why come back now and not earlier?''
''Because now I know being close to you might just keep you   safer.''
''Ok.'' His phone rang.
''I'm sorry Casey I really am, but I really have to go. I look forward to seeing you again. Goodbye''
''Goodbye.'' And that ended my first conversation with my father. I went home took a shower and waited for Harrold and Cason. My mind wandered and I began to worry about what Cason and I would do once Harrold left. Cason came home and went to the bathroom. His phone rang and I answered it.
''Is the job done?''
''I'm sorry Cason isn't available right now. May I take a message?''
''Yes, tell him it's better if he call me once the job is done. I'll take care of the leftovers. For his safety.''
''Yes and who should I say is calling?''
''The head of the snake.''
''Alright sir, goodbye.''
''Goodbye Casey.'' The line went dead.
How did the weirdo know my name?
''Cason, you missed a call from the head of the snake, he said it's better if you call him once the job is done, for your safety.''
''DON'T ANSWER MY PHONE AGAIN!''
''Ok geez, no need to yell. But what wierd stuff are you into?''
''That is none of your concern.''
''Fine but if you get arrested hurt or killed I'll strangle you.''
''Ok...'' Harrold came home and looked at me.
''C.J I have to ask you something. Will you go to the ultrasound with Rachel? She said something about sister bonding stuff. Please''
''Fine, but I will not pretend to like her.''
''I'm ok with that. Just don't act like you hate her.''
''I wouldn't be acting.''
''At least try to hide it.''
''Ok.''
''She'll pick you up in two hours.''
''Ok.'' She showed up five minutes early, and I went out and got into her car.
''Hey Rachel. Why did you want me to come?''
''We'll be a part of eachother's lives, so I thought I'd make an effort.''
''I don't hate you Rachel.''
''But you don't like me either.''
''Well... how have you been?''
''My parents hate me right now. My fiance is worried sick about providing for a family I ambushed him with. To sum it up not good.''
''Equally so. My boyfriend kissed my arch nemesis on our date. Cason is being really secretive. Harrold is leaving us. My friends are torn between me and my ex boyfriend who is now dating my arch nemesis.''
''Ouch''
''Yeah and to top it off my friend's brother likes me.''
''Oh...''
''Yeah, I don't hate you Rachel my life is just too complicated to lose Harrold right now. And you're stealing him.''
''Well we were thinking of moving next door to you.''
''Then we could be like sisters and I don't have to lose Harrold.''
''Wait you want me to be your sister?''
''Well, yeah I've never had a sister before. It'll be nice.''
''You know I don't have any siblings.''
''Yeah you give off the only child vibe.''
'We're here. Ready to see your niece or nephew?''
''Yeah. I can't wait!''
''Great. So we're cool?''
''Yeah we're cool... sister.'' We walked in laughing.
''Miss Rachel Hardelle?'' The nurse called.
''Here.'' Rachel said as we walked back.
''And will the father be here?''
''He was busy so I brought my sister in law.''
''Oh, ok.'' Rachel laid down and they put the jelly on her stomach. ''Well good news Mrs. Hardelle, there are two strong heartbeats.'' The doctor said as Rachel paled considerably.
''T-two?''
''Yes twins.''
''It was bound to be. Your mother was a twin and my mom had three sets of them.'' I said.
''How will I tell Harrold? He's already worried about providing for one.''
''I just texted him we decided to have a girls day. We're going to stay at a hotel and you're gonna get a massage and we'll worry tomorrow.''
''Thanks C.J.''
''Anytime sis lets go.'' We got to the hotel and Rachel went to get her massage. I hit the bed and fell asleep. The nightmares began.