Little Lies Big Secrets. (Novella)

Chapter 3||Cameron Locke

  "And yet to every bad, there's a worse."~Thomas Hardy
***

The week went by quickly. It was Monday, then it was Friday. I'm not complaining, not in the least. Now I get to sleep in and not be so damn anxious. And Jazzy will be over soon.
      I have to admit I'm a little nervous for her to come over. Jay has been talking to me all week. And she's been eyeing us. I don't want to get in the middle of them or ruin what I have with either of them. I can't take that chance.

School was so boring. I mean, I had classes, ate lunch, talked to the two J's, had more classes, then came home. There may have been some attacks in between but that's the gist of it.

Dad was home when I came from school, which is rare. Mom was with a client so she wasn't there to help adjust the tension.
      I love my dad, but things aren't the same. He doesn't look at me the same anymore, he tried though. The two of us talking is like talking to a person you once knew but weren't super close with. It sucks. I used to play catch, and go on hikes, and play games with dad. Now it's just slight nods and forced smiles.

I had attempted a conversation when I saw him. I don't see him as often as I use to. I know he purposely takes on more work. Mom just says we need the money. I know we don't.
      I had greeted dad, I got a grunt in return. I told him Jazzy was sleeping over, I received a softer grunt. It was a very stimulating conversation.

Now, I'm in the living room watching some show. I don't really care what show, I just want a distraction. The commercials are so annoying and stupid, I've yelled at them a few times. Who wants to use a bank called Tangerine. I don't know if I would trust the fruit bank.

I can hear mom and dad talking upstairs. I can't hear what they're saying, but I'll take a wild guess and say it's about me. I mean, that's practically all they talk about anymore, or a better word would be fighting. They fight about me all the time. Mom is always yelling at dad that he should stop treating me like a stranger. He slams things in return.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and spring off the couch, which causes me to whack my knee against the coffee table.

"Mierda. Sorry, I thought you heard me come in." I expect the voice to be Jazzy's, but she doesn't usually speak Spanish. I wave away Jay's apology and sit back down. I rub my knee gently. Jay takes a seat beside me.

"Where's Jazzy?" I ask him as I roll up my pant leg. Yup, that's gonna bruise. Ever since I was little even the smallest accident made me bruise. Mom would joke that I should have been wrapped in bubble wrap.

"Ah, she's the reason I'm here." He clears his throat and pulls out a piece of paper. "I'm sneaking out, told mom I'm at your house. I'll sneak into your room when I come back."

"Seriously? She's not coming?" I can't believe her sometimes. She could have at least told me what she was doing. Her plan is smart though. My room faces the other side of the house, which is the opposite side of Jazzy's house. I also have a large tree that reaches up to my window, we used to climb it all the time.

"Yeah, sorry." Jay does seem genuinely sorry. And I can't blame him for his stupid sister.

"You shouldn't be apologizing for her. You should apologize for this." I point toward the bruise forming on my knee. Jay cringes.

"Right, really sorry. I'll get you some ice." He goes to get up but I yank him back into the couch, causing him to sit much closer to me.