2 a.m.

Chapter 3

Quiet clinking noises from the kitchen float up the stairs and into the den, rousing me from my light sleep. I'm lying still, keeping my eyes closed and trying to hold on to that blissful rest as long as I can. I can hear two hushed voices and out of curiosity I open my eyes and listen. I can hear Shep snoring next to me and see Bobbie's leg dangling off the couch. Sunlight is streaming lightly through the curtains, dim from the thick material. We could have slept into the afternoon or it could be a few minutes ago that I fell asleep; the light doesn't give the time away.

"...last night... look...ex's..."

"...Jack and Valerie? I don't think..."

My ears perk at the mention of my name paired with Ken Doll's. Why are they talking about me and him last night? Nothing happened... I slowly sit up and walk over to the stairs, taking them slowly and as quiet as possible. I sit on the last one and listen for the rest of the conversation. Anything they're saying now they would say in front of me anyways, I just don't want to interrupt them. Why do I need to justify my actions then?

"Why didn't you just let him in? Even if something is going on with them again who makes you the person to turn him away?"

"Because. I don't like him. He's a prick and Val deserves better than that jock."

"She was with him before... I don't think she really cares. You got to tell her he came by. He's gonna call her, you know it."

Jack came by? When? For what? Why? And why the hell did Myra not tell me? I mean , it's my house, I should at least know when someone comes to see me. I would tell her if Derek came to see her. Why is my heart hammering so fast?

"I'll tell her... Maybe. I don't know." Myra sounds torn like she honestly wants me to know but has her own reasons to keep it to herself.

"Come on babe..."

"Look, you saw her! The moony look in her eyes last night when they were talking? What if he tried to wriggle in her life again and fuck everything up?" A smack resounds like she's slammed her hands on the counter.

"I didn't see moony; she was just looking at him."

"You are so blind. I mean honestly. When's the last time she spoke up at a party for anyone in a fight, other than one of us?" I can practically hear her hipped cocked to the side with a hand on it.

"And you saw the blond bitch in the car right? She was waiting in the driver's seat. You know that's shady as fuck. Like, why is he with another girl when he came to see her? Hmm?"

What blond bitch? No doubt Marla; the week I got back to school she was stuck to Jack like a freaking leach. It's so pathetic. He wouldn't touch her in his drunkest daze.

"I don't know... Maybe he's just tapping that. I mean there's no law against getting a little action and trying to start something with someone else." Derek chuckles and I hear another slap sound.

"Ow," he mutters. Ha.

"Tapping that or not. I don't like him. And I thought she didn't either. At least not anymore." She puffs in frustration.

I take that as my cue and quietly climb the stairs again, then go down with exaggerated loudness so they can hear me coming.

"There better be some coffee brewing and pancake batter being mixed in there," I call out as I round the corner.

Myra is sitting on a bar stool at the counter next to Derek with a cup of coffee in her hand. She looks like she's been swallowed my Derek's hoodie and her sweat pants but her face stands out as always, only this time it's her black eye that's what's drawing my eye. It's swollen as huge as my frickin fist and hate for her father rises up in me. She smirks at me and gets up to go to the stove where of course blueberry pancakes are being cooked. I walk over and put my arm around her waist giving her a little squeeze then hop to sit on the counter next to the stove.