Stereotypical

XXIV | They, Who Went Back

Mood:

"That One Sad(ish) Song"

- That One Person
(yeah, that song)

This is sorta kinda just a filler chapter. I tried everything else but then my mind rejects it so it's not really worth the wait sorry.

Jackson stayed after school, giving me twenty dollars to stop by the gas station on my way back home. He hugged me tightly before I left the room, and I could've sworn that I saw a few girls swooning over his shoulder. I hated all of them. They were obsessed with him.

"Buy whatever you want," he said, patting me on the back twice. "I'll be there at five or six to cook dinner."

"I'll cook," I called back, leaving the room.

The sky was cloudless and blue. The sun bore down gingerly, warming my skin. It reminded me of my teachers, my classmates. They handled me with care, biting their tongues and smiling apologetically. Even the sun - of all things in this world - was trying to be gentle with me.

I fingered the money in my pocket, setting my eyes on Goodies, the closest gas station to our house. The owners, the Garrisons, were close friends with my parents. My stomach twisted a little when I pushed the door open.

Mrs. Garrison smiled at me. "Well hello there, Car."

I smiled and nodded once with a soft 'hey'. I got a can of iced tea, two packs of gummy worms, a bag of chips, and a pint of Mom's favorite ice cream. I added a package of Skittles to the stack and set it all on the counter.

The woman gaped at the selection with a playful grin. "Pay day, huh?"

"I guess."

She placed everything carefully in a bag, adding a package of gum and a large lollipop. I started to sort through the change to pay for the new additions, but she shooed me off. "Its a treat. Go ahead and get home, babe."

I thanked her softly and set off toward home.

"So you know Parker?" Chase asked. "How'd that happen?"

I shrugged, "Long story."

"I've got time."

"Okay..."

I opened the front door and sniffed the air. It smelled like a popped circuit. I shut the door. "I'm home," I called into the dark house. "And Jackson's gonna be gone until five or six."

The lack of response told me that she was asleep, or couldn't hear me.

I set the bag down in the kitchen and retrieved a spoon for the ice cream. Maybe she'd smile when she saw it. It wouldn't fix everything, but at least it'd cheer her up just a bit.

I jogged upstairs and slowed to a stop beside the bathroom. Yellow light stretched out beneath the door. I knocked three times. "Mom? I've got something for you..."

Nothing.

"Mom?" I swallowed, twisting the knob.

Chase laughed. "You said that to him? For real?"

"I was so mean," I said shamefully.

"Its okay," he told me. "As long as you've changed."

I snorted. "Oh, I've changed."