A New Life

Epilogue-Part 2

By the end, to say that I was relieved would be an understatement. I got into Kendall’s car and wanted nothing more than to go back home and sleep forever. “How was your day?” He asked in a very parent like way.

“It was fine.” I replied not sure whether I would say it was good, no one hurt or did anything extremely mean to me, or bad, I spent one period crying and the rest of the day inwardly freaking out about everything. So I settled on fine, not good, not bad, just fine.

He accepted the answer and didn’t push me. “So I was thinking that in honor of your first official day at a real high school we could order Chinese food from that restaurant up the street and spend all afternoon and evening watching movies.”

I smiled at how thoughtful he was, but I said, “I can’t, I have a buttload of homework, remember they’ve been in school for two months already and I’m playing catch up.”

“But didn’t you have that tutor, Mrs. Whats her name?”

“Yeah, and I learned stuff, just not the same stuff as these kids have been learning. But Chinese food sounds great and maybe I’ll have time to watch one movie.”

“Okay, I can help you with your homework. I used to help Jake all the time.”

“Jake?”

“Yeah, he’s your other brother remember?”

“Oh yeah,” I said, vaguely remembering Kendall mentioning him sometimes and I spoke to him on the phone once or twice. Of course I knew him, I just was kind of out of it after my long day.

“Well Jakes finally coming back from his semester abroad this Thanksgiving, so you’ll get to officially meet him then.”

I nodded my head, “Okay,” I still wasn’t fond of meeting people, hell I wasn’t fond of people at all, really. But I did what I had to and learned to stop making such a big deal out of things.

We listened to the radio for the short time it took to return to his house. We didn’t have to talk all the time, and I had nothing left to say, I just wanted to sleep. Once we got home, I entered the house and threw my backpack on the floor next to the couch in the living room and flopped down on the couch with full intentions of going to sleep. Kendall came in shortly with two glasses of milk and a box of store-bought sugar cookies, my favorite. “Jess, wake up. I thought you had homework.”

“I’m tired.” I mumbled not bothering to move.

“I know, but I have sugar cookies.” He said knowing it would work. I sat up quickly looking hungrily at the cookies. “Start your homework.” He said moving the cookies away when I tried to reach for them.

“No fair!” I said.

“I know, now get your books out at least.”

“Ugh fine!” I stated while reaching for my backpack. Soon I had all the books spread around me and I was seated on the ground using the coffee table as my desk.

“Good,” Kendall said while handing me a cookie and a glass of milk.

“I’m not a dog.” I stated grumpily but still took the cookie and milk.

“Hey whatever works. I know how to get things done with you, little miss lazy.”

“I am not lazy!” I tried defending myself, but he just gave me a look that said, really? And I gave in saying, “Fine, maybe I’m a little lazy.” He continued to look at me then I said, “Okay a lot.” That made him smile in agreement as I finished my cookie. “Now can I have another one?” I asked.

“Nope, tell me what you have to get done today.” He responded smugly.

I rolled my eyes, but finally gave in knowing he wasn’t giving me another cookie. “I have to read the first half of this book, I said holding up To Kill A Mockingbird, “answer these questions,” I pointed at the sheet of questions, “fill this out, and do those worksheets. That’s just English and History, don’t get me started on the rest.”

“Okay, let’s get started.” He said grabbing the sheet of questions.

“Don’t I get another cookie?” I asked.

“I thought you said you weren’t a dog and therefore you shouldn’t be rewarded like a dog after every trick.” Sometimes the fact that he was seven years older than me and clearly able to outsmart me and twist my own words against me truly bothered me to no end.

I exhaled loudly and said, “Fine.”

“We’ll take a break halfway through and you can have all the cookies you want.” That made me smile and keep working.

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I wrote this as just a short little thing to describe the relationship between Jessica and Kendall right after the tour. The sequal, which should be up soon, will be in somewhat real time meaning that it will take place on the Heffron Drive winter tour, and Jessica will be a Sophomore. It is entitled Bright Lights and I'll post a link when it's up. Thanks for reading this whole story even though it took me so long to finally officially finish it. Thanks for sticking with it, I really appreciate it. If you want to talk to me or just see what's going on with me, my twitter is @btr_inspired. Check it out:)