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TWO

"There are two kinds of evil people in the world, those who do evil stuff and those who see evil stuff being done and don't try to stop it."

-Janis, 'Mean Girls'

My teeth are chattering violently when I finally get home. I don't remember it being this windy when I went to school this morning, but then again, this is Boston. With one arm clutched around my stomach in attempt to keep warm, I fumble to get my keys out of my bag with the other.

A frustrated growl rumbles in my throat. "Come onnn!"

Thankfully while going up the steps, the door of my apartment complex swings open. One of our neighbors stands there and holds the door for me.

"Thanks," I whisper, quickly walking inside.

Finally retrieving my keys, I unlock our mailbox, grab the mail and head over to the staircase. I stop in my tracks as my eyes gaze over the sender's name on one of the envelopes. Bringing it closer, I squint at the name in disbelief.

Carlos Baez'.

No...this couldn't be him.

Carlos Baez'

6756 North Glacier Rd

Durango, Colorado 81310

I can't believe it. Why in the world is my dad sending a letter to us! I haven't been in contact with him in about ten years. No phone calls. No Christmas cards. No birthday gifts. Nothing. This completely throws me off guard. I shake my head and suck my teeth, then head upstairs to our floor.

As soon as I toss the mail onto the kitchen counter, the phone rings. The caller I.D. says Kurt Towning. Great.

"Hello?"

"Kendra, hey! What are you doing, are you home?" Kurt yells; there's a lot of noise in the background.

Did he really just ask a question that dumb? "Yes, I'm home. I left school early." And lower your voice.

"Why did you leave early? I wanted to talk to you after school."

"I got in trouble and now I'm suspended," I say, rolling my eyes. "What's all that noise?"

He's laughing and yelling at someone else. "Oh I think they about to fight. Hey man, what's up!"

I shift my weight to my other leg. I'm not in the mood to talk to him right now.

"Kurt... Hello?"

"Oh sorry babe. So um, is your mom still getting off late?"

"Yes. Why?" I strain to hear him over the loud ruckus and beeping horns.

"I just thought I'd come over for a little while. To keep you company, you know? And talk."

Oh my god, seriously? My eyes roll because I know what this 'talk' will be about.

"Kurt I think we've talked enough. And you know I can't have company when my mom isn't home."

"C'mon Kendra she's not going to find out, she didn't the last time right?"

I chew on my lip for a while before answering. "Um I don't think that's a good idea Kurt. I have stuff to do. Homework to catch up on."

"I thought you were suspended?"

"Yeah I am, but I still need to get it done."

"How long are you suspended for?"

I sigh heavily and roll my fingers over my temples, feeling a headache coming on. "I don't know, probably a week."