Just Your Average Girl

Chapter 10: Run

I woke up at 6 Saturday morning and got dressed in a black graffiti DKNY T-shirt and black skinny jeans. I pulled my curly flame red hair into a ponytail and combed my bangs to the side of my face. I pulled on my favorite knee high Converses and dragged on my coat. Just as I was about to head out the door, I saw a news truck parked across the street of my house. I decided to head out the back door instead . I ran through the trees until I reached the opening to my neighbor's yard.

Unfortunately, I forgot about their pit bull that sleeps in the backyard. They had a fence surrounding the house, just in front of the trees, and I, being the genius I am, hopped the fence, right in front of the beast. He was chained to the ground, but I could tell that if I scared him enough, he could break the rusty chain. Carefully, I tiptoed to the other side of the fence. Just as I reached up to hop it, I stepped on a twig.

Damn it! The dog began to bark wildly and yanked at the chain. I was over that fence in a second! I kept running and hopping fences until I reached Tamira's yard. Everyone's house lit up as their dogs barked when I ran through. Tamira's dog came over to me and ran around my legs. Her name was Tres; she's a poodle with only three legs. When she was a puppy, she was hit by a car. Somehow she survived, but her hind left leg was shattered beyond repair. She is the cutest thing ever and she absolutely loves me. I picked her up and pet her in my arms. She wagged her tail excitedly and barked when Tammy and her brothers came outside.

Tammy has an older brother, Matthew, and a younger brother, Gregory. All three of them have light blonde hair and light brown eyes. Matt is nineteen and commutes to and from Rally University two towns over. Greg is a junior at Crenshaw Valley High, but he acts like he doesn't know me and Tammy at school. He thinks he's a punk and tries to behave like one. Tammy, Enrique and I see right through it and pay him no mind.

Greg took Tres from my hands and backed away slowly. "Uh, morning Marleni," Matt half chuckled at seeing me standing in the backyard with tears in my jeans, and one side of my neck hole stretched over my shoulder from getting caught on a fence. My bangs were blown in my face and all I could do was laugh at my disheveled appearance.

Tammy sighed and said, "Well, you might as well come in since you jumped our fence. Why are you here this early in the morning?" She pulled her robe more tightly around her and shivered from a morning breeze. I replied, "They're already outside my house."

"Richy's gang is already out there?"

"No. I mean, the news. They're outside my house."

"It's 6:30. The morning show doesn't come on until eight," she yawned, "Why are they here?"

"I don't know or care," I slumped into the suede couch, "All I know is that if I get any more publicity, I'm gonna get into more trouble." Tammy sat next to me and put her legs across my lap. We both sat there thinking. Minutes became an hour before Matt brought us both coffee. "Thanks, " I smiled at him, holding the mug, "How come you're so dressed up?" I asked while I sipped my coffee.

"We have a presentation in my political science class. We're debating our political views on issues in today's society."

"You mean like Democrat or Republican views?"

"Yeah, something like that." I nodded and finished my coffee. Tammy was asleep on my shoulder. I poked her cheek and she nuzzled into my neck more. She's a really heavy sleeper. "Matt, get her off!" She began to drool, and he smirked as I begged him. "You have to give me a kiss right here," he tapped his cheek.

"What? No!" My cheeks heated up. "I remember when we were little, and you always wanted to kiss my cheek," he chuckled. I sighed, "Must you always bring up useless things?"

"Come on! Just one kiss."

"Why do you want a kiss so badly?"

"Cause I loves ya!" There was an awkward pause, then we busted out laughing. I gave him a peck on the cheek and half yelled at him, "Now get your sister off me!"

"Oops! I'm gonna be late for class," he got up, kissed Tammy on the forehead, and headed out the door. "Matt!" I growled at him, "She's drooling! GET.HER.OFF!" He laughed as he came over and jabbed Tammy in her side. She jerked up and sat up straight, wiping the spit off her face. All he did was jabb her and she was on like a light. "Ya old bastard," I glared at his laughing face as he left. My entire face was burning hot with frustration.

When I was younger, I really liked Matt. One time I asked him if he would marry me when we were adults. It was a brazen move, but he answered me. He squeezed my cheeks and said, "I don't wanna marry my sista." Since then, he's just been a brother. He enjoyed messing with me and treated me like I was five years old.

Tammy poked me back from my thoughts. What is up with this family and poking? Greg walked in with Tres in tow and started playing with his XBox. He dropped into the couch, shoving Tammy into me. Of the two brothers, Greg was the more annoying. I got up and checked the window facing the street. I could see the news van parked two houses up the street. Three men, all in black suits stepped out of the van. I recognized Ron Neutmeyer, the local reporter, leading the group towards the house.

"Tammy! They're coming!"

She pulled me upstairs and we hid in her room. I heard her dad walk pass the bedroom and head downstairs. He always walked very heavily, even when he tried to tiptoe. I listened for the front door and waited to hear the conversation. "Well, good morning! You're Ron Neutmeyer from the local news, right?" I couldn't hear the reply, but I heard Mr. Morris invite him in.

"Tammy hurry and change so you can spy on them." She paused and cocked her head, "You're getting really bossy, you know. You're just lucky you're my best friend."

"I'm sorry, but you know how I get. I already had to go through a gun in my face, and I really don't want to deal with all these people asking what happened. Plus there's Richelle who already hates me. What I'm really afraid of is facing those thugs again. What if they weren't the only ones after him. Too many people can get hurt from all this. What should I do?" We both sat in silence as I awaited her answer. She changed into a white T-shirt and pink shorts. She sighed and sank into the bed next to me.

"Marleni, you've got to face this. Face Richelle, face those criminals, testify, and do what what you have to do. No more running." She placed her hands on my cheeks, squeezing my face. "But-"

"No! You've got to face this. Starting with the reporter downstairs." I reluctantly stood up. "I got it, I got it." I opened the door and headed out. I poked my head back in and said, "Tamira, thanks. Oh, this is random. Did Enrique ask you out yet?" I saw her blush a little. "You knew about that?" I rolled my eyes, "Of course I do! I told him to stop being a chicken and ask you. You know, you're feeling have been mutual for the longest time. It's good to see he's finally asked you out."

"Mutual? I thought he always liked you."

"No way! Enrique only had his sights on you. He was afraid you'd be too out of his league. He's been trying to convince himself he likes me, but he can't seem to get you out of his head." Tammy came over and hugged me, "I'm sorry if you were hurt." We both laughed, knowing that I never took things like that to heart. After the Chris incident, I didn't take any of those heartbreak things seriously.

"Tammy, you're going to the Formal with him, right?"

"Of course! Now go!" she shooed me out of the room, "Go!"