April Roberts

Chapter 7

After practice I go back to the girls locker rooms to change. When I come out Theo is standing there waiting for me. I forgot that I'd promise him a ride after practice on my motorcycle.

"Hey. I parked it over here." I start walking and he follows me. I pull up the seat where there's a little compartment underneath and place my bookbag and my baseball bag. I take out an extra helmet-also black-and give it to Theo. Then I close the seat and jump on.

Theo is standing there holding the helmet. I strap mine on. "Aren't you coming?" I ask. He shakes his head and puts the helmet on. Then he jumps on behind me. I start the engine. "Hold on tight!" I shout as I take off. His arms hold my waist to keep him from toppling over. I laugh because he's so stiff.

We finally reach his home. I pull up along the curb. "Was it fun?" I ask taking my helmet off.

"That was awesome. Thanks for giving me a ride."

"Anytime."

He gives me the extra helmet back and I put it in the compartment with my other things. I strap my helmet back on and wave as I drive away.

When I get home I park in the garage and go inside. Dad is in his office and mom's cooking dinner. I go upstairs to my room. I pass Asher's room on the way. His door is cracked open so I take a peek. He's playing Xbox live with his friends. Of course. He always is.

I go to my room and drop off my book bag next to my desk. I sit down and start working on my homework. I feel something wet on my knee. I look down and see Max looking up at me. If animals could smile, that's what he was doing right now. I rub between his ears as I finish up my homework.

Once I'm done I put all of my school work into my book bag. Mom calls up the stairs that dinner's ready so I walk downstairs with Max. I knock on Asher's door along the way.

I sit down at the dinner table while Max sits on a pillow next to the wall where his food and water bowl is. I get up and fill his bowl then sit down again as mom brings out dinner. Asher sits next to me and mom sits down. Dad finally comes in from his office and sits. Dad says a prayer and then we start eating.

Uncle Matt is mom's brother. I wonder if she knows about the family superpowers. Uncle Matt and her were always really close as siblings. The opposite of Asher and me.

"How was everyone's day today?" Dad asks.

"It was good. I hit the ball every time at practice." I exclaim.

"That's wonderful sweetheart." Mom says. I smile.

"Asher what about you?" Dad asks him.

"It was good. Boring like always." Asher says casually.

"What was boring?" Mom asks.

"Classes. They always are. I don't know why they even have school."

"They have school because education is important. If we didn't have education then we wouldn't be able to do anything." I say.

"Sure. I'd rather be playing my Xbox with my friends."

"Staring at a screen is bad for your mind." I tell him.

"You can... you can break your bones playing sports." Asher shoots back.

"Stop bickering you two." Mom says holding her head.

"You both know not to bicker at the table or anytime actually." Dad says. Asher and I glare at each other and then we go back to eating.

When everyone's done eating we all separate to do our own things. I go upstairs and put my speaker on to listen to Taylor Swift. I grab my basket ball and work on throwing. I have a mini basket on the back of my door.

"We were both young when I first saw you,

I close my eyes and the flashback starts,

I'm standing there...

On a balcony in summer air...

See the lights, see the party, the ballgowns,

See you making your way through the crowd and say hello...

Little did I know...

That you were Romeo,

You were throwing pebbles,

And my daddy said 'stay away from juliet'

And I was crying on the staircase,

begging you please don't go...

And I said,

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone,

I'll be waiting all that's left to do is run,

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess,

Just a love story baby just say yes"

I sing out loud as I shoot through the hoop. I'm not the best singer. I'm actually really bad in my opinion. Mom thinks I'm good and that I should be in Chorus but that's not happening. I only sing when I'm at home in my bedroom by myself and nowhere else.

I turn my music off. I better get to bed because I want to be well rested for my baseball game tomorrow. We're going against Summit Stem. Their pretty good so we'll have to play our A-game.

I dress into my pajamas-a t-shirt and shorts- and tuck myself in bed. I realize I forgot to turn the light off as Max snuggles up beside me. "Lights off." I mutter and the lights turn off. I smile and fall asleep.