Better Than Perfect (On Hold)

3//Stuffed Turtles & Police Officers & The Unexpected

+K+A+Y+L+I+E+

Evie peered out the window nervously. I impatiently sighed, crossing my arms. "Let's go. I don't have all day."

She whimpered. "Then leave! I don't wanna go," she whined, chewing on her sweatshirt sleeve.

I turned and pretended to step away. "Guess you don't wanna see Jerry again."

"Wait!" She wailed, sticking her leg out the window. "I'm coming." She stepped on a branch that conveniently reached our window and shuffled towards the trunk. She climbed down the branches like a ladder and landed on her feet.

I walked along the side of the house. She jogged to catch up. "You move like a turtle," I stated.

She snapped, "I had the fastest time for the forty yard dash."

"Were you racing against snails?"

She glared at me. "I could beat you in a race!"

The sound of a car cut me off. I peaked around the corner to see Blair parking in the driveway. Panicked, I motioned the ninth grader to get against the wall. "Shut up," I hissed at her.

"I wasn't talking," she protested.

I grabbed her hood and pulled her closer to me. "Get over here."

"Why?" She tried to stretch around me.

I pushed her back against the house. The familiar creek of the screen door swinging open and snapping shut calmed my nerves. "Come on. Staying will get us caught."

I pulled her hood, but she stood her ground. She protested, "We'll get caught anyways. They're not stupid."

I threw my head back in frustration. She was such a baby! I couldn't remember the last time she got in trouble for something worthwhile. Probably because it never happened. "Who cares? Stop being a buzzkill." I poked her shoulder.

Her nose scrunched up. "I'm not a buzzkill. I have a brain."

"Yeah, well, your brain is annoying, so if your coming, it's staying here."

"I don't wanna go!"

I held my finger to my lips. "Are you trying to get caught?" I snapped, anxiously looking around us. "Then don't come. I have a friend who stuffs turtles for fun."

She made a whining noise but followed after me. We walked down to the curb where Beatrice was waiting. We got in her car and headed towards her house.

Beatrice lived on The Hills. Higher ground shows higher status. Back when the town was established, mansions were built on the hills on the west side of town. Years later, the rich still reside there. Beatrice pulled into her garage, and I followed her out. Keeping an eye on Evie, I entered the Wilmington household.

In the living room, Tristan laid on the floor. His game blasted though the surround system. He shouted into his mic, "Flank the enemy line! Fire! Fire! Fire!" Beatrice walked over and snatched his headset. The boy set his controller down. "Hey!"

My fellow cheerleader pointed to the stairs. "Out. We've got grownup stuff to take care of."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm gonna tell mom your throwing a party."