Invisible

Chapter 8

I woke up to Matt hitting me over the head with a pillow and yelling, "WAKE UP!"

"Whaaaat?" I groaned.

"Time for school. Get dressed. The bus will be here in about and hour."

"Yes, Mother." He laughed, then left to let me get dressed.

I walked into the breakfast nook to see Matt making waffles.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"If it isn't obvious, I'm making waffles and bacon."

"I can see that, but why?"

"Just my way of saying thanks for letting me stay here until my mom gets out of the hospital."

I just shrugged and sat at the table while Matt placed a plate with two waffles and eight strips of bacon on it. I dug right in, and finished it in five minutes.

"Don't worry about feeding any of the animals this morning, I've already done it."

"Matt, you didn't have to. Just because we're letting you stay here doesn't mean you owe us anything. So, tomorrow morning, I expect to make my own breakfast and do my own chores, okay?"

"Fine."

I packed my lunch, and, despite what Matt told me, I went out to the barn to check on them. Like he said, they were fine and fed. I grabbed a brush and started stroking Wuther's mane. I jumped when Matt walked up behind me and said, "The bus will be here in five minutes, so go get ready."

"Once again, yes Mother," I retorted. "I know when the bus comes and ow to do my chores and when to wake up, Matt, so you don't have to remind or nag me."

"Sorry, I'm just used to reminding Addison and having to nag her every morning."

I laughed and put the brush away. "C'mon, let's go."

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"Morning, Charlotte!" I said when I ot on the bus. She was always the first to greet me in the morning, and I was always the first one to greet her.

"Morning, Kathryn! How come he's here?" Charlotte asked me.

"Oh, Matt's staying with my family until his mom and sister are out of the hospital." Her eyes grew as wide as the moon. Then she gave Matt a sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry, Matt. Tell them I hope they get well soon!"

"Thanks, I will," Matt told her.

When we got to the backseat, I asked him, "Are you going to turn around to talk to me and fall on your butt every time the bus moves or are you going to sit next to me?"

"My butt's still sore from last time so I think I'll sit next to you."

I flopped down on the bench and Matt flopped beside me. The ride was different than the first, mostly beause Addison wasn't there to talk to. Matt was usually quiet, but he was more quiet on te way to school. I was thankful when the bus screeched to a stop in the parking lot. Then I remembered something.

"Hey! Matt, guess what?"

"What?"

"I've been here for six moths, which means I can get my citizenship which means I can get my driver's liscence!"

"Yay! Good for you! Wait, driver's liscence? You're only fifteen."

"No, I'm sixteen. I had to repeat the ninth grade, so I'm older than everyone else."

"Cool. So you're going to get your driver's liscence right after you get your citizehip?"

"Yep. Well, I'll try. I'd better get to class. See you in science."

"Bye."

Ireached my locker in record time. I grabbed my binder and a pencil and headed off to first period, thinking about Addison the whole time.