Only Human

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

        The next day it was raining.

        My father called up to me, "Orleans!"

        "Yeah, Dad?" I called,

        "Think you could be able to go to Paige's house for the night? I have an emergency pa--pa--" he stuttered. "--party. I have a party that you cannot be here for. So, text Paige and see what you can do."

        "Um, 'kay." I said, whipping out my phone from my back pocket.

        Hey Pay-Pay, can I come over to your house and stay the night? Dad's kicking me out. ~Leans

        Yeah sure, whenever's fine. Why you need to come over? ~Pay

        Dad has a party thing. ~Leans

        Whatever, sounds good. See you later? ~Pay

        Totally!(:~Leans

        With that, I shoved my phone back into my back pocket and went back into my room, digging for a bag in my closet.

        I found the one I was looking for, when my phone rang. The theme song for the X-Files blasted into my room.

        I immediately picked up. "Paige?"

        "Yeah, hey Leans! I was thinking." my best friend began.

        I grinned. "Sounds dangerous."

        "Shut up," she chuckled. "So, I was thinking...maybe we should see what these parties and such are all about."

        I put the phone between my shoulder and ear as I folded up some clothes. I examined a black Led Zeppelin shirt I hadn't worn in forever. I shrugged and threw it in the bag.

        "What do you mean?" I asked her.

        "Here's the plan. You come over. You unpack bags. You and I be crazy for about a half an hour, then say we're tired and go to bed. We put pillows under our blankets. We sneak out. We go to your house. We climb up that tree in your yard and look through the window to your front room and see what's going on. We sneak back in to my house, and act like nothing happened." Paige said, sounding smug.

        "I don't know. They're probably keeping it a secret for a reason." I said, biting my lip.

        "C'mon Leans, it'll be like we're spies."

        "Fine." I sighed. "What do I need to bring?"

        !@#%^&

        My father pulled into Paige's driveway as lightning struck far off int eh distance. It was really coming down outside, pouring and thudering and lightning. There was a flash flood watch almost everyone.

        I got out of the front seat, lugging my bag full of black apparel, (for the "spy-feel") as my dad stopped me. "Orleans, wait." he said.

        I turned. "Yeah?"

        "Be safe. Have fun. I love you," he said. He offered me a small smile. "I know I haven't been a great dad lately, but it'll all make sense soon. I promise."

        "Dad..." I said. He wasn't usually this affectionate. "Alright, I love you too." I leaned in the car and gave him a hug. "Bye."

        I jogged up the stairs to her front porch as thunder grumbled off. I heard the hard raindrops beat down on Paige's shingled roof.