SCINTILLA

CHAPTER 2

"Need a ride home Ness?" As I finished pulling my hair into a messy ponytail with the hair tie found in my book bag, I glanced at Lauren who was standing beside her black 2005 Audi A6 Quattro.

Swinging my bag over my shoulder I laughed slightly and shook my head. "Thanks, but I think I can manage a thirty-minute walk to the house."

"Okay, fine, but it's hot so you sure?" Sticking my tongue out as I watched her eye my outfit. "Not really sure why you wore a damn sweater with this weather." I rolled my eyes before walking past her to stand in front of her parked car on the pavement provided by the school.

"Say's you with straightened hair and a stupid leather jacket." I snorted when she gave me a mock look of offense and brought her left hand to help swing her hair over.

"It's called fashion." She said before winking at me making me snort and grin.

"It's called being stupid because you're going to fry." I rolled my eyes when she narrowed hers before flicking me off causing me to laugh.

"Alright you two, let's stop before the claws actually come out." Glancing at Jessica who was watching us, I turned and playfully flicked her off causing Lauren to laugh and Angela to shake her head fondly at us.

"Come on Jess, you know nothing would ever happen between those two." I faintly heard Angela speak up before I decided it was time to head off. I waved them off before starting to make my way off of campus.

Hopefully, there wouldn't be a call home about almost missing first period because Dianne would freak. I'd already ditched Monday through Wednesday. Not really sure how I pulled that off. Sighing, I adjusted the strap on my right shoulder and glanced around at the greenery.

Once off campus most of the surrounding is just trees before reaching some small store and then trees again before finally getting to some homes. As I was nearing my house I faintly heard the rustling of the trees. I paused walking and narrowed my eyes at nothing in particular.

There isn't any wind so... probably some animal. Or overthinking nothing, again. Shaking my head, I trod up the stairs before opening the door seeing it was open since Dianne's car was in the driveway.

"Dianne, I'm home!"

I threw down my book bag and walked into the kitchen to see Dianne placing down a plate. "Eat that. I've got to go finish up some things at the store, but I'll bring something on the way home for dinner."

"Dianne—" I tried to catch her attention even though I knew that it wouldn't be possible as I watched her rush around and swing her purse over her shoulder.

"Oh, and wash the dishes for me please."

I sighed hearing the house door slam, "Don't know why you accepted to take me in when you're around as much as my own dad..."

Grabbing the plate and examining it. "Alfredo." Placing it back down, I searched the kitchen for some Tupperware.

Once I found one that was appropriate for the amount of pasta I began dumping in the pasta and then threw it in the fridge.

I made my way towards the living room stopping by for my bag so that I could begin some of the work assigned. Placing aside the work on the coffee table, I grabbed the t.v. remote and turned it on.

I spent a good hour surfing the channels to find something decent to play as background noise. Just as I was settling on a movie, my phone rang.

Before it could continue making me uncomfortable vibrating and ringing against my butt pocket, I reached for it. Glancing at the screen name, I breathed out before answering. "Vanessa?" I frowned and rolled my eyes.

"Who else would it be? I mean this is my phone." I picked up a pen and began to scribble down some words onto my paper for English.

He sighed, "Vanessa, you know that—"

"What do you need dad?" Well aware of how rude I was being and there was a part of me that felt bad, but then I thought about him ditching me... again, and it didn't matter.

"I'm sorry, I tried. You know—" I paused with adding a period to my final sentence in my second paragraph and let myself interrupt him.

"Of course you did. That it?"

There was a silent pause before he breathed out again, "I'll make it up to you." You always say that. Rolling my eyes and sighing, I let my pen fall from my grasp onto the coffee table.

"Don't. I'm actually really good." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth. I'd gotten used to being let down especially by him.

"Van—"

"Honestly, it's fine." I glanced up at the ceiling before speaking again when I heard his chair squeak telling me he'd let himself sink further into it. "Thanks for the book... and as much as I love these calls I've got homework to do and you've got things to take care of as well so..."

"I'm coming down in May, I promise."

"Sure." I breathed out before waiting for him to hang up. I threw my phone over onto the rug underneath the coffee table before grabbing a couch pillow and smashing my face into it and groaning. Hearing a shriek that unnerved my entire being I jerked and glanced up to see it was just the movie playing.

Sighing, I grabbed the pen and continued working on my school assignments before I'd later give up halfway through and decide to just paint or do something to occupy myself till Dianne came home later today.

Time seemed to blur by and as I was finishing up translating my last Spanish sentence the sound of my phone vibrating made me pause and glance at it waiting to see if it would do it again, but it didn't. Telling me it was just a text message so it wasn't really urgent. I continued finishing up my Spanish homework before gathering all my work and shoving it into a folder and then into my book bag.

Stretching my arms above me I released a yawn that turned into a whine. I snatched my phone and opened it to see it was a message from Lauren saying she was sleeping over this weekend. Of course, just invite yourself over why don't you. Glancing at the time I noticed it was ten minutes past six o'clock. I sent out a response of "okay" before shutting my phone and shoving it into my back pocket as I stood.

Hearing my knees crack I groaned and reached for my bag. Might as well just throw this by the door before I forget about it later. Once I'd left my bag by the door I roamed over to the kitchen and reheated the pasta from earlier.

I turned on the front porch light and made my way out. I let myself fall onto the porch swing and lifted my legs to cross them before digging into the pasta.

I could feel the slight breeze the wind would blow through my messy ponytail from earlier. It was calming just sitting out front eating some pasta while watching the trees dance around.