Double Trouble

Chapter 4: Skylar

My family can be pretty insane sometimes. Like right now, for instance. My sister's boyfriend, Dylan is over and they are bombarding him with food and questioning him about his current job, assistant manager at Petco. And they are completely in love with him. I roll my eyes.

"So, Mom, did you say you're going bowling with your book club friends and Dad?"Madelyn says, sighing loudly.

"Oh, honey, we don't need to go just yet," she laughs it off, "that's not until 8." Madelyn moans and stares wanderously at the grand clock in the foyer.

"So, Dylan, what do you plan to do after high school?" My dad asks. Madelyn rolls her eyes and slides open her Sidekick and begins furiously texting.

"I'm really kind of floating between options right now," he replies, awkwardly holding his hands in an uncomfortable fashion.

"What colleges have you looked at?" He says sternly. "Because our little Madelyn has looked at colleges such as Georgetown and UPenn. I'm sure you two want to continue seeing each other through college." Dylan and Madelyn exchange a look.

"Dad!" Madelyn screeches. He looks at her innocently.

"Greg," my mom says firmly, narrowing her eyes at him hard but gentle. She turns to face an impatient Madelyn and turns back to Dad. "I think it's time for bowling. Greg, let's leave the kids alone." they grab their bowling bag and then head out through the front door.

Madelyn turns to me. "I thought you were leaving, too."

I cross my arms and legs and stay planted on the couch. "Oh, I thought we were having sister time." I snap at her.

"Seriously, get out. I'm having friends over along with Dylan," she insists. "C'mon, just go out with that stupid boy you like, Ethan or what's his name." Ethan Whitehurst. He's the CUTEST boy at school. He's in my science class, my lab partner to be exact. Except--he's been my best friend since second grade and he is currently dating Mindy Thomas, the school's Christian cheerleader, in his eyes, but the school's skank in the rest of the school's eyes. Also, my sister's best friend.

"He's dating Mindy, remember?" I remind her. She snaps her fingers.

"Oh, that's right. Boo her. Just call him and ask him," she waves the phone in her hand. I gradually take it. "Besides, she's probably at church. They have Wednesday night meetings, the youth." I stare at her with a frown. "What? I go to church sometimes with her. She's my friend." She shrugs innocently. "But I still can date Dyl." She flounces over to the couch, plopping herself not next to Dylan, but on him. On his lap. Right in the center. I hastily get up, punch dialing Ethan's number.

"Hey, Ethan, it's me. I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out tonight," I say into the receiver, leaving him a message. "Anyway, just call me back when you get this message." I hang up the phone and turn back to Madelyn, who is already making out with "Dyl." The doorbell rings and I race to answer it, eager to get away from the lovebirds. When I open the door, I realize who it is and groan.

"Hello, sister," Georgie exclaims fake as she bursts through her door with her boyfriend of who knows how long, Deryk, who eyes me up and down with a sly smile. She swats his arm and runs to hug Madelyn. "Girl, you know that this is going to turn into a party!" she exclaims. "I already put something out on Twitter." She turns to me. "Is she going to be here?"

"She's hanging out with Ethan," Madelyn waves me off as I'm a piece of food stuck in her teeth. "Anyway, who is coming? We have to invite everyone. I want this party to be remembered in their heads when they vote for Homecoming Queen."

"They will!" she exclaims. And she eyes me. "And Ethan is going out with Min tonight. They're celebrating their one year anniversary." She shrugs. "Sorry."