Kinship (revised)

Chapter 3: Up in Flames

I’ve always hated Friday mornings. Its so close to the weekend, yet you have to endure seven more hours of school. I am not the least bit happy. So when my mother asked me to drive the new kid to school, I threw an absolute fit.

“But he’s old enough to drive his own vehicle!” I yelled, storming about my room, looking for a text book.

“They’ve just moved here, he doesn’t have his own car yet.” My Mom explained, standing in the doorway to my room.

“So? Why do I have to drive him to school? Can’t his parents? Or Jake?” I asked rolling my eyes to add to the dramatic effect.

“His parents share a car, which is currently with his father at work, and Jake lives out of the way. Why can’t you just drive him? Its like ten minutes?” She countered, hand gestures and all.

“Because he’s a pain in the ass.” I groaned, shoving the textbook into my bag.

“Language Pandora.” She said in a low voice.

“Sorry, butt?”  I questioned, only to get a roll-of-the-eyes in return.

Grabbing my bag, which weighed about ten pounds, I stormed out of the door. Throwing my bag in the passenger's seat, I went to knock on the new neighbor's door.

“What?” He answered, with an annoyed expression on his face.

“I am here to drive your as...butt to school” I announced ushering him to my car.

“No thanks.” He said shortly as he began to shut the door.

“Wait,” I objected, putting my foot in between the door. “I know we got off on the wrong foot. Let’s start over?”

“I don’t know, I think I already know you very well.” He sighed, resting on the edge of the doorway.

I ignored him. “Hello, my names Pandora. But please call me Ann.” I chirped holding a hand out.

“Hello Pandora,” He smirked, drawing out every syllable. “I am Quinn.”

“Quinn?” I echoed, before laughing.

“What?” He grumbled, raising an eyebrow.

“I just..thought you’d have a more, common name.” I chuckled.

“I wouldn’t be talking Pandora.” He shot back.

“Touche.” I agreed, as I walked to my car, hoping he’d follow behind.

“Can you move your stuff?” He asked, gesturing to my bag in the passenger's seat.

“Nope, sit in the back.” I said without humor.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” He muttered.

“I am not, just get in.” I sighed.

“Just move your things to the back!” He complained.

“No.” I echoed.

“What happened to the: ‘Let’s start over’ Pandora?” He asked, raising both eyebrows.

“Fine.” I grumbled, moving my bag to the back.

Once he finally got in, it wasn’t too long before another argument started between the two of us. It was about the radio station.

“I don’t want to listen to your crappy pop music!” He protested, reaching for the dial.

“Who said I listened to crappy pop music!” I argued.

“Than let me pick!” He yelled, turning the dial.

“No!” I hollered, also reaching for the dial.