The Career ✓

03

ALEC      

I stepped  into the main study room, the front room, where Allie was now sitting, a snack next to her, book open, pencil scratching on folders of homework sheets.

      "What have you been doing?" Allie raised her eyebrows at me.

 I chuckled lightly. "Oh, nothing, just... well..." 

 Again, Allie gave me her impatient look. I'd lost her attention. She looked back down at her work and began writing again. I decided I'd need to be quick with my sister; that was how it always was. She didn't waste time.

    "Fine. I was watching a movie." 

Allie's head snapped up and her jaw dropped open, her eyes widening as if she was in total shock that we both weren't studying. Like that was the most important thing in the world.

     My expression unchanging and still, seemingly unbreakable, I couldn't help but break into a wide grin as I rejoined Gwen at the couch. I nodded back at the screen and the gummy bears I'd managed to steal from Allie.

    Moments later, Allie came charging into the room, yanking Gwen off the couch. Moving to the end to be in earshot, here's what I heard:

Gwen: Hey! I'm just trying to watch a movie!

Allie: WE STUDY after school, Gwen, not watch movies. I heard that was three hours, almost. Look at the time! It's been two already!

     Gwen seemed to be deep in thought, but her face burned up like a bomb and finally exploded when she reached the couch. She blew up at me extremely harder than I thought she would: "I was supposed to leave twenty minutes ago! I haven't focused, haven't finished my homework, and fell for your lies!" 

     Was I surprised to catch a glimpse of my smiling sister in the corner? Not at all.

                     ***

 "Coming!" I grabbed a bar out of the pantry, jogged down the steps, and slid into Cole's fancy leather seats. His father was dressed accordingly, wearing casual dressing items. Cole sat near me, and Allie and Gwen hurried into the back and busied themselves with whispering.

     Cole's father adjusted his glasses and didn't say a word for the rest of the car ride. It felt impolite to eat in the car, even though my stomach screamed. When we finally got to school, I hopped out, waved to Gwen (definitely my sister, too) and pulled out my bar, taking such a big bite it cured my hunger but started another problem.

     It's best if I didn't mention it.

Cole walked by just then, confused. He looked at the food in my hand and asked, "Is that seriously your breakfast?" I should've expected it. His father drove a BMW that had Wi-Fi. And besides, he had two phones already! 

    What did you really need to do with both? Apparently, he played a game on a different account and let his main phone account win all the time, since you can't play from another device at the same time-- it's an app. That way, he got coins.

      "Yeah, why?" I felt insecure when people talked about what I ate. Why was it his business, anyway? It wasn't like he was my mom.

    "Don't you have like, a chef or something?"

"No. You would've noticed by now." 

"I've never been to your house." Cole made a good point. "And besides," He added, "Doesn't your dad cook then?" 

"He can't!" I snapped, stalking away. Why in the world did he expect everyone like him was rich and had affordable maids and chefs and mansions? His father wasn't a multi-trillionare. He didn't nearly run a business; just made enough so that he was getting by- on his own, that is. About a month ago, my parents got divorced.

     At first I didn't like telling people because I hated their pity comments. But I'd gotten used to telling the truth- at least I thought I did. But when I was around Cole, everything changed. Especially since he's rich, it sent off an awkward, snappy feeling that made you automatically annoyed with him whenever you talked. I know it seems unfair, but something about him sets me off. Maybe it's since I caught him checking Allie out. 

     (He lingered). I supposed I should've been proud, but frankly, it just made me mad. What did he have interest in? She wasn't rich or even remotely in his league. She wasn't even halfway there, in all honesty.

 But that's  besides the point. Everything was fine with what I ate, wasn't it? 

   Deciding not to dwell on the matter for much longer, I took my usual seat at the back of the room, staring at Gwen's beautiful brown and gold hair. It was straight right now, and it sparkled like a gem and lit up everything in the room, in my eyes.

     I snapped out of my daydream as I heard my name. Peering at the board, I figured out the equation quickly. Unlike my siblings and friends, I was a fast learner, and I exceeded in math. Letting out an exasperated sigh at my right answer, even though Mr. Park knew I wasn't paying attention, what more could he do? Accuse me of not listening when I got it correctly? 

      He wasn't playing around, though. The next time he caught me, he might speak to the principal, despite my charming looks. Shouldn't they fool everyone? In my opinion, it was totally unfair.

   After class, I got this weird feeling I needed to apologize for something. It immediately came to me: Cole. This morning, he'd went out of his way to drive three extra kids to school. He'd been generous, but I'd been prickly. Grimacing, I stepped into the hall and tried to find the usual kids crowding around him.

    I pushed the flirting girls out of my way. By now, they knew not to mess with me or protest. I taught them who's boss. Deciding not to stall, I admitted it: "Hey, Cole, I was a real jerk this morning. Sorry. Would you like to come over to my house? I promise it'll make up for the way I acted." 

  He smiled at me and shrugged. "Most people are like that, and sure, I'd love to!" With that, he half-walked, half-ran down the hall. I couldn't blame him. People (especially girls) followed him everywhere, trying to catch a time to flirt before he got into class, where he always behaved and told on any girls, and sometimes boys, that passed him flirty notes.

    I'd only known of three people, ever, that my best friend, dated. It was unlike a Greene to not commit and stick to a relationship, but middle school love and high school love was always complicated. Others wouldn't understand, I figured, like usual.

      There was a boy, Pierce, a girl, Lexi, and another female, Soph. He wasn't too interested in anything for longer than suited him. I'd never asked him about it. I supposed he wouldn't like that very much.

    Sighing, I picked myself up to finish one of the final periods of the day. When the last one was over, I sent myself at a full sprint across the courtyard to freedom. I stood at the front of the school for a while, waiting for Cole and Allie and Gwen to reappear.

     When they finally did, we walked home without another word. 

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thanks everyone for helping in the making of this chapter! Big shoutout to all my followers, fans, and readers, and I hope you have a magnificent day/night!