Hopeless Honey

Toad Face

At home, I pretended I loved school and that it was all great. I knew the sacrifices my mom was making so that I would be safe. Although I wish my life was back to normal, I couldn't let it show.

Since Xavier and I still weren't talking, I was kind of left to fend to myself during school.

Every time I would walk past a group of people they I heard them comment on my hair, my skin, how short my skirt was, and even the shoes I wore.

Even though we wore a uniform, it was painfully obvious that I didn't have the same amenities as them. And he worst part was that they never let me forget it.

"Look at her hair, has she ever hear of a comb?" A girl said loudly as I walked by.

"I would still hit" a boy next to her added.

"I would never carry around that bag" she laughed

It was sad, but I almost expected it to be this way. I spent the school days like a ghost, floating from one class to the next until it was time to go home.

Xavier had tried to talk to me a few times in the house. He asked if I needed help with dinner, if I did the homework, and if his parents were in town.

I gave him short and one word answers. "No, yes, and I don't know"

Mamá hadn't been feeling well and I had to beg her to go lay down until dinner was ready. Xavier was trying to convince her to go to the doctors.

Contrary to popular belief, I wasn't a great cook. My mom was truly skilled in the kitchen and could make dozens of dishes perfectly. She was passionate and loved cooking. She always told me her favorite part about cooking was seeing the ones you love with a full tummy.

Me on the other hand, I lacked all the love and care required.

I was following the recipe exactly, and wasn't sure where I was going wrong. I restarted twice already and this was the last straw. I put the pot on medium heat with all the spices and seasonings from the handwritten recipe my mom scribbled down. I set the timer for 20 minutes and waited.

A little while later, the kitchen was filled with smoke and a horrible smell. I turned off the stove and opened the kitchen window. I fanned the room in hopes to get rid of it quickly.

Maddie, Taylor, and Alex were sitting in the dining room doing homework. Alex had a test on her times tables and she was struggling with her 6 table.

I heard some steps toward the kitchen and assumed it was Alex. The door swung open but my back was still turned. I was emptying out the pot, trying to clean it.

"6 times 8?" I questioned, trying to catch her on her feet.

"48?" A voice, who was definitely not Alex answered. I jumped and turned around.

"I thought you were Alex, she has a math test" I said quietly.

"Hmm" Xavier responded "so when's dinner gonna be ready?" He teased. I was still mad at him and was ignoring his desperate attempts to start a conversation.

"Jesus, what did you burn?" He coughed and waved his hand in front of his face. "It smells like a car battery in here" he knew I was getting angry and was seconds away from giving in.

I just ignored him and continued with the pot. He came up behind me. "Need some help" he whispered in my ear.

I was trying to be strong, because I was still mad at him, but he had control over me and he knew it. Soon, his arm was snaked around my waist and my ass was pressed onto him.

"I miss you" he whispered. He sounded a bit sad. I wondered how he was doing. I wondered about his rib and if it was healing well. I wanted to know how practice was going, and what he got on the English quiz.

I shook those thought out of my head and remembered everything. "Xavier I-" I tried to move from his grasp but it felt so good. He held me tight, like I was a ballon that would fly away from him.

He leaned down to me and I tilted my head up, meeting him half way, our lips nearly touching. I closed my eyes, ready for him to put me under his spell.

The kitchen door swung open and I pushed him away so quick I though he would fall. I continued on the pot like nothing had happened. Xavier walked over to the fridge and picked out a bottle of juice.

"Honey, Alex said I look like a toad" Maddie came in whining.

"Tell Alex that if she hasn't perfected her 6 times table I'm going to take away her ant farm" I shouted so that Alex could hear me.

I would never actually do that, because she loved those gross ants, but I knew she could get 100 on the test. She just needed a little push.

"Do I look like a toad" Maddie was on the verge of tears.

Xavier laughed, and I gave him a look that said "shut up and tell her she doesn't look like a toad"

As Xavier was confronting her, I decided we were ordering out tonight.

I was kinda happy that Alex called her sister a Toad because if not, I would have kissed Xavier.

I hoped he hadn't though he was forgiven.