Between Two

Chapter 23

"Ugh, this is soooo booooring." Tara hit me while I swatted her hand away.

"Boring? We haven't even gone anywhere yet, you just pulled out of the parking lot less than twenty minutes ago." She huffed out in annoyance, turning the corner.

I turned the radio on, looking up as she pointed towards a Starbucks, "You want anything? I'm getting a new drink because I threw it in the trash." I furrowed my eyebrows, looking her way.

"You threw it at Jenice." She nodded, pulling into the drive-thru.

"Exactly." She said it in a 'duh' tone, rolling her window down.

I grabbed my phone as it started ringing, biting my lip seeing Chris' name, "What did you need?" I picked at the frayed rips of my jeans, waiting for his response.

"Uh... you aren't at the assembly and it's some trip. We're roomed together.. with Jonah too. It's posted on flyers in the gym... I got you a permission slip." I rubbed the side of my head, looking out the window.

"I know, Jenice told me. When is the trip?" I winced when Tara smacked my arm, pointing out her window.

"I don't want anything." She totally ignored me, getting me something anyway.

"Next month... and there's a Winter Formal before that." He paused, awaiting my response, but I didn't say anything.

"Oh... that's cool..." Tara pulled up to the window, and unbuckled her seatbelt.

"I can feel how awkward it is and I can't even hear the other person you're talking to." I sunk down in the seat, watching as she turned and reached into the backseat for her backpack.

"Yeah, I was thinking... never mind. I'll see you... later, hopefully?" I nodded, slapping my forehead after realizing he couldn't see me.

"Mhm, yup, bye." Tara sat back down, her wallet in her hand while she made a tsk sound at me.

"What? I don't know how to act anymore." I whined, starting to get embarrassed.

She held in her laugh, holding out her debit card to the worker.

"So, who were you on the phone with? Jonah or Chris?" She grabbed her debit back, putting it into her wallet before grabbing the drinks.

"Chris... he got me a permission slip for the trip." I thanked her as she handed me my drink and held hers while she buckled back up.

"That's nice, maybe we can talk to the principal about getting you a different room because I don't think you're allowed to room with boys." She started driving, occasionally glancing my way.

"I'll ask tomorrow." I placed my drink in the cup holder, telling her where I wanted to go.

"Why there?" I secretly smiled, turning up the music on the radio.

There wasn't a specific reason to why I wanted to go to the certain place, but I wanted to do something nice.

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"Holy shit, she's the cutest little thing I've ever seen!" Tara gushed, staring through the window while Gracie danced.

"I know, she's shy though. She doesn't say much, sometimes she doesn't speak at all." I smiled when Gracie spotted us, giving us an adorable wave.

"I never knew Chris had a little sister. He's so secretive." I nodded, watching as all the little girls started grabbing their things to leave.

Tara and I walked in and I couldn't contain my smile when Gracie ran over to me, throwing her arms around my waist. I laughed a bit, watching Tara jump up and down.

Gracie pulled away, looking towards Tara, "Hi, I'm Tara!" Gracie jumped, startled from her outburst.

"You're so cute!" She clasped her hands, staring at Gracie adoringly.

"Calm down, Tara, you're going to scare her." Tara took a deep breath, calming herself down.

"Right, sorry... wait, what are we doing here again?" I ignored her, focusing my gaze on Gracie.

"Let's do something nice for your brother." She nodded, her eyes widening as she waited for me to explain more.

"Wait, wait, wait, I'm lost. You're choosing Chris?" I shook my head at Tara, just wanting to do something nice for him.

He works hard, I've seen him do so much. I think he deserves to know people care, especially since he's always the one doing something for others.

"I'm fucking confused, explain, please." Tara whined, pulling on my hand.

"I will, just listen to me." I knelt down so I was level with Gracie, glad she was on board.

"Your brother deserves a break, a chance to live in the moment and have fun. Let's do that for him." She eagerly nodded, a smile breaking out onto her adorable face.

"Let's do this." I held my hand up and she gave me a high five while Tara continued to complain.

"What's going on? I wanna know, tell me! I don't like this, it's not fair." She pouted, looking between Gracie and I.

"Oh, Tara, think of it as one of the books you like. It's good to leave you in suspense, makes you want to know more." She glared at me, her eye slightly twitching.

"I usually skip ahead." I smirked, grabbing Gracie's hand.

"You can't do that with this, now can you?" She gritted her teeth, stomping her foot.

"This is so unfair! What are you planning? What are you going to do for Chris? Jesus Christ, are you picking him or not!? I need to know!" I merely shrugged, a secretive smile on my face.

"I don't know, Tara, you'll just have to wait and see." I walked out along with Gracie, smiling when Tara ran after us.

"What are we going to do?" Gracie looked up at me with her doe like eyes, curiosity and excitement etched onto her features.

"I'll tell you when Tara is out of hearing distance, but you're going to love it. And so will your brother." She let out the most adorable giggle, glancing back at an annoyed Tara.

I knew Chris was going to enjoy what I was planning for him, at least I hope he did. He deserves a break and I'm going to make this memorable for him.