1985 (h.s.)

Chapter Thirty

"Come on," I urged as Harry trudged slowly out of the school doors. The whole day had been entirely exhausting. On top of all of the events that have transpired in the past twenty-four hours, the teachers are piling us with information. I had a free period in P.E. which gave me time to finish the majority of my homework. All I had left was history otherwise, I'm done.

I cupped my hand in Harry's and tugged him to my car. We had taken mine this morning because he was planning on going back to my place again after school. He was going back home tonight and we were both dreading it. My aunt and uncle were starting to get suspicious. They knew he was there though, they didn't know why he had been spending so much time over. Thankfully, they liked him and didn't complain too much.

I slid into my car and drove home. I hated the drive to and from school, the reason being that kids in our school have no idea how to drive. The parking lot was always a congested mess so I took my time getting to my car. The lot was partly clear when I exited it. Kids were driving like toddlers nevertheless. There was some type of crash or fender bender almost every week. I was thankful it hadn't happened to me. My attention was situated on the surroundings every time I left.

I parked in my assigned spot at home and shoved the keys in my pocket. Harry was already at the door when I reached it. He was in the process of working the key. Pushing it in and out of the door was not doing him any good. A frustrated grunt escaped his mouth. My hand gripped his wrist and turned the key around to face the correct direction. I then guided his hand back to the door and twisted the key into place.

I didn't let our hands part when I walked inside. You could practically feel the fatigue radiating from us. Even though we were both tired, it was decided that we finish our school work and try to brainstorm. Harry seemed just as determined as I was to find the answer to the dilemma we had been given. The idea he had presented last night had haunted my mind all day. It gave me chills imagining that my aunt and uncle didn't actually want me.

Harry and I sat adjacent to each other at the table in the kitchen. While he began working, I cut up some apples and set them in the middle of the table. In addition to that, I poured two glasses of water. I opened our pantry and searched for peanut butter. That was the only way I would eat apples. Otherwise, I had a texture thing about them. 

I sat back down and began to read my textbook. We had to read a few chapters and then do a worksheet on it. It wouldn't be so hard if the chapters weren't over the most boring thing in history, in my opinion. The American Revolution is something that has been preached into our heads for years. It's a significant event in history, don't get me wrong, but the excitement just isn't present. I've learned about it so much that it's just become reciting facts.

Periodically, I absent-mindedly reached for apple slices and peanut butter. I was cautious not to get anything on my homework. I was reading about Patrick Henry's famous speech, "Give me liberty or give me death," when my aunt and uncle came home from the church. At first, I hated them being there all of the time now, on the other hand, I don't mind. It gives me more free time to spend with my friends and Harry. Mostly Harry.

"Hey, kids," Aunt Erin peeps. She fluffs her hair and prances to the counter with a bag full of groceries. Uncle John follows close behind her and gives the two of us a short wave.

"Hey," Harry and I responded in unison. It wasn't an enthusiastic greeting as we were both distracted with the work in front of us. They continued to unload bags full of food and hauled in a few boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables. They were stocked in the refrigerator that was in our garage. That's where we kept most of our overstock fruits and vegetables. The rest of the room was storage. We didn't use our garage for its typical use if you couldn't already tell.