pen pal | on hold

six

                        [[ L E V I ]]

        I place the keys in the ignition and allowed the car to heat up before leaving the driveway. I have to go pick up Cassidy from her friend's house. Luke sits in the passenger seat on some kind of app on his phone sketching. From what I can see, it's a celebrity.

        My phone vibrates from the cup holder. I don't think much about it so I told Luke to check for me. Bad mistake on my part.

        "It's from Wren?" Why did I tell him the password to my phone? "She says-"

        "Don't read it," I hastily snatch my phone out of his hands and place it back in the cup holder. I can feel my face burning with heat.

        "Another girl?" He asks distastefully. "Is it someone from the cheer team? One of the wild blondes? Ooh is this the Starbucks barista from the mall-"

        I groan causing him to stop and smile a little. I love my brother, and I love that he smiles at my discomfort. But hey, anything to keep him happy. "We do not speak of this! And she's my pen pal, it's for a project at school."

        Even in the dark I can make out Luke's smug smile. I'm not surprise that he doesn't believe me. Of course he thinks that Wren is another one of my one night stands. But I'm pretty sure Wren wouldn't be able to stand at least a foot from a guy. She's too innocent.

        My phone vibrates again and I quickly look at the screen. To my disappointment it wasn't Wren, it's my dad.

        "Put him on speaker," I said to Luke as I hand him my phone. I do not need to have an accident anytime soon, I knew it would overwhelm Luke and my car is my baby. I can't bare to part from it, plus I can't afford another one.

        "Levi?"

        "Hey Dad," I say before switching lanes quickly. An old lady flicks me off, which I gracefully return back. "What's up?"

        "Where are you?" he asks and you can sense how tired he is from the way he speaks. It's low and heavy,, like all he wants to do is be by my mom's side right now.

        "Going to pick up Cass and then we are going to McDonald's for dinner because I have zero time to actually cook," I start. "Are you going to be home tonight?" I question, making a right swiftly.

        He sighs and I glance over ar Luke to see him frowning. "No, I'll probably stop by if I have time to when Cass is asleep to give mom her medication and some food - so don't tell Cassidy because I don't want to get her hopes up."

        I nod, cursing to myself as someone honks at me when I'm pulling into Cassidy's friend's neighborhood. "Alrighty then, dad. I gotta go, Cass is coming." I say, semi-lying as I pull up in front of the house and hang up the call. "Luke, can you go get her? I have to respond to Wren."

        Luke nods, shrugging as he hops out of the car and walks up the driveway. I pull out my phone eagerly once he's stopped looking back at me, wanting to see Wren's e-mail.

From: ReadWriteSleep@yahoo.com

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 6:23 PM

To: LDSport13@hotmail.com

Subject: #sorrynotsorry

        sorry i replied late. actually no, i'm not cos i reply late for everything lol. my bad.

        anyway it was my sister, something happened and yeah, i had to go check up on her and help my dad make dinner.

From: LDSport13@hotmail.com

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 6:39 PM

To: ReadWriteSleep@yahoo.com

Subject: Re: #sorrynotsorry

        you are so rude nerd. don't be rude loser.

        anyway, is she good, your sister?

From: ReadWriteSleep@yahoo.com

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 6:40 PM

To: LDSport13@hotmail.com

Subject: (no subject)

        nah, she's fine, i think. made dinner and she's watching spongebob, she should be good. just stupid boys in her school teasing her and schtuff.

        anyway, what are you doing on this fine night meathead? i assume you're either going to a party, getting ready to find a girl to do the deed with, or playing video games with friends?

From: LDSport13@hotmail.com

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 6:40 PM

To: ReadWriteSleep@yahoo.com

Subject: Re: (no subject)

        beat them up, c'mon wren bring out your inner mma fighter! go all street fighter on them! i am so disappointed in you right now.

        and for your information, i haven't done the 'deed' in about a week so calm yourself nerd. my best friend leo is coming over later for some video games. but right now i am going out to mcdonalds with my little brother and sister.

From: ReadWriteSleep@yahoo.com

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 6:41 PM

To: LDSport13@hotmail.com

Subject: wow, a week?

        you should bring me a kid's meal, just saying. i am pretty cool am i right?

        and don't assume i don't know video games! i have an older brother ya know. i beat his tushy in call of duty advanced warfare! be jealous.

                        [[ \\\ /// ]]

        Just before I can reply back Luke and Cassidy open the car door and climb in. Luke helps Cassi buckle in her seatbelt before returning to the passenger seat.

        "Hey Cassidy," I greet my little sister. She smiles at me from the rear view mirror before waving shyly. There is no doubt that my sister is a little cutie, I mean she is related to me. Her stringy, dirty blonde hair falls to her shoulders and big, brown, puppy dog eyes are her best features.

        "Where are we going now?" She asks before sucking on her thumb, a habit she's had ever since she was little. Dad's still trying to get her to stop by bribing her with toys or candy and I've tried by putting bandages on her thumbs.

        "McDonalds," I answer her as I began driving once more.

        "Ooh! Can I have a kid's meal?" She squeals.

        I chuckle and nod. "Sure, kid." I couldn't help but think of the nerd behind her phone, e-mailing me to buy her a kid's meal. She truly is one of a kind.

// a.n. vote, comment, share and guess who wrote this chapter? ;) //

// #933 in teen fiction - 1/24/15 //