Bumbling Butterfingers

Chapter 6

The next month passes by relatively the same. I'd reject Bexley's invitations or change the topic of hanging out outside of school. Not that I don't want to hangout, but I need to take care of my brothers. Besides that, I still frequently wake up from nightmares, Lana and River don't notice,  but my friends stopped questioning my lack of sleep as I've learned to buy coffee every morning to improve my energy levels.

But that all changes when we exit school. I'm laughing at something Bexley says to a scowling Esme when a beep is heard followed by a familiar voice shouting, "Everleigh! I got out of work early!"

My head whips ahead to the parking lot to see Lana leaning out the window, while waving her hand frantically. My eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"Is that your mom?" Bexley asks as she walks in the direction of Lana's car.

"Her name is Lana," I respond, avoiding the question as everyone follows behind us.

When we arrive Lana is the first to speak up, "Hello! Are you guys Everleigh's friends?"

Bexley reaches out and hugs Lana through the window, "Hi Everleigh's mom! I'm Bexley! We finally get to meet you! Oh wait, yes we're her friends! Well I'm her mentor too! And-"

"I'm Kaden," Kaden interrupts with a charming smile, but turns smirking at Bexley who pouts at him in turn. Lana lets out a laugh observing my friends.

Cas steps forward hesitantly with an awkward smile, "I'm Caspian."

Lana's eyes soften at Caspian, "Hello," she speaks softly and offers a friendly smile.

"I'm Clyde and this is Esme," Clyde beams as he yanks Esme in front of him. She pushes away from him, "I can speak for myself."

I turn around and smile sarcastically at Lana, "And I'm Everleigh." Lana just shakes her head and mumbles, "Goofball."

I laugh in return and get into the passenger side of the car, but Lana doesn't start the car. She instead immerses in conversation with my group of friends.

"I'd love to get to know you guys more! When are you guys free? You guys could come over for dinner, one day this weekend or another. Regardless, you're always welcome!" Lana says smiling warmly at the group.

Bexley shouts to the sky with her hands thrown up in the year, "Finally! We've been trying to do something with Everleigh for forever! We'll be there this weekend!"

I frown as I'm unsure how I feel about it. I look down, but look up when I feel a pair of eyes on me. I look up to see Caspian staring at me, I attempt to smile, but it appears more as a grimace. I look away again.

Lana laughs and looks at her watch, "Oh! I'm sorry, but we have to go. Have to pick up the boys. See you this weekend!"

A chorus of farewells is heard as we pull out of the parking lot.
As we pull into the boy's school, I turn to Lana and ask, "Why would you invite them?"

"You can have fun with friends outside of school Everleigh. You can go out or at least have them come over."

"It's my decision! I see them a lot in school and I talk to them over text and FaceTime," I say, trying to convince her and myself that it's enough.

"Well, why don't you want to hang out with them more?"

We sit in silence as I think of a response.

"I- I- I have to be there for my brothers...," I respond as I am at a loss of words.

Lana's face softens as she silently examines my face. She's about to open her mouth when kids rush out of the school building, she looks towards the school, but turns back to me, "We'll talk about this later. Please, I really want to talk this out."