New Kid in America

Chapter 6

I yawn and stretch, but my arm hits something hard. I touch it, it feels like flesh. My eyes widen as I remember what happened, and I roll over just to check. Yup, it's Heather.

Last night, after my delicious pizza and Heather's tiny one, Mum and Dad continued 'talking' without a break for food or anything. By 10pm Heather and I realised they wouldn't stop anytime soon so decided to go to bed. But we couldn't get to sleep and I remembered that when we were very little and Mum and Dad argued into the night we used to curl up together in Heather's bed which would help us sleep. So my theory last night was, if it worked then it will now. So, to cut a long story short, here I am now waking up next to Heather in her bed after a wonderful night's sleep.

My movement wakes her up. Her eyes flicker open and, as mine did, widen.
"What the..." She mumbles, but I just laugh. "What?" She asks.
"Nothing, this just reminds me of something," I reply with a grin.
"What?" She repeats, slowly edging away.
"Well, you know in sitcoms and films when characters get really drunk and have a fling? This is like when they wake up,"
"Oh my god, Cass that's gross! Get out!"
"Ha, they say that too!" I'm laughing hysterically as I slip out of the bed and go to the door, but before leaving I do a little wiggle and say in an awful American accent, "Call me!"
"GET OUT!" Heather roars, and I obediently close the door before I'm hit by her flying alarm clock. I hear it smash and she swears, but I just keep laughing all the way down the hallway.

"Morning," I trill to Mum, who sits half-asleep at the table, rubbing her temples.
"Hi," She whispers hoarsely.
"So... how was your conversation with Dad?" I ask cheekily, but stop smiling when I see the warning look she gives me. "Where is Dad?" I ask.
"He felt it best to stay in a hotel until the subject of the conversation comes into effect,"
"And what was the subject of the conversation?"
"Cassandra, I'm tired,"
"I know, I know. Tell me and then go to bed."
"No,"
"Come on Mum, if he didn't tell me first then it must be important!"
"Not now,"
I sigh in defeat and start making my breakfast.

"Good morning Mother!" Heather says, "What was-"
"-Not now!" Mum interrupts. She gets up and leaves.
"Oh, well done," I mutter.
"Shut up," Heather hisses. We eat in icy silence, glaring at one another.

The bus pulls up outside and we get up, grab our bags and Heather opens the door.
"Bye, Mother!" Heather kisses Mum on both her cheeks and breezes out of the door. I count to 30 seconds before saying goodbye to Mum, as Heather forbids me to come out before that. She doesn't want to be too closely associated with me, which suits me just fine.

"Bye Mum," I mumble, brushing her cheek with my mouth. I'm already out the door when Mum calls out.
"Cassandra, wait."
"Mum, I'm gonna be late," I complain, but I still turn to face her.
"Don't worry, I won't be long, I need to get to the shop," She assures me before coming closer. "It's about last night. Your father has... been offered a promotion."
"Well, that's great!" I exclaim, but the look on her face makes me stop. I'm very conscious of the bus' running engine and the fact that Mum needs to get to her self-owned toy shop, The Toymernator.
"On paper, yes. But there's a catch."
"What?"
"If you gave me a chance I could say,"
"Sorry,"
"Ok, the position, though once-in-a-lifetime, is in America. He's accepted, I don't want to go, and we're getting a divorce. Bye now, have a nice day!"
"What? But Mum-" I start to protest but she turns and goes inside. I turn in confusion to the road and see the bus start to pull away. In blind panic, I sprint after it, but I'm too late. Looks like I'm walking. Can this day get any worse?!