Chapter 8

I woke up the next morning to the sound of rain pattering against my bedroom window. I pulled my blanket off of my body and slowly slid my legs over towards the edge of the bed, where I let my bare feet connect with my bedroom floor. I sat up, rubbing my hands over my eyes. I hated waking up so early, honestly. I would not be opposed to the idea of school starting midday and ending after dark.

I reluctantly stood up from my bed and made my way downstairs to make myself something for breakfast. Mitchell was already seated at the table, hastily and sloppily eating whatever cereal he had put into his bowl. Knowing my brother, he’s probably already on his second or third bowl of cereal. The kid could have an entire buffet for breakfast and still somehow be completely capable of eating dinner.

“Where’s mom and dad?” I wondered, rubbing my eyes awake as I walked towards the pantry.

“Mom’s at work, dad went to fix something over at grandma’s.” Mitchell answered with his mouth full.

Ugh, he’s such a disgusting pig.

I reached for a loaf of bread and checked the date to make sure that it was still good.

“So, why’d you skip school yesterday?” He asked me as I made my way towards the toaster with the loaf of bread I had just retrieved.

After slipping in two slices of bread, I turned around and groaned. I hated mornings.

“I don’t know, I just didn’t really feel like being at school.” Was my response.

I traipsed towards the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of milk before heading to the cabinet to find a mug.

“What’s going on with you? You used to love school.”

I scoffed at that. Nobody in their right mind loves school. I mean, what is there to love? Pop quizzes, annoying mouth breathers sitting next to you in class, science class, exams. I mean, it’s practically hell on earth.

“School sucks.” I stated, pouring some fresh brewed coffee into my mug. “Always has, and it always will.”

“Okay?” He picked up the bowl and began drinking the leftover milk.

“Do you need a lift to school today?” He asked me after putting the bowl back down and letting out a gross, loud and long burp.

“I’m not walking to school in the rain, so yes.” I answered him just as my toast popped.

I reached up into the top corner cabinet and got a plate to put my toast on. Then, I walked back to the refrigerator to get some butter. Say what you will, butter on plain toast was spectacular, especially paired with a mug of hot coffee.

After buttering the two slices of toast, I then turned my attention to the coffee, putting in two teaspoons of sugar before stirring it. Afterwards, I poured in some milk and carried my breakfast to the table, taking a seat at the head of it.

“This rain better fuck off, I’m meant to practice later on.” Mitchell complained.

“Well I hope it sticks around, I love wet weather, more so when it storms.” I said. What can I say, storms pretty much matched my constant state of mind.

“Yeah, cause you’re a fucking weirdo.” He stood from the table and carried his used dishes to the sink.

I took a bite out of my toast.

“Hurry up and eat then get ready.” Mitchell ordered.

“There’s still ages til school starts.” I said, taking another bite of toast.

“I gotta pick Grayson up.” He stated.

I rolled my eyes. “Doesn’t he have his own car? Tell him to drive himself to school.”

“His car needs to be fixed, something’s wrong with the radiator or something.”

Then tell him to walk, maybe he’ll do the entire school a favor and get sick so we won’t have to see his stupid face for a week, two if we’re lucky. I wanted to say, but decided against it.

“Fine.” I groaned, finishing off my breakfast and mug of coffee before darting upstairs to change into an outfit that was appropriate for today’s weather.

I decided to go with a regular sweatshirt, topped with a nice and thick jacket. That will keep me warm today. I then pulled on a pair of cargo pants before slipping on a pair of socks. Lastly, I chose a pair of sneakers to put on to complete the whole ensemble.

Not long after, I hopped into the passenger seat of Mitchell car, reluctantly ready to be on my way to school. I seriously need to get my own car, but seeing as I don’t have a job, that might be just a tad hard. I applied for one job, one which I was rejected face-to-face because of the fact that my resume was pretty much a blank piece of paper with only my name, phone number and address written down on it. The embarrassment alone was enough to scare me away from applying for another job anytime soon.

“Get in the back, that’s Grayson’s seat.” Mitchell stated.

“Oh, it is? I didn’t see his name on it.” I retorted.

“Seriously, just get in the back.”

“No, he’s not the fucking king of England, I’m sure he’ll be fine sitting in the back seat. If not, oh well, not my problem.” I clicked in my seatbelt.

“You’re such a brat.” Mitchell murmured, clicking his own seatbelt in before starting the car and heading towards Grayson’s house.

“Back at ya.”

It didn’t take long to arrive at Grayson’s house. It was a two storey house, white painted wooden panels on the exterior, along with a deep blue picket fence surrounding the front yard. As Mitchell pulled the car to a halt, he honked the horn.

Less than a minute later, Grayson exited his house, covering he head with his jacket as he ran into the rain. Before reaching the car, he noticed me seated in the passenger seat and headed towards the back seat.

“About time, I was beginning to think you went off to school without me.” He complained the instance he got into the back seat.

“Had to wait for this one to get ready.” Mitchell rolled his eyes, started the vehicle and starting down the street.

“Sup, little Cooper?” Grayson’s hand smacked my shoulder.

“Ouch, fuck. Do you always have to be such an ass?” I groaned.

“Calm down, Dal.” Mitchell spoke from the driver’s seat as he turned down a different street.

“Why don’t you just focus on the road. It’s raining, and I would prefer to make it to school without having ended up into a tree beforehand.”

“Always so goddamned dramatic.” My brother groaned, shaking his head at me.

“Always so inane.” I retorted.

“What does that mean?” Mitchell asked me.

“The irony of that question almost makes me laugh.” I shifted in my seat to face my side of the window.

“What does it mean?” Mitchell repeated.

“He’s basically calling you dumb.” Grayson answered.

The back of Mitchell’s hand smacked into my shoulder.

“If you weren’t driving right now, i would actually punch you.”

Both Mitchell and Grayson laughed at that.

“Assholes.” I cursed.

The rest of the drive was spent with dumb and dumber talking about uninteresting things, like American football and the possibility of having a double date this Friday. How any girl could date either of these jackasses completely baffles me.

As soon as Mitchell found a space in the parking lot, I was quick to get out of the car and rush inside to find my friends before class started.

Our hangout was in the main corridor of the school building, where a long red ottoman that sat up against the wall. Mostly juniors and seniors hung out in the main corridors, though most seniors prefer to hang out in the Senior’s Lounge. They have sofas, board games, a refrigerator and microwave. They even had a tv in there.

“About time, I was about to send out a rescue party.” Hannah said as I approached our hang out.

“You literally only just got here a minute ago.” Phillip stated to Hannah from his place on the ottoman.

“Is Cody with you?” Hannah asked me.

“Nope, I got a ride with Mitch.” I said.

“Speaking of Mitch, I heard he and some girl named Stacy are a thing.” Lucy voiced, looking to me for confirmation.

I just shrugged my shoulders.

“Mitchell is way too hot for Stacy.” Hannah said what was on her mind, scooting over to make room for me on the seat.

“Ew, gross! That’s my brother you’re talking about.” I grimaced.

“I’m just saying. Lucy, back me up.”

“Uh, no….”

“I don’t know, Stacy’s pretty hot.” Phillip gave his opinion. “Don’t you agree, Dal?”

The click-clacking of Alicia’s shoes interrupted us. “Hi guys.” She spoke in her natural shrilling voice.

“Hey Alicia.” Hannah forced a smile.

“So, what are we talking about?” Jake wondered, his right hand still attached to Alicia’s left one.

“How hot Mitchell is.” Hannah answered him.

Everyone else groaned.

“No, Hannah was talking about how hot Mitchell is, the rest of us are innocent.” Lucy stated.

“Hannah, that is just gross.” Jake stated, reading my mind.

“Can we stop talking about my brother now, someone please change the subject.” I implored.

“Wassup fuckers!” Cody announced his presence, his wet hair drooping over his forehead.

“Did you walk here?” I asked him.

“Nah, i drove to school, but the only empty car space was across the lot. Hence the drenched body.” He shook his head, wetting the rest of the group.

“Dude!” Phillip groaned.

“What the fuck!” Hannah seethed.

“Oh my god, that is so gross.” Alicia squealed.

It was gross, but I couldn’t help laughing.

“It’s just rainwater, calm down.” Cody walked over and sat on the opposite side of us, his back against the wall as he slid his legs out into the middle of the corridor.

Later that day, Cody and I were both seated on the bleachers, watching the football team practice. Jake, one of our best friend’s, was on the same team as Mitchell and Grayson, despite being a grade below them. The rain had cleared, but the skies overhead were still dark and cloudy.

“You and I should join the team.” Cody encouraged, nudging my shoulder.

I scoffed. “Pfft, can you imagine me running down a field with a ball in my hand? That would not be a sight to see.”

He laughed at the thought of it.

“Are you going to Fall Fest?” He asked me.

I was currently snacking on a packet of chips. After chewing up and swallowing the chips that were in my mouth, I answered his question.

“Yeah, we have never missed a Fall Fest and we are not going to start now.”

It was one of the things I looked forward to every year. Cotton Candy, Ferris wheel rides, fortune tellers. What’s not to like?

“Okay, I gotta go. I’m supposed to go pick my little sister up from piano practice.” Cody said, stealing a few of my chips for the road.

“See ya!”

I continued eating my chips as I watched the guys practice. Jake was pretty good at playing football, in my opinion. Much better than most of the seniors.

Now I just have to wait for Mitchell to hurry up so we can head home.

I should have just asked Cody to drop me off home.

After finishing off my packet of chips, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and scrolled through Instagram as a distraction to pass the time.

“About time.” I complained when Mitchell and Grayson finally finished practice and walked towards me. I met them at the bottom of the bleachers when Grayson threw the ball at me, whacking me in the stomach. I lurched over, the wind knocked right out of me.

“What the fuck!?” I spat.

“My bad.” He said.

I groaned again, leaning down to pick the ball up before I aimed it at his head and threw it.

Whack!

“Ouch!” He seethed.

“Guys, quit messing around and let’s go.” Mitchell said.

“He started it.” I stated, matter of fact.