Poison -17- by Melanie Brown

Poison

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

Part 17

As usual, I watched Zach peel out from the curb in the school parking lot after dropping Corey and me off. I shook my head as he nearly hit a parked car. If I was still his dad, I’d definitely take his license away – again. But now I’m just his little sister whose opinions matter not at all. I did tell Mom, but she needs him to take us to school instead of her.

Not expecting Corey to still be standing next to me, I almost bumped into him. Frowning at me, Corey said. “Hey, watch it.”

“Not my fault, squirt,” I said, taking a step back. “You’ve usually run off by now.”

Looking thoughtful, Corey said, “I wanted to ask you a question.”

“Shoot.”

“Is it true what Zach told me?”

I shrugged. “Beats me. What did he tell you?”

“He said that you helped him sneak into the house last night. Right under Mom’s nose!” Corey grinned at me. “Dad would never do that.”

I laughed. “You’re right. Dear old Dad would never have pulled a stunt like that. But your super cool sister would.”

Corey grinned at me. “I like having a super cool sister.” He darted off to join his friends gather around the entrance. Cool. I’m now the super cool sister. I hoped I could cash that in for favors at some point.

“Hey, girl,” said a familiar voice from behind me. I turned to see Karen approaching me.

“Hey Karen,” I said with a smile. “You just missed Corey.”

Nodding, she said, “I’ll catch up to him in a minute. I wanted to ask you something.”

“Shoot.”

“You’re coming to the end of school blowout at Stewie’s this Saturday?” It was a statement, not a question.

We started walking towards the school. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it. And it’s at Stewie’s?”

Karen laughed. “That’s right. You’re new to the school. The school pays for it and Stewie’s is only open to seventh and eighth graders from all three middle schools. They used to have it at the Ranger’s fieldhouse, but the school got tired of cleaning up the messes. Anyway, most of our friends will be there. Corey had better be there. And I’m sure Gene will be there.”

I shrugged. “I’ll have to ask my Mom.” We stopped at the school entrance.

“It’s a lot of fun. Plus, several groups, like ROTC, Cheerleaders, Science Club and other organizations, will be there to recruit new members. That’s how they got school buy-in. Anyway, see ya at lunch.” She ran into the school, and I heard her shout, “Hey Corey! Wait up!”

We didn’t have all these parties back when I was in school. Well, the other time I was in school. Or maybe we did, and I just didn’t know. I wasn’t exactly Mr. Popularity back then. Hell. And now, even the whole football team knows me. Actually, a girl probably shouldn’t admit that.

I trudged on to my first class, lost in deep thought. And suddenly I was shoved from behind, lost my footing and fell to the floor. I’m glad I wasn’t wearing a skirt. I turned around as I started to stand back up. There was an angry girl scowling down at me.

“What the hey!” I exclaimed as I got to my feet. I had no idea who this girl was. “What’s your malfunction, girl?”

The girl said, “Like you don’t know! Bitch, you need to stay away from my guy.”

Brushing off my pants, I said, “Seriously? You knocked me down for something stupid like that? What’s his name so I can be sure to stay away from him.”

The girl took a couple of steps towards me. “You know who he is, bitch.”

I sighed heavily. “No I don’t. I don’t even know who you are.”

The girl stepped up to me and jammed her finger into my chest. “Don’t give me that shit!”

“Hey girls!” called out Gene brightly. “How’s it going?”

The girl pointed at Gene. “Him!”

Feeling confused, I asked, “Him?”

Gene stopped walking past us, “Who him?”

The girl stepped next to Gene, who took a step backwards. “I’m warning you, bitch. Stay off my turf.”

“Your turf? Are we seriously having this conversation? I’m not dating Gene.”

Looking exceedingly confused, Gene exclaimed, “What are you talking about, Rhonda? Two weeks ago you told me to get lost.”

Rhonda said, “Two weeks ago, I thought you were going to flunk out and be a total dweeb loser. But now you’re going to be the star player.”

Looking annoyed, Gene said, “Well then, why are you angry at Diane? She got me over the hump.”

With a look that I’m grateful couldn’t kill, Rhonda exclaimed, “I hear people talk. She only helped you because she wants you so bad.”

I laughed, which only seemed to heighten her annoyance. “I helped him because he helped me. End of story. I’m not allowed to date anyway, so hey. Be my guest.” I turned and hurried to my class that I was already late for.

Gene shouted, “Diane!”

I heard Rhonda purr, “You don’t need her, baby.” Well, not now.

                    *

“She actually said those things?”

I took a bite of my salad before answering Karen with “Yep.”

Karen swallowed her chocolate milk and asked, “You’re not mad she stole your guy?”

“Of course not,” I lied. Okay. I didn’t think of him as my guy, but I did like him in a purely platonic way. Kinda.

Karen giggled, “Well, to change the subject, do you want to ride with me to Stewie’s? Corey will probably ride with us. Obviously, my dad would be driving.”

“Like I said, I’ll have to ask my Mom.”

                    *

Mom sat down on my bed behind me while surfing the web.

“Something on your mind, sweetheart?” asked Mom.

I turned around in my chair and nodded. “A lot.”

Mom smiled. “Anything I can help with?”

I nodded. “Maybe. For starters, I’m tired of being a girl. I mean, every day, I have boys asking me on dates. And they’re all shocked when I tell them no.”

Mom shrugged. “Just tell them the truth. I don’t allow you to date yet.”

I grunted a laugh. “Doesn’t stop them from asking. And then… and then today, this girl comes up to me, calls me a bitch and demands I stay away from her guy. I don’t even know who she is.”

“Did you tell her that?” asked Mom.

“Of course. It didn’t matter with her.” Mom shook her head. I continued, “Then Gene walks up. Turns out this girl used to date Gene, then broke up with him and now wants him back.”

Mom frowned at me. “You’re not dating him, are you?”

I frowned back at her. “Of course not. This whole boy thing has me all bumfuzzled anyway. I just can’t imagine being with a boy. The thought freaks me out. Anyway, I tell her she can have Gene, and then I leave as fast as I can.”

Mom gave me a curious look. “And did Gene have to say?”

I shrugged. “I didn’t hang around. But I need to ask you something.” The expression on her face told me she was enjoying having me subservient to her.

“What’s up?”

I took a deep breath and asked, “There’s an end-of-school party at Stewie’s on Saturday night. My friend Karen is gong and asked me to go with her.”

Mom nodded. “Corey has already told me about it. If you go with Corey and Karen, I have no problem with you going. You can keep an eye on Corey for me. I’m glad I can trust you to be responsible.” She would have to say that.

Mom smiled at me, took a deep breath and said, “That leaves me open to tell Lucas yes, to his date invitation.”

Well, shit.

End of Part 17