Chapter 3
I pull up into the driveway and hop off of my bike. I lock it up on the side of the house.
Why can’t I get this to work?
I double-check my bike lock to find absolutely nothing wrong with it. I keep trying with all my might just for it to click. I almost had it when the pain in my side felt way worse. I finally got it about 5 minutes later. I wobble inside holding my side, not being able to bear the pain. Once I get inside I flop my backpack on the ground and head straight to the fridge. I rummage through it trying to find my jello.
Where is my jello? What’s this?
“Dear sista, sorry I ate your jello. You should know it was good. It tasted like…”
ugh, whatever. OwwWW. Why does this hurt so much?!
I slowly walk to the garage where the freezer is. I walk down the two steps my parents had to get because it was “dangerous without the steps.” I walk up to the freezer just to find that it has not been running. The bright yellow cord has been unplugged from the baby blue freezer. My parents have terrible taste in colors. Like who puts a bright yellow cord with a baby blue freezer?! I open it to find that nothing is frozen, not even the meat or any of the ice packs. I plug the yellow cord back into the freezer. I walk back up 2 steep stairs and go back inside. I go back to my backpack which is now flipped over.
huh.. My backpack is on its back and not on its stomach. Just get my phone. Phone. Phone.
I rummage through the front of my backpack, in each pocket, and even my coat pocket.
Aw, here it is.
I pick my phone up and see a message from my mom.
Darling I will be home late. Your father should be home around 5…
I look at the time 4:48.
12 minutes until he gets home.
I then continue to read the message my mother sent.
I’ll be at 7 or 8. He’ll cook dinner. If you go to your friend’s house just be safe.. I love you and see you soon.
I stare and the screen, my fingers frozen not knowing what to reply. Should I go to a friend’s house or not? I exit out of the message with my mom and text Bernadette.
Hey can I come over for a sleepover tonight? In case you wonder why, I need to apologize and I want to hang out.
Send. She replies almost immediately.
Sure, just come around 5 -5:15. See you soon.
I exit to text my mom the minute the front door flies open. My brother and my dad burst into the kitchen.
“Hi. Um, I am going to Bernadette’s house for a sleepover. Her mom is going to be home. No need to worry.”
I then rush upstairs to my bedroom. It is painted purple with blue stripes. My bed is on the left side in the corner. I have one big bookshelf on the right and other bedroom things and have a cute purplish-pinkish rug right in the middle. I grab my duffle bag and pack the necessities. Toothbrush, check, pajamas, check, clothes, check, toiletry bag, check, last but not least, Nintendo switch, check. I rush downstairs with my bags packed.
“Can someone drive me please?” I ask, trying to sound convincing.
“Sure, sweetie,” Dad replies.
We hop into the car and take off down the road.
