Chapter Forty-Nine – Chloe meets Charles.
Had math ever been this boring or was it me hoping today would go faster. Pythagoras theory wasn’t complex but I wasn’t just interested.
“My math boys aren’t even here” the teacher looked dismayed looking at Reuben and his cousins empty seats.
The teacher didn’t even seem so intrigued to teach. Like they were teaching for some particular students. That always annoyed me but this time I didn’t mind, today should just end.
Chemistry came and I looked quite eager.
I noticed Sheena had a less confident look unlike before. She lost all her annoying sassiness from earlier.
She glanced at Chloe’s empty seat from time to time. I hoped she knew she was the reason Chloe angrily missed school.
Jennifer came around, sharing our chemistry test books. She gave me a smug smile as she dropped mine. I don’t know why she always had that ridiculous smile on her face.
“Give me Chloe’s” I demanded without looking at her.
She paused, “Why?”.
“I’m going out with Chloe today. I’ll give it to her” I smiled. Honestly intending to make Sheena jealous. It worked as she looked away.
Jennifer dumped the book on my table and left.
I swiftly checked my score. A glorious eighty seven percent decorated my book. First time. My heart raced faster.
That was an A already. C's were my major deals at Chemistry, once I had B. But an A, made my day.
“I got an A. I’ve never had that before” Sheena said to me. I don’t know why she was suddenly talking to me but I gave her a thumps up, “cos of teamwork”.
She smiled and looked lovingly at her book. I was glad as Chloe would have also done well.
Sheena wanted to say something else but I acted uninterested and did my business. She shouldn’t try being friendly all of a sudden. An apology should come first.
*School bell rings*
“The end of the damn day!” I yelled to myself. I met Tina, Chloe’s supposed cousin playing at the swing with some other kids.
With Cara no longer coming to school, people seemed more confident about the things they liked. I texted Charles that I was ready and went to meet Tina and friends.
“Hey girls” I waved.
They chanted “Hello, senior”. I guess they did anyway. Their voices were piercing.
“So tell me what movies do you girls like watching. And what colors do you like on yourselves?” I was asking for Gladys sake. She was around their age somehow.
“Purple is queen” Tina said dramatically.
“Nope, pink is better. Purple is only elegant on dresses. Only” another girl revolted. She seemed to know what she was saying.
“Movies? Pixar and Disney are my favorites” a small red haired named Hailey screamed. She was the youngest in their group.
“Oh, okay, wow. You girls have wonderful tastes, I see”.
They smiled and began giving more suggestions. I guess compliments work with kids better than they worked with adults.
I got some things straight. Pink, dresses on purple. Plushy. Disney cartoons. Teddy bears. Snacks with high calories. Soft beds and pillows.
I hoped it would work for her baby brother as well. He should be around two months now. I hope he’d survive with us.
I browsed on some behavioral traits of two months old. They are prone to diseases, needed breastfeeding to fight diseases, and adequate immunization.
And with no breastfeeding, he’d be needing adequate nutrients to stay healthy.
Charles finally came to pick me.
“Guess what?” I started.
“That your half sister is coming over” he smirked.
Gosh, mom must have told him everything.
“My mom must be seeing you as her son or something” I rolled my eyes.
He laughed, “You won’t blame her. You’re quite self centered to be reliable”.
Oh, he was pulling my legs now.
“Yeah, this self centered girl is trying to go shopping for the kids, duh” I folded my arms. I could be doing a million other things but I wasn’t.
I reminded him to stop at a restaurant. Chloe had said she’d be in there.
“You know I can’t really be at public places” Charles looked worried.
I sighed. Was what it now? Was he the BTS or Justin Bieber now? How popular was he that girls can’t give him space?
Or was it to avoid a random rumor of ‘Model Charles James spotted with alleged girlfriend'? If so, fair enough.
“Then wait in the car” I slammed the car door shut, he could just have said he was anxious to meet Chloe and wanted to add more deodorant.
“Is he there?” Chloe ran to me. She was tying an apron. Was she working here?
I saw a woman behind the tables with a similar apron and she looked a lot like Chloe. Same blonde hair and brown eyes and If my eyes weren’t deceiving, same mole underneath their eyes.
“That's my elder sister though” Chloe burst my bubble. Well, works too.
“She's working here so I wanted to help while waiting for you. Is that his car?” Chloe was hurriedly taking off the apron.
I hoped she won’t spoil it and put her sister in trouble. I hope she won’t jump on Charles and put me in trouble.
“Oh, by the way, here’s your chemistry test. Sheena seems normal again” I smirked.
Chloe made a short “hmm” while surveying her tests. Her eyes kept on glimmering with hope as she flipped the pages.
“Miracles do happen” She showed me her book and she got a B. She ran off, I bet to show Charles. She should take it easy with her introduction.
Chloe led us to another shop she knew sold cheaper and more children friendly stuffs.
She and Charles seemed to be hitting it off and liked the same things. Video games, fashion, wrestling and anime.
Chloe bonded less wilder than I expected. She was more like “hello there” than the “hi love, I’m Chloe” kinda introduction I expected. (You get me?).
Along the way, a message buzzed in that a $3,000 bill was sent to me. For the shopping? I knew my mom will spend a lot on the kids again.
She should anyway, we will be having them as family and for a long time. And two, the baby would be needing a lot of attention.
I should take babysitting classes as well.