Chapter Fifty-Two – Bonding.
And mentioning Sheena’s name. So Sheena’s secret was out. Jacob heard it, along with the ‘enviable’ facts about his family.
Jacob was staring at my soul so I couldn’t even warn Chloe. This was unforgivable.
“Well, Sheena always had bad taste” she laughed and I suddenly burst laughing. Strangely, Jacob laughed with us.
Chloe jumped from the swing on hearing another voice behind her.
“Thanks for that, Chloe” he was still laughing. He was so beautiful.
“Well, um… you see” Chloe pinched me so hard my eyes watered.
“You won’t tell Jasper, right? Chloe is right about you guys being dumb to love” I muttered despite the pain in my skin.
“Crushes. Those are all crushes. We are dumb to crushes cos they never last” he had a serious note.
He had a point though. Was Sheena really sure what she felt for Jasper would take her far? And what exactly made her fall in love with him?
Or was it just a harmless crush that she wasn’t supposed to act on?
“Jacob, no hard feelings. I just spoke my mind out” Chloe smiled.
“I don’t mind. I don’t like your drinking habits either” he shrugged. She frowned. She would have made an outburst but I sided with Jacob immediately.
“Yeah, those drinking habits are nauseous. You should stop”. She seemed defeated but just hummed.
Jacob smiled at me and headed inside the school, “Don’t worry I won’t say anything” he said before disappearing inside.
“You better” Chloe clenched her fists. I rolled my eyes, like she could do anything if he decides to spill. I untied her, she could go lose for all I cared.
“Don’t worry, Jacob won’t spill about Sheena” Chloe assured. I rolled my eyes, I cared less anymore. We went back to class though I was conscious of Jacob’s behavior to Jasper.
“We could have just asked him if he’s brother like you. Jacob could have answered directly” Chloe whispered to me. She was at Sheena’s seat. For some reasons, Sheena wasn’t in class. Alongside Jennifer.
“You ask. I’m totally done. I’d tell Sheena I feel nothing for him so she shouldn’t worry” I replied without sparing her a glance.
I’d be a babysitter for two kids soon. I needed to take as much weight off my chest as possible. Not to add Charles is acting weird on his own.
Gladys hadn’t spoken a word to me since she arrived. They were home before I came home from school.
My aunt was leaving when I arrived and she had pulled a drama calling me pretty and slim now I as I was now ‘breathing in Washington’s air’. Like was that a thing?
Mom, with my aunt’s consent, named the boy “John”. It was cute though cliché. He was really small. He didn’t deserve the treatment he was getting.
“So what should we watch, Frozen or Moana?” I asked the kids. Specifically, Gladys. The two months old just laid on the sofa, almost sleeping.
“The one with less scary things” Mom answered passing by. I shrugged and put on Frozen. I reduced the volume thanks to Elsa’s high pitch.
I cuddled the baby in my arms as I sat besides Gladys. She seemed invested in the cartoon so I didn’t say a word until at the tragic part where Elsa’s and Anna’s parents die.
“Oh my, I feel your pain. Like when your parents leave you in the world alone. That’s so scary right?” I sobbed, waiting for Gladys reaction.
“Yeah, it is. And leave you to fend for yourself alone. Their parents did it involuntarily. Mine did voluntarily” she added.
Tears were welling in her eyes and I could sense I had said something… touching. I paused the film and crutches besides her.
“You have your brother. And now me and my mom. We can start anew. Cos you guys would be staying here for long, you know”.
Her eyes lit up but soon dimmed down, “Sorry for being bad earlier”.
I had thought I’d have to apologize first, for being harsh. But here she was giving me an intro.
“Yeah, I am sorry to. Let’s be sisters now” the last part escaped my lips. Her eyes widened a bit but she hid it and just smiled.
It was cringe to spit that out at that time but my body had always been doing as it pleased.
I didn’t know a cartoon could be an avenue for me to settle unresolved disputes. But here we are. Thanks to Disney’s Frozen.
I played the film again, “Don’t worry. This sisters handled themselves together. It’s what sisters do” I patted her head.
She didn’t move as she was now fully concentrating on the movie. I smiled. Reminded me of me. Though mine was with DC cartoons.
I caught mom watching us from the stairs. She gave me an approving smile and thumps up when I met her gaze.
She must have seen my ‘heroic’ way of saving the day by playing a relatable cartoon. I took the baby upstairs to lay him down. He seemed to be adding weight by the minute.
“Family complete, right?” I cheered.
“Yeah” she said slowly but with little cheer.
I faced her with a demanding face. She should know I read those her hidden expressions and slow behaviors. Like I’ve lived with her for almost sixteen years. Something was happening.
“Nothing can really be hidden from the Martinez family” she began.
My heart raced, “Did they find you?”. She nodded. I nearly ghosted.
“With very good news actually. News on me taking over my father’s frozen accounts are great news right? Only that, I’d have to drop my job, you’d drop your school, and the whole world would know we are Martinez” she flung her head up in frustration.
“And there’s no way they’ll let me keep this kids” she added. She looked both annoyed and confused.
I was just annoyed. We have to say no. Martinez had no good image. I didn’t want to put up with them.
“Mom, your father’s accounts are yours by right? Can’t you go to court?” I asked, hoping we’d get the chance to retrieve grandpa’s accounts and be millionaires.
Mom shrugged. I bet it wasn’t how those things worked. Or she was just scared of court cos those stuff never favored her.
My almost perfect life cannot be ruined now. Devil, what’s with you?