I never thought that today was going to be the day I would talk to my brother.
"Hello, Jay" he said. "Merry Christmas!"
I smiled through tears that were desperate to come out. "And a Merry Christmas to you too."
"How was school so far? You like it?"
School was horrible! The first day sucked and then the winter ball-
"It's alright," I lied. "It is school after all."
"Right," he said with a chuckle
This conversation could not get any more awkwarder. I just wanted to tell him everything but to hear the sound of his voice made me think otherwise. It remained silent for a few moments.
"Jay, do you want to tell me something?" he asked, his voice full of concern
"No." I lied, but my voice broke, giving me away.
"Jay, what is it?"
I ran back in my room with the phone and locked the door. I wanted to tell him this, but I didn't want my mom to hear, so she could start getting concerned. Within the safety of my room, I told Tyler everything. From the first day of school, to the meeting with Kathleen, and the prank done at the winter ball. I did leave parts out like the little date with Marcus because it wasn't something I was comfortable telling him.
"Jay, it sounds like you went through a tough semester," he said. "I got a plan for you."
"What's your plan?"
"Well let's just say that I may have known this was going to happen"
"Known? How?"
"Well I used to date Kathleen's older sister and I guess her sister reaching out to you is a way for her to try to get me back. Also, Jerome. Well, he's following in his older brother's footsteps and I was the one who sent his brother to jail by exposing his marijuana trading. You could say that my actions may have impacted you."
"Another town heroine", echoed the words I heard in the library "Like we need another one"
Everything was starting to make sense. I didn't want to blame everything on Tyler but yet again, the result of his actions brought me places where I did not want to go.
"Jay, I'm sorry." he said
I had to forgive him. Naturally, it wasn't his fault.
"It's okay," I said. "Now, what is this plan?"
"Okay, there's a key behind the light switch near the door of my room. Once you get the key, go to the closet of your room and there will be a door there behind the mirror,"
There was a mirror in the back of my closet?
"There you will find a stairway. Go up the stairs and you will be up in an attic. Near the window is a sort of toy box. Inside you will find an action figure box. All your answers are in that box."
"When do I have to g-"
"Go now. Good luck little sis'. I'll make sure to visit, but we might not be able to talk."
"Wait, why?" But too late. He already hung up and here I was in my room. I guess I would do it later tonight, just so I won't get caught going up there.
"Madison, I have a surprise for you!" my mom yelled, from downstairs.
I put on my Santa hat and looked at myself in the mirror, to see if I looked like everything was alright. I was coming close to alright which was good enough. I walked downstairs.
"We're in the living room," my mom told me
I went there and she gestured for me to come beside her, in front of the fireplace. She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and brought me close.
"Ready?"
Before I could answer, I could hear shuffling coming from the chimney.
"Ho!Ho!Ho!"
Don't tell me she got a fake Santa, I groaned
Yes, the fat and jolly man came out the chimney but his skin color and eye color gave him away.
"Dad!" I squealed, running towards him.
"She's such a smart girl. She didn't even give me time to ask my questions." he said, holding me in a tight hug.
Tears started to run down my face within the warmth of my dad's arms. This Christmas was starting to light up.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
After the long dinner with both of my parents, I had to go up the attic. My dad and mom seemed to get along fine as they sat together on the same table with their daughter. I almost started to feel like a family if the recurring reminder that they're divorced didn't come back to mind. I loved seeing them laughing and smiling even though they were only doing it for me.
"How has Jay been doing?" my dad had asked, after I went to go to my room. I stopped at the stairs to listen in on their conversation.
"She's been fine. Her grades are perfect and she's on the debate team." my mom explained, briefly.
"That's good," Then I could hear him clearing his throat. "Any boyfriends?"
Oh dear God.
"Well there was this one boy-"
"Amy..."
"Don't worry Tyrone . Her V-card is still intact."
"Have you been keeping a watch on her? She's good at hiding secrets."
My dad knew me way too well but then again, he did spend fifteen years with me.
I could hear my mom sigh" She tells me the things she wants to tell me."
"And you trust her?"
"Tyrone, what else can I do?"
"Watch her!"
"Calm down, she's probably going to sleep right now," She sighed again." I can't keep her from learning lessons. It's a part of life. If she's going through something, I would want her to come and tell me instead of me trying to get it out of her."
"She looks like she's going through something."
"I noticed it too. After going to this winter ball, she's been very depressed."
Crap. They're onto me
"Did something happen?"
"I don't know. She ran inside the house crying," my mom explained. "She didn't come with her date or anyone. I assumed he must have broken her heart"
My dad slammed his fist on the table and I could hear him growl. "Who is he?!"
"Try to relax. I could be wrong."
"But are you going to wait till she comes to you?"
"I can't help fix her problems if she doesn't. God won't answer your needs unless you're aware of them and ask of them to Him."
My dad sighed. "Well, let me go say good-bye,"
I had quickly walked up the stairs and ran in my room, making it seem like I was already sleeping. My dad knocked on the door and then came in.
"I know you were listening in," he said, sitting on my bed.
I sat up and looked at him. He took his hands and played with my hair making elastics out of his hands around my hair, putting my hair into pigtails.
"You're not my little girl anymore," he whispered. " But there are days, you got to be aware that there are some things you are too young for. Want to tell me about this boy?"
Blunt. Yes, I believe blunt is secretly his last name.
"No, dad. I just wasn't ready. Nothing happened."
He let go of my hair and put his hands on his lap. "Something else is bothering you. Whatever it is, don't always hold it in. There are some things you need to get straight to people."
He kissed me on the forehead. "I love you, remember that. Now, good night. I'm leaving in the morning."
When he left, I went to the attic. I was searching for the toy box in the dim light.
I couldn't get the Winter Ball out of my head. I wanted to tell my mom about what happened that night but how would that make me look. And the present under my bed. I couldn't just take it when I didn't deserve it. I stubbed my toe against something hard snapping me out of my memories.
"This is it," I told myself. " Let's see what this holds."
I couldn't find the action figure box and then I hit a slot. I put my fingers in it and tried to hold it. Pulling on it, a bottom appeared out of the toy box. There was the action figure box.
Strangely, it was heavier than usual. I examined it and then something fell out of the bottom. It was a fat notebook full of illustrations and notes.
There was information about every group at the school and their characteristics. It also had information about the clubs and sports teams and even the teachers. Then it talked about activities around the school.
My eyes stopped at a section about Skye.
May 30th, 2011
Skye Williams
Age:14
Grade: 9th
Apparently, the brunette has gone completely dark.I wish I could feel her pain but no. She's been hanging out with Jerome lately and they seem to be hitting it off. Maybe this will get him off his intentions to get revenge on me. I fear a lot for this girl because Jerome is changing her somehow. Drastically. She was a real popular one among everyone but I guess with a fight with her friend Kathleen Kathleen? everything has changed. Supposedly, Skye is not living up to the right standards and making a mockery of herself. Something is going to happen.
I kept on reading. My attention was caught at her name.
August 31st, 2011
Saw the girl again today at the store of the gas station and yes, she's still dark but now she's full of sorrow. Back at school, she dressed very racy and had a sort of arrogance later in the year. But now, she's covering her body. I saw her brother with her too. He's very protective of her. His name is Marcus. I wonder if he knows that she was the supposed school slut. He's very busy for a sophomore so he probably didn't notice. Before I drive home, I see them together but his sister looks more respectful. They probably never see each other at school. But back to the girl. She was holding her stomach today. She just found out maybe. I see the pregnancy test she keeps stealing a glance at in her bag. I can't help her but I do hope Jerome learns a lesson from all of this.
I kept on reading about other people. I found out that Kathleen is a queen bee prodigy. Her sister Katelynn dated my brother but he broke up with her because he could not stand her arrogance and her idea of splitting up the school by different social statuses. Apparently, Katelynn was the clique maker. She had a lot of fights with her ex-friends so they made cliques of their own. And then people joined and soon everybody is separated. It seems like it's hard not to follow the popular kids in your school.
I read on about Jerome. There was a written conversation with him and his brother. Skye wasn't pregnant. The test had failed but it was obvious that Skye had slept with him again and gotten pregnant again. She broke up with Jerome and Jerome had just left her. He showed no sympathy or any other emotion towards their break-up. His brother told him to get an abortion, fast. This conversation was written by a friend who worked at the prison.
When I saw Marcus' name I almost decided to stop reading. But then curiosity took over me.
June 4th, 2011
Name:Marcus Williams
Age: 16
Grade: 10th
I like Marcus but to me, he's somewhat naive to his sister. He obviously works too hard and doesn't give much attention to her. Then again, his sister doesn't tell him anything it seems. Marcus is a member of the student council and debate team but the unique thing is, he doesn't fit into any clique of whatever sort. He's his own person. I could use him as an ally but I have no time. Graduation already came and I don't have a way of contacting him. I hope he tries to do something. Funny thing is, even though he is a nice guy I kind of want him to stay away from my sister. She's coming this year but I don't want him to get too close to her or he would get hurt A shot of guilt got me in the heart He needs to be focused or else his hurt feelings will get him away from his perfect streak. If he does get hurt, I hope he gets repaired. Fast.
I stopped reading and laid the book faced-up on the floor. A rush of thoughts and emotions came crashing down. I needed to do something about everything. I saw a little note in the corner.
September 4th, 2011
Jay is coming tomorrow. I feel bad leaving her with all of this. My failed attempts to try to reunite the school. All that work and money earned me a bad reputation. They're going to be watching her a lot. Even though it may seem they want her to keep to herself, they want her to do something. Badly. I hope she does do something. Only this book will help her...if she finds it. I must make sure of it.
I closed the book and examined it. I went to the front and saw the contents of plans he made. Then I looked at the cover. On a name tag sticker, it said in bold letters Clique Breaker
"Clique Breaker," I whispered. "I know what I got to do."
I got back to my room and hid the book. I got out the present from Marcus and opened it. There was an apology note about the winter ball and for how his sister acted. At the end it said, I really care about you Jay. I didn't mean to try to rush things. I hope you forgive me. Love, Marcus
My eyes stayed on the word love. I took out the diamond necklace and wore it around my neck.
Love
I looked at the clock. It was already midnight but I could tell he wasn't sleeping right now. I contemplated dialing his number and then I finally did it.
"Hello," He sounded very awake. "Is something wrong, Jay?"
"No, its nothing. Thanks for the present."
"You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it. I was wondering for New Years-"
"Could you come over like later today or something? I want to talk to you about something."
"Umm...ok. Are you sure nothing is wrong?"
"I'm not too sure. Please come over immediately."
"I'm glad you're talking with me."
I chuckled. " Yeah, me too."
"Before you go, Jay?"
"Yes."
"I lo-"
"Marcus don't say it. I got to go. Bye."
My heart was pounding. I couldn't break his heart now. No, I had other things to do. I just hope I could do them right.
The fact that this guy is overly blunt and she knows it and she loves him anyway because he's her dad and he...well, he darn well acts like one protective father. It's cute. It's heart warming