Unlucky 13 - Chapter 6

“Grams, I need to talk to you.” I said.

We had gotten home, and everyone went their separate ways after lunch; fish and rice. It was three o’clock right now. Tim had fallen asleep. Izzy and Ave were playing ping pong downstairs in the basement. Aunt Martha was cooking – as usual.

I looked sternly into Grams’ eyes. She looked back in mine.

“Yes?” she said tiredly. I felt bad for waking her up, but I had questions. So many that now I was feeling stressed. Guess I didn’t dodge it. I internally rolled my eyes.

“Can I please know about the necklace?” I asked – my voice softer. She shook her head no.

I wasn’t giving up that easily. “Now leave, honey, please. You’ve interrupted my nap.” she said. I kept on staring at her. “Are you feeling well?” she pretended to freak out and placed her hand on my head. I held back my giggle and continued to stare at her. And so did she. We both stayed like that for a long time until Grams’ eye twitched and I burst into a fit of laughter.

Once I had calmed down Grams asked what I needed.

I looked blankly at her, “About the necklace… And also, why are we even here? We could’ve come in the winter break. Why now? Why so sudden?”

Grams looked guilty, “There’s a lot of stuff you don’t know about my darling.”

I fiddled with my fingers, “Like?”

Grams looked blankly at the wall behind me. “You know how your mother and father passed away?” I nodded. “Well, your mother left this necklace for you. And –” She said something really quickly and I didn’t understand.

“Um, what?” I asked, looking up at her.

“You’re not going to understand,” Grams sighed, “Maybe when you’re a bit more mature.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “I’m going to get answers now, or…” I felt like crying. Why won’t Grams just tell me?

“They weren’t your parents. Well they are but not exactly.” she whispered.

“You’re funny.”

“I’m serious.” Grams looked back behind me at the light sky blue wall. “I don’t know who your father is. Your mother was obviously my daughter.” she said.

She frowned, “Hear me out first. I found you in the adoption center. I knew you were an angel when I first saw your beautiful green eyes. We also did a DNA test. I was so relieved to find out that you were my grand-daughter.” she said, and scratched the back of her head. “And that necklace… was my daughter’s. The one who ‘died’. She didn’t actually die. She’s still alive. But she’s just somewhere out in the world. She calls me once in a month…” Grams trailed off when she looked at me.

I was about to start howling with laughter. About to. Grams was looking at me sternly, “This isn’t a joke.”

My face fell, “Did she really leave me?” Grams nodded then held her arms out so I could cuddle in them. I didn’t. I didn’t let her talk either. All I did was leave.

It was 5:04 PM according to the digital clock in Izzy’s room. I sat down on her bed. Izzy wasn’t here, thankfully, or else she would have chattered non-stop.

Is it really true? Did my mother just leave me like that?

I got up and decided to look through my bag and get a different outfit to wear. I was going to shower first. I change my clothes a lot.

I didn’t let Grams tell me why we were here. Well, I’m mad at her so I’m not going to – but wait. She did nothing wrong. She took me under her care, so I guess I shouldn’t be mad at her?

Oh my goodness. There were so many questions. My head was spinning!

Ding-dong!

I stopped looking through my clothes and jogged down the stairs to the front door to check who it was outside. Izzy beat me there.

She opened the massive oak door and hid behind it. I gave her a questioning look and she just squeezed her eyes shut. Typical Izzy.

“Oh, hi Carter!” I smiled. Carter was standing there with his skateboard. His blonde hair was all messed up.

He smiled back, “Hey, is Ave home?” I nodded.

“Just a sec, I’ll go get him.” I ran upstairs into his room.

“Ave.” I said, knocking on his door.

“Yo.” he said from the couch in his room. Oh my gosh, he has a freaking couch in his room. He was playing video games with Tim.

“Carter came.” I said and looked at what game they were playing.

It looked very… Game-ish, I guess you could say. I saw that Izzy had left her spot from behind the door and had let Carter come in. The door was closed. I wandered into the kitchen and found Izzy and her mum there.

“Izzy, there you are!” I exclaimed, placing my phone on the kitchen counter.

“Where? On the ceiling?” Izzy questioned, looking up. The three of us laughed.

Aunt Martha stepped in and asked me if I wanted to help bake, “Nah, I’m good. I’ll just sit here and smell. Or taste-test.” I grinned. Aunt Martha rolled her eyes playfully and continued mixing the batter for the chocolate chip cookies.

I sat on the dining chair and reached for my phone. I unlocked it and went to all the text messages I had.

Ella: how’s the trip so far?

Maryam: Are you enjoying?

Maryam: What did you do?

Maryam: How was your flight?

Ella: when r u comin back?

Maryam: We miss you!!!!

Yeah, sure…

Ella: u never ignore our msgs!

Maryam: True, maybe she’s busy?

Ella: but I thought besties were never busy 4 each other

Huh, we’re besties? I bet Maddie listens to you – after all, she’s your new bestie.

Maryam: oh well

Ella: Juuuuuuuuliiiiiaaaaaa

Maryam: Jules, what happened?

Ella: r u ok?

Maryam: You’re scaring us, ya know!

All fourteen text messages from my exes. I’m never talking to them again. How about I block their account? But what if they want to apologize? What if they didn’t mean it? Oh my gosh. Today has been such a long day!

I sighed and flopped back into the chair. I want to scream. I want to kill someone right now! What is going on? Why does it seem as if my happy bowl has just been turned upside down? What did I ever do? Can I die?

I’ve never felt this way before. What am I saying? Oh my.

“I’ll be right back.” I mumbled. I got up from my seat and went back up into Izzy’s room. I had read somewhere that if you scream into your pillow, it helps get rid of stress. And so does crying. But I’m sure they didn’t mean to encourage crying.

I took a hold of the pillow I was using and shoved it into my face as hard as possible and screamed as loud as possible. It was kind of muffled. But I guess not much, because Tim – who was still in Ave’s room – came in and asked me if I was okay. I said yes and he left. I set the pillow so that it didn’t look like someone just screamed in it and went to the bathroom.

I sat on the edge of the bath tub and let the tears flow out of me like waterfalls.

What did I ever do to deserve this?

Why does my mother – Anthea Portman – not want me?

Why did Maddie take my spot?

Are Ella and Maryam even my friends? Am I a good friend?

How come Carter has the same last name as Raven? Shouldn’t they be living in the same country? Let alone house? Hill is a pretty common last name, so whatever.

As the tears came running down, I held the necklace. The lace was real gold and the jewel that was hanging from it was a beautiful sapphire color. It was the real gem. I’m a to-be-scientist, I know this stuff.

Why was Grams so upset about me wearing this necklace?

Does Aunt Martha somehow know about this necklace? Grams was talking to her about it.

Why did we really come here? Now that I know about my mother, I know for sure that we aren’t just here for vacation. And you don’t take vacation after the first day of school.

I heard a knock on the bathroom door. I quickly wiped away my tears and looked at myself in the mirror. I was a sobbing mess. I’ll just have to convince whoever is out there that I’m fine and I was not crying. I opened the door.

“Yes?” I said as cheerily as possible. Which wasn’t very successful.

It was Carter. “Oh, um… Is Ave in here? Or Izzy? Or Tim?” he asked.

I shook my head, “No, why?”

He scratched the back of his head, “We were playing hide and seek and I haven’t found any of them and it’s been – what – fifteen whole minutes?”

Have I been crying that long?

“They’re not here.” I shook my head. “Hey, you’re last name is Hill right?”

He nodded.

“Um, do you have a sister?” I asked, looking down.

“Uh… Eh-ehm, uh, were you crying?” he asked. I glared at him. He was dodging the question.

“What is wrong with you? I ask you a simple question and you ignore me?” I yelled. I clamped my hand over my mouth. What is going on with me? “S-sorry…”

He shrugged, “It’s fine. And, yeah. I do have sisters. Seventeen year olds.” I gawked.

“She’s the freaking devil!” I whisper-yelled.

He nodded, looking down, “I know. And before you ask why we don’t live together, it’s because our parents are divorced. Mother, Grace and Raven live in Chicago. Me and Dad live just across the street.”

I nodded.

Well that’s one question crossed off my list.

Wait, what? Grace?