Unlucky 13 - Chapter 13

I yawned as I sat on the living room couch. "Izzy, this is boring."

"It's not that bad, to be honest." Ave said. I glared at him. We were watching Paw Patrol, and everyone was gathered in the living. It was a tradition for the family to watch a child's favorite show every Friday. It was Izzy's turn this week.

"I agree." Grams smiled when the theme song started. Mom leaned into Uncle Sim's shoulder and sighed. Aunt Martha glared at her from the opposite side of the room. I figured out why she was jealous. She wants her husband to only give her attention. I laughed when I heard about it when Izzy told me.

Aunt Martha got up and left. To the kitchen, I supposed, because she was prepping supper in there.

I could smell the chicken stew from all the way over here. It’s my favorite and Aunt Martha makes it the best – which made me almost start drooling.

"Supper's ready!" Aunt Martha called out from the kitchen, "Tim, mind helping me set the table?" Tim got up and left.

After one more episode of Paw Patrol, we were invited to the kitchen. Everyone sat in their places. Mom was left standing, gaping at us, "Ya'll have designated spots, I see." she grinned and took a seat right next to Aunt Martha – who was quite displeased with her sister-in-law's decision.

"Good day, miss." Mom said, grinning at Aunt Martha.

"It's evening." Aunt Martha grumbled. Mom chuckled. We all started eating our stew that was already put in our plate. Aunt Martha knows just the right amount of food we all eat – even for Mom.

"This is so good." Izzy moaned, as she took another spoonful.

"Agreed." Mom nodded, her eyes sparkling with pleasure.

+++

We had all finished our supper and were all heading into out own rooms. Mom asked if I could sleep with her, but I said that I needed a tidbit more time. She said okay and retreated to a room in the guest’s floor – the second one.

Izzy and I changed into PJs quickly and tucked ourselves into bed. We giggled over our mother’s behaviour at supper. Tim had gotten so annoyed of us that he barged into our room and told us to be quiet. It was midnight, so I can see why he was mad at us.

"Sorry..." I pouted, hiding underneath the blanket.

Tim sighed, "Whatever. Sleep." he left, which for some reason made Izzy giggle. Tim came back in and glared at her, which made her start laughing like a maniac.

"Shh," I whispered, just loud enough for Tim to hear, "Tim's ghost might haunt us for this very reason after he dies." Tim rolled his eyes, shut the door, and left. A few minutes later, I heard Izzy's soft snores. Since I couldn't sleep, I grabbed my phone and checked what time it is in Chicago.

11:01 PM. One hour ahead of us. Cool.

I figured texting my "friends" but then I thought they might be sleeping. I sighed. Better just deal with it.

I went to iMessages and clicked on our group chat.

Me: Hey girls!

I waited and waited. I stared at the screen and my eyes started hurting. I looked at the time.

12:21 AM

I groaned.

Ping!

Sweet. Let's see who this loser is.

Ella: omg, finally, Jules, whats been up?
Me: Roller-coasters, amusment park, insta, Maddie
Ella: what do u mean?
Me: You know exactly what I mean
Ella: oh
Me: Yup. And don't you dare play innocent girl. Maryam, same goes for you.
Ella: Julie, wait, it's not what u think it is. It was Samantha's bday. we had 2 go. shes a friend

Ella is such a jerk. Such a liar, too.

Me: Right.
Ella: yea :)
Me: Shut up. Im not dumb. Sammy's bday is in July.
Me: What's your problem anyways? You promised. And the Ella I know never breaks promises, even if she has to die. You lied to me, El.

My heart was breaking at this point.

Ella: i didn't mean to. maddie was being nice 2 us 4 once, so...
Me: So what?
Ella: And she paid for it, so our money didnt go 2 waste
Me: YOU PROMISED YOU'D GO WITH ME. YOU NEVER BREAK PROMISES.

I clenched my teeth and phone harder. My heart was slowly being hammered. Slowly and painfully. The worst.

Ella: I'm sorry. it's just that maddies been rly nice to us and she was actually accepting us into her grp
Me: n what was going to happen to me?
Ella: U could join 2 i guess
Me: For goodness's sake, Ella! She hates me!

Tears were forming in my eyes. I dropped my phone on my chest and wiped them away before they could spill. I picked my phone back up and fumed at the next message.

Ella: I'm sorry
Me: Sorrys don't always work. we'll talk this out when I come back
Ella: When r u comin back?
Me: the day after tomorrow
Ella: Bye then i guess
Me: bye

I threw my phone on the ground. Thank goodness it didn't break because the floor was carpeted. I sighed and pulled at my already tangled hair. I noticed that I might be needing a trimming soon. I like my hair short. Not long.

I'm sorry. It's just that Maddie's been really nice to us and she was actually accepting us into her group. Ella's message stayed in my mind for the entire night. And because of it, I tossed and turned until I woke up the next morning.

+++

I grunted as I felt someone sit on my feet. Sun rays were streaming from the window. I rubbed my eyes and moved onto my back. The blankets rustled from my movement. The person got up and jumped down on my feet again. "Ouch!" My eyes snapped open.

I groaned, "Mom."

"Honey, you better get up! We're leaving Monday morning, so we better enjoy the rest od Quebec while we're at it." she reasoned. I looked up at Izzy's bed from my mattress to see her grinning down at me.

"I'm guessing you were in this too?" I asked, my voice husky, "Waking me up, I mean."

"I just had the idea of Aunty A jumping on your feet." Izzy smirked, shrugged, jumped off her bed, and went to her dresser. I studied her outfit today. A pink sweatshirt from Pink, black jeans, and her curly brown hair was tied into a messy bun. She looked adorable.

I rolled out of bed, as Mom laughed at me and I trekked into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and combed the mop on my head. I went back outside, opened my suitcase and took out some cute clothes to wear on my last day here in good ol' Quebec.

"We're gonna go to Quebec City!" Izzy squealed, jumping up and down behind me. I laughed.

"I'm guessing that's Quebec's city?" I asked. Izzy nodded furiously. "I'll just hop in the shower real quick and I'll be right down for breakfast."

I picked my clothes and took a quick shower and changed into a black sweater top, ripped jeans, and wrapped a maroon shawl around in case it got cold. The weather said it might go as high as minus three, somehow, so just wanted to be safe than sorry. I put on my beanie and adjusted my hair.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I grinned. I took out my mascara and applied two layers of it as usual. I sat on the bed that was already made – thankfully – and put on my socks. I got up, took out my golden purse and stuffed my phone, mascara, and my wallet in.

I saw Izzy staring at herself in the dresser mirror. She was frowning. I went to her, and placed my hand on her shoulder, "What happened?"

"This curl isn't straightening." she pouted and pointed to a piece of her hair that was still curled. I noticed that she had the hair straightener out. I smiled. I did my little trick I always do, and chuckled when Izzy squealed and turned around to hug me.

"I have a question," I said, shoving Izzy aside, and sitting beside her on the stool. She looked at me. "How does your mother allow you to use this iron?" I asked, picking up the little machine and waving it around. She shrugged. I rolled my eyes, "You know, it's bad for your hair."

"Oh well." Izzy hopped off the stool and sashayed out the room which made me laugh.

I grabbed my purse – before I could forget – and walked out the door, shutting the lights behind me. Since everyone but Tim and Aunt Martha were in the living room, I sat there with everyone else. We chatted and chatted and finally, Tim and Aunt Martha had come downstairs.

“Finally, Mum.” Ave said, “You practically took an hour. You too, Tim. We’re you putting on make up?” he teased.

“Shut up Ave!” Izzy yelled, shoving her brother off the couch.

Tim rolled his eyes and grabbed the keys, “I’m starting the car. I call driving.”

Everyone else followed him out and into the maroon mini van. “GPS, please.” Tim said.

“I’ll do it.” I raised my hand and took out my phone. I opened the GPS and while I was typing, I got a message. Maryam. I quickly looked at it and put a note in my head to look at it later.

I typed in the rest of Quebec City and gave the phone to Aunt Martha, who passed it down to her son.

“Twenty minutes drive. Sweet.” he said, “Bye Levis! For now.”

We all laughed at the little joke Tim had made. But for the entire ride, my mind couldn’t stop flying towards what the message could have been. Why didn’t I just freaking check?