by Lauren Eason
“What’s your name?” he asked without taking his gaze from the shelf.
I turned to face him, summoning my courage. He seemed to be about my age, tall, with the body of a surfer bro. His sandy blonde tresses fell above his green eyes as he smirked.
“I apologize for bumping into you, but I’m not here to get picked up by some stranger,” I declared, grabbing the coke from the shelf and leaving the boy alone in the aisle.
Walking down another aisle, I grabbed a various assortment of chips and scurried off to find my mother. I saw her standing over a cooler full of ribs and dropped my bounty into our shopping cart. She picked up several packages of meat, and we finally made our way to the checkout line.
“Are you going to tell me your name now?” the guy from the soda aisle said from behind me. I turned around and saw him leaning against one of the shelving units as my mother waited for the clerk to ring up our items.
“Are you following me or something?” I asked suspiciously. “You know, some people would consider this stalking.
“Hi, Mrs. Smith,” the boy waved past me to my mother.
“Oh, hi, Ben! What are you doing over here?” my mother answered.
Ben held up a case of soda. “My dad sent me over to pick this up for the party tonight at your place. I guess we had the same idea.”
My mother pulled the cart up towards the bagger as Ben placed his item on the conveyor belt. She stepped closer to put an arm around me. “This is my daughter, Aislin. Small world, isn’t it?”
“And getting smaller,” I muttered as she let me go.
“It’s nice to meet you, Aislin,” he said with a wink. This boy was good, and he knew it.
I rolled my eyes and walked towards the cart. “Mom, are you ready?”
“Oh, we’ll see you at the party, Ben,” she said, waving to him as we walked out of the store. She caught up with me as I increased my pace towards the car. “Care to tell me what all that was about back there?”
My mother popped the car's trunk as I started piling the bags on top of each other. “It’s nothing. Can we go?”
She shook her head as I pushed our cart into a stall near our car. Hopping inside, she maneuvered out of the parking lot and down the street towards home. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Raven the details of the encounter. Before I knew it, we were back at home.
I helped her place the groceries inside on the counter as I stepped out through the French doors leading to the back deck. Jess had strung lights from several posts to give us light as the sun waned. She had been right about our backyard being more significant than the front. However, not by much.
We had a few trees at the back of our property like all the other homes, an aesthetic kept in place to give us that All American Dream vibe. I could still see the edges of the grass they had to place in the backyard. It would take a while for that detail to disappear.
Our father was getting the grill started, a new feature he had added to our home within the past week. Steven was seated at the patio table with a beer in hand, chatting with him. I found Jess sitting on the bench near the door with an older woman.
“Ais, come over here,” Jess called, motioning with her hand. “This is Mrs. Ridgway.”
“Please, call me Susan. We’re not strangers here,” she smiled with her blue eyes.
“I’m Aislin. It’s nice to meet you, Susan,” I replied, holding out my hand. She shook it meekly. For a person her age, she looked like she took good care of herself. Her skin was pale, with soft wrinkles around her mouth and eyes. Silver strands of hair framed her face while a long braid rested down her back.
“I’m going to help your mother,” she stated. “If you girls ever need anything, I’m right next door.”
Jess rose from her seat. “She owns the flower shop close to here.”
“An old lady with a flower shop. I would’ve never guessed,” I sighed sarcastically.
“Shut up,” Jess chuckled. “She’s nice.”
“Are all the neighbors nice around here?”
“I think it’s the neighborhood. Most people here have families or small businesses, so it pays to be nice to your neighbors,” Jess explained. “At first, I was a little weirded out by it because it’s so different from home. I like it now, though.”
“Aislin, your friend is here!” my mother shouted from inside.
I dashed through the house to the front door where my mother was standing. Raven entered, and we squealed at the sight of each other as we flew into each other’s arms. I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. A woman followed behind her as we stepped away from the entryway.
“Aislin, this is Denise, my step-mother,” Raven introduced.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Denise replied, holding out her hand. Her black curls bounced around her face as she gave me a warm smile. I shook her hand briefly before my mother stepped in.
“I’m Charlotte, Aislin’s mother,” she said, taking a bag out of Denise’s hand.
“It’s only party favors,” she said as my mother peered into the bag.
“This is a great party favor,” my mother smiled as she pulled out a bottle of wine.
I watched as they shuffled along together towards the kitchen. Denise was younger than my mother, but something about her made her appear mature beyond her years.
“I think they’re going to get along,” Raven muttered under her breath beside me. Taking her hand, I pulled her upstairs with me and down the hall towards my room.
“So, what do you think?” I asked, making a sweeping gesture with my hand. Raven walked into the bedroom and glanced around before taking a seat on my bed.
“Nice digs. Your mom has really outdone herself with this house,” Raven answered. “What do you think about it? I know when you left, you didn’t know if you were going to like it here or not.”
“It’s okay.” I closed the door softly behind me. “It’s a nice house for sure, but it’s not home. At least, not yet.”
“You’ve got time to make it into a home,” Raven said. “I can’t believe we’re so close to each other. My dad only lives about ten minutes up the road.”
“What about your mom?” I asked, taking a seat beside her.
“She hasn’t spoken to me since I got out.” Raven bowed her head to fiddle with the rip in her jeans. “Probably for the best. Whenever we talk, it turns into a fight.”
“I thought you two were on good terms—”
“Were, being the keyword in that sentence. She’s too busy with her new life at the moment.” Raven took a shaky breath, a twinge of sadness spotting her words. “I was stupid to think things could go back to the way they were before I left for the center. It was easier for her to forget about me when I wasn’t around, thus the reason I’m staying with my dad and Denise.”
“Denise seems cool,” I encouraged.
“Right. She’s about ten years older than me. Practically sisters,” she sighed as she fell back onto the bed, spreading her arms out.
“I think you’re being a little dramatic,” I laughed. “I know it’s not the same thing, but at least she seems like she’s trying to be there for you.”
“They took my car away, you know.”
“Why?” I asked.
“It’s easier to watch me when I can’t go anywhere. It’s strictly school and home unless one of them goes with me,” Raven explained. “It’s been a nightmare ever since I got home. Total lockdown mode.”
Hearing her explain her new living situation made me realize how lucky I was. While I thought my parents were petty with their locks and rules, hers were steadily revoking all her privileges. For the first time since I had been back, I felt grateful for the things my parents were allowing me to do.
“Girls! Time for food!” my mother shouted from downstairs.
“You ready to face everyone?” I asked as Raven pried herself from my bed. She smiled at me as we got up and headed downstairs into the living room, where more guests
had arrived.
“Ah, finally,” my mother said as she rushed towards me, dragging some people behind her. “You’ve already met Ben, and this is his brother Jason.”
“Great. There’re two of you,” I mumbled. Raven elbowed me in the ribs, a slight gasp escaping my lips.
“It’s nice to meet you, Aislin,” Jason said, dispelling the awkward moment between everyone.
“Well, why don’t you all get to know each other. I’m sure you have some exciting stories to tell about school,” my mother rushed to say before scampering off into the kitchen with Denise and Susan.
“I know you two,” Raven announced with a sly smile. “Well, sort of. You play for the football team, right?”
“That’s right,” Ben replied. “You’ve seen us in action?”
“No. Never.” Raven grinned.
“Oh,” Ben stated. “You’ll have to check us out sometime. We’re pretty good if I do say so myself.”
“What year are you two in?” I asked before Raven could make a snide remark.
“We’re both seniors,” Jason answered.
“How does that work?” I asked.
“I’m adopted,” Jason admitted. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing too personal. We get asked that question a lot throughout the year. We wouldn’t expect you to know about our family history being new and all.”
“There you are,” Steven declared, entering through the French doors. “We’re setting the table. Do any of you want to help?”
I pulled Raven along with me. Anything to get out of that situation with them. I appreciated my parents’ efforts to help me get accustomed to my new neighborhood, but being forced to endure an uncomfortable conversation with people I didn’t know wasn’t my idea of a homecoming.
“What did you do that for?” Raven hissed under her breath. “They’re cute!”
“You might be the social butterfly, but I’m certainly not. I just want to make it through this dinner without making a fool of myself,” I whispered back.
“Oh, I see what’s going on here,” she teased, a grin spreading across her face. “Which one is it? The blonde or the brunette?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said coyly.
Before she could protest, the others filed out onto the back porch and stood behind a chair at the patio table. Jess helped our dad place the finishing touches on the food before carrying the tray of ribs over. I chose a seat beside Raven at the end of the table so I wouldn’t have to sit in such close proximity to anyone else. She gladly sat beside Ben, eying him as he passed the food around to us.
My parents sat at the table's heads, my mother beside Ben and Jason’s father, her work colleague. I glanced across the table at Jess as she chatted with Steven about her upcoming piano lessons. Sometimes, I wished I was as strong and brave as she was when it came to the move and meeting new people. She made it appear so simple.
“I think you’ll like it here,” a voice said.
“What makes you so sure?” I asked, turning my attention to Jason.
“Your mother told me you like to write poems and even had a few published in your school magazine,” he continued. “There’s a newspaper at our school, and they’ll be looking for a few editors. Maybe you should try it out.”
“What else did she tell you?” I asked, anxiety knotting itself in the pit of my stomach.
“Just about that. Honestly, she only told me to help break the ice. She cares about you,” Jason replied, a small smile on his face.
The tinkling of glass caught our attention as my father rose from his seat, a beer bottle in his hand and a fork in the other.
“Good, you all can hear me,” he stated. “I wanted to say thank you to all of you for joining us this evening. Jess and I have been slaving away out here over all this wonderful food. It’s nice to have good neighbors and some friends from work over to celebrate our new home. I can’t wait to spend many more years here with my lovely wife and our two daughters. Cheers!”
Cheers circled the table as we lifted our glasses toward the center and clinked them together. We ate peacefully, enjoying the company of everyone as idle conversation ensued. Steven and Denise were the most animated with the best stories. I let them talk as I quietly listened. Raven excused herself, leaving me alone with the others.
“How did you meet Raven?” Ben asked, draping his arm over the back of her chair between us.
“If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” I teased as I relaxed in my seat.
“Did you just make a joke?” Ben laughed. “I must be growing on you.”
“You’ve been particularly invested in me since I bumped into you,” I commented, taking a sip of my soda.
“Is this the one you met at the store?” Jason asked chuckling.
“Dude, shut up,” Ben replied, a slight blush hitting his cheeks.
“Has Raven not come back yet?” I glanced around. They shook their heads and shrugged as I stood up from the table.
Walking back into the house, I passed the hallway bathroom, taking a quick peek inside to find it empty. Heading upstairs, I heard the water running from the guest bathroom and saw the door locked.
“Raven? Are you okay?” I asked, jiggling the handle. “You’re missing out on your quality time with Ben. I know he’s your type.”
“Just a minute,” I heard her call from the other side as the toilet flushed again. I heard shuffling around from inside before she unlocked the door.
“Are you okay? You’ve been gone for a while,” I asked, skeptically.
“Oh, I was freshening up. I wanted to make sure I smelled nice in case Ben had other plans later on,” Raven replied, slinging her arm around me. “Let’s get back to the party.”
We headed back down, the voices from the back porch wafting through the house as the conversations livened after cracking open the bottle of wine Denise had brought. I sat quietly beside Raven as she consumed herself with Ben. Jason and I glanced at each other as he smiled over the top of his drink at me. While his expression was one of encouragement, all I could think about was how alone I felt surrounded by all these people who promised they would be here for me.
Chapter Seven
I awoke to a loud knock against my bedroom door, which turned into banging as my mother realized it was locked. Bouncing out of bed, I rushed over and unlocked the door as she let her hand fall to her side.
“Why was this door locked?” Anger seethed from her pores as her hands balled into tight fists at her waist. She took a slow breath. “You know what? Nevermind. Hurry up and get dressed for school. I don’t want you and your sister late on the first day.”
“Good morning to you too, Mom,” I muttered as I grabbed my clothes and headed for the bathroom in the hall. I quickly showered and dressed as I heard my mother’s shrill voice scream from downstairs that I had five minutes.
Picking up my bookbag, I dashed downstairs as my mother and Jess waited for me in the foyer. “What’s going on? Why is everyone in such a hurry?”
“I have to be at the office early today,” my mother explained.
“Mom, it’s cool. I can take Jess and me to school. I have a car.” It wasn’t like her to be so easily annoyed with something as simple as getting to school on time. A twinge of guilt wafted over me as I knew it was probably because of me.
She released a frustrated sigh. “I would prefer to take both of you today if that’s alright with you.”
“Uh, sure.” I didn’t want to start an argument this early in the morning. She grabbed her purse, and we headed for the garage door to the car. Jess placed her hand on the front passenger door before letting it go and scooting to the back, surrendering it over to me.
“Sorry, Ais. Habit,” she said before settling into the back.
With a sigh, I pulled the door open and buckled up. My mother pulled the car out of the driveway, passing by the row of townhouses toward the main road. We rode in silence until my mother switched the radio on, the news playing in
the background.
“...mysterious disappearances around the area. Police are searching for three girls, placing flyers on every post in Bay County and the surrounding area. If you have any information—”
“Let’s listen to something less depressing, shall we?” my mother announced as she tuned the radio to a station with music. Soft rock filled the car as I rested my head against the cool glass.
“I’ll show you around the school once we get there,” Jess said from the backseat, trying to dispel the silence.
“You’ve already been there? How?” I asked.
“Mom took me on a tour of it during the summer with one of the administrators. It’s larger than our old school.”
“I feel like I keep finding out more and more with each passing day,” I muttered as I turned to face my mother.
“You’ll be fine. It’s not like you’ve never switched schools before,” my mother pointed out.
“Mom, I was in fifth grade. No one has lifelong friends when they’re eleven-years-old,” I stated.
“It’s only one year, Ais. You can get through that, can’t you?” she pleaded with me. I knew she was right. Friends weren’t my issue; it was the fact that I felt like a stranger within my own family.
She pulled our vehicle through the drop-off lane in front of the towering Madison High School. Jess wasn’t kidding when she said it was massive. The school's front consisted of a three-story building with an extravagant entryway complete with a statue of its founder. I stepped out of the car as my mother reached for me, grabbing the strap of my backpack so I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.
“I truly hope you have a good day, Aislin. You too, Jess,” my mother stated before releasing me. I shut the door as she drove off, allowing other cars to fill her space.
A light breeze rustled through the leaves as we headed up the stairs and around the statue. Once inside, we pushed through the wall of students towards an area surrounded by metal detectors and campus security. Laying my bag on the table, I passed through the metal detector as the officer checked my belongings for weapons, drugs, and whatever items were restricted by the student handbook.