by Chris Myers
That’s when I remember the orange Charger. “Sh…oot,” I mutter.
Currie shakes her finger at me. “Almost.”
“I didn’t say a bad word.”
“It was close,” Currie says while Zoe giggles. “We can’t be late.”
I run back into the house, tear down the hall, and throw open Mom’s door. “Hey, you’re blocking the driveway.”
My mom’s bunkmate rolls over. He’s hairy all over and disgusting.
I wince at the sight of him. “Hurry up.”
“Here you go, kid.” He throws the keys without looking at me. His arms wrap around Mom, and I grimace.
Kid, my ass. I’ve been managing this family for many years now.
I zip out of there and move his car. I pitch his keys on the counter while considering chucking them in the garbage disposal, but that would mean he’d be here when we got home.
When I slide back into the SUV, Currie taps her Gucci watch. “We can’t be late.”
“I’m going as fast as I can.”
“Don’t give Lennon such a hard time,” Zoe says. “It’s your mom’s fault.”
Currie’s forehead crinkles with hurt because Mom has plenty of time for losers but little time for Currie.
“I love you,” I say.
Currie folds her arms across her chest and stares out the window. “You’re just my annoying brother, not my father.”
I’d like to think her words don’t lance my heart, but they do.
I drive to the girls’ private school. Currie is Einstein smart, and this school caters to the talented. I found it online for her since she deserves better than a public education.
I tap my cheek as I stop in front of the school. “Where’s my kiss?”
Currie sighs and glances around to make sure her friends aren’t watching. “Oh brother.”
“That’s who I am, so don’t forget it.”
Zoe undoes her seatbelt and gives me a loud smack on my cheek. “Don’t be mean to Lennon.” She swats Currie.
“All our friends think you’re a hunky monkey,” Zoe whispers into my ear.
“Good to hear. Groupies of all ages.”
Currie rolls her eyes and plants a light kiss on my chin. “Don’t be late today. I have a recital,” she says this like I don’t know. She slings her backpack over one shoulder and runs to the school, chatting nonstop with Zoe.
Other than dealing with Mom’s booty buddies, this morning ritual makes my day. I wave then drive to my public high school. The one I deserve.
On my way over, my mind works on why Jonathan needs to talk to me. He never wants to talk to me, just Currie, which suits me just fine. The fact he wants more time with her scares the hell out of me. What else does he want? Will he get a court order for full custody before I turn eighteen? Hard knots bunch my shoulders then work their way into my gut. I can’t let that happen.
Inside the school, Bailey waits for me at my locker. I’m never sure why. It’s not like we date. It’s not like I’ve ever asked any girl on a date.
She walks me to my class anyway. “See you at lunch?”
“I’ve got errands to run.” I don’t really, but I like my space and a big juicy Five Guys burger. I only get real food when I’m not home.
I nap in English until I’m called down to the counselor’s office. What does Webster want this time?
When I get there, I almost run into Jinx, which isn’t normal. She’s smart, so we don’t have any classes together, except choir, and she’s never called out for acting up. I wonder what she’s doing here and not in one of her special AP classes.
Jinx glances up at me and snarls. “You.”
My first reaction would normally be to say something smart like ‘the one and only,’ but my gaze fixes on the purple bruise haloing her eye. Did she piss off the wrong guy at the party last night? Did Alex do that? He’s been caught roughing up a girl before.
I gently cup her elbow because the black eye looks like it hurts. “Are you okay?”
Jinx jerks her arm away and cowers. She’s shaking like I’d hurt her or something. “Not your concern.”
I’d never hit a girl, though a few times, I wanted to whack Currie’s butt when she threw a tantrum in the store. Mrs. Nowak always made me give her a timeout or take her to the car until Currie calmed down.
In the counselor lobby, two cops chat with the principal. The students working there eye Jinx and whisper to each other. With her chin to her chest, she enters, avoiding the other students’ stares. The officers escort her outside.
Now, I’m really curious. I hope she doesn’t blame me for that. I’m determined now to find out her story. Why hers is more important to me than any other sad sob, I have no clue. I’ve always been drawn to her until she shoves me away.
Webster gestures me into his office where I take a seat. My gaze follows Jinx through the glass bowl and down the hall.
“What happened to Jinx?” I ask. “Was she fighting? Is she okay?” That would be hard to believe from the Chosen One. She was voted most likely to succeed in our class.
“No. She’s fine. The police just want to ask her a few questions.” Webster has my transcript up on his screen and my ACT scores. The school made us take the stupid test.
“Your ACT scores just came back,” Webster says. “They’re pretty good. Have you applied to any colleges yet, John.”
I go by Lennon, and he knows that. “Nope.”
“Your grades aren’t the best, but you’re a bright student.”
Great, the Lecture. It’s a little late for that.
“You have potential if you’d just work at it,” he says.
That’s not what my mom would say. She says I’m just like Jonathan, a loser.
“I’m not going to college.” I have a trust that Jonathan originally set up for me, probably to evade taxes. With the money I wheedled out of him and with my band mate’s mom’s financial advice, the trust has grown substantially for Currie and me. We take care of Mom out of pity and because Currie says we have to. We should be set for life, or close to it, if I can curtail Currie’s obsession for clothes and shoes.
“If you just applied yourself, you could go to a junior college then transfer. The choir teacher says you are quite the musician. You could major in that and become a teacher. A degree would give you more options, though you could play professionally like your father.”
I pick at the rubber edging around Webster’s desk that’s coming loose. I don’t want to be like Jonathan, though I have a warehouse band that would get more gigs if I advertised us more. We’re not half bad.
The administrator pokes her head in. “Your next appointment is ready.”
“I’m here if you need me,” Webster says.
“Glad to hear it.”
Disappointment replaces expectation on his face. That’s worse than Webster being angry with me.
I stroll out of his office. Currie would love for me to attend college. If I went, it would be for her, but I wouldn’t major in music, even though I like it. No way I’d follow Jonathan’s example.
As I’m on my way out, I amble past the front office. Jinx is still talking to the cops outside. From their posturing, they want to give her a ride downtown. I walk out the front doors, so I can eavesdrop.
While strolling past, I hear an officer say, “You should file a report. It could get worse.”
Someone did punch her.
“Nobody hit me,” Jinx says. “I’m just clumsy.”
Even I don’t buy her flimsy lie.
Jinx focuses on me. Her glare burns through me because she knows I’m snooping.
With my head down, I wander to the back of the school and enter there where security frisks me. When I wink at the female cop, she blushes. I’m assuming she likes it as much as I do.
Normally, anything to do with the students at my high school wouldn’t matter to me, so why am I prying? If I understood myself, I’d be as smart as Currie. She’s always psychoanalyzing
me. I’m her pet project.
I bump into Bailey. It’s her free period. She usually knows the local scoop. “Did you see Jinx’s black eye?”
“Oh yeah. She probably threw beer into the wrong guy’s face. I’m thinking Alex. He hit on her hard last night.”
He did? How did I miss that? “What did Jinx say?” I’m guessing she said no, but I have to make sure.
“That’s not hard to guess. Jinx told Alex that hell would have to ice over first. He said it probably wouldn’t be long if she was down there.” Bailey giggles at that.
“You don’t know then who hit her?”
“Not yet. Still checking. Why do you care?”
“No reason. Other than I haven’t gotten over last night.”
“Me either. Bitch. Why’s she so uptight? I closed the den. She should’ve known not to enter. Rena certainly did.”
I didn’t see Rena last night. She’s tutored me in math since middle school when the teacher said I could take the more advanced class. I don’t know what he was thinking.
“The den is off limits because her dad’s stuff is in there,” I say.
“Oh?” Bailey’s lips turn down. “I didn’t realize.”
“Gotta run.” I rush back to class where my English teacher assigns homework. I enter it into my daily planner because Currie expects me to turn it in, so that I pass.
A student council member passes out Valograms in the form of roses and Hershey kisses before we’re allowed to leave class. I had no idea today was Valentine’s Day. Why would I? I’ve never had a girlfriend.
A brilliant idea strikes me, so I text Currie. Girls love stupid stuff like flowers. I just don’t want Jinx to hate me. She sits right next to me during choir, and as much as I hate to admit this, even to myself, her voice is kickass, and I love to listen to it.
Me: How ‘bout a rose for Jinx?
Currie: I’m in class, knucklehead.
Me: So what?
Currie: One rose means I luv u.
Me: That’s no good. How ‘bout three?
Currie: What about Bailey? Won’t she be mad?
Me: U r right. What if I give her chocolate?
Currie: Good. Leave me alone.
Me: Np. Luv u.
Currie: Knucklehead.
Currie: Make sure they get them during class. Flowers don’t count unless everyone else sees them.
Me: U r right as usual.
I’m not sure why girls like flowers when they wilt in a day and die.
I corner the student council member Ashley outside of class. “I want to send a few Valograms.”
She’s another real blonde. She eyes me suspiciously, tossing back her mane like a spirited filly. I do love the untamed.
“You were supposed to order them last week,” she says.
God, she’s such a snot. The way she struts with her nose held high. It’s like she’s got a broomstick up her ass. “Don’t you have extras?”
Ashley snorts out an irritated breath. “Probably not. You can check in the office.”
I run down there, which will make me late for class. If Currie saw all my tardies, she’d throw a fit.
The admin assistant grins big at me. She’s in her mid-forties. I’ve had my share of older women. I’m over that. “Any Valograms left?”
“We have plenty. Who’s the lucky girl?”
Nice, Ashley. “Three roses for Jinx.” I’m not sure of her last name, but I’m guessing the whole school knows of her academic genius. “Chocolates for Bailey Zebrowski.” My mind wanders to Rena. She’s always nice to me and deserves something other than a bonus for tutoring me. She’s also Jinx’s closest friend. I don’t want her mad at me for ignoring her. “And two roses for Rena Pennington.”
“Many lucky girls.”
“They’re just friends.”
“I’m sure they’ll love them. What color roses?”
Why do they make this so difficult? “Red.” Is there any other color?
“We’ll give them to the girls after lunch. What do you want to say on the cards?”
No wonder I don’t date. This is too much work. If I text Currie again to ask her what to put, she’ll get even madder. “What should I put?”
“If they’re just friends, I’d put Happy V Day, from Lennon.”
“That’s good. Thanks.” I rush out of the office and decide to skip choir to avoid Jinx. It’s next period, and she’s probably not ready to see me again so soon anyway. Maybe the flowers will work or make things worse.
I leave early to lunch and meet up with my band. Danny Boy goes to the junior college nearby and Clive goes to a high school farther south, so we meet in the middle of Naperville. I grab Five Guys first because I’m starving after only a bowl of yogurt and fruit.
I’m looking forward to see what Jinx thinks of the flowers.
Who am I kidding? She’ll probably dump them in the trash.
Bad Day
Lyrics and Punky Music by Jinx Armstrong
Chorus:
If I have to see them together, it’s a bad day.
If she gives me one of her snarky smiles, I want to punch her face.
Don’t kiss her in front of me because I may go postal.
It’s a bad day.
My head hurts. My self-respect is in the toilet.
What did I do to deserve this?
I cheated on my boyfriend, and he won’t come back.
But now he’s with a girl, I want to have a heart attack.
I don’t blame him. He doesn’t deserve what I did to him.
But why her? She sucks.
It should’ve been me, not her.
Does he ever wish it was me instead of her?
One night, bad hurt.
I should’ve stayed home, but I wanted to see you.
You didn’t show, so I lost all control.
Now everything is wrong, and it’s a bad day.
CHAPTER FIVE
JINX
Being a girl sometimes sucks. Like now.
The whole left side of my face aches. I just started my period and had to borrow firecrackers from Rena because the tampon dispenser jammed on my last quarter. To top it off, Kelly slammed me so hard that I banged my bad eye against my opened locker door. What did I do to her? She’s the one who got my boyfriend. She-dog.
When I touch the bruise, tingles spread across my cheek, leaving a dull throb in my left temple. I’m still dizzy from last night’s blowup. I’ve managed to avoid my friends all day, but I promised to give Iz a ride home, so I’ll have to face the firing squad soon. Rena will ride my ass if she finds out exactly what happened.
The three roses flop over. Student Council buys the cheapest ones, which don’t hold up for more than an hour without water. They look pathetic. They also must be a mistake because there is no way Lennon Tyler would send these to me.
I toss the ratty roses onto the driver’s seat. I want to trash them, but I just can’t. As much as I hate to admit it, I enjoyed getting them. Every girl in my class looked at me with envy. It also didn’t take long for the rumor to spread that they were from the school’s most eligible bachelor.
It’s not because Lennon is popular. He floats through school like a ghost. Other than choir, he doesn’t belong to any clubs or sports. He never goes to any games, and we have an ass-kicking hockey team.
Yet, almost every girl in our school desires him above any other guy. It’s not just about his money. He’s different from us. Though he acts like a whore, he does weird things like grocery shops and buys clothes and school supplies for his little sister. Kids see him in Trader Joe’s not with his famed starlet mom but alone or with his sister. He doesn’t buy junk food either.
With my coat hood pulled down to hide the ugly welt, I wait in the back of the school for Iz where my rusty Tercel is parked. The bruise is my own fault. It always is. I can’t seem to keep my trap shut.
Zach strolls out with Kelly on his arm. They’re the It couple. He glances over at me. He always
does, which flames Kelly up like a raging inferno. She couldn’t get her claws into him fast enough after we split up. I miss him, and I want him back, but then I’d have to tell him the truth. Can’t do that.
Kelly tightly cinches her white wool coat around her model skinny waist. I don’t know how she keeps it spotless when everyone has to jam their jackets into infant-sized lockers that have grease oozing from the hinges. For once, I’d like to see a stain on that damn coat of hers.
This day sucks even worse now.
Iz and Gabby strut up to me, arm-in-arm, like they’re on a catwalk. My car sits beside Rena’s. Gabby always rides with her because they live closer to each other on the better side of town. Why they’re friends with me I have no clue. Maybe it’s because we’ve known each other from dolls through starter bras. I still haven’t grown out of mine.
Iz notices Kelly and Zach. “Just once, I’d like to see a truck drive through a huge, muddy puddle and splash a tidal wave of filthy water onto that damn coat.”
She voices my thoughts. It’s like that when you have close friends. We’re all on the same wavelength.
Gabby grins. “I could help with that. Why you let Zach go, I have no clue. He’s so adorable.”
I didn’t let him go. He walked away from me because I couldn’t talk to him after what had happened.
Rena’s the only person in the world who knows what happened that night, just not who. If she knew that, she’d slash Him to ribbons. She’s the only one who understands because she’s been through it, except instead of acting like a tramp by letting a guy maul her, she fought back.
“So let’s see it,” Iz says, hip bumping me. “You’ve avoided us all day, and you’re today’s cheap topic.”
I yank down my hood.
“Oh my God.” Gabby goes to pat it. She’s a touchy-feely girl.
I jerk away because it hurts.
“Who did that?” Iz grimaces. “Was it Michael?”
My last entrapment. We dated for such a short time the moon didn’t even go through a full cycle. My friends hate him, except Rena. She’s indifferent to most guys, except Lennon and Byron.