The Simplicity in Chaos

by Jessica Sorensen

  “Shit, we’re late,” Holden mutters then stuffs his phone back into his pocket. “We need to get out there.”

  “Nah, I think I might skip this tournament,” Hunter replies, giving me a look that I can’t quite decipher. “I’ll stay here and keep Skylin company.”

  “No, you won’t.” Holden elbows his brother in the side, causing Hunter to blast him with a dirty look. “You need to be part of this tournament. You promised mom and dad you would after we got our asses kicked last time.”

  Hunter rolls his eyes but backs toward the door. “Sky, it was a pleasure meeting you. We’ll have to do something together soon. Something fun that’ll make you blush again.” He winks at me then pushes through the doors.

  Holden blows out an exhausted exhale then shakes his head. “It really was nice meeting you, and I hate to take off like this when we haven’t even properly met, but this tournament today is really important. It decides whether or not we make it to the finals.”

  “I totally understand,” I say, waving him off.

  He wavers, chewing on his bottom lip. “Maybe I could show you around town tomorrow night and show you where all the good places to eat are and the places to avoid.”

  “I’d like that.” And I mean it. Holden seems nice, and I’d really like to look around town and see if anyone’s hiring.

  “Awesome.” He smiles then pushes out the door.

  As my stomach grumbles, I turn toward the fridge to get something to eat. After heating up a couple of frozen waffles, I head up to my room to start unpacking. A few hours later, I nearly have everything unpacked and the sun has set behind the mountains, night blanketing the outside.

  It’s late enough and dark enough that the Everettsons should be back from the tournament by now. Not that I’m too eager to see them. But I do want to ask them some questions about the school I’ll be attending, like if I need a uniform or something.

  Sweeping my fingers through my tangled hair, I make my way out of my room and down the hallway. The atmosphere is quiet until I reach the top of the stairs. Then I hear voices floating up from the living room.

  I stop at the top of the stairs as Foster say, “So, she’s staying here for six months then?”

  “That’s what mom and dad told me,” Easton gripes. “Seriously, it sucks?

  “I agree,” Foster says. “It’s fucking annoying. And mom told me we have to show her around the school tomorrow. She didn’t even give me a say in it.”

  Easton snickers. “Just because we have to show her around the school doesn’t mean we have to be friendly about it.”

  “What’re you thinking?” Foster asks with malicious intrigue.

  “We can make her life a living hell,” Easton replies. “Until she finally breaks and leaves on her own. Our family is part of the fucking mafia and she needs to learn her place.”

  Mafia? What the hell?

  “Yeah, but she’s not supposed to know about that,” Foster reminds him. “Remember that stupid lecture Mom and Dad gave us when they told us they were bringing in the stray.”

  Stray. They’re calling me a fucking stray.

  “We don’t need to tell her about that,” Easton stress. “But we can show her.”

  Goosebumps sprout across my flesh as it grows eerily silent.

  I trip back, my mind racing as I rush back to my room.

  The Everettsons are part of the mafia? How can this be possible? I mean, I know the mafia exists and everything, but how do my parents no people who are part of this.

  My heart thrashes in my chest, worry and fear lashing through me.

  What the hell are Foster and Easton planning to do to me tomorrow?

  The ideas make my gut twist with knots.

  I hurry inside my room, shut and lock my door, then yank my fingers through my hair. “Goddammit! Why did I have to come here? I just want to go home.” Tears of frustration flood my eyes. I miss my old life. Sure, it was chaotic and unstable, but I’m starting to realize there was a bit of simplicity in it. “I need to get out of here,” I whisper as I hurry into the closet to grab a bag.

  They want me to leave then fine. And I’d be stupid to stick around and find out what Foster and Easton are going to do to me. No, I need to run.

  As I’m packing, I dig out my phone and text Nina, begging her to come get me. She replies almost instantly.

  Nina: I can leave now. Just send me the address.

  I do what she asks then finish packing, taking a couple of outfits, my toiletries, and a couple of the joints Gage gave me, more than ready to get the hell out of here. I know eventually, though, someone might come looking for me so I need to find a more long-term solution for staying the hell away from the Everettsons. Perhaps if I go to the storage unit where my parents’ stuff is, there might be something in there that’ll give me some answers as to where they can be so I can get out of this damn house.

  Once I’m all packed, I sneak downstairs to the back door, passing through the kitchen on my way so I can get Emaline’s phone number off the iPad. That way, I can text her and let her know where I’ve gone so she won’t call the police.

  Then I hurry out of the house and out the front gate and wait for Nina by the side of the road. The sky grows dark as time passes, and rain drizzles from the clouds, soaking through my jacket. But I remain standing out in the storm, without shelter, and with the strangest feeling I’m being watched.

  The rain is coming down too hard to see much around me, and as the feeling increases, I debate going back into the house. Right as I’m turning to go back in, though, Nina pulls up.

  Sighing in relief, I climb into the passenger seat.

  “Holy shit, this is where you live now?” she asks as I shut the door.

  I nod, fastening my seatbelt. “Yep, this is home sweet home,” I reply dryly.

  “It’s gorgeous,” she says, unable to tear her eyes off the house. “Seriously, what’s it like living here?”

  I peek over at the Everettsons’ home, only one word coming to mind when I think about the last couple of days. “Chaotic.” I sink back in the seat. “Let’s get out of here before they realize I’m gone.”

  It takes her a raindrop of a second before she drives forward into the night.

  Twelve

  “So … do you want to talk about what happened?” Nina asks after a few minutes of silence.

  The windshield wipers work to keep the rain off, but the storm is coming down so heavily that visibility is limited.

  I reach to turn up the air. “It wasn’t anything major,” I say. “They’re just jerks. Well, some of them are. I just needed a break. Plus, they’re really … weird.” Weird mafia jerks.

  I could tell her about the mafia thing, but honestly, I’m kind of afraid. I mean, I’ve seen movies. Knowledge like this could get Nina and me hurt, right?

  She laughs softly, cranking up the defroster as the windows fog up. “Sky, you do realize you’re weird, right? Not that I don’t love you any less.” She downshifts and slows down for a turn. “How could I when I’m just as big of a weirdo?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” I let out a sigh, knowing she’s right. At least about the weirdo part.

  “Cheer up, buttercup,” she says when she notices my frown. “We’re going to have fun tonight.”

  I eye her over suspiciously. “Wait … You have that tone.”

  Her eyes glint mischievously. “What tone?”

  “The one you get when you’re about to do something potentially illegal and try to convince me to do it with you.”

  “Don’t pretend like you actually care about doing illegal stuff.”

  “I don’t to an extent.” I frown as she grins. “What’s going on?”

  “Oh, nothing.” Her grin suggests otherwise. “Gage and I are just having a little get-together. That’s all.”

  “So, a party.” Because Nina never has get-togethers. They’re always parties.

  She shoots me a playful, scolding look. “Don’t pout. It’
s going to be fun. I promise.”

  “Why’d you guys decide to have one tonight?” I ask. “And what about school tomorrow?”

  “Our school’s on winter break right now, remember?”

  “Crap, I forgot. The new school I’m starting isn’t on break yet.”

  “They do get a winter break, though, right?” she asks, and I shrug. “Well, shit.”

  “You can say that again,” I mumble, folding my arms over my chest.

  “Well, shit.” She smiles, and I can’t help smiling a bit, too.

  “So, who’s all coming to the party?” I ask. “And are you having it at Gage’s or your house?”

  “It’s at mine. My mom’s out of town, so I thought: why not?” She shrugs, then glances at me. “Just a warning. It was already going on when I left, and things were getting a bit crazy.” When my lips curve into a frown, she adds, “Dude, chill. We’re going to have fun.”

  I put on a smile, but the truth is that I’ve never been into parties. There’re always too many people there for my liking. And with the mood I’m in, I am betting I’m going to be very fun. Not that I’m ever the life of the party.

  I guess I’ll just have to suck it up. After all, Nina did drive all the way out to the Everettsons’ house just to pick my ass up.

  Speaking of the Everettsons …

  I dig out my phone, deciding to send Emaline a text now that I’m far enough away. Maybe that way she won’t call the cops on my ass for being a run away.

  Me: Hey … So, I’m not sure if you noticed I’m gone, but I just wanted to let you know that I left the house. I’m sorry for just taking off, but I just needed a break.

  I don’t know what else to tell her without ratting out Foster and Easton and while part of me wants to tell on them, the other part of me is kind of afraid. I hate it, that fear. I want to be a badass, but…

  Mafia. They’re in the mafia.

  My mind still can’t even wrap around it.

  Emaline: What happened?

  Me: Nothing. I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed and needed to see my friends.

  Emaline: Sky, honey, if one of my sons did something to you, you need to tell me.

  Man, I want to tell her, but I know if I do, more than likely Foster and Easton will make my life even more of a living hell if I have to go back to the Everettsons house.

  Me: Everything’s fine. I really just needed to see my friends. I’m sorry for not telling you that I left. I’m not used to doing that kind of stuff.

  Emaline: I understand this is all overwhelming, but it’s not safe for you to be alone.

  Mafia.

  Mafia.

  Mafia.

  They’re in the mafia.

  Me: Why isn’t it safe?

  Emaline: Because you’re only seventeen and you shouldn’t be out this late alone.

  I have a feeling there’s more to it than what she’s telling me.

  Me: I’m not alone. I’m with my friends.

  Emaline: I know, but I’d still rather have you be here at home.

  Home? I know she’s trying to be nice, but that place isn’t my home.

  Me: Please just let me hang out with my friends for a couple of days. I’ll come home soon.

  Emaline: Where are you right now?

  Me: Heading to Nina’s house. She’s my best friend. I’m in her car right now, perfectly safe.

  Emaline: Where does she live?

  Me: In Honeyton.

  Emaline: I need the address.

  I pause. If I give her the address, will she come get me?

  Me: Why?

  Emaline: So I can send someone to pick you up. I know that’s not what you want to hear, and I understand that you’ve been through a lot, but you need to come home right now. You should’ve never left without my permission.

  I frown. I’m so not used to this.

  Me: I have no home.

  I type and send the words without really thinking, sadness clutching my chest.

  Another message buzzes through.

  Emaline: Oh sweetie, that’s not true at all. I know this has to be hard, losing your parents like this, but I promise that, with time, things will get easier. And our home is your home.

  As tears well in my eyes, I shove my phone into my pocket. Her kindness is making me too emotional, and I don’t like it.

  “Holy crap, this is a crazy mess of a storm,” Nina remarks, peering up at the sky through the windshield.

  “Yeah, it really is,” I mutter, thinking about how much my life feels the same way.

  By the time we arrive at Nina’s house, it’s nearing eleven o’clock at night and the party is in full swing. Nina’s house, which is similar to the size of my old home, is crammed with people, most of which I know but rarely talk to. They are all dancing, drinking, laughing, and smoking. The place reeks like cigarettes and beer, and the air is laced with smoke so potent my eyes immediately water.

  “I’m back!” Nina singsongs as we enter the kitchen.

  Gage, who’s sitting on the counter, chatting with a red-headed girl who looks a year or two older than us, smiles at Nina. Then his smile morphs into a full-blown grin when his gaze lands on me.

  “What the hell? I didn’t know you were coming.” He jumps off the counter and wraps his arms around me in a hug, smelling like pot and beer and everything that is Gage.

  “Hey.” I loop my arms around the back of his neck as he spins me around. “Didn’t Nina tell you she was going to pick me up?”

  He shakes his head, slanting back to meet my gaze. “She told me she was going to get a surprise, but that’s it.” He kisses my cheek. “Best surprise ever.”

  I chuckle, knowing he’s drunk. “For sure.”

  After he steps away, he assesses me. “Something’s off about you. Oh, I know why. It’s because you’re not drunk yet.” He snags ahold of my hand and drags me over to the table that holds an array of drinks.

  After he mixes me one, he pours a drink for himself. “Cheers.” He taps his cup against mine, and I can’t help laughing as he spills some all over his boots and the floor.

  Shrugging it off with a laugh, he downs a large mouthful then waits for me to do the same. Once we’ve both finished our drinks, Gage tosses our cups into the garbage then glances around. “What should we do next?”

  I look around at the rowdy crowd. “Where’s Nina?”

  Gage lifts his shoulders. “Probably up in one of the bedrooms with Logan.”

  I pull a face. “Grey’s friend?”

  Gage offers me an apologetic look. “Sorry, but you know how she can get.”

  “Yeah, she thinks with her vagina, not her head,” I say, feeling a bit more relaxed than I did earlier.

  “You know, I brought a couple of those joints you gave me,” I tell Gage, knowing I might be heading down a path of self-destruction, but right now, I’m too confused and worried to care.

  He points a finger at me, a devious smile curling at his lips. “I like the way you think.”

  I grin back, though I feel anything but happy. Still, I act the part as Gage and I go back to the extra bedroom and light up.

  A few inhales in, and I’m feeling pretty numb inside.

  “So, what’s life like at your new home?” Gage asks, passing me the joint.

  We’re stretched out on the bed with our feet in opposite directions, our heads side by side.

  “It’s … weird.” I take a hit and hand it back.

  “Weird how?”

  “I don’t know … Just weird and uncomfortable.” Again, I could tell them about the mafia thing but I worry for his safety and mine.

  God, keeping secrets sucks. I hate this.

  “You’re not making very much sense, hon.” He rolls over onto his stomach with the joint pinched between his fingers and looks down at me. “They’re not treating you shitty, are they?”

  I shake my head then shrug. “Most of them are nice. But then there’s Foster and Easton… They hate me for some reason… It
’s why I left… Because I heard them plotting some sort of plan to get rid of me.” I frown, remembering what I overheard and wondering what they’re planning to do to me.

  I mean, eventually I’m going to have to go back. I can’t outrun this problem forever. I know that.

  Smoke snakes around his face as he studies me. “Did you ever figure out why that detective approached you the other day?”

  I shake my head. Through all the craziness that has been happening, I completely forgot about that.

  “Why do you ask?” I wonder, taking the joint from him.

  He shrugs, then flips back onto his back. “I was just curious … I mean, you act like these people you’re living with are weird and then that detective said that stuff about them …” He shrugs, staring up at the ceiling.

  My mind drifts back to when the guy had given me the card. He said the Everettsons weren’t who I thought they were and to call him when I ran into trouble. Does he know they’re part of the mafia?

  Maybe I should go call him and find out.

  But what if I get into trouble for doing so? What if the Everettsons find out? How would, they, though? And what if he can give me some answers? He did track me down for some reason.

  “I need to go get something out of my bag,” I mutter, rolling off the bed.

  Gage lifts his head, blinking at me. “What?”

  “Nothing. I’ll be right back.” I motion for him to stay put, which he obliges, lying back down and taking another hit.

  I stumble out of the room, my vision a bit blurry, but somehow I manage to make it to my bag. After I dig out the card, I slip outside and wander to the garage where I can have a private conversation. It takes me a bit to work up the courage to dial the detective’s number, but eventually I do it.

  “Hello?” he answers after three rings, sounding exhausted and reminding me that it’s well after midnight.

  “Um, hey, sorry for calling so late… this is Skylin… You came up to me in the diner the other day and told me to call you if I wanted to learn more about the Everettsons,” I say, nervously chewing on my thumbnail.

  “Oh, yes.” He sounds more awake now. “I’m so glad you called. I’d like to set up a meeting with you to discuss a couple of things. Would you be willing to do that?”