Page 48 of Drifting

This teacher isn’t one to fool around; she jumps right in.

When the class ends, we all stand.

Nick looks at us. “Where are you heading next?”

“Gym, unfortunately,” Paige says. “Where are you heading?”

He smiles. “Calculus.”

Paige glances at me, and we look at Nick. “Have fun with that.”

His smile widens. “Oh, I will.”

Paige leans close to me and whispers, “He’s weird.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

When Paige and I arrive in the gym, our teacher directs us to sit on the bleacher. “My name is Ms. Bell, and today, we’re going to learn the rules of football, so let’s get excited about one of the greatest games there is!”

She rolls out a TV on a cart. “I wish I could have this on a big screen and splash it on the wall, but all the projectors are in use, so we’ll have to deal with it. Those in the back come closer so you all can see the screen. We’re going to watch last season’s Super Bowl.”

Once the game starts, she gets so invested in showing us how the professionals play on a tiny TV that she doesn’t realize none of us pay any attention to her.

I lean over to ask Paige, “Is she always this oblivious?”

“Sadly, yes,” Paige whispers back. “I have a question, which you don’t have to answer, but your mom married Dr. Tate a while ago, so where have you been? There’s a rumor going around that you were in a mental institution and just got out. Not that I believe that.”

Laughing, I explain to Paige about where I’ve been with as little detail as possible. We just met two days ago, and I don’t know her that well. Plus, I hate when people feel sorry for me.

When I finish, I redirect the conversation to get the subject off me. “Tell me about your family. Do you have any siblings?”

She frowns. “I’m a middle child. I have an older sister, who’s now in college, and a younger brother, who’s four and a holy terror.” She snorts. “Ryan drew all over Carrie’s homework one time. I was so mad that I had to do it all over again.”

I chuckle. “I would have left it that way.”

Paige snickers. “It would have been funny to see her face when she got it back from the teacher.”

“Well, she doesn’t come back until tomorrow.” I smile evilly at her. “We could have a coloring contest tonight.”

We both crack up, a little too loudly, and Ms. Bell stops her commentary on the game. “Ladies, I know this might be boring for you, but I need you to pay attention.”

We both say, “Sorry.”

As soon as Ms. Bell turns around and goes back to teaching, Paige glances at me and chuckles.

“So, you have a sister and a brother. Tell me more.” What I want to ask is what it’s like to have a real family.

“My dad’s an ER doctor at Knight’s Medical hospital. He’s always on shift and not around much. Mom stays at home, but she’s in every fundraiser and charity she can find. Polly, my sister, is off studying who knows what at NCU. I don’t know how she got accepted there. I think Dad paid her way in. She’s like Carrie, only way worse.” Paige shivers.

“You mean she was on the Barbie Squad? That’s what I’ve been calling them in my head. Or, do you mean your sister ordered you around like Carrie does?” Realizing I interrupted with my questions, I add, “Sorry, go ahead.”

“It’s all right. Yes, to both. She was part of the Barbie Squad. Polly’s worse than Carrie. At least here, there are teachers and a principle to watch them.” Paige caves inwards. “When I’m at home, there’s no one.”

No wonder she has no confidence if she lived with a Barbie who’s worse than Carrie. Is there no such thing as a perfect family? I’m not sure what to say to her. I’m sorry your life sucks, too?

I decide to pick another topic. “What do you like to do?”

“Photography.” Her whole face lights up. “I love taking pictures of people when they don’t know.”

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