Page 8 of Echoes of Us

EM 9:14 PM

I have no clue Mills. I am so pissed I can’t even look at them!

MILLS 9:16 PM

Ohhh. Let’s make her life a living hell and hope she runs back to where she came from. Let me handle it *Kissy Face Emoji*

I set down my phone, inhaling deeply. I stand and go to my door, opening it to call Eli to bed. He doesn’t come, which means he is either mad I ignored him, or EJ snuck him into his room. Whatever, they can all go to hell for all I care. I pick up my phone again to call Devan.

“Come over,” I say the moment he answers.

“Uhh. It is kinda late. No way your parents will let me over,” he replies.

“I’ll come out to your car, just come. Text me when you’re here,” I snap.

“Jeez. Okay…See you in a bit.” He hangs up.

I change into comfier clothes and sneak downstairs. I hear my parents talking in hushed voices from my dad’s office. I slowly walk past the office and go into the kitchen. We have a dog door on the back door for Eli. Luckily, Eli is fed enough treats that my parents had to install a larger dog door. I learned a while back that I fit easily through it when I need to sneak out.

I crawl through the dog door and head toward the street. Devan’s SUV is waiting at the stop sign a few houses down. I get into his car and start telling him everything that happened since I found my parents outside Pastor James’s office.

“Wow, Em. I really thought there was no way either of our parents would take her in. I’m sorry babe,” he says sincerely, reaching over to grab my hand and kisses the back of it. Finally, he cares about my feelings.

“I know. This is so unfair, and I am actually really hurt they would decide something this big without at least talking to me.”

He smiles softly and leans over to kiss my cheek. He begins to kiss my neck, pulling me closer to him. “Devan, not now. I really am not in the mood.” I pull back from him. “I just want to talk right now, please.”

He leans back, groaning. “We talked, Em. I get it, you’re upset, and your life is over or whatever. I figured we could at least take advantage of you being out without a curfew.” He grins, pulling me toward him again.

“I am serious. Stop it.” I pull back again. And there it is. He’s pretending to care thinking it would make me want to hook up with him.

“Fine. Get out. I am tired. No point in sitting here all night talking about some chick.” He grunts and starts his car. I roll my eyes, then leave without a word.

Thatchickisalreadyruining my life,and she hasn’t even movedin yet.

Chapter 9

Teagan

Who would have thought I was going to miss this? The sound of horns blaring, metal clanging, and the ceiling fan squeaking in an endless loop. I’ve been staring at the mold spot on the ceiling for two hours, waiting for my aunt to tell me they’ve arrived.

Today, I move in with the Briggs family. Not only that, but my aunt mentioned yesterday that the guy picking me up is also taking me to my new school for an entrance exam. What kind of high school needs a test to get in? Whatever. I don’t plan on answering a single question on the stupid test. Maybe they will say I can’t enroll, and it is a win/win for me.

I look over at my small bag, packed with the few belongings I have. I didn’t realize I actually had less now than I did with Mom. I have grown out of a few of my T-shirts, so I left them folded on the bed for my aunt to donate. She mentioned the new school had uniforms, so I assume the whackos taking me in will be providing a new daily wardrobe. Another train goes by as I hear a soft knock at the door.

“Teagan, Mr. Briggs and his son EJ are here to pick you up,” my aunt says through the crack in the door.

“Coming.” I roll off the bed, taking one last look around the hideously decorated room. This was the first room I was ever able to call my own. Even though Mom wasn’t here with me, I enjoyed having a sanctuary when I needed an escape. Grabbing my bag, I eye the mold spot and wave goodbye as I shut the door.

Standing in the kitchen are two identical people. The man, Mr. Briggs, is a tall, lean man with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He has a big smile and seems to view the world with a glass-half-full mentality. The kid is his spitting image; tall for a seven-year-old with the same blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He is beaming at me as if I am the coolest thing he’s ever seen. Before I can make it through the doorway, the kid runs toward me and wraps me into a big hug. “I can’t believe I get a second sister. This is AWESOME!”

“Sorry about him, Teagan.” Mr. Briggs said with a grin as he pulls the kid back. “He hasn’t stopped talking about you moving in since we told him a few days ago.”

I smile at the kid and nod to Mr. Briggs. “It’s cool.” I look over to my aunt and give her a ‘what the hell’ look. She simply smiles and walks up to Mr. Briggs.

“Thank you so much, Ethan. You have no idea how badly I wish she could come with me to Japan. It breaks my heart, but I have found peace knowing you and Eve will be taking care of her. I know Tracy would be so happy it is you she is living with.” Why would my mom be happy I am living with him? I consider asking, but decide I’d rather not engage in more conversation with him than I have to.

“It is no trouble at all, Beth. We are going to love her like our own.” Mr. Briggs turns to me, “You ready to go, Teagan? We need to get to the school. Headmaster McNeely has graciously agreed to meet you this morning and administer the admissions exam before your tentative start on Monday.”

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