Page 5 of Coach Me
Callie
Will and I have to head to the stadium for a bit, but I’ve got the nonalcoholic mixers ready, Rea. Congrats on being a badass teacher, Luce! See you guys later!
I smile at my phone, rereading Callie’s message for a moment before my sister’s face pops up on my screen.
“Hello,” I answer with a sigh.
“Why aren’t you moving?” she huffs. “Your little Sim should be chugging along on the highway right now, but it’s still sitting in the building.”
“Jeez, Rea, you have got to chill with the location checking. I’m about to get my stuff and head out.” I turn in my chair to click on my computer screen for one last quick look at my school email. “You’re still good to come back with me Monday to get the turtle tank for the summer, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll come help get those two assholes,” my sister grumbles. She’s never been much of an animal person, especially reptiles. “What time again?”
When my email finally pulls up, I see I have a message from my principal. The subject reads: Monday Meeting.
I frown and put my phone between my ear and shoulder. “Um, hold on.”
Opening the email, I see that it’s sent only to me, which feels odd. My eyes quickly scan over the message and my frown only deepens. “Mrs. Riggets sent me an email requesting a meeting Monday morning.” A pit forms in my stomach. “That’s weird, isn't it?”
“She's your boss, right?” Reagan asks.
Scanning the email again, I try to find any hint of wording that could bring my stress meter from skyrocketing. “Technically. She’s one of them, at least.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing, probably just an end-of-first-year check-in. I’m staying at Julie’s place on Sunday, but I’ll meet you there and wait in your classroom until it’s over.”
I snort a small laugh. “You could work on getting the turtles loaded while I have the meeting.”
I can see the horror on my sister’s face. “Fat chance. You’re lucky I’m letting those slimy things stay in our apartment to begin with.”
“Mmm, that’s not how I recall that conversation going. I believe you said, ‘over my dead body will those turtles stay here,’ and Will overruled you.”
“Semantics,” Reagan huffs.
“What do you have against Pip and Pop, huh? They’re just turtles.” I put my phone on speaker so I can type a reply to my principal letting her know I’ll be there.
“I’m your sister, you know the answer to this. I am a plant person—my entire being is my floral shop. Give me flowers, ferns, vines, anything. Don’t give me animals. And honestly, don’t give me a lot of people either.”
Hitting send on my reply, I snort. “And yet, you’re going to be living with two turtles for the whole summer. Can I feed them some of your clover?”
“Not in this lifetime.” Reagan pauses for a second. “Your Sim still hasn’t moved. Lucie Jo Anderson, come on!”
Sighing, I click off my computer and reach for my bag. “Okay, okay. Goodness, does Julie let you boss her around like this? I just wanted one moment to take this classroom in.”
“One, of course she does, she loves me. And two, you’ve had all year to do that. Not to mention, you’ll be back in two months. Your sister, however, will take your Teacher’s Aid shot if you don’t hurry up.”
“Teacher’s Aid?” Goodness, I can only imagine what sort of concoction Reagan’s mixed up.
“Yeah, it’s got Fireball and?—”
“Okay,” I cut her off as I stand from my chair. “I can already see the hangover tomorrow. Tell me any more, and I might bail on you.”
Reagan’s chuckle holds a hint of an evil tone. “My sweet angel baby sister would never. Now hurry up. If I don’t see your Sim on the highway in five minutes, I’ll come get you myself.”
“Hmph” is all I manage back. I know my sister doesn’t mean her sweet talk in a condescending way, but the whole Everyone Loves Lucie bit my siblings do isn’t my favorite. “I’m walking out now, so you can relax. Go boss your girlfriend around in the kitchen, I’ll be there by the time she kicks you out for being annoying.”
“That means you’ve got a solid fifteen minutes at best. Drive safe. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I sing softly before hanging up.
