“I’m sorry Lulu but I’m leaving you for my new wife, Lattice, we can still be friends” My dad declared stepping inside. The red haired woman behind him must be Lattice. She seemed familiar. She looked like that nurse that fainted when my cousin Jacque was born. Oh he’s going to die, I’ll miss you dad.
“What is this-?!?!” I covered my ears from the rage that was about to unfold. My mother takes affairs just like the hulk would.
“We have three kids and you just dump me like trash?! What is wrong with you?!?!” My mom screamed loud enough for the world to hear it. I wouldn’t blame her though. What my dad’s doing is pretty stupid. He should know that even when you get bored you don’t dump gas on a fire.
“It’s not that I don’t love you and our kids. I did love you before but I love Lattice more. But like I said we can still be-“My dad pleaded. He dodged plates in the process. This demonstrates
“You stupid idiot this isn’t high school!! We are married! It means you can’t screw around any more!!” She screeched while chucking more plates. Good thing my dads’ reflexes weren’t as slow as his comprehensive skills. Lattice left the kitchen fast. I fled to the living room to drown out the screaming.
After awhile there was nothing left to throw.
I expected him to leave like a smart man but he wasn’t and didn’t. Instead he joined me on the couch.
“So B how’s school going?” he asked while bleeding a little from his forehead.
“Dad you should get that checked you’ll die from blood loss if it doesn’t stop soon” I told him backing away.
“Aw you’re so cute with that medical knowledge of yours” He chuckled while messing up my hair.
“Besides, Lattice is a nurse she’ll take care of it later” He smiled. Dad you’re kind of stupid aren’t you?
“Dad you like girls whose names start with L? Don’t you?” I wondered. He just stared at me.
“Well Lattice, Lulu, kind of a coincidence” I stared at the floor telling him this. I feel embarrassed.
“No, but look at you, you know your mom’s first name” He patronized me. He clapped for me, messed up my hair again and left. I really wonder how he got through school but he’s my dad so I won’t ask him.
Everything was eve more awkward and calm once he left. I just hope someone joins me in here before I forget I have a family.
“B! We’re going on a road trip to aunt Alli’s!” My youngest sister, Britt, came rejoicing and dancing around down the hall. Her orange hair and blue eyes was only a portion on what made us look unrelated. I have black hair and dark green eyes. Those were the only traits I shared with this family.
“Britt, quiet down mom and dad are fighting so their nerves are probably shot” My other sister Emi pleaded at Britt to calm down. Come to think of it Emi and I looked a lot more deathly related than the rest of family did to me. It’s a complicated thing heredity is. I just sat there on the couch and watched my own flesh and blood duke it out with words. I don’t have the nerve right now to face this many people in one room. My mom came into the room and made everything silent again. She had a phone in her and hand and a mask like expression on her face.
“I have news for everyone” She breathed to all yet only looked at me with sorrow. This was getting creepier than usual.
“Dad and I may be getting a divorce so all three of you are going to live in separate homes till we can work things out” She announced.
Britt just smirked at Emi. I wanted to say so many things but no nerve in my mouth would let me.
“What do you mean separate homes?” Emi perked up and asked. That my question to ask.
“Well you and Britt will live with Aunt Alli and B will live with Aunt Caitlin” My mom explained, notably sighing when she said “Aunt Caitlin.”
“Why does B have to live some where else? We’re all sisters so shouldn’t we all live under the same roof?” Britt concluded not gloating she was right again.
“Well, B, for some reason Alli and the rest of the family hung up when your name came up. Caitlin didn’t hang up so she was my last hope” My mom directed her statement at me to make sure I was listening. I got up to show her I was.
“So I’m like unwanted or something?” I asked my mom expecting comfort.
“I don’t know, it just happened” My mom shrugged walking out of the room with the phone. I would have no problem living with a relative for a while it’d just Caitlin is name my mom screams when she gets frustrated. I was surprised she didn’t call my dad Caitlin during the fight. My answer to the question was proved when my sisters chatted walking out of the room.
“Caitlin is like your curse word when you’re mad. It’s your angry noise. That probably means something. So why am I going to live with someone that is your swear word?” I advised to my mom in the kitchen.
“I just want you three out of this whole mess and Caitlin’s my last choice so live with it” She chirped in a desperate demanding tone. Life gets annoying when you’re parents don’t listen to you.
“Where does she live?” I gave up but still hoped she lived with in this state.
“On the Patrick Air Force base nearby” She started dialing on the phone. I breathed a sigh of relief. The base was still with in
“And Alli lives?” I asked annoyingly. She pointed to the
“As soon as I’m done on the phone I’ll give you all the details, B” She flashed a calming smile. That meant get out now, so I did. I went back to the lonely living room with out turning on the T.V
The divorce was finalized and my two parents went onto stage to act it out. In actuality they’re going to court right after the drop me and my sisters off.
“By B, write if we can before you’re dinner for Caitlin!” Emi and Britt screamed across the airport at me. I can’t tell if they are taunting or being sincere since they are my sisters.
“Let’s go B, Caitlin’s waiting for us” My mom dragged me out of the air port into the car. She wasn’t that excited the entire drive. The only sound was the radio. And of course the song didn’t fit the mood. It was 21 guns.
“This can’t be the place, it’s like a freaking mansion, and we’re not a mansion kind of family” I bluntly blurted out. Of course the only time I can speak is when no one hears. My mom sighed and just gripped the steering wheel.
I got out of the car and immediately tackled by a strange man.
“GET OFF ME PERVERT! I’M A- dad?!” I screamed out of self defense not realizing my dad was just hugging me.
“Since when are you a dad?” He believed me strangely. I didn’t comment there or even how he got here. I looked around for his car. He didn’t own one.
“Oh well here, I got you something as a going away/birthday present” He gestured reaching into his coat pocket,
“It’s a new CD” He expected a thank you from me.
“I don’t even own a CD player” I sighed at him. He flashed a big clown grin and gave me a CD player from his other pocket. Wonderful Dad. My mom just waved her hand and my dad came running to her. I waved goodbye to them, noticing he even got ear buds. It was a really sweet gesture actually but he’s a creeper for the way he gave it to me.
With my pride in my stomach and my luggage over my shoulder I walked up to the steps and rang the doorbell. It was loud. I heard the door unlock then fly open. A curly haired woman answered.
“So you must be B, well come in, we don’t bite, at least, well yet” She cackled in a warming tone. She left the door open for me to come inside. I wanted to figure things out before I stepped inside my own funeral. I went in and wondered at how classy it looked inside. Not extremely but classier than the apartment I spent 14 years ling in. In my wondering two teenaged figures came near me, arms crossed.
“So you’re our cousin huh? What kind of name is B? Don’t know how to spell?” The black haired boy dressed in green sneered at me. The other boy dressed in GAP clothing looked stern till he saw the CD I was holding.
“Oh my god is that the new Lady Gaga album?! I’ve been begging for it but never got it! I must have it!” he gasped. The black haired one lost his cool.
“Ash what’s wrong with you?! I told you not to get distracted by ANYTHING!!!” he huffed in a deep teenage voice.
“Yes but this is Lady Gaga! You have no class Meeko and I’m going to ignore you now” The so-called Ash sassed Meeko and crouched down to my eye level.
“Can I see the CD please?” I only blinked, looked at the CD, then blinked at him again.
“Um I can loan it to you for a bit if you want” I whispered to him. This is the last thing I’ll probably be getting from my dad so I don’t plan on letting it go so quickly. The curly haired woman from before came back.
“I’m sorry if these two are bothering you” she smiled then smacked both of them on the head, “This is Meeko and this is Ash, they go to the high school, and they’re two of your seven cousins” I gulped at the word seven.
“Oh sorry, I’m your aunt Caitlin, I’ll show you to your room right no if you want” She gestured kindly. I can’t believe this is what my mom complains about. Maybe she’s hiding something. I followed her upstairs. The hallway kind of looked like a hotel; hallway instead of a home.
“And this will be your room mate, isn’t that right Jacque?” She yelled directly the boy with a perm. He turned around with a displeased look on his face. Aunt Caitlin left so I decided to unpack my belongings on the bed across the room.
“You may be my cousin but I don’t like you” He sneered in my ear. I daydreamed of what I should say to him. Instead I ignored his comment. He probably goes to some prestigious prep school so I won’t have to deal with him when I get beck to school on Monday.
After I put what little I have in my half room away, I tried to go down stairs. Once I walked out the door it was madness in slow motion. On my left was an older looking boy with a red and blue Mohawk, a leather jacket, camouflage, and bandanas tied to his pants. I couldn’t help but gawk.
“Come here little girl, for a better view” He gestured with his index finger. I etched away slowly.
“That’s what I thought….” He slid down the railing while talking. I couldn’t get over what I just saw but with out a second though a tall girl with a light colored pony tail comes chasing a silver haired boy around my age.
“I didn’t do it!” He screeched.
“Yes you did pee on my desk!” She screeched back while kicking him all while running down stairs. This house is a freak show stuck on cinder blocks.
“Out of the way noob! It’s dinner time!” The boy with the perm even tried to push me out of the way. I stood there for a bit then shrugged and followed the freak show downstairs.
Dinner was seated around a round table and looked just like a frozen dinner commercial. A big menu and happy faces, all that was missing was a dad.
“So anything going on lately?” Aunt Caitlin asked everyone. No one commented. The only sound was that of clashing utensils or chewing mouths.
“Fine to the newest member of this family, B, what’s going on with you?” She beamed at me. I had nothing to say.
“Um, we’re talking about babies in health…..” I vomited words that were pasted together by sweat.
“Really, that’s all?” The Mohawk rebel looked at me.
“Shush, Beowulf let her speak” She shushed him. I was glad he interrupted me. Anymore and I would have said something about AIDS.
“Don’t you dare touch my food!!” The tall girl from before shouted. The silver haired boy poked her plate. She smacked him right to the floor.
“Nimbus get up you’re being annoying! Riley, you keep that up and you’re going to kill someone one day” Caitlin screamed at them. I was scared at the sight of the throbbing vein on her neck. The boy with the perm poked me and pointed at me to go.
I did so and crept up to my shared room. I looked at the Lady Gaga CD for a minute but put it away. I don’t think this woman will help me right now. I put it away and slept.
“Miss Rone please wake up that’s very impolite, and you wouldn’t fall asleep if your real teacher was here, right?” A substitute sympathetically pleaded, waking me up. Yes, I would fall asleep if the real teacher was here.
“Miss, it’d just B, I don’t like being called by my first name” I told her. She nodded and went back to her desk. At least I’m away from that house. I laid down my head again. I heard a crash of books on the desk next to me.
“Um B, this is Jacque he’ll be your partner for the rest of this school year” The substitute beamed with her hand on Jacque’s shoulder. He sat next to me with a disappointed look on his face
“When were you in this class?!?!” I screeched at him. He glared back.
“I’ve been here for months you’ve just never noticed” He hissed.
“Hey cousin, I didn’t know YOU were that emo looking girl in the front” It was the silver haired boy, Nimbus, putting his cold hand on my shoulder. I furrowed my brows at him. Soon everyone sat down. I ignored what the sub said for most of the hour, but I paid attention when she talked about graduation.
“Now since next week is your 8th grade graduation, I think you’ll want it to go out with a bang. Who wants to give a speech?” The sub persistently asked the class. The room went silent and everyone looked away. Jacque’s hand went up right away and he got the honor by default. I rolled my eyes at the propaganda pedestal Jacque was on. High school is probably just another training course with bigger and deeper obstacles. The sub walked my way in a huff and slammed her hand on my desk.
“I’ll leave you with the honor of helping Jacque write the speech since you take this graduation so “serious” she hissed. She must be a ninja if she could notice that one second of me rolling my eyes.
The rest of the day was strange. Nimbus and Jacque were in a few of other classes that I never paid attention to.
I never thought the school bell could sound like death before. When it rang I just gulped hard and packed up my stuff extra quick. The sooner I get out of here, the sooner I can get lost walking home and get filed as missing.
The first step I took outside, someone stopped me right away.
“B! Wait! You’re not walking home are you?” It was Nimbus calling me. Why’s be being so nice? Yesterday he was being a total jerk to Riley.
“Mom told me yesterday that someone’s going to pick us up everyday from now on” He wheezed. He must’ve run across the school to come get me.
“Who’s picking us up then?” I asked. He just shrugged. A nearby car honked presumably at us. It was the two stooges from yesterday, Meeko and Ash. Ash was in the car while Meeko was walking towards us in a slow motion. He had sun glasses on and every girl glancing had a smile on her face afterwards.
“Will you move it already?! I’m not waiting around just because you got junk in your trunk and you want girls to stare at it!” Nimbus shouted at him. His cool expression grew into an aggravated one. He took off his shades and started running this way. Nimbus gestured for me to go to the car. I waited till Meeko chased Nimbus into the school to do so. When I got to the car Ah barely noticed I was there. He was texting some one.
“Oh hey B, how’s it going?” He smiled at me. I looked down at his phone and read the message.
“Why does that message say xoxo to Derek?” I whimpered at my suspicions.
“Well I just might be going out later with him” He wasn’t ashamed at all, maybe proud.
“So you’re…….?” I asked sheepishly.
“Yes I am bisexual’ He announced. That was almost what I was going to say but at least I know why he likes Lady Gaga now. Meeko came back with his shades on and Nimbus in his fist. Nimbus just smiled and waved.
At home everything was the same no one really talked to me but still intimidated me.
“B, do you know where Jacque is? He hasn’t called and it’s getting late” Caitlin whispered to me. I shook m head in confusion and started my way up the staircase.
“But a twelve year old boy shouldn’t be out on a Monday…..I’ll call him” She answered to me or herself. My eyes widened.
“He’s in my class, and he’s only 12?! I’m freaking 14! How can be two years younger than me and be in my class?!” I shouted to the point of tiring myself out.
“Well I let him skip a couple grades so that’s why” Caitlin defended, still trying to call Jacque. I saw no reason to stick around so I just went to my room. When I got to my room, the CD was there staring at me.
“Lady Gaga you really are everywhere. Especially in my worst nightmares” I ranted at the cover of the CD. The only word that I took in on it was monster. On the back one of the titles was “speechless.” I raised an eye brow at this.
“B! Get down stairs now! Jacque is missing!” Caitlin ordered me. I took the CD and CD player with me and ran down stairs. Jacque isn’t my favorite cousin in the world, but he’s family.
The car ride with Caitlin was deathly serious. I had nothing to say and neither did she. Behind the mask of welcome she wore was a fear of losing the ones dear to her.
“Okay, let’s start looking here” She sighed. I got out with out hesitation and looked around. We were parked near a wooded area. I have a feeling this is a swamp. But I’m willing to get bit by an alligator if it’ll mean something to my aunt. I felt brave so I decided to play the CD in my coat pocket. It starts out with a love song. Oh well it sounds cool.
I looked for hours for Jacque, yet I couldn’t find anything. After awhile I realized something, why look in a random swamp? I don’t think he was anywhere near here. I went back to the car.
“Hey Aunt Caitlin, I don’t think he’s here, besides this isn’t anywhere near where he would be I think” I tried confronting her. She didn’t react at all.
“This is where he used to go when he was younger, so I thought he just might be here” She whimpered looking down. I felt guilty suspecting anything. We both got into the car and just waited in silence.
The next song was “Monster.” Something I felt exactly like. I don’t know why but I just do. Breaking the silence was a cell phone ring, Caitlin’s.
“Hello? Where’s Jacque? There? Fine but if you’re wrong….alright I’m on my way” She talked into the phone and hung up, “B, we’re heading to the school right away.” She floored and drove straight away. I barely had time to realize the next song, she drove so fast.
By the time we got there I had already been knocked off my seat from Caitlin’s crazy driving.
“Aunt Caitlin, you drive like a dumped heroine addict!” I shouted from the back.
“Don’t joke around with me!” She hollered back at me. I sat back in my seat, afraid her crazy would be coming out soon. We both got out of the car fast as we could and ran inside the school.
A call from Ash and Meeko brought us to the gym. Jacque didn’t seem athletic. Why would he be in the gym?
“We don’t know where he is but an on campus officer is searching lockers” Ash, concerned, told Caitlin. Meeko stayed quiet. I stayed quiet also. Just like background music I was there for the mood but not many people noticed. He had a somber look on his face.
“We didn’t find anything else but this one sticky not” He handed out the note. Meeko grabbed the note deciding to take some action.
“It doesn’t make sense all it says is I’m so happy” He stated confused. It was very ironic in a way. The song playing was “So Happy I Could Die.” It ended quickly though. The next song “Speechless” played, it matched the room.
“Check this gym locker for all we he could be in there” Caitlin demanded the cop to do. I followed the cop, forgetting Jacque was a guy or where his gym locker would be. I didn’t care though. All I cared about was finding Jacque.
“Officer, do you know even which locker Jacque’s is?” I stood there watching him wonder. He shook his head. Everything was till as speechless as this song.
After awhile, the after school coach told the officer the combo and found the locker. I grabbed the combo on the paper and immediately opened the locker. There wasn’t anything vital but clothes and a sticky note. It said “I could die.” The officer grabbed the note from me but couldn’t recognize anything.
“It’s a song! So happy I could die!” I screamed at him. This probably means he is already dead, that he was dead when they wrote the note. The cop was still confused. I sighed and looked down. On the back was more writing. I grabbed it to take a closer look.
“If this note leaves you speechless then I’m dancing in the dark. What the heck?” I asked myself, knowing he wouldn’t help me. And like that the song changed again. He stared at me while I realized something. Seconds in the singer was screaming. It was a smack to the face. She sang “baby loves to dance in the dark, cause when he’s looking she falls apart, baby loves to dance, loves to dance in the dark!” I ran out immediately.
I knew just where Jacque would be, in the dark. I broke into the Tec Ed room. I turned on all the lights but found nothing. Why would you place a body in an obvious place like a dark room? You can just switch on the lights again and find it immediately. I sighed and leaned against the wall. I had given up. I felt an absence on the wall though. I turned to see it was a sliding door. I backed off the door. There was a sign on it with big red letters.
“Black and White photography. DARK ROOM: Lights must be turned off AT ALL TIMES or photos will be tarnished” I read aloud. This had to be it. I ran back and got the cops to check for me, being right only brings happiness at a certain times. Now would never be that time.
As it turns out I was right about Jacque’s death. None of that made me feel right. I wish I was wrong. The fact that I’m right just puts Jacque closer and closer to Heaven. At least I hope he’s glaring at us from heaven.
“You must be an A student to have figured that out” Another cop told me through the window.
“Thank you for helping us find my son, good night” Caitlin dismissed the cop and started the car. I barely noticed the song change again. It was a telephone song.
“Stop calling, stop calling, I don’t want to think any more!” The singer screamed into my mind. Same here Lady G, same here. I stopped the CD once the song ended.
At home I ran directly up stairs seeking closure. Instead I found anguish. Half of the room was his. He didn’t like me the first second he aw me. Be he’s been dead for hours and I miss him. Maybe it’s guilt. I never called him to tell him we left school. And deep down I wanted to kill him myself. The guilt made my mind go blank for the rest of the night.
“B, wake up, I have to tell you something quick” That sub was still here and more oblivious than ever. That talk I had with my father a month ago is replaying in my head once again.
“What is it?” My inner thoughts were undetectable in this voice.
“Well we’re moving the graduation up to Friday for reasons and I think you’d want to represent the 8th grade for you cousin” The sub suggested. I said nothing hoping she’d understand my feelings for this.
“Okay, here’s your speech, practice often” She cheerfully slammed the speech on my desk and left. I glared at her from a far and sighed. Is she doing this just to push me over the edge?
The bell rang quickly today. I knew what I needed to ask the sub and it needed to be asked now. I wandered over to her desk taking deep breaths through my nose. About to confront her I heard an extremely familiar melody.
“Oh hey, B didn’t notice you there, what’s up?” She turned around and asked.
“What’s that song?” I whined, losing my pride fast.
‘Oh just this fame monster album, it’s kind of creepy but cool” She smiled that creepy smile, it was unnerving. This is more than a coincidence. I ran out the door and to the exit just to take my mind off of suspicions.
I was planning on walking home today, and launching the missing child’s report into action. Yet Ash and Meeko stopped me to the car and probably home. Meeko got Nimbus too.
“Ash can you get up like at all? Because these two are getting fat and you should at least open the door for me!” Meeko shouted at Ash. He didn’t pay attention. He was stuck texting once again. Meeko was willing to choke hold me while slinging Nimbus over his shoulder but he wouldn’t raise a finger against Ash. I didn’t say anything the whole ride home.
Friday came earlier than I wanted to this week. This speech will ultimately be the end of me, in one or more possible ways. I took deep breaths as the sub introduced me. Why does she call the shots for every single little thing?! Don’t the other teachers do anything any more?
“I’m sorry to say, Jacque Elric couldn’t be here today due to his departure. May he rest in peace, but his cousin Rone Bajonett Matice is here to read his speech for him” She left the podium immediately. I had started using the printed speech as a support but it didn’t feel right. This was his speech not mine.
“I’m glad to say this year is going out with a bang and-“My mouth shut when I saw my dad there. Lattice was with him too. They were having a kiss, “Many of us are leaving with various bonds in our hands” I saw my mom and sisters in the very back also. They all had their half smiles on.
“Some bonds are new, others are unforgettable, while the rest shall be broken or renewed, those are the ones that will raise us higher, but we will leave with friends on out sides” I barely know what I am saying.
In the front rows were Meeko and Ash arguing. Beowulf sat there, zoning out. Riley and Nimbus were still at each others’ throats even with Caitlin in between them. My long pause was making people gossip in front of me.
“That’s it, I’m done being wall paper. Whether you know me or not, I am the one with the microphone today, so listen” I let loose like a tornado and couldn’t control it.
“B, I think you’re done” The sub whispered to me and grabbed the MIC.
“I think you did the first part better than Jacque would have” She whispered again. She was smiling her infuriating smile. That was the last piece to fit the puzzle before someone flipped the table over. I grabbed it back from her.
“NO you sit your behind down!” I went back to the podium,
“Do any of you know who murdered Jacque? This woman right her did! She lost her cool and killed him. Then she staged away to find his body so that someone else would be blamed! You would never expect HER to like songs like that but she does! You love them so much you would use them to plan a murder, sick” I was word vomiting all over the stage. The sub’s eyes were as big as the moon. She looked at the shocked audience and ran. I ignored her and moved on.
“Now to confront someone else, dad you can fall in love with anybody anytime but now was the worst time. Like Mom said this isn’t high school, it really is marriage and what you do affects everyone. Just look if you don’t believe me. I’m you’re daughter and I have to tell you this. Mom, thanks for every thing but I can’t get why you scream Caitlin’s name every time you’re mad. She’s not as bad as you think. This brings me to my extended family. I’ve only been with you for a week and I already know more than I did before. I know that first impressions are everything. I know that background music completes everything. And I know now that family is made up of the people you truly miss at the end of the day. Even if they were complete jerks” I took a deep breath and dropped the M IC flat on the stage. I walked off with my pride finally walking beside me. I looked into the audience to see my speech got through to my parents. They were smiling with each other.
“Aren’t you glad that we adopted her first?”
“Yeah I think I am”
I think I’ll walk home now.
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