chapter 7

Quick recap. So you got to learn about my little standoff with Marcus Liebel back in tenth grade. While we were in the locker room we got into it a little bit. Later, in gym class, I got hit with the ball during volleyball. You know now that I think about it, who was it that hit me? Oh well. Anyways,  I woke up in the nurse's room after that. I was supposed to meet Erica at my locker. At least that's who I think the nurse was talking about. I hope it wasn't Mr. Fisher's daughter. Now I'm walking to room four ten with my little sister Andrea. We're going to see Mrs. Graham at the chess club. 

"Hey, did you get all your homework from your locker? I don't want to have you forgetting something again."

"Don't worry I have everything."

"Good, because this time I would have made you go to your own locker and get it."

"So, you said this new girl might know something about our family?"

"It's just a hunch. You know how I am suspicious of everyone."

"When are you not? You're always suspicious when all your gushers are gone. I blame that incident on why you became that way."

"We were kids and that's just overstretching it. Also, that one time you actually ate all mine."

"It was that one time. Pretty sure mom ate it all the rest of the time."

"So who eats gushers and doesn't throw away the box? Not mom. You know that night I was really looking forward to eating them while studying the complexity of matter manipulation. The piece was written by…"

"Please don't start, I can't understand smart people's language."

 "It was a great article that deserved being absorbed with gushers. Well, anyway I just can't help feeling like I've met her before. I don't know honestly."

"Hm. Is that so? I thought it would be something interesting. I can't help you out brother, I have zero relationships experience. All the boys in my grade just want to rack their girl counts. Oh, the bell just rang."

"We should hurry before the hallway gets crowded. And who said I was looking for relationship advice?"

As you can tell my little sister and I have a pretty close relationship. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for her. As we made our way to the first floor, Andrea grabbed on to my arm and latched closer to me. I'm guessing because all the bigger kids around tend to scare her. And being four nine must be a whole different story for her. Is it embarrassing? No, not at all. When you do things for family, especially to make them feel safe. There is no shame or embarrassment. It's more happiness.

As we make our way through the hallway of heavy traffic. I ended up running into Jasmine and Valerie. Who both appeared to be waiting for me. My sister who is still clinging on to me as if we just walked through a horde of zombies. Has the look of resentment towards Valerie. You're probably wondering about Valerie, but that's a story for another day.

"Aaron, you're finally here."

"Hey, Val. And hi Jasmine."

"Hello, class skipper."

"We went over this before, I don't skip class. Anyways,  before we get off-topic. Has Mrs. Graham arrived?"

"Well, Mr. Smarty Pants Aaron, do you see her around?"

The nerve on this girl is completely just weird. I bet she's still holding on to what happened this morning. 

"Not yet. Jasmine and I just got here about the same time. No else has shown up either. I think she's going to cancel."

"Why do you say that Val?"

"Something happened with her husband at home. At least that's what I heard from some of the other kids."

"Hey, I know you guys are having a discussion. But Aaron, who is that little girl clinging on to you? She kind of looks familiar. She's not your secret girlfriend is she?"

What is wrong with you Jasmine? She's really pushing it today.

"You've known him for how long Jasmine and you can't reorganize that's his little sister?"

"Wait, Andrea?! What happened to your long hair??? It used to be so long. I just never saw your face."

"That was mean, what you said to my brother. You better apologize. And I cut it. I'm disappointed you didn't recognize me considering all the times I've walked home with you and my brother."

"Oh my God, you're so cute with it cut. And I guess I'm sorry Aaron." 

"Don't touch my head. And you're getting too close to my brother. And you Val whatever your name is. Your hands are the dirtiest so don't let me catch you coming close to him." 

"Andrea, come on. Be nice to them. Sorry guys she's just overprotective of her big brother. Especially if girls are involved."

"Well, Andrea, I don't know what you mean by the dirtiest. But I can tell you this, I highly respect your brother. I'm not that type of girl."

Before it went any farther I decided to officially put my foot down. Valarie still thinks I don't know who she is. So she'll continue to lie. I don't like lies so I didn't want to keep hearing them out of her mouth. 

"Alright, that's enough." 

I could tell Andrea was getting mad as well. She's clenching on to my arm so damn hard. Just why are you still holding on to me? Everyone has left already. 

"Well, the reason Andrea and I are here was to tell Mrs. Graham something. I won't be able to attend the chess club."

"You told me during class you'd be here."

"And you also told me in the morning you'd see me later."

"Well, later did come so…"

"Andrea, that's enough. Well, to both of you I apologize. We have some things to do at home. My sister and I."

"What kind of things? What could be more important than the chess club?"

While Jasmine asked that question. I scratched my head trying to play it off. I was able to take a glance at Valerie and saw her cold angered eyes looking at Andrea. No wonder my sister was still clinging on to me. I brought my sister in closer to me and turned around without answering Jasmine's answer. 

"Just tell Mrs. Graham we have family issues to deal with. And honestly, I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend the chess club anymore." 

"Huh? Aaron, come on. You're acting really strange."

I walked off.

→ Valerie 

"Is it me or was there something off about Aaron?"

Valerie stood there in shock. Completely oblivious to the question Jasmine asked.

Without a doubt, he knows. I don't know how he knows, but he does. Just how did you find out Aaron?

"Hey, Valerie are you ok? You don't look so good."

"Oh um, yeah I'm fine. Just felt a bit light-headed that's all." (Damn, just how did he find out?)

"Well alright. Here comes Sam and Mark now. It looks like we're still having chess today. Come let's go inside."

→ Aaron

As Andrea and I walked home all I could feel was frustration. 

"Are you ok Aaron?"

"I should be asking you that." 

"I'm alright. But you looked really scary back there."

"Haha, really?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you don't have to worry. I can handle myself, besides no one messes with your big brother. You said you wanted cheeseburgers, right? Well, I think we're out of cheese."

"I went to the store to pick up some yesterday."

"You little...you had this all planned out, didn't you?:

"That's a secret."

"Come on let's hurry home. And you can let go of my hand now."

"Oh right."

I hope Erica isn't mad that I ditched her. That was kind of rude of me. Maybe I should text her to let her know. Ah, actually on another note I'll wait till tomorrow to explain myself. 

My sister and I finally made it to our neighborhood. I would say it's a fifteen-minute walk there. We live in a pretty well off neighborhood. Big houses all around with pools and all. Most of these people are doctors, investors, small business owners, and some CEOs. Our house is the very last one, but it sits up on a hill. For me walking up here is a piece of cake. I mean what kind of athlete would I be if I could walk up a hill. My sister on the other hand gets tired pretty quickly. So I usually end up carrying her bag for her while she races to the house first. Did I mention there's a gate at the bottom of the driveway? It's finally good to be home. 

"Andrea, what are you doing in the fountain? You're going to get your uniform wet again."

There's a fountain that sits in the center of the driveway. It does a loop around it. Every day she tosses a coin in there wishing mom and dad safe travels.

"Hold on I'm just tossing the coin."

"Alright, I'm heading inside. I'll start dinner. We can do some of your homework while I cook. Which subject do you want to get out of the way?"

Watch it's going to be math. 

"Math obviously. Why do you ask that every time?"

"No reason, just checking to see if you're not an alien disguised as my sister."

"You know I wonder about your sanity sometimes."

"You know going insane could mean you're using another part of your brain. We just don't have the technology to know for sure nor do we understand. Psychology degrees mean nothing when truly experiencing it."

"You know I'm not sure if half of that makes sense. "

"Haha, see what I mean? Maybe I'm already insane."

"Weirdo." 

"Baby."

"Smartass." 

"Better than being a dumbass."

I headed upstairs to get changed. And made my way downstairs to the kitchen and started preparing dinner. Oh Right, our parents. Well, they travel a lot for work. My father owns a big corporation called Wheeler Industries that is well known throughout the world. They specialize in technology, medical research, and many more. And my mother owns a modeling company called Rosé. 

My parents have always been hard workers. But the thing I love about them the most is they'll take weeks or months off to be with my sister and I. When we have any activities going on at school or celebration they always come. My mother and father both have a great relationship. They are too close sometimes. Blah. When they are home for a long period of time we go on nature walks and eat dinner as a family. 

It feels good knowing their main priority is my sister and I. I've known quite a few kids that aren't so lucky. Yeah, life may seem easy because I'm smart, popular, and run track. Or come from a rich family, but at the end of the day. Both my parents worked hard to get where they were. Both didn't have much growing up and they taught my sister and me well. That's why we don't go around telling people who we are or where we live. Personally, I just don't like telling anyone. I just want to fit in and hopefully find a place where I belong.

That's one of my secrets I keep from school. Honestly, I like how we do things. I don't even think the world knows both two of the well-known CEOs have children. At least to my knowledge. I'm just glad that last month they said this month will be their last time traveling around for long periods of time. So they will be working in our city. New headquarters buildings are almost done. They did a merge with both of their companies. 

Again, you could say my sister and I have it easy, but we never went to some fancy school. Or got special education. We lived normal just like any other kids. We earned what we wanted, never given. She and I both got taught the meaning of working hard for something. Honestly, it feels good to work towards something and earn it. I'm thankful I wasn't raised spoiled even if your parents are billionaires. 

"Man, you work fast, don't you?"

"Finally, decided to come inside?"

"Don't answer a question with a question."

"Hey, quit taking my lines." 

"Still didn't answer my question."

Damn, she got me good there.

"Yes, I work fast. There. Now bring your math in here."

"Oh, ok dad."

"Funny."

A little time passed and dinner was finally ready. During the time I was making it. I had to write multiple equations for her. Andrea seems to understand the homework more when I teach her. She's a great student who also is in the honors program with an IQ of ninety-seven. You were so close to one hundred little sister, but I'm proud of you. My guess is she probably struggled with the math questions. She gets A's in all her classes except math, which she only gets B's. We decided to put the homework away for now and eat. We had some light conversations about school and plans for the weekend. 

After we washed the dishes together and headed right back to the homework after. Here and there she got frustrated only this time it was science. By the time we finished, it was a little bit after nine o'clock. She went upstairs to take a shower and most likely will be watching her show in her room. I stayed downstairs in the living room with the light dimmed down. Listening to music while working on the homework I missed for computer class that was online.  

Some time passed and I finished my homework and studying. That's when I received a text from Erica. 

EE_… Are you able to come outside for a moment? I'm at your house.

[~~~]

→ Erica 

End of Episode 7