doesn't seem disturbed at all.”
“It's just a front he puts on. Don't you see? What do you think happened to Eric's friends that disappeared? How about the ones that died? We knew those kids, they seemed nice. Those kids were a mess, probably Eric's doing.”
“Why would he bother, Kade?” I leaned my head to the right, trying to comprehend.
“He doesn't care about anyone. He wants everyone dead.”
I considered Kade was just assuming about Eric's wishes for everyone around him, but I knew he was being dead serious at this moment. And it terrified me. He shifted his gaze and I took another sip of my drink.
“On lighter subjects,” he said, gazing at an abstract painting on the wall, “who are you going with to Kristen's party?”
I tilted my head. “You, obviously. Right?”
“Yeah, I thought you were going with Janaki.”
I thought for a second. “Is Janaki going with Jake?”
He nodded.
“Then I'm not going with her.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You don't like Jake?”
I gazed at him, wide-eyed. “You should know by now that I don't like Jake! Where have you been, Kade?”
He backed away in his seat. “Why are you all mad at me? You never said anything.”
But I shook my head furiously. “Whatever.” I noticed the pregnant waitress coming our way with a round tray in her right palm.
She set the tray down for a second at the edge of our table. “Here you guys are,” she placed the plates on the in front of Kade and I. “You need anything else, some napkins...refills?”
I eyed my drink, which was half-empty. “Maybe some more?” She nodded and was back in a flash with a pitcher. “Anything else?” Kade began eating, and I grabbed my fork.
“No, thank you.” I smiled. “I have to say, you are absolutely glowing.”
Her green eyes lit up. “Oh, thank you! My husband teases me, saying that no one would really notice my full belly, let alone complement me.”
“You're married,” my voice loud in surprise.
“Psh.” she waved her hand at me. “I'm twenty-four fresh out of college. Trying to find some career at the moment. You guys still in high school?”
I nodded. “Last year.”
“Oh wow.” She said, then added, “I'm Caroline, by the way. And the reason I'm not wearing a name tag is because it's hidden somewhere, in my car... or apartment.” She shrugged.
“I'm Dorothy.” I lent my hand to her and then pointed at Kade, “That's my boyfriend, Kade.”
“How very sweet of you to take her out.” She shook hands with him. “Yup, if only my husband was still doing really romantic things for me. I'm telling you, ever since I got knocked up, he's been sitting around the house, more than ever. I thought that was supposed to be my thing.”
“Is this your first?”
“Oh yeah. We got married in July.”
“So it's a honeymoon baby.” My eyes widened. “That's awesome.”
“You should have seen his family when they found out.” She recalled the memory. “I think my stomach was in the spotlight that whole week.”
We both laughed. Then she got serious. “Oh jeez! My boss is going to kill me! I'm socializing again.” She slapped her forehead. “I'll be back in a little with your check.” She said, gazing at Kade who was almost done with his food.
I started eating mine, not noticing how hungry I really was.
We went on the rest of the night, talking about school, family, and friends. Even down to the extreme random.
When we arrived to Kade's car, I was full, close to possibly throwing up if I ate anymore. Kade started up the engine, and we pulled out of the parking lot.
He glanced at me for a quick second then focused his eyes on the road. His mouth curved into a smirk.
I was puzzled. “What?”
He shook his head and said, “Traded phone numbers while I was in the bathroom?”
“Oh,” I said slowly. “Well...I liked her. She seemed very nice.”
“Yes. And pretty too.”
I glared at him, “Hey now—show some respect to your girlfriend.”
“You know what I mean.” He said. “We haven't had much of the night to ourselves, Dottie.”
I nodded. “School's been hectic.” I sighed. “So much for our romance.” He held my hand and I his through the short car ride. Then we talked nonsense again, until he got me home.
I gave him a long kiss in the car to make up for the night. He whispered against my lips, “Goodnight Dottie.”
I woke up refreshed the next morning. Today was the day that Kristen had this magnificent party planned. I stretched my arms, sitting up in bed. Then I began my trip down the hall to the bathroom. I applied toothpaste on my toothbrush. My sleepy eyes didn't notice anything, but then I heard, “I'm in here, Dor.”
I turned saw my sister on the toilet. I blinked a couple of times before I sighed out, “You should have locked the door if you really valued your privacy.” I spat in the sink. “Emily, why did you say door?”
“Not door,” she hopped off the toilet, “Dor. It's shorter, easier to say. Where did Dottie come from anyway?”
I thought for a minute. Not having an answer, I confessed, “I really don't know. The R's are gone.”
“Exactly!” She exclaimed. I noted her long pink t-shirt that covered her whole body. “So I'm calling you Dor.”
I nodded, still too tired to think straight. “Okay. And you shall be called Em.”
She smiled, excited. “Yes! I get a really cool nickname! I'll tell mom!” She bounced out of the bathroom, leaving me alone. “Thank you.” I said quietly, shutting the door.
When I was done in the bathroom (which took only two minutes after Emily left) the doorbell rang. I didn't think anything of it.
But then mom hollered out, “Dorothy! It's for you!”
“Hmm?” That was odd. I walked downstairs, still in my tank top and sweatpants—hoping to God it wasn't Kade or any other guy for that matter. I didn’t look my best.
“Dottie!” Janaki exclaimed, her backpack around her shoulder, brown sunglasses a top her head. She was walking through the doorway, while my mother closed it. “The party's tonight. And when I got up this morning I realized that I had nothing good to wear. And then I thought of you, you have tons of nice clothes!”
I put my finger up to my chin, “Well that's not much of a deal for me—”
She nodded. “Then I grabbed my bag and brought over the finest clothes that I think would look good on you. Also the ones I never catch you wearing.” I caught her mischief grin.
Uh-oh.
“Oh that's right. There's a party tonight, isn't there?” I forgot mom was still in the room. She nodded and wagged her finger at me. “Don't you dare do any drugs or drink.” She looked at Janaki. “Same goes for you. I know you're mom will kick your butt.”
Janaki smiled. “Always a pleasure to hear you lecture, Mrs. Fane.”
Mom laughed, she loved Janaki. Pretty much the only friend mom trusts. I've had a hazy past, filled with the worst influences.
“Would you like some breakfast to eat, Janaki?” Mom asked.
“If it isn't too much, whatever you guys were originally planning.”
“Fine. Pancakes it is.” Then mom headed back to the kitchen. Janaki and I walked back up the stairs to my room.
She dropped her bag on my bed; it was pretty much shaped like a ball. She unzipped it, and everything inside spilled out like too much stuffing in an old teddy bear. Along with the clothes was a book of math puzzles.
“What's this?” I asked, grabbing it. I flipped through a couple of pages, noticing that it was filled with all her work and answers.
She glanced up from sorting her clothes. “Oh, that's Sudoku. Got it at the dollar store after Mr. Geenie's discussion of ‘unsolvable’ or ‘answer-always-the-same’ problems.”
“You like doing this stuff.” I said,
reading some of the answers.
She went back to her clothes. “Well, it seemed interesting. And I've got to admit, it really is.”
I raised my eyebrows. “No way.”
She blinked at me. “Oh, you don't feel the same way me and Mr. Geenie feel? That's sad, Dottie. I had so much hope for you.” She held out a shirt. “Now why don't you try some of my clothes?”
I love Janaki, really I do. But her clothing style is totally indie! And I'm not saying I hate indie, I just don't like it. A bunch of people taking a stand...for what exactly though? Janaki was indeed indie, all the way. She dressed like it, she listened to it, and the only think missing was her amazing skill at taking those pictures. She also sucked at Photoshop. She told me she didn't have the time of day for that either.
Nope. Too busy don't math puzzles, I guess.
I think it's weird that Janaki just now wanted to borrow clothes. I don't think she likes the way I dress, either. I'm more of the preppy sort, with clothing from those very best preppy stores. I liked them, she didn't. End of clothing story.
I put my arm through one of the sleeves and the other. I buttoned up the shirt a little, then looked in my door mirror.
“That looks so good on you!” Janaki appeared behind me in the mirror, already wearing a bright blue shirt of mine.
I turned. “I'm not into rainbow-ish plaid, Jana.”
She nodded, as if she didn't say that complement just a second ago. She fumbled through some more clothing on my bed, and gave me this long purple shirt. “It's one of those shirts that go up to your butt, you can where them with legging—”
My eyes widened and I yelled, “NO LEGGINGS!”
Janaki backed up, putting her hands in front of her face. “Okay, okay.