Chapter 6 Just like Saturday and Sunday, Monday is a dreary and bleak day. Rain pours from the skies and I have a mood to go with it. My aunt refuses to let me walk to school because it's pitch black out, which is "dangerous", plus I would slide down many hills and slopes thanks to the sopping grass. I reluctantly get into the car with my cousin, who didn't seem too happy about the arrangements. "Why didn't you just get a ride from Maddox?" she scoffs as we get closer to the school school. Speaking of Maddox, I've been thinking lately; I think I'm going to cut ties with him as soon as this project is finished. I thought he had potential to be kind and nice, but I don't see it as of now. Besides, I'd rather not be friends with someone who constantly puts me down. His words on Saturday took a large chunk from my self-esteem and I have a feeling that's what's in store if I decide to stick around. And I honestly don't need any more negativity in my life. Speaking of negativity, I don't need to sit and dread coming home because of my cousin. Being quiet and respectful didn't keep her from hating me; I may as well do something to justify her feelings. "Why don't you mind your business?" I snap, which catches her off guard. Her car swerves slightly in the rain. "You might want to watch where you're driving." "You might want to watch your mouth," my cousin snapped. "Have you forgotten that I'm supposed to drive you home later?" "Have you forgotten that I have legs?" I snapped. "I'm capable of walking, in case you weren't aware." "Yeah, have fun walking uphill in the rain," she bites back as she comes to a halt in the parking lot of the building. I get out of the car and walk up to the school, grumbling unhappily. And I have to deal with her and Maddox in first period. Oh joy. + + + The week goes on slowly. I don't talk to Maddox and I'm beginning to think that we'll never get this project done. I'm grateful when Friday swings around. I'll hopefully be able to get some of this project done on my own. And who knows? Maybe Maddox will come around, stop being such a jerk, and actually decide to actually help me. Or maybe the moon will turn neon green and grow a face. I'm relaxing in the living room, watching television, when my aunt calls us to dinner. I shuffle over to the table with a grumbling stomach. I didn't get a chance to eat lunch today, mostly because I was avoiding the cafeteria and I didn't have money to buy anything from the vending machine. Cassidy and Winona keep trying to get me to sit at their table, but I keep declining. I stay away from the cafeteria altogether. I'm afraid they'd use brute force to get me to go over there, where I'd be faced with Maddox. Vivica comes trotting down the steps and drops in a seat at the table. "Hey, mom, mind if I go out tonight?" she asks with a large smile on her face. The only time she grins is when she's being malicious or when she wants something from her mom. I try to pretend that I'm not listening as I scoop some potato salad onto my plate. "Where to?" my aunt responds with a curious look on her face. "Well, Chelsea's having a sleepover," my cousin begins. Lie. Maybe it's because I've used this lie so many times that it translates to 'I'm going to a party' in my head. I stare at my aunt and see that she's completely and utterly clueless. "You can go...only if you bring your cousin," my aunt concludes and I choke on the potato that I'm slowly chewing. "Mom, I can't just invite other people to Chelsea's house," Vivica explains, growing a bit panicky. "If you want to go, you'll figure something out," my aunt retorts dismissively. About two hours later, at eight o'clock, my cousin walks downstairs dressed in casual clothes, which I know she'll change out of eventually. I simply follow behind Vivica, waving at my aunt as we exit the house. "You girls have fun! Love you both!" We get into the car and she turns on the music, effectively tuning me out. I honestly don't care; I'm way too lost in my mind to even speak. I'm knowingly going against my parent's rules. But if I would've stayed behind, my aunt would've asked why I did so. And with my time begin here, I've come to learn that she rarely takes 'I don't feel like it' as a valid answer. I couldn't tell on Vivica; that would come back and bite me in the rear end repeatedly. I sigh and tell myself the same things I would whenever I'd do something worth feeling guilty about back home: what my parents don't know won't hurt them. We pull up to the party and my cousin parks and takes her keys from the ignition. As she gets out of the car, I sit there for a few more seconds only to be interrupted by her annoyed voice. "Get out of my car," she snaps. Shooting her a glare, I get out and begin walking towards the house. I feel my stomach tie into a knot and I begin shaking out my hands. I don't know why I'm nervous; it's not like I haven't done this before. Maybe it's because I don't have my friends with me. That seems like the most plausible reason. "Don't try and tell my mother about this either because I'll make sure everyone knows why you're in Harrington," my cousin threatens me over her shoulder. "Do you even know why I'm here?" I ask her and she shrugs off my question. "When I text you, it means we're leaving. And don't think I won't leave without you," she snaps at me. I roll my eyes and tuck my hands into my pockets as I follow her into the house. It takes only a moment for her to branch off. I don't bother to follow her. Instead, I make my way to the living room, which is the most crowded part of the house, but I'm used to it. I'm immediately shoved against the wall by a crowd of dancing people. Thirty minutes later, I hear a considerably loud yell and I realize that it's someone calling my name. I looked over and find that it's Cassidy, who's standing by Winona. I approach them and Cassidy is the first to speak. "I didn't know you were going to be here!" I nod at her with a slightly annoyed look on my face. "I didn't either!" The music is deafening and it takes a lot out of me to shout over it. "Can we go to the kitchen or something?" Winona yells, clearly feeling the same as me. We make our way to the kitchen, where it's considerably quieter. "Who are you here with?" Cassidy asks me in her usual speaking voice. "My cousin, what about you guys?" I ask curiously. I hate myself for wondering if he's here. "The usual group," Cassidy responds with a shrug. "We were going to invite you to come along but Maddox told us not to," Winona shrugs with an eye roll. "Probably because he doesn't want you to see him drunk," Cassidy explains with an entertained smile. "Why? What's he like drunk?" I inquire with raised brows. How can he get any worse? "Give it another hour or so and you'll see," Winona grins at me. + + + After an hour of conversing, we set out to find Maddox and the rest of the guys. It doesn't take long. They're outside in the cold playing a game of beer pong. Cassidy's snickering and Winona has a smirk on her lips as we approach them. "Watch out, he's a happy drunk," Winona whispers the warning to me.