Chapter 2: Have You Always Been This Much of a Pervert?-1

I hurriedly put my shorts and shirt on and gather up my clothes. I look down and see a hairbrush and almost pick it up to brush my hair. Then I figure it’s probably Hailey’s, and who knows what that creature has in her hair. I grab my stuff, and quickly leave the bathroom. Fortunately on the short run back to my room, I don’t run into any of the O’Connor’s. I close my door behind me slowly, and put my clothes in the hamper. I plop down on my bed, and grab my cell phone off the charger. I unlock it and see it’s already 3:50. I find it very hard to believe I was in the shower that long. I wonder why Jacob’s already here. There’s one high school in Vernon, and the O’Connor’s don’t attend it. They go to some public school in L.A. Granted; I think their school gets out at 3:30. So that would leave them enough time to get home by now. I go to my contacts, and let my finger hover over Mason’s name before I hit it. “Hey Mick.” Mason says, answering on the first ring. “Hi Mase.” I reply. See Mason and I have a pretty good friendship for a brother and a sister. It could be due to the age gap we possess. Mason is twenty one, and I’m seventeen. Growing up we were best friends, I mean we had other friends, but still. “How are ya?” He asks me, and I hear a male voice in his background. It must be Tanner, Mason’s college roommate. “I’ve been better. What about you?” “I’m just moving the last things out of my dorm. What do you mean? What’s wrong?” He asks. “Did mom and Phil tell you what they did to me? “What they did to you?” He repeats, “Um no.” “They sent me to Vernon!” “Vernon as in Vernon, California where the O’Connor’s live?” He asks. “Yup, that’s the one. I’ve only been here for about three hours and I already want to go back home.” “Wait, but why?” He asks. “Because I hate it here!” I tell him. “No Mick, why did they send you there?” He asks. “Ohhh! Because you know how they’re going to Brazil?” I ask, waiting for his response. “Yeah.” “Well I didn’t wanna go with them, and ya know be a third wheel. So I kinda decided I’d just stay at home, but then mom’s all like, ‘No, you aren’t mature enough to stay home alone for three months.’” I tell him. “What? That’s crazy. You’re seventeen years old. You’re plenty mature.” Mason says. “I know! That’s what I said!” “That’s insane Mick. But hey maybe it won’t be so bad.” “It’s raining Mase. That’s like a bad omen!” He chuckles, “You’ll be okay. So have you run into any of the O’Connor’s yet?” “I did actually. Just a few minutes ago when I was in the bathroom. Jacob freaking walked in while I was getting dressed.” “What? Did he see anything?” He asks. “I’m pretty sure he didn’t.” I say, then decide to get off the subject of how bad my life is sucking right now. “So what are you doing for summer?” I ask him. “Tanner and Sophia, Lucas and Jasmine, and Laura and I are going down to Florida.” He tells me. “Wanna swing by California and pick up your favorite little sister?” I ask him, half-jokingly, half seriously. He chuckles, “Sorry Mick no can do.” I sigh, “I know. Well have enough fun for the both of us. And while you’re out there having the best summer of anyone’s life in Florida, think about your poor little sister who’s slowly meeting her untimely demise.” Mase lets out a hearty laugh, “Yeah okay Mick. I’ll talk to you later.” I sigh again, “Okay Mase. But seriously, have fun.” “I will. You too.” I hang up the phone and put it back on the charger. I sigh and fall back on the bed, my stupid head hitting the headboard. I close my eyes and pretend I’m back at home. I’m at the beach, me and my best friends, miles and miles away from Vernon and the O’Connor’s. “If it isn’t McKenna Bryant.” A voice says, interrupting my rendezvous. I keep my eyes closed, willing the voice to go away. I know whose voice that is. I mean, obviously it’s deeper, but it still sounds the same, sorta. I sit up opening my eyes, and look at him. “Go away Ryder.” I say. Ryder O’Connor. Bad boy of the O’Connor family. He’s a juvenile delinquent, and he deserves to be locked up in a prison. I mean, even seven years ago which was the last time I saw him, he was horrible. He was the source of my torturing. Ryder’s the eldest of the O’Connor’s, and I guess he has to be about eighteen, maybe ninenteen by now depending on when his birthday is. He still looks exactly the same as he did a mere seven years ago. He's got long-ish brown hair, and he's a total badass. “Oh come on Mickey, I missed you.” He says. “Whatever Ryder, just go away. I already don’t want to be here in Vernon, and I’m already having a pretty bad day.” Ryder doesn’t go away; instead he sits down on my bed, next to where my legs are laying. “Wow Mickey, seven years. You filled out nicely.” “Have you always been this much of a pervert?” I ask him, staring up at my ceiling. “Of course. But I’ve gotten much better at picking up chicks. I mean, I was what, twelve the last time you saw me.” I don’t reply, hoping he’ll get the message and go away. Again he doesn’t. Suddenly I feel his hand on my knee, and I jerk away from his touch. “Do not touch me Ryder O’Connor.” I tell him threateningly. “Why not? I make you uncomfortable?” He whispers, getting close to my face. “No you don’t make me uncomfortable, I just can’t stand you.” I tell him, moving away from his face. “So you’re how old now? Eighteen?” He asks. “I’m seventeen.” I tell him.