Page 32 of Infinity Chronicles 1
“It’s more than enough, everybody else would assume I’d do it for free.” He glances over his shoulder, then cracks his knuckles. “Maybe we could get that burger together?” He’s stiff but smiling.
My mouth falls open, and I feel a tight knot in my stomach, is he asking me out? When I don’t immediately answer Charlie looks away and brings his palm up to the back of his neck.
“Maybe?” I respond hesitantly, hoping he’s just asking to be polite. His eyes squint at the corners when he smiles at me.
With a quick hop he turns around, heading for his truck. Over his shoulder he calls, “See you at school tomorrow Laura.” I’m still standing there dumbfounded when his tail lights turn around the corner. I give into the brief second of panic that I’ll see him at school tomorrow. It doesn’t last though; I have way too many bigger issues to worry about.
In the RV I rummage through the fridge and cupboards for anything that doesn’t make me want to vomit on sight. I settle on a cup of ramen noodles. While I’m waiting for the water to heat in the microwave, I strip off my jeans and grab the first pair of sleep shorts I see crumpled on the end of my bed.
I manage to eat half the cup before I’m ready to fall asleep. I feel like I might be coming down with a cold. My body is achy and sore, and I’ve been fighting off a headache for days. Leaning back on the couch I close my eyes. Images of Dante, Ollie, and Milo come to me the moment I do. Dante standing right in front of me looking down, his lips slightly parted, his light eyes holding me captive. The heat of Milo and Ollie closed in around me.
I rub my shaking hand over my face, trying to dispel the images. I don’t have time to worry about my crush, and these boys’ crazy tricks. Now that I’m alone, away from their overwhelming presence, I can think more clearly. They’re playing games with me, trying to freak out the new girl. Half the school probably knows by now that I fell for it.
I need to focus my attention on my mom. I need to figure out where she is. I can’t make a police report; I’m a few months shy of eighteen. If they knew I was living here on my own, they’d probably try to put me into the system. I could have asked Mike, the camp host, if he’d seen her or anyone else but now it would seem suspicious.
I can’t wrap my head around her deciding to leave and not take me with her. She’s never done anything close to this before. I think over the last few days before she disappeared. Is there something I’m missing? Some clue she was leaving? The only thing out of the ordinary was how much she was sleeping, and the night I woke up hearing her voice. The same thoughts circle around in my mind over and over, until eventually I fall asleep on the couch curled under her blanket.
* * *
I trudgeup the sidewalk to the school. I don’t bother looking around, already knowing what I’ll see. The same thing as every other school day.
The small bowl of fruity pebbles I ate this morning feels like lead in my stomach, but I still packed a sandwich and drink for lunch.
After counting the money I have left this morning, I’m contemplating stopping by the diner to see if Maggie could use me today or tomorrow. The lot rent is paid for the full month, so I don’t have to worry about that yet, but cost of food, and the potential expensive of anything going wrong with the trailer is heavy on my mind. I’ve already decided I’ll just grab a few things from the convenience store when I need them instead of wasting money on gas to drive to the grocery store.
The first couple hours of class drag, every time I look at the clock only minutes have passed. I’m sitting in third hour, doodling on my notes and expecting Ollie to show up any minute. I’m not sure how to act after yesterday. Will he completely ignore me, like he did most of the car ride home? But he never shows up. I make a point to look for him, Dante, and Milo in the halls as I’m changing classes. I spot Delaney and her crew of cronies a few times, but not the guys. I don’t see them all day at school.
* * *
As I approachthe diner I see Dante’s car in the lot. I have a moment of indecision. Should I still go in, or just head home? I could ask Dante if he found my keys. I only have the spare set now, and if something should happen to them I’d really be in trouble.
The question is answered for me when he opens the door, and all three guys trail out, never looking in my direction. I slow my pace and wait for them to enter the car and pull from the lot before I head into the mostly empty restaurant. Maggie looks up with a slight frown. “You just missed the boys.” Her eyes dart behind me to the parking lot.
“Oh, I saw them, they were headed out when I walked up.” I drop my jerry-rigged backpack to the floor and take a seat at the bar away from the other customers.
Maggie’s brow furrows. “I think they were going to findyou.”
I scratch the side of my nose, “Why?”
She gives an exaggerated eye roll. “Something about Ares interrupting you guys’ study date yesterday. Sometimes I think that boy really took that name his momma gave him to heart.”
“That’s Dante’s brother, right?” I realize I just stumbled onto a goldmine. Maggie probably has more information than the guys would ever divulge.
Maggie leans forward on the counter, dropping her elbows with a sigh. “Yes, you’d think those boys hated each other with how much they argue and fight.” She shakes her head slowly.
“Do they?” I question when she doesn’t say anything else.
“Course not.” She stands back looking affronted. “All four of them boys grew up together. Ares is the oldest, so he always took on all the responsibility for them. Only thing is, you can’t be the loving big brother and the father figure too. Sometimes they’re bound to bump heads. Now that the boys are older, and Ares is coming home, I’d assume things will get righted real quick.” She looks at me then with a strange gleam in her eye.
“You know I recognized you the moment you walked through the door.” Her grin is smug. I stiffen, recognized me from where? Maggie continues, not noticing my discomfort. “I know a hard worker when I see’em.” I blow out a deep breath before placing my hands on the counter.
“Speaking of working, do you need any help here today or tomorrow?” I swivel on the stool watching her as she grabs a towel to wipe down the bar.
She eyes me from the side. “You can’t work seven days a week and go to school, I won’t hear of it. Now, how’s about a piece of pie? Gus just made up an apple pie that I’ve been dying for any excuse to cut into.” Maggie drops the towel and heads to the back through the double doors without waiting for an answer.
* * *
The pie isdelicious as promised. But I can’t let go of all the worries hanging over my head. So, I end up smearing most of it around my plate instead of eating it.
