How are your classes going? Are the dorms as crazy as they look on tv? I had my first class, and Justin was in it. I didn't realize he was going here. It's weird being at the house without you. I hope you come down to visit for the holidays.
I miss you.
I sent the email and looked around the room. This side of the library wasn't hectic. It was probably early in the year. I looked at the time again. I had some time to start the essay for the writing class before math. I might as well use my time while I could.
15
Sawyer
Sitting and eating lunch with a couple of friends, an email notification went off. Glancing down, I didn't quite recognize the email, but it was my last name as the address. That was when the subject caught my eye. A smile grew on my face and clicked it.
"Who's the email from?" a guy in computer my class asked.
"A close friend of mine."
I was reading through her email and could feel the air leaving from my lungs. She was out safely. Madeline was okay.
"Girl?"
I chucked. "Yeah, it's complicated."
A lopsided grin formed on his face, and one eyebrow went up.
"Oh, it's like that."
I rolled my eyes. "Kind of, but I'm waiting for her to be a little older. Her living situation isn't the best, though, and I worry about her."
It was nice to be in an area that did not know that I was the clone creator's son. If anyone did know, they didn't care.
"That sucks."
I nodded.
"It does, but things got a little easier so that when I go home, I'll be able to see her."
"That's good."
"She and I weren't sure if her family would let her go to school, but she's at the college by where we live."
"So good news email?"
I smiled and finally looked up.
"Yeah."
Madeline,
That's great to hear! Keep me updated. Now I’ll be home for thanksgiving for sure!
"Come on, dude, you're either working or in class. It's time for you to experience some real life." Jacob, a friend of mine from down the hall, was calling me on my break.
I rolled my eyes. "Sorry that college is completely on me."
I refused to let my dad help pay for school with the money earned from Madeline.
"I get that, and I'm sorry. Come on; there's a party tonight. Meet us there after your shift."
I sighed and rolled my eyes. Jacob and Justin would get along so well. Maybe that's why Jacob and I were friends. I just wanted to go to sleep and not deal with drunk people.
"Fine."
"Great! I'll text you the address. See you there."
I heard the click of him hanging up. I shook my head and went back to work.
The lights and music weren't hard to miss from a couple of houses over. I continued to walk down in the dark. My hands were in my coat pockets. I had unbuttoned the first couple buttons of my white button-up from the restaurant. Jacob waved me down, and I grinned.
"Throw your coat in my car. You won't be needing it."
I took off the coat and threw it in the back of his car. I rolled the sleeves to my elbows.
"Do I look a little less like I came from work?"
Jacob shrugged and took a swig of whatever was in his red cup.
"Would it matter? Are you trying to pick anyone up, or you still holding out on mystery girl?"
I rolled my eyes. My usual response to most things Jacob said.
"I'm not purposely holding out."
Jacob's eyebrow seemed to be stuck high up on his forehead as he stared at me.
"We have girls walking by us in the dorm in nothing but a towel, and you don't even take a glance in their direction."
I shrugged. "I grew up in a house with a girl. They don't like being gawked at when they're in a towel."
"You have a sister?"
I shook my head. "Nope, I'm an only child."
Jacob shook his head with his eyebrows knitted together. "You just said you lived with a girl, though."
"So, are you ready to go in?"
I took a step up the sidewalk.
"Wait, then who was the girl you lived with?"
He grabbed my elbow, and I could smell the beer off his breath.
"Do you know the guy who invited the clones?" I whispered.
His face scrunched as his glassy eyes stayed on me. "Yeah?"
"That's my dad. The girl clone. She lived with us her whole life."
"For real?"
I nodded. Jacob was so far gone, he wouldn't remember any of this conversation. It was better to shut up the drunk Jacob than anything else because he would not let anything go.
"Dude, your dad has to be rich. Why the hell are you working?"
"Because he has a tight hold on his money and saves every cent. He's also an abusive ass, and I don't want any of his money."
I could feel my body heating up.
"Fine."
A girl in a tight short dress with a girl in skinny jeans and a crop top walked by us. Jacob's head followed their turn. I shook my head and made my way through the house. I hadn't gone to high school parties, but I feel like this would still be
