“So, how was your first day of high school?”
“The usual, a few people making cracks about me and not having friends in any classes, it looks like I’ll be busy with work though, I have all honors classes.”
“Gees, you don’t ever get a break, do you?” Ricky questioned.
“The only problem I see having is Honors Biology when we get to genetics.” Madeline leaned forward.
I looked at my tray, then realizing how many issues she was going to have. That teacher didn’t have much of a filter either. I never had that teacher, but that didn’t stop him from stopping me in the hallway to ask questions about my dad.
“You’ve been doing better about ignoring them, haven’t you?” Ricky continued.
“I have, but it also helps I’m taking an honor’s sophomore class instead of the people in my grade.”
“I’m still waiting for the day you’re in either my grade or Sawyer’s over here.”
“She’s supposed to be in your grade, Ricky,” I commented flatly, giving him a quick look then biting into my lunch.
Ricky’s eyes went wide, and his neck snapped in her direction.
“They wanted you to skip how many grades?”
“At the time, I didn’t think skipping four grades would be a good idea, and I’m glad I didn’t.”
“That would have been fun to have you in my grade.” Ricky smiled.
“Oh yeah, a thirteen-year-old among a bunch of eighteen-year-olds would be oh so fun.”
“There are some people that are Sawyer’s age of seventeen.”
Madeline raised an eyebrow at him.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Let me just go tell the school board that since some people are only four years older than me, I change my mind that I will become a senior.”
I gave a small laugh at her and her sarcasm. Ricky and I taught her sarcasm when she was little, but boy did my father freak when he found out. It was worth being grounded for a month for that lesson.
“Well, hey there, Madeline,” Justin chimed in as he put his foot down on the table. I was so happy to have Madeline in-between Ricky and me at that moment.
“Hi, Justin.”
Madeline went back to talking to Ricky as I kept my eyes glaring at my friend Justin. He wasn’t to go near Madeline that way, ever. She was a sweet innocent thirteen-year-old, and he was far from that at seventeen.
“So how much longer do you evil upperclassmen pick on us, freshmen?”
Her big green eyes sparkled as she tried to pretend to be hurt, but I could see the smile trying to restrain, which was hard for her. Despite all the crap in her life, it didn’t take much for me to make her smile. When she wasn’t smiling, she was terrified, shaking for me, and I’d have to find that laughter again.
“I resent that kid, we’re not that mean to the freshmen, and TV makes it more dramatic than it is. The little making fun is more on who is making fun because some are real scum.” Ricky laughed as he put an arm around her to give her shoulder a slight squeeze then went back to eating.
“So, I thought I’d let you come with us this weekend to celebrate your first week of high school.” Ricky commented, looking at me too.
“I’d love to,” I answered and turned to Madeline, whose smile vanished. “However, Madeline has a conference with my father she has to go to.”
“I don’t want to go, but every day brings me closer to that dressy event in December that he drags me to every year.” her voice grew quieter with each word as she picked at the bread of her sandwich.
“Tell me again why you can’t just stop doing these things?” Justin asked.
“Oh yeah, because it’s just that simple,” she mumbled.
“You’ve met my dad, haven’t you?” I inquired of Justin as Ricky’s eyes narrowed.
“So, Miss Madeline, would you like to come home with us today instead of the bus?”
A small laugh came from her.
“Are you sure there will be room?”
Ricky let out a loud short laugh.
“I have an SUV remember?”
“No, sorry I don’t, remember I’m held hostage at home unless the timing fits, Sawyer’s father.”
I hated that man for how he treated her; I already didn’t care for him. My dad didn’t treat her well. I always thought I treated her well, but Ricky has commented about how much of a soft spot I had for her. Ricky has asked me a few questions as well about our relationship. I always brushed it off. How could I care for the source of why my mom left? I still don’t get it; mom would have loved Madeline. Mom would have loved to have helped Madeline get ready for her first day of high school. My mom leaving never made sense to me, but I wasn’t able to find her to question her.
“Hey, don’t worry about it kid, between me, maybe Justin, and Sawyer, you’ll always have someone to be there for you.”
“Thanks, and I know,” Madeline whispered, looking at Ricky, but I was holding her hand under the table, squeezing it.
“Come on, Dad; just lay off her for once in your life.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about, son. You’re still a child yourself, but you will understand the importance that she means for the whole world one day when you’re older.”
“Dad, do you even hear yourself? You don’t even deserve to have us!”
“Oh, shut up!”
I was getting sick of these yelling fights between my dad and me.
