Knee Pads

04 | rink rash

          I pinched my nose bridge. "It's probably a rewarding system. Behave, do good, get rewards. Including visits."

          "I suppose." She let out a pensive sigh. "I know you're probably busy, but try to stop by every now and then, will you? Even if you're still angry"—I gritted my teeth, as that remained the understatement of the century—"we're still family, after all. I'll let you know when Jordan's team asks us to drop by for an appointment, but don't become a stranger. You're my baby."

          Even if it wasn't her intention, my mother had successfully managed to make me feel guilty. I knew I couldn't avoid them forever and, even if I decided to not visit them, they'd drag me out of the campus to have dinner somewhere, not to mention I had to be there for Jordan's appointments. He was the main reason why we'd all moved to Connecticut and I knew I had to get over my pride.

          I couldn't resent my own brother. That was excessive, even for me, who was pathologically, physically unable to not hold grudges or get over anything that happened to me, ever, and my anger was primarily directed at my parents and Theo, wherever she was. She was still living her best life in California, surfing and getting a tan, while I had been shipped off to the other side of the country.

          "I should go," I told her, hoping she wouldn't notice I wanted to avoid the subject as one ran away from a feral grizzly bear. "I have tons of homework to do and I have to help my roommate plan a party."

          "A party?"

          "Yeah." Katrina's face was brighter than every star in the galaxy at the mention of my birthday party and I sincerely hoped I wouldn't end up regretting giving her a chance. If that sorority party had been of any indication, there probably would be plenty of alcohol, which I was far from excited about. "You know, for my birthday. I'll be turning twenty-one."

          I shouldn't have to explain that sort of thing to my mother.

          "I haven't forgotten your birthday. I hope you know that, Wren."

          I exhaled through my mouth. "Of course."

          "Your birthday gift is waiting for you here, at home." This was not home. Home was California; if the gift was metaphorical, she was certainly referring to my old life, the one where I reigned with an iron fist. Theo could classify, too, in a way, but I had been dodging all her communication attempts ever since classes started, so she would have to wait. "Come over whenever you can. Love you."

          "Love you, too."

          Once she hung up, I fell to Katrina's bed, trying to ignore the smug look she threw my way. She immediately straightened and presented me a list of party ideas, which she had been writing while I was on the phone. It felt like a douche move to tell her I had only used the party excuse to get my mother off my back and I truly had been trying to make an effort to not shut Katrina out, so I kept my mouth shut instead.

          She told me she wanted to run all her ideas through me, as if I had a choice, but that she was also late to meeting up with her friends, so there was only one option. I could tag along instead of sulking in our room, like I had been doing ever since my first day, and, though I didn't appreciate the tone, I had to admit she was kind of right.

          Not that I would say that out loud, obviously. I still had some self-preservation left in me.

          My main issue with Katrina's friends and hanging out with them was that it meant having to be in the same room as Corinne, in one way or another. I was certain she and her posse had all had a nice laugh over how she had soaked me in dirty water on that first day and, even worse, about how I had immediately jumped into bed with Marley later that day.