We just had to bring Kase. We just had to go to Sabrina's dumb dog's funeral. Okay, so maybe he's not dumb, but I'm still mad at Sabrina. I know I shouldn't be. I'm working on it. Anyway, I just had to sit in the car for half an hour with Kase and Easton talking about one of those video games most boys are obsessed with these days (and when I say obsessed, I mean obsessed obsessed).
It didn't really matter, though. I just couldn't stop thinking about my conversation with Jace.
So that brings me to now. Stuck in this house I've never seen in my life.
And still, I'm holding a grudge against Sabrina. I space out, thinking back to the whole situation. Mom and Dad don't know Sabrina and I have been arguing. In fact, they don't even know I slept a night floating on water and survived.
They can join my clueless club.
Ha, like I have one.
I do.
In my mind. And so far the only member is me. Just swell.
"Hey, Mom..." I start. She's talking to Mrs. Waller.
"Mom..." She doesn't hear me. I don't feel like raising my voice, especially in front of all the adults here.
"Dad..." I say instead. He turns around. At least someone acknowledges my presence!
"Where's the backyard?"
"Over in the back, of course!" I scowl; he laughs and messes my hair into an even more crazy tangle than before. I roll my eyes just thinking about it.
I leave on that helpful note, and search for a door to the back. I find one.
And Sabrina is right next to it.
Oh, joy! I pretend she's not there, and push past her to get to the door. Her hand stops me. She doesn't take her eyes off her phone when she says, "No one's allowed out there until after the funeral." Her voice seems as much an empty void as her eyes do. Creepy.
"Well, then where's the bathroom?" I just want to find a place to be alone for a while. And in this building full of adults chattering, children laughing, and Sabrina, that idea is almost impossible. No, scratch that. It is impossible.
She doesn't answer me. I don't bother trying to aggravate her. But that's not to say I'm done arguing with her. Absolutely not. Not after what she's done.
I head back to the living room from which we'd entered the house. I sit on an empty couch (and let me tell you, there aren't many) and take out my phone. The thing beeps so loud I squeal. In the corner of the room, I see Kase and Easton. They snicker. Boys. I check what made the noise. A message from Lani. With one last scowl at Easton and Kase, I turn down the ringer. Then I open the message.
Christi! Oh my gosh. I was talking to Jethro earlier and he was telling me what happened when...
I think off into space there. Jethro. I know him from somewhere... oh yeah! He's in my band class! He sits next to Sabrina, and she sure doesn't like it! But he is kind of cute... wait. WHAT AM I THINKING? I slap myself on the head multiple times.
What happened to Old Christi? Where is she and who took control of her mind?!?! Someone save her before it's too freakin' late! I keep slapping. And slapping. And slapping.
What the heck happened to Old Christi? What. Happened. Save. Me. This never happened in old Christi's life. Who am I to think things like this? I've spent all my life hating boys (that is, except Easton and Jago) and now, sitting in a crowded living room being a total nobody, I'm thinking about how cute they are. I mean, I suppose it's normal for anyone to be thinking about that kind of stuff... but have you ever met me? Well... actually, I'm like one of those people who fangirls over characters in books and their romantic lives while slowly wondering why no one has asked them out yet. Yes. In short,
I'm messed up.
No doubt.
Even Sabrina's darn-it cheese can't save me now.
"Hey, Christi." I shudder. I'd know that voice anywhere. Kase, of course.
"Hey," I answer, not bothering to look up from my screen.
"What was that all about?" he asks.
"What was what all about?" I stubbornly press.
Kase looks around, then sits on the couch next to me. I squirm away.
"You know, Christi, you can tell me what was going on back at the house."
"What do you know about that?"
"Now don't come asking me! I saw you!"
"Saw me what?" I answer cautiously.
"Hanging out with that guy. He your boyfriend or something?"
"EW! No way! Gross!" I eye Kase. "Don't you think I'm a little too young to think about stuff like that?"
"Well, you were thinking about it just a minute ago."
"Was not!"
"Were too!"
"Was not! Puh-leese, Kase. You of all people should not be asking me about my own thoughts, okay? I was not thinking about anything!"
"Were too! You thought to yourself: Jethro. I know him from somewhere... oh yeah! He's in my band class! He sits next to Sabrina, and she sure doesn't like it! But he is kind of cute..."
"I did not! Wait, how did you know? Aha! You're evil! I knew we couldn't trust you! Easton!" I call out, hoping to stop the betrayal once and for all.
"Wait, Christi! I can't read minds. Your expression said it all, that's it! Nothing else!"
He finishes his sentence just as Easton comes over. "What's up guys?"
"Nothing! I just wanted to talk to you, and asked Christi to call you over. Ain't that right, Christi?" Kase concludes.
"Yep, it's the absolute truth," I mutter through gritted teeth.
"Here," Kase says, pulling out his phone, "I haven't died yet and I've almost killed everyone!" He shows his screen to Easton.
"Cool, dude!" They race off to another room. I know Kase was talking about the game on his phone, the I haven't died yet and I've almost killed everyone! But I can imagine it just as well, if he said it in real life.
✦
"Christi, get off your phone. Sabrina looks pretty lonely all by herself. Why don't you go over and hang out with her while the adults start setting up for the funeral." Mom pushes me towards Sabrina.
"Sabrina! How are you?" I cringe at my mom's epic fail to start a conversation.
"Well, Mom, that's all right. Boy, actually, I'm hungry. Could you maybe get me some cheese?"
She sighs. "Of course, honey." She disappears into the kitchen.
And that's when Sabrina punches me in the arm.
"Hey!" I say angrily, this being the first time I've talked to her since the night of the sleepover at the beach.
"You mentioned my cheese," she snaps back, but so softly only I can hear her.
"So what?" I narrow my eyes. Things are just getting interesting.
"You know what." She storms away, leaving me glaring. As always.
My phone beeps. A text.
Its number is 6517899246.
And I don't know it.
Unknown: Hello Christine
Me: Who are you?
I know better than to answer a number I don't know. But I... I do it anyway.
There is no response.
"Christi! We're getting lunch ready for outside! Come be a good kid and help out!" Mom calls.
"I'll be there in a second!" I yell back. I look back at the phone. Still no response. I sigh, turn it off, and trudge over to help set up lunch.
"Christi, can you put the pasta salad on the table? It's outside." Dad hands me a bowl (a very large one, to be exact) of pasta, and I head out.
When no one's looking, I sneak a piece of pasta into my mouth. I really am sooooo hungry. No one cares anyway. It's just one little piece of pasta. But it tastes so good!
Before I know it, I've already stuffed five pieces into my mouth. I continue walking, then put it on the picnic table thingy. Sabrina comes out, not bothering to look at me, and sets down a platter of beans and potatoes.
I turn my gaze away from both Sabrina and the food. It's making me so hungry!
I then forget about my hunger for a mere second and say, "Sabrina?" She doesn't answer.
"Look, I'm sorry. I wasn't being a good friend, and I... er..." I pause. I don't know what else to say. She still doesn't turn around, more or less answer. I finally say, "Fine. Have it your way," and march back inside.
My phone once again beeps. Lani or Garcia maybe? Nope. It's the same odd number. I sigh, and look at the message.
Unknown: We've never met before, but I've watched you your entire life. You truly are special, Christine. We should meet up sometime.
Me: No way! I'm not meeting up with a stranger! WHO ARE YOU?!?
Unknown: You know who I am, Christi. But I will tell you anyway.
"Christi! Meet outside! We're eating!" Easton tells me. I wave him away.
"In a second. Be right there." And then I look to the identity of the Unknown.
Unknown: I am Zaroho.