She Won't Be Lonely Long

Chapter 3: Jaden

                Sienna woke to the sound of her alarm at 7 A.M. She had softball games all day, she’d come home, shower and do it all over again tomorrow. She got ready in her uniform with the number 16 on the back, her favorite number. Once she was about ready, she woke up her mom. Her mom would drive to the game, while the team warmed up she’d nap in the car, then wake up in time for the game to start. Sienna’s mom loved softball more than Sienna if that was possible. Nothing was more freeing to Sienna then just playing catch and losing her head to the focus of the game.

                By the time Sienna and her mom got home, they were both exhausted and starving. Her mom started whipping up some cheeseburger macaroni. Sienna drank some water and took off her sweaty uniform top, relaxing as the air conditioning cooled her off. She was too hungry to shower before she ate. She sat at the breakfast bar browsing her phone as she waited for the food to be done.

                She heard Brody coming up the stairs behind her. That kid was never quiet. He probably smelled the food and couldn’t resist.

                “Hey mom,” he said, giving her a big hug.

                “Hey Brody, what are you up to?” Mom asked as she hugged him back.

                “Mainly slept and played video games. Do you care if a couple of the guys sleep over?” He asked quickly. Mom had a sweet spot for Brody and he got away with nearly everything.

                “Which friends?” She asked, he did have a few friends she disliked, which was rare cause she liked almost everyone.

                “Uhm, Jordan and Troy and Jaden,” he replied, rummaging through the cupboard.

                “I’ve never heard Jaden’s name before, who is he?” Mom was stirring the macaroni about to add the hamburger.

                “New kid at school,” he said, now chomping on a granola bar he’d found in the cabinet.

                “Do I get to meet him before he stays at my house,” she asked, turning off the burner as the food was pretty much done at this point.

                “Uh yeah, sure, Jaden!” Brody called downstairs.

                Sienna groaned inwardly. She was covered in sweat and dirt, her hair was a mess, and she had on a sports bra and softball pants which happened to be covered in dirt and sweat. After grabbing herself a plate of cheeseburger mac, she attempted to look overtly interested in her phone. All the while wondering why she even cared how she looked around him.

                Footsteps thumped up the stairs.

                “Jaden, this is my mom, Melly. Mom, this is Jaden,” Brody introduced Jaden to their mother.

                Jaden smiled and said “Hello Melly.”

                “Hello Jaden. Do your parents know where you are tonight?” She asked curiously, he nodded. “Are you a good kid?”

                “Yes ma’am.” Sienna felt like she knew that was a lie already, and she barely knew him.

                “You can stay but if you bring trouble to my house or my kid, you can’t stay anymore,” Mom sounded serious. Brody had gotten in trouble last year for blowing up a lady’s mailbox. He argued she stole his football so she deserved it. The two friends who were with them have never been allowed back.

                “Yes ma’am.” Jaden replied apparently having very few words for their mom.

                “Alright, let’s go.” Brody said to Jaden, taking off with a plate full of macaroni. Jaden turned, taking Sienna’s appearance all in with a grin, and headed back downstairs

                Sienna finished up her supper, then went up and took her long overdue shower. Afterwards, she came back down, finding her mom asleep on the couch, probably from pure exhaustion.

                “Mom, you should go to bed.” Sienna lightly shook her awake. Her mom mumbled something and then got up and went to bed.

                After retrieving ice packs from the freezer, Sienna settled on the couch icing her shin splints before bed, Criminal Minds playing in the background. She saw movement by the stairs coming up from the basement.

                Jaden stalked into the room. “Hey you.”

                “Hello.” Sienna replied, barely acknowledging him. She was getting pretty good at pretending to be uninterested she thought to herself.

                “Wow, ice princess.”

                “We’ve had one conversation. What did you expect? Best friends?” Sienna said adjusting her ice packs further up her shins.

                “I thought we could be friends.” Jaden replied taking a seat on the couch across from her.

                “I try not to make a habit out of befriending Brody’s cohorts,” she rebutted. The ice packs were making her cold, and she reached to grab a blanket off the back of the couch.

                “Well, I’m sure you can make an exception for me,” He replied smoothly as he snatched the blanket she was reaching for.

                Sienna glared at him. He was in a tight black t-shirt showing off his slight arm muscles, loose dark blue jeans, and black Vans tennis shoes.

                “I may possibly consider it, if you tell me one thing.”

                He raised an eyebrow.

                “How old are you really?”

                “That’s your burning question?” Sienna nodded. “I’ll be 16 next week.”

                Suddenly, there was a hard knock, knock, knock at the door. Sienna peered through the window and saw two police officers at the front door of the townhouse.

                “It’s the police.” Sienna said, turning towards Jaden. At the word police, he bolted. Sienna thought of course, he’s the reason they are here.