The Ties That Started It All (The Ties Book 3)

3: Sibling Rivarly

Annabelle

During lunch, Jessica gives me the rundown of what happened after Coach Barnes kicked me out of cheer practice yesterday.

“Cynthia tried to suggest that you get kicked off the team and she take over as cheer captain,” Jessica says and rolls her eyes.

“That girl has been trying to steal my spot since she joined the team last year. What is her problem with me,” I scoff.

“Well, I think she’s jealous that you’re prettier than her AND that you’re still captain even though you failed multiple classes.”

“I’m not the smartest girl in school, but I am pretty and I’m a damn good cheerleader and cheer captain,” I boast.

“And you’re a damn good friend, too,” Jessica smiles. “So about the game tonight… Coach still sitting you out?”

“Yeah,” I exhale. “So you’re team captain for another week or so. Depending on how my math test goes next week, will determine if I’m still on the team.”

I hope Isabella came through with my homework. It’ll help me study for the test. If I fail that test, Cynthia will finally get what she wants. Cheering is all I have going for myself and if I expect to get into college, it’ll be through a cheerleading scholarship.

After lunch, I head to my math class. The teacher immediately collects homework, saving me for last. I hold my breath as she examines my answers and glares at me. I nervously smile at her because her glaring is making me uncomfortable. After peeking at my answers, she surprisingly smiles and says, “Hm, maybe there’s hope for you after all.”

She walks away and I quietly sigh with relief. I just need to make it through this class by whatever means necessary. As she proceeds with her lesson, I think about what Jessica said about Cynthia wanting to take my spot. I also think about if I’ll actually make it into college like mom and dad keep hoping for. Andres didn’t go to college. Why do they expect me to?

The bell rings and I realize I spent this entire period not paying attention or taking any notes. We have more homework to do over the weekend. Hopefully, Isabella is willing to help me out while we’re at dad’s. I make my way to the lockers to collect my things. I don’t see any of my friends because they are meeting up to hang out until the game tonight.

I see Isabella and Marisol off as they walk to the trolley to go to the library before heading home. When I get home, I collect my things and head into the house.

“Mamá, I’m home,” I yell and drop my book bag by the door.

“Hola, mija. Espera… Dónde esta tu mana (Hey, my daughter. Wait… Where’s your little sister?),” mama asks when I announce myself.

“La biblioteca (the library),” I answer and make my way to my room.

Andres comes out of the kitchen with an apple in his hand and grabs me.

“You let her go to the library by herself,” Andres angrily questions after biting his apple.

“First off, she’s not alone,” I snatch away from him. “Marisol is with her and second, she’s almost sixteen. She’s old enough to look out for herself.”

“You’re such a shitty sister,” Andres complains.

“So I’m a shitty sister because I let Bells walk to the library and home with a friend? Are you serious?”

“Yep. If I had known, I would’ve taken her.”

“You didn’t know, so get off my back, Dre,” I shout at him.

“Or what,” he fumes and walks toward me.

“Oye Sofía! Ramón,” mama shouts and frantically waves her hands to separate us. “A tu cuarto, puñeta (To your room),” she barks at me.

I storm off, groaning to myself. Andres always gives me s**t about Isabella. If I was worried about her safety, I would’ve gone with her. The library isn’t that far from the school or the house, and Marisol is with her. Everyone always overreacts about Isabella.

I lay on my bed, still angry that Dre called me a shitty sister. Dad will be here in two hours. I could study… but I could also call Daniel. My book bag is by the door and I don’t feel like going back out there and seeing Andres or having mama fussing at me. I’ll call Daniel. I take my phone out of my pocket and dial his number.

“Hello,” he whispers.

“Hey. It’s me.”

He plays dumb like he doesn’t know who I am and I call him out on his bullshit.

“Oh, Annabelle. Hey, what’s up,” he whispers again.

“I just wanted to talk. My i***t big brother started bitching about my little sister going to the library by herself. I need a little cheering up to lighten my mood. You ready for the game tonight? I wish I could cheer so I can see you. I love seeing you play. You’re so good,” I gush.

I await his response, but he doesn’t say anything. That’s strange because he never turns down a compliment or an opportunity to hook up.

“Daniel?”

He still says nothing, and I hear some slight background noise.

“Helloooooo?! Daniel? Are you there,” I shout into the mouthpiece.

“Huh? What,” he stammers.

“Did you not hear anything I said? I said I wish I could see you. You think we can hook up before my dad comes to get me for the weekend?”

“We can after the game tonight, I guess,” he mumbles absentmindedly.

“What’s wrong with you? Is everything okay, Daniel,” I ask.

“Listen, can we talk later? I got to go,” he whispers once again and hangs up.

Why did he hang up on me like that? And why was he whispering? Daniel has never acted like that before. He always seems so happy to talk to me. So much for me venting. I fall back on my bed and stare at the ceiling.

~ One Hour and Thirty Minutes Later ~

“I’m home,” Isabella announces.

I hear Andres and mama greet her. I race out of my room to be petty.

“Oh, look who made it home safe and sound,” I taunt.

“What are you talking about Anna,” Isabella questions confused.

“Apparently, I should’ve looked after you and taken you to the library,” I remark and eye Andres.

“What? I didn’t expect you to take me. I was fine catching the trolley and walking. Plus, I had Mari with me,” she replies.

“Oh well, what do you know? She didn’t need me or expect that from me,” I obnoxiously point out and look at Andres.

“Enough, Annabelle! You made your point. You and Andres need to stop acting so childish,” mama scolds. “I don’t understand why you two are always fighting.”

“I just want what’s best for my baby sister,” Andres mutters.

“News flash! You have two baby sisters, coño (pvssy),” I yell at him.

“Yeah, and one is so self-absorbed that she doesn’t look out for the other!”

“Guys, it’s fine. I’m fine, so please stop this,” Isabella reasons.

I’m so angry I storm outside and sit on the porch. About forty-five minutes later, a black Cadillac arrives and the horn beeps. I go back into the house to collect my bag.

“Mamá, papi ya llego (Mama, daddy just got here),” I shout and grab my bag.

“He wasn’t supposed to be here this early. Mari and I just got here,” Isabella grumbles.

“It’s almost five, Bells. You weren’t supposed to spend so much time at the library, nerd,” I tease.

Andres and mama come outside.

“You kids ready,” dad asks and opens his arms for a hug.

“Daddy, can you give Mari a ride home please,” Isabella asks.

“Bella no, I can walk,” Marisol objects.

“No, Mari. Not by yourself,” Isabella argues.

“I’ll take her home,” Andres suggests. “I ain’t staying with Andre this weekend.”

“You never stay,” dad argues. “And what did I tell you about calling me Andre? I’m your father and I don’t care that you are twenty-one. No matter how old you get, you are still my son and I demand your respect!”

“Respect you,” Andres smacks his lips. “Imagine that! I’ve never been your biggest fan and I have to work anyway,” Andres hisses. “Don’t worry Bella Bear. I’ll take Marisol home… if that’s okay with you,” he says to her and she grins.

“Oh that’s no problem at all,” Marisol giddily gushes.

“Ramón,” mama snaps, “sigue siendo tu padre (he’s still your father)!”

“No me importa (I don’t care),” Andres fusses. Fvck him!”

“Fvck me? Boy, I oughta put my foot up your ass” dad huffs as Andres and Marisol walk toward the backyard. “He’s gonna make me put my foot up his ass! You girls ready? Let’s go.”

Andres gets in his Jeep with Marisol and Isabella and I get in daddy’s car.

“I’ll bring them back Sunday night,” daddy tells mama.

Mama nods and waves at us. The car ride is silent except for daddy occasionally huffing from his encounter with Andres.

“Wait… don’t you have a game tonight,” Isabella questions me, breaking the silence. “Daddy, can you take us,” she asks in that angelic voice and faces dad.

“Annabelle, why didn’t you say something? I could’ve just picked you girls up after the game,” daddy responds, annoyed.

“Yeah… about that,” I nervously giggle. “There is a game tonight, but I’m not cheering. Coach sat me out for a few games because my last math test wasn’t so good. That’s why I didn’t say anything.”

“Oh, that’s why you needed me to do your math homework,” Isabella blabbers and daddy cuts his eyes at me.

“Really, Bells,” I chuckle nervously, trying to mask my anger.

“You need to focus up, Annabelle,” dad chides. “It’s bad enough that you’re repeating your senior year. I’m surprised the coach even let you stay on the team. Now if you were more like your sister, you probably would’ve graduated early. Hell, even your brother graduated with honors! You should take notes from them. Then maybe…”

Here we go again with the comparisons. Dad never lets me live down the hype of my sibling, especially Isabella. You should learn from Isabella. Isabella is such a good daughter. Why aren’t you more like your sister? I hate how much I’m compared to her.

I’m fuming. Why would she even say that in front of daddy knowing how he gets? I can’t believe this! I pull out my phone to text Daniel so I can vent, but he doesn’t respond. He’s probably with everyone getting ready for the game. This is going to be a shitty weekend.