Four
1184 Words
I hate Mondays... no scratch that, I hate waking up for school. Whoever though it was a great idea for school to start at 8:30 am was grievously wrong. And do you know what else is grievously wrong? my bike's slashed tires. Ma, Linda and I are gathered around it watching in shock.
"I thought Garden Vile was a safe neighborhood" I deadpan.
My bike, my beautiful, vintage, yellow bike splayed on the concrete, tires pierced and deflated. It doesn't look right.
"I should talk to the security" my mother seems to awaken from the daze that we're in, she walks towards the booth right in front of the estate's gate, the determination makes her short legs take long, quick strides.
"I should grab my phone." Linda giggles and bounces slightly on her white Jays.
"It's not funny"
"It is when you consider who might have done it, we can use this to your advantage."
"What do you mean?"
"We used to do this all the time and the only person that must have done it lives or visits this estate often"
It all dawns on me fast. Jude and her i***t boyfriend Chad did this. That b***h!
"You'd think they'd be more original and you'd think you know better than to leave your bike outside"
"I thought it was safe and what do you mean you used to do this all the time"
Sometimes it's like I don't know Linda, especially who she is when she's with her friends, when she's with Jude.
I crouch to grab Betty, my bike.
"No, wait, let me get my phone we can post this and use it to bring more attention to your campaign"
"My campaign?"
"In case you forgot, you threatened to take the crown, how are going to do that without a campaign?" she waves her hand in my face impatiently.
"Now when I come out here you better act hysterical, put on a show, give people something to talk about"
I don't want to give people anything to talk about, the things they say about me are horrendous enough. What was I thinking challenging Jude's crown? Well done Gi, you've brought unneeded attention to yourself. f**k.
I smooth out my skirt, tuck the curls that have escaped from the tight hold of my pony behind my ears. I got this, I can finesse the whole school into liking me, or at least thinking I'm worthy of the crown.
My mother seems to be shouting at the security, I almost feel sorry for him, almost.
"I'm going to put this on my insta story" Linda startles me as she grabs my arm. I don't know how Linda can move so silently, I never notice she's here until she wants me to notice she's here.
"Stand here, stare at it for a few seconds, then act surprised and s**t" She moves me a little further from the bike.
"This is ridiculous"
"Trust me"
"Easy for you to say, you're a theater kid. I'm a horrible actor"
"Think about the fact the you can't ride good ole Betty to school anymore, which means ma will be driving you"
"I can catch your ride with Greg"
"The last time you went into Greg's car you said the smell of strong musky deodorant and toxic masculinity made your stomach turn"
True. Greg's presence is enough for me to puke. I have nothing against the guy... okay maybe that's a lie I have a lot of things against him, the scent and the toxic masculinity barely scratch the surfaces of his problematic behavior.
"I'll have to put myself through that shitty experience again, at least until my bike is fixed."
"Fine, now get into position, I think ma is abut to finish telling that poor man off"
I bend my knees a little and place my hand over my mouth, the need to laugh at how stupid this looks is strong but one look at Linda tells me she's in director mode and no one dares cross Linda the director.
"Action" she yells and moves closer to me.
I cry our frantically "Who would do this?" She moves closer to the bike showing the slashed tires then she turns the phone to herself "You mess with my sister, you mess with me" That's funny, knowing Linda, she'll probably still hang out with her wack ass friend group, Jude and Chad are part of that wack ass friend group, I know I should be used to Linda doing this but it hurts knowing she'll eat lunch with the people that made a fool of me, she'll laugh with them and act all friendly even if she knows they are toxic.
She ends the short video and remains glued on the screen.
"Let me see"
She turns the screen towards me and I burst out laughing. I look ridiculous, my red skirt sways with the morning wind as I act shocked, looking at Betty solemnly, Linda of course looks polished and perfect, she's so good at acting she almost convinces me too.
"See, it's good."
Ma is coming back from the security now, an angry frown etched on her perfect features.
"You better pray Gregg gets here before she offers us a ride" I whisper to Linda.
"There's nothing they can do" Ma announces
"Why not?"
"They don't know who did it but they will investigate ." She sighs "I'll sort this out after work, I have a meeting. Let's go" She motions to the car that was half way out of the garage when we saw my bicycles in taters.
"Actually, we have a ride" Linda explains.
"From who?"
"My friend Greg" she says.
Ma lifts her left eyebrow suspiciously "A friend named Greg?"
"Yes" a faint blush spreads on Linda's cheeks like the warmth of a summer sun's rays.
"I need to meet this friend named Greg."
"Uhm there's no need he's just a-"
Before Linda can even finish her sentence a silver Honda civic that I know smells like deodorant and toxic masculinity pulls up.
"It seems I get to meet this Greg after all" Ma folds her arms looking at Greg's approaching car.
I chuckle "Trust me ma it's not a good thing"
Greg is far from what Linda deserves, but I know she loves him too much to ever care what I say but maybe ma will see through him and force Linda to end the relationship. It'll break her but her heart will be safe from that jerk.
Linda's cheeks are a bright red you'd swear she put some blush on them and technically she did and it's called natural blush. Get it? No? Dad jokes will be the death of me and Greg meeting ma will be the death of Linda.
"Why not?" Ma directs this question to Linda.
"I don't know what Gi's talking about he's amazing." Greg parks in front of us and lowers his window, his face matches Linda's, red as the blood rushing through them.
"Greg" My mother is using her business voice, one that commands attention, respect and intimidation.
- Writer
