You Never Walk Alone

7

Like the average teenager, I hated school. Everything about it irked me. Everything but one thing. Track. I could run forever and that skill was greatly needed in my previous school. In this richer than thou institution, I had nobody holding a stick and chasing me round the block. It was boring if you asked me.

Our P.E teacher had an eye for potential because I was asked to run. I did and barely covered the normal distance I would've in five minutes. I ran the whole track eight times till I was allowed to rest at the bleachers. There were sixteen of us that were picked for this gift and the Jake that was currently headed towards the bleachers wasn't one of them.

“I need a bottle of water.“ He said not even looking at me.

“I'm busy as you will see if you bother to look up from your phone screen.“

He did look up and apparently my flushed and sweaty face was repulsive because he sure looked repulsed. “I'm going to watch a movie with Hazel and she insisted you come along. Just comply so I won't be nagged.“

“Sure. What kind of movie is it?“. There were students staring at me but woe to them, I was trained in the art of ignorance.

“It's left to your imagination what kind of cinema an eight year old would enjoy. It's by 5:30. Come to my house first so we'll go together.“

“Sure.“

I thought he was going to leave but there was stalking in his movements. “You have long legs.“

Girls around us started cooing and it was like Jake changed expressions again. He gave me one last look and left. The coach called us back to run another lap so I could barely focus on what that meant.

You have long legs. Sheesh.

…

It was 5:26 when I was approaching the door of Jake's house. I didn't need to ring the bell because it flung open. I was definitely not expecting to see a huge man carrying a screaming Hazel over his shoulders.

She spotted me and grabbed my hair. “Don't let them take me. Lisa please.“

My brain froze for a few seconds and next thing I knew, I was trying to pry the girl off the man's large arms. He held her with one hand and pushed me with the other. He continued walking towards the black van parked not so far away. I had to do something. Jake! I ran in and almost came to an abrupt halt.

Jake was there all right but instead, he was quietly clearing the dishes. “Jake what's wrong with you? Your sister is being kidnapped and you're doing dishes?!“

He didn't answer me. I shook him but he paid me no mind. I ran back outside but the van was already out of view. I could still hear Hazel's screams.

“If we hurry to the cinema we might still make it.“ I turned to look at Jake like he just grew five heads.

“What are you talking about? Who cares about the cinema when Hazel was just taken?“

“I'll leave without you then. I don't like being late for things. “ I followed for fear of Jake doing something incredulously stupid. He didn't. The drive to the cinema and even when we got there. He barely even said a word not like that was strange. What was strange was the constant twitching and grunts of frustration.

I was too afraid to get close to him let alone touch him. We bought tickets and a huge tub of popcorn and were seated in the cinema. What Hazel wanted to watch was a two hour long Powerpuff girls marathon. I could barely care what was happening on the screen because my eyes kept drifting to Jake.

His eyes were on the screen all right but his mind was very very far from it. Even after the marathon was over and people had left, Jake was still staring at the screen with the same little smile he had since in his car.

“Jake.“ I tapped him gently. He shook a little and stared at me. His eyes were a little bit glossy. “It's over. If we stay any longer, they'll kick us out.“

It was as if he was only now realizing his environment. “Oh.“

I carried the barely eaten popcorn with me as we walked to the parking lot.

“Look, you can get home on your own right? I'll reimburse you tomorrow.“ He looked like he needed a hug and not to be alone. Still, I respected his decision.

“Sure. I'll see you in school tomorrow. Drive safely.“

Throughout my taxi ride home, my mind kept replaying the situation over and over again. None of it made sense but it felt out of place for me to ask. I'd just be meddling.

Reaching Mabel's house, almost all their furniture was packed. I went quietly to my room to drop my bag before heading over to Ryan's. His stuff were in boxes also.

“You're almost done packing.“

He looked up from his computer like he didn't hear my loud ass footsteps. “Yeah. My mom was called in to go tomorrow. We have to leave faster than planned. “

I nodded and he gave me a look. “What is it?“

My shoulders lifted in a shrug. “I just wanted to see my brother for the last time. You weren't such a terrible person you know.“

“But you were,” he teased. “You smell and for our ninth birthday, you almost set the house on fire.“

Another reason Mabel hated me so much was the fact that Ryan and I were born on the same day. It irked her when neighbors called us twins. To her consolation, it irked me too.

“You're bearing too many grudges Ryan. Let them go.“

He laughed and so did I. “You know you weren't such a terrible sister regarding you're the only sister I've met.“

“I'm envious. Felicia is such a bitch.“ She reminded me too much of Mabel but Ryan didn't have to know that.

We stayed in silence for a while and my hesitation was obvious because he asked again, “What is it?“

“Fine. I know you're only close to Hanson and not Jake but what little do you know about him.“

“If you want his star sign and all that s**t, check the we worship Jake tabloid. You'll find what you're looking for. “

I contemplated telling him what happened earlier but it wasn't my story to tell. “I just wanted something not everyone knows. A little insiders gossip you know. About his family, life after school. You know.“

“Do you like him?“

“No. I'm just worried-”

Footfalls made me silent. They belonged to Mabel who poked her head through the door. Her eyes narrowed when she saw me but I guess she didn't care enough to be vocal.

“I hope you've said goodbye to your friends. Our flight leaves early tomorrow morning. “

“Cool.“

She turned to me. “Your father will be the one to pick you up from school. You'll be going back to his house.“

I don't curse often but f**k.