My Sister's Keeper

Chapter 3

Again, her alarm clock awoke her at 6am. She huffed but threw the cover off her not letting the bed tempt her into submission. She did her hair, curly and down today framing her face. Her makeup was subtle and maybe a shade to dark from where she was now a tad paler but ultimately it looked good. She chose a flowery top that hugged her frame and a skirt that flowed to just above her knees and she chose the cutest pair of wedges to complete her look. She went over to the mirror once again and looked at her reflection. She had to admit, that even though the summer had changed her looks, that she looked stunning.

She drove to school and walked right up to Sophia and her cheer group. “I would like to be a part of junior varsity.”

Everyone’s face was a mix of shock and confusion as Sophia said, “You have to try out, but I am sure I could talk them into seeing you today.”

Josie let out a gasp and said, “try out? are you serious Sophia? Everyone knows that Nora and Isla were the best fliers on the team. There is no reason for her to try out. Besides the fact that there is a spot already open on junior varsity from where Sadie and Kate were promoted to varsity. Just give her that one.”

“I can’t just give it to her; she has to prove that she will show up.”

Josie was about to interrupt when Nora put a hand on her shoulder sighed and said, “no Josie it's OK. Tell me when and where Sophia and I will knock their socks off.”

With that Sophia gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and walked off. “Let’s practice people.” but Josie stayed behind to talk to Nora.

“Nora, you know she has no right to do that. You should be with varsity. She knows that. Making you try out for junior varsity is an insult to you.”

“She just wants to prove she is in charge. She probably thinks that I am out of practice and maybe she is right. But I'll be ready.”

The girls smiled at each other and went their separate ways when Sophia yelled for Josie to participate or be gone.

The last year at this institute Nora thought as she entered the grand doors of her school. Her sister should be by her side. They should be running this school, prancing before everyone in their varsity gold with purple hemmed school-colored uniforms. Nora felt a little sick and a little lightheaded while walking completely alone down the familiar halls.

It didn’t help that everyone was gawking at her and whispering to one another. She caught some words as she passed like her sister’s name, and I thought she was missing too. She tried to hold her head high and seem as though she had not heard anyone. She passed by her sister’s old locker, and it was covered in candles and flowers and pictures of Isla. it made her stop dead in her tracks. It was a shrine as if she was dead. That angered Nora, because it seemed that they just did this to not feel as bad when they went on about their lives. Her sister should be here. She should be the youngest girl to become part of the varsity cheer squad. Isla should had been a sophomore walking with her squad.

Nora wiped a tear from her cheek, looked over her shoulder and kept walking to the office. Her guidance counselor ran up to her as soon as she saw her. Nora put up her hand and said, “I am fine Ms. Keegan. Honest. I just want to find my classes.”

“I understand, but if you ever need someone to talk to.”

Nora knew everyone was trying to help, but she was tired of strangers asking about her personal thoughts. It wasn’t their business. She took in a deep breath and tried her best to seem polite. “mhmm…. yep, I do know now, thank you.” She took her schedule from the office worker and closed the door.

First period was History with Mrs. Pierce. A grumpy old woman with a slumped spine that made her so short and fragile looking that she could barely look even the shortest of people in the eyes. But Nora was not short she towered over the slight figure in front of her. She handed Mrs. Pierce her schedule and Mrs. Pierce just nodded toward the empty chair in the front of the class not even bothering to look up.

Nora was not known for being the best student. She was hoping to ride out cheer long enough to get a scholarship for college. And history was not helping her spirit at all. Especially with Mrs. Pierce dull monotone voice which didn’t show an ounce of any emotion. It was enough to put her to sleep. So, her mind started to drift.

Back to the party where she left Isla with Delilah. She went with Remi, Ezra, and Josie to the docks. At the docks was already a crowd of familiar faces, Gideon of course and flanking him like guard dogs was twins Elijah and William Scott, and then her breath was knocked out of her by the sight of Spencer James. Her eyes drifted from his shaggy blonde hair, rustled like he just brushed his fingers through his locks, and then to his massive arms and shoulders, and then back up to his eyes. Piercing deep gray blue eyes that were staring straight back at her. She bout stumbled back when he gave a cocky crooked smile right back at her and she averted her gaze. He was immaculate. A tall, beautiful god, like one of those Greek statues. Her mouth started watering. And then a book slammed on her desk waking her from her daydream.

She wondered if she was drooling when she looked up in horror to find Mrs. Pierce looming over her. “I understand your predicaments Miss Quinn, however I cannot show favoritism in this class. So, if I find you dozing in my lectures again I will have to write you up. Do you understand?”

She looked around to discover class had already been dismissed. She just nodded her understanding with her teacher and then her teacher gave her permission to leave.

“Well, that went well,” she said as she spotted Josie walking down the hall.

“What happened?”

“She is just so boring. I hate History so I dozed and daydreamed the whole lecture away.” Josie just snorted her understanding, and they fell in line side by side like old times and everything seemed a little better in the world. They both stopped at the door to English 12 and smiled at each other. At least they got 2nd period together.

As if reading her mind Josie said, “you can sit next to me. I’ll have Remi move.”

“You might as well let him take you out. You are as infatuated with him as he is with you.”

“I will have you know that I told him he could take me out this Saturday.”

Nora giggled her response, “about time.”

English wouldn’t be as daunting she thought. Especially as the door opened and standing there in all his glory was Spencer. Just as she remembered him. Like 6’4, shaggy white, blonde hair, muscles protruding from everywhere, and as she went to look into his eyes found that those dusty blues were staring holes right into her own and she stilled and stopped dead in her tracks.

Josie ran right into her, and they both fell to the floor. Spencer and Remi ran to help the girls up and as Spencer’s hand enveloped Nora’s she felt a hot spike run down her fingertips. She felt heat rising into her cheeks but managed to make eye contact with Spencer long enough to realize he felt it too. Once she was back on her feet they jumped apart and he ran his fingers through those white curls messing up his hair and gave her an apologetic smile.

Josie eyed the pair and gave Nora an approving glance and hurried Remi away. “My knight in shining armor, would you please do me the honor of showing me to my seat?” Remi held out his arm for her to take answering, “I would be honored.”

Nora gave her a grateful nod. “Thank you, Spencer. I don’t know what came over me.”

He smiled that perfect smile, “Well it seems that I have that effect on you.”

Stuttering over her words, “I surely don’t know what you are talking about.”

Cocky as ever he just grinned and walked over to his seat. Which as Nora noted now that Josie had Remi move was right beside her. Oh god she thought. How on Earth am I going to make it through this period?

***

At last, the bell rang, and Nora tried to hurry and put her belongings into her backpack but dropped her pencil right in front of Spencer’s path. She paled as he bent down and picked up the pencil to give it to her. She felt like she couldn’t move. She just stared up at him and finally he smiled that cocky side grin and mouthed something that Nora didn’t quite hear. Time seemed to pause when finally, she was jerked back into reality. Embarrassed when she realized she still had not took that damn pencil from his hand.

She grabbed the pencil and ran out the door not waiting on Josie. She heard walking behind her and looked back to find Sophia walking towards her.

“Try-out will be today at the football field. 3pm sound good?”

Nora just nodded when Spencer walked up to them and he said, “try-outs? try-outs for what?” And to Nora’s annoyance Sophia smiled a big white grin at Spencer. “Junior Varsity seeming as Nora has lost her spot on varsity due to her ummmmm….. lack of attendance.”

Nora scowled and Spencer barked, “junior varsity? She earned that captain spot Sophia and you know it. Someone smart would question the fact that you had coveted that spot and how now you miraculously have taken it from Nora.”

“Took it? it was a group decision.”

“Yeah, and one that I heard you petitioned for to claim the throne from Nora.”

“Nora has not been here. We needed a captain that was dedicated to the team above all else.”

“She had just lost her sister. I mean sorry Nora I didn’t mean it like that.”

Gaining her confidence by the minute, “No, it's ok Spencer. I know what you mean. But Isla and I were not there and with my sister’s disappearance I had not put any effort into the team. The show must go on. I can’t have any special treatment. I understand where Sophia is coming from and 3 sounds fine.”

“Oh Nora, I knew you would see it my way. Your stay in the hospital has humbled you.”

Like a stab in the gut. Nora eyed Sophia, no one was supposed to know about her stay in the hospital other than the Josie, Sophia, and the teachers. Having her dirty laundry aired out like that in front of Spencer of all people made her feel vulnerable. She ran off not returning a glance in acknowledgment when she heard Spencer say, “what do you mean the hospital?”

***

Thankfully she hadn’t seen Spencer or Sophia the rest of the day feeling as if she would lose her nerve for tryouts if she had. She didn’t want to think about her whereabouts this summer being known to the whole school and everyone pitying her or wondering if she was sane enough to join society.

She went straight to the locker room and tried on the purple uniforms with the gold hems. Oh, how the mighty have fallen she thought. She went out into the field and seen all the Varsity and Junior Varsity staring at her from the stands. She looked around the bleachers for a friendly face and saw Josie smiling in encouragement sitting next to Remi and to her horror Spencer. Spencer looked her up and down and gave her an approving smile. She tried to recover quickly when she looked down to see Mandy the JV captain waiting for her at the 50-yard line and Sophia seated next to her with the evilest smile on her face.

Here it goes she thought.