Critical Thinking

14

"Throwback Thursday." Vic sang as we were leaving school.

I had a Mickey Mouse shirt on and Cory had a Mickey Mouse hoodie on. Clyde wore a comic shirt while Farley wore a Pinky and the Brain shirt. Vic wore a Wicked shirt and Lily wore an old Astro boy shirt.

Today the school day went by fast. But so did this month, just next Monday it'll be October. My birthday month...which I haven't told the others my birthday yet.

"We're all throwback as the ladies holler back and all the men staring at us with envy." Cory sang and Lily rolled her eyes before linking their arms.

"Come on Cory, we're gonna miss the bus," Lily said and Cory pouted with pink cheeks following her.

"Hey, wait up!" Vic yelled and waved at us before running after them.Farley shook his head as Clyde laughed.

"So we all get picked up today huh?" I asked glancing at them and they both shook their head.

"I should get going before my his leaves me," Clyde said and I nodded. "See ya!" he said running off and I turned to see Farley waving as he walked across the street.

I pouted to myself slightly. Everyone else is usually gone and it's me waiting for my dad alone. Which speaking of my dad....today I'm going to talk to him about Bookie. I felt bad for talking to Bookie last night...okay, in the morning. Last night I felt happy to talk to him. But I will also have to talk to my mom about him soon too.

A loud honk interrupted my thoughts startling me, making me jump slightly. I glanced up to see my dad in his car and walked over to the car then opened the door getting in. After my seat belt on I started chewing my lip.

How was I suppose to start the conversation?

"Uh...dad?" I spoke up and he glanced up at the mirror to look at me.

"Hmm?" he replied.

"So I met this guy....and he's nice..." I said looking down at my feet that seemed to be pretty interesting at the moment.

"Okay..?" he said starting to come to a stop which told me he was at a red light.

"And he's....he's...I met him on an app." I said looking up and he didn't say anything.

I began to chew my lip waiting for his response. The light eventually turned green. I looked down slowly.

"Is that so...? Well just be careful, okay?" is all he said and began to drive and my heart pounded.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I felt lighter, light as a feather. I was sitting up straight and felt joy pour inside me. The corners of my lips raised, so I knew I was smiling. I was so relieved and sat back in the seat. Maybe talking to mom would be easy too.

As soon as I got home dad started making soup, we didn't have a lot of food at home today. I ran upstairs to my room and flopped on my bed. I realized I didn't use my closet much and started to feel slightly bad. Dad had paid for it and I wasn't using it. I got up and took my phone with me then went inside the closet.

After I changed clothes I started painting white dandelions on the wall. I thought it would be a nice addition. I knew my painting wouldn't be perfect but it would at least seem nice to me, hopefully. I felt my leg vibrate and I blushed yelping as I jumped slightly. I looked down to see the shape of my phone in my pocket. I huffed pulling my phone out and held the brush in my other hand.

Of course, it was your phone, silly Oakely. I rolled my eyes at myself. I got frightened for nothing...well I guess it was more of a surprise.

I turned on my phone as I heard loud footsteps. Before I could glance at my notifications like I wanted I turned my head. I screamed at the rush of footsteps and practically jumped out of my skin when dad came out of nowhere.

"What?!" Dad yelled jumping back as I took a deep breath panting slightly.

"You scared me," I said gripping my phone gently and paint brush.

"I scared you?" he said huffing and I nodded shrugging. "You scared me! You yelped and I ran to come check on you," he said leaning against the wall to catch his breath.

"Sorry, dad," I said pouting slightly and put the paintbrush behind my ear.

"It's an okay bug, just don't do that again unless you're really I'm trouble," he said walking over to me then ruffled my hair before heading out.

I mumbled to myself about him messing up my hair before turning on my phone again. There was a message from Bookie, now two minutes ago was sent. I was about to click on it when I thought about talking to mom about him first. I bit my lip, chewing on it then clicked on it. A quick hey couldn't hurt, then I would call mom.

CyberGeek: Hi *waves giggling*

I mentally groaned and facepalmed after sending that. I seem like a weirdo, an awkward weird potato. But I guess that's what I am.

After sending that I went to my contacts, barely even two names in there. I really barely had a real teenager life did I? I sighed and clicked on mom then called her. I tapped my foot gently until she picked up.

"Hey, sweetie." I heard the smile in her voice which made me smile.

"Hey mom, are you busy?" I asked walking around a bit.

"Not at all, what's going on?" she asked sounding more concern now.

"O-Oh um nothing bad...really," I said glancing around at the walls.

"Oh, well is there something you wanted to talk about?" she asked and I swallowed gently.

"Yeah....so I made a new friend....well I've made many new friends actually, I guess," I said chewing my lip gently.

"That's good sweetie." I could hear the smile was back from her voice.

"One...was on an app though," I said and the silence was thick in the air.

"Someone online?" her voice raised slightly making me wince.

"Yes, mother," I said and I guess that made her snap, maybe she thought I was getting an attitude.

"Why are you talking to people online?!" she snapped and I bit my lip hard.

To think I thought this would be easy like it was with dad. I was so wrong to think that.

"I don't know..." I mumbled.

"Oakey do what now?!" I heard another voice yell and I already could guess who it was. I mentally facepalmed and groaned.

Of all people, she lets her know.

"Oakey! You dating online?!" I heard aunt Tam yell, I guess she took the phone from mom.

I would have covered my ears with her yelling but my heart flips flopped. Before I knew it my face and neck was burning as my hands sweat slightly. My heart was being attacked.

"Dat-Dating?" I leaned against the wall as my heart stuttered with me.

"Don't get catfished now! Catfish actually sounds pretty good. Maritza!" she yelled and I now covered my ears still with slightly hot cheeks huffing.

"She is right honey." I heard a stern voice now, which I was guessing mom got back the phone. "And no catfish tonight!" her voice was slightly muffled so I guess she tried covering the phone but it still hurt my ears.

"I-I'm not dating him...he's just a friend. And he's really nice." I said feeling my cheeks heat up more again.

"A kidnapper is nice at first!" I heard aunt Tam yell.

"Exactly, I don't want you talking to people online." mom said.

"Bu-" I began to protest.

"I have to go now, a co-worker is calling. Love you sweetie, night." she hung up and I frowned slightly then realized I had two messages from Bookie.

I clicked on then sighing. I wasn't sure if I should keep talking to him now....but I wanted to. I bit my lip chewing.

BookerBooker: Hey :)

That was thirty minutes ago. I scratched my head gently. I guess the phone call distracted me from the vibrating.

BookerBooker: Hello?

That was twelve minutes ago. I bit my lip hard before chewing. I closed my eyes taking a deep breath then opened them before exhaling.

CyberGeek: I have to go... Night Bookie...

I felt like a wave crashed over me. My heart stuttered but it was painful. It ached as I stared at the message I sent. I turned off my notifications. So I wouldn't see any sad messages and then turned off my phone. I was halfway done with painting when I heard dad call me for dinner.

It was quiet as we are. I didn't really want to talk about anything and I guess dad was sleepy. I finished my soup and placed my bowl in the sink. There weren't many dishes in there but it would be best to wash them before there were. Dad came into the kitchen walking in like a zombie with the bowl out in his hand. I couldn't help but laugh and I took the bowl sending him away to bed. I washed the dishes with the hope to get my mind off things.

Things like...Bookie.

I went to sleep not feeling exactly right. As soon as I got in bed and closed my eyes they were open again. I tossed and turned in bed, eyes closed tight. I got hot and cold so I would push the covers off then pull them back over me. I don't know when I fell asleep but I'm guessing it was at least before nine, which was a good thing.

I woke up feeling sluggish. I was like my dad last night, he was the same this morning. He drove to my school slowly, I had a feeling I would be acting like this all day. I realized today was Spirit day aka School Spirit. I looked down at what I was wearing quickly as my dad came to a stop since we were at my school. I sighed in relief when I realized I was wearing orange and yellow somewhere as I got out the car. An orange long-sleeved shirt and yellow converses.

When I walked into algebra 2 I saw that Vic had yellow and orange paint on his face. Half of his face was orange and the other half was yellow. Looks like he was really into this. I giggled waving at him and went to my seat as he grinned.

A Friday was always, well usually the best day of the week. But I was still sluggish as I went to art. Cory looked like a football played kinda with the orange and yellow lines painted on his face. He had a whole orange and yellow cheerleading outfit also. Clyde had on his normal orange hat but was wearing yellow gloves. Today we are allowed to wear hats inside.

I got things I needed for class already as so did the others. Farley came in and he was wearing yellow hairpins to pull back his hair. He had on orange shoes and I felt my cheeks heat up. I looked away slightly as my heart flip-flopped and got to work.

Thoughts of Bookie wandered into my head during biology. It made me do things without knowing I was doing them, so another explosion of gas occurred. I got a scolding and talk from Dr. Rodgers.

I sighed softly as Farley and I walked to photography class together. I guess I was spacing out because Farley soon nudged me gently. I probably would have walked into something, but that was normal.

"I something bothering you?" he asked furrowing his eyebrows and I shook my head before he frowned gently but nodded.

When we got to photography I was also thinking about Bookie. I started taking pictures of random things. Mr. Jackstein called me over to his desk when the class was over. Farley was going to wait but our teacher made him leave.

"Mr. Denver...I can tell there is a problem." Mr. Jackstein said entwining his own fingers.

"N-No there's no problem," I said shaking my head.

"Actions speak louder than words, would like to be sent to the counselor?" he asked and my eyes grew wide before I shook my head again.

"No, I'm good sir," I said biting my lip.

"As I have said before, actions speak louder than words. If you need someone to talk to we have a counselor," he said and I sighed nodding. "Okay, you are free to go," he said and I headed my way out then jumped when I saw Farley.

"Woah, hey are you okay?" Farley asked blinking as I had my hand on where my heart is catching my breath.

"Yes, you just scared me." I huffed and he quirked an eyebrow looking slightly amused.

"Sorry, didn't mean to. Let's head to lunch now. The lines at probably long by now." he said and I nodded following him to the cafeteria.

When we came to the table with our trays everyone was already there. Lily was wearing a cheerleader outfit with the school colors like Cory. Looks like we all participated today. There was no fighting today, we all just chatted with each other. It was nice and got my mind off things for a while.

Lily and I talked about how she and Cory could be long lost twins. I laughed and agreed then added to that. I think that I was finally getting more close to everyone including her. Which meant we really are all friends.