Chapter 3 Raindrops keep falling on my head

“Need a ride?” Dustin asks as he pulls up next to us.

This is not happening. Dustin, who not even an hour ago, was knocking me into the lockers, is now offering me a ride home in his black Camaro.

Sophie stops running and looks up at me pleadingly. Her hair is starting to get weighed down from the water.

I try not to let out a sigh as I nod my head. As much as I want to refuse, I don’t want Sophie to get sick.

Sophie bolts to the car and fumbles with the door handle.

I really do let out a sigh as I reach the car and open the door handle. I adjust the seat, so Sophie is able to climb into the back seat. Once she is in, I slide the seat back into place. I climb in and close the door. As soon as the door clicks shut, the heavens open up and it starts to pour.

“Perfect timing,” Sophie says excitedly as she buckles up.

Dustin doesn’t say anything as he drives forward.

“Thank you,” I say, trying to sound nice. I click my own seatbelt into place.

He still doesn’t say anything as he turns the corner.

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. I don’t want him to think that I am staring, especially after what happened this afternoon.

“So, who are you and how do you know Marcy?” Sophie asks from the backseat.

God, can’t she read the tension that is filling the car and keep quiet?

“We’re classmates,” Dustin answers simply.

Sophie let’s out a hmm. I know that hmm, that’s the sound of her thinking hmm and reading into a situation that she should not.

“I thought you had football practice,” I say, trying to distract Sophie. Shit, that was the wrong thing to say. Now Sophie will know that I know more about Dustin than him being simple classmates. To try and distract myself, I look around the exterior of the car. It’s mainly black with red accents. It’s clean, very clean for the car to belonging to a teenage male.

“Cancelled due to the storm. Coach said to head home instead of just doing indoor practice,” Dustin answers me.

Sophie let’s out another hmm.

Nosy brat, she needs to mind her own business.

“Quarterback?” Sophie asks.

“Yes,” he answers tersely.

“Are you playing on Friday night?” she asks. I can hear the smile in her voice.

“I will be,” he says. “Are you coming?”

“Maybe, if Marcy goes,” she answers sweetly, putting me on the spot.

“We’ll see,” I answer, watching out the window as we pull up out front of Aunt June’s house. How the hell did he know where to go?

It’s still pouring, but now it’s only ten feet to the front porch.

I go to get out of the car when Dustin grabs my sleeve. I freeze at the contact. Taking a deep breath, I turn and look at Dustin.

“Will you come on Friday?” he asks. Is that hopefulness in his voice?

“Please, you don’t need me to cheer you on with your jam-packed fan club of all the single girls in school. Also, you have the head cheerleader herself cheering for you,” I scoff as I yank my arm away. I open the car door, leaving my backpack on the floor as I let Sophie out of the back seat. I leave it there, so it stays dry a little longer before I have to get it out and into the rain.

Sophie gives me a look as she climbs out. She turns and states, “Thank you for the ride, even though Marcy will never thank you.” Sophie then sprints to the porch, cackling.

“Brat,” I shout as I slam the door shut with more force than I need to. I chase after my little sister.

She let’s out a laugh as opens the door and dashes inside.

I continue after her and I slam the front door shut. “Get back here!”

“Never!” Sophie cackles as she scurries up the stairs and to her room.

But I’m faster and I’m gaining on her.

She makes it to her room and tries to shut her door. But I am right behind her, so she is unable to get the door closed.

“You’re a brat,” I say as I wrap an arm around her and start to tickle Sophie.

Her laughs turn to wheezes as she runs out of air as I tickle her. “Stop!” Sophie gasps in between ragged breaths.

“Not until you promise not to embarrass me in front of my classmates,” I counter.

“Agreed! I agree,” she shouts in desperation, trying to get air into her lungs.

I tickle her once more before I let her go. I step back and go to leave her room. “Remember this moment,” I say as I exit her room. I turn to glare at her.

She walks up to me. “And you need to remember your backpack,” Sophie cackles as she slams the door shut behind me.

I turn around and look at the now closed door. I stand there, gaping like a fish out of water. My backpack? My backpack! It’s not on my back. Shit, I left it on the floorboard of Dustin’s car.

I dash back down the stairs and out the front door.

Dustin’s car is no longer sitting in the driveway.

“What’s all the running about?” Aunt June asks as she enters the foyer. She looks at me to explain what’s going on.

“Nothing,” I grumble. I stomp up to my room and slam my door. I throw myself onto my bed and scream into my pillow.