Four Doors Down(14)

Dammit!

I was hoping she would forget about me. I know I’m being stubborn, but I promised myself years ago that I would never go to Ryan’s house again, well not unless I can help it, and I want to stick to that. It’s not like he’ll want me there either. I can’t not have my car for six months, so I heave a big sigh, feeling incredibly woe is me, and head over to the Jackson’s house. I let myself in since no one answers the door and head into their large front room. I immediately feel myself being watched and turn slightly to see five pairs of eyes trained on me. Ryan’s sitting over by the window. It turns out he did tell a couple of people after all. Jessica, Katie, John and Mason are all staring straight at me and it’s not exactly welcoming. I turn away and go find my parents.

After giving Mr. and Mrs. Jackson my sympathies, I’m in their kitchen picking at food and wondering when would be a reasonable time to leave when someone calls my name. I turn to see Lisa Jackson walking toward me and smiling widely.

She wraps me up in a hug, which I happily return. I’ve always loved Lisa.

“It’s so good to see you!”

“You too,” I return and genuinely mean it. Lisa used to drive Ryan and me around whenever we wanted her to and would always give us money for candy and junk food. As far as I was concerned, she was the perfect big sister.

“You look amazing!”

I scrunch my face up at her. What’s she talking about? I’m wearing my jeans and a baggy V-neck t-shirt that I’ve had on all day. I was actually starting to feel stupid for not wearing something black like everyone else, but then I remember Lisa hasn’t seen me for a couple of years so she probably still remembers the twelve-year-old me.

“Why are you in here all alone?”

“Oh you know, just stuffing my face.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “So you and Ryan still don’t talk?” I pull a face and she laughs. “Ah, well, it’s up to you. You don’t need to tell me how much of a brat he can be. Thanks for chilling with him the other day, though, when mom and dad were with me. I don’t think he wanted to be alone.”

I nod and blush slightly. I didn’t realize that was common knowledge.

“There’s some other kids from your school here, though. Gotta be better than being on your own?”

“We don’t exactly run in the same crowd these days. And I can’t stand the girl he’s seeing,” I explain.

“He has a girlfriend? Who?”

“Um, Jessica? The blonde one? At least I think she wants to be.”

Lisa starts laughing. “That is not his girlfriend. And if she were, I’d be having serious words.”

I grin back. “Yeah, I guess your brother’s not exactly the committing type.”

“Oh, he is. He’s just not got the right girl yet.” She cocks her head to the side like she’s studying me. “I hear you’ve got a boyfriend, though? What’s he like?”

I immediately blush and she starts to laugh, but I can’t help the giddy smile that always comes to my face when I think about Charlie. I still can’t believe he’s mine. “He’s great. Really, really great.”

She smiles at me and glances over my shoulder. “Hey, Jake.”

Jake approaches us and I turn to smile at him. I didn’t realize he was here, but then again, of course, he would be. He doesn’t return my smile. In fact, he looks positively pissed at me.

“Right. I better go feed the baby before she starts screaming the place down. Make sure you come and find me before you go, Becca.” I nod as she walks away.

“Seriously, Becca? You’re gonna sit in here all night?” Jake glares at me.

My jaw drops open. What is his problem? I came over, didn’t I? “What?”

“This is Ryan’s house, this is his grandma’s wake, and you’re not even gonna say hello?”

Oh. When he puts it like that, it does sound rude. “Right. Yeah, sorry.”

He turns and stalks away, and I wander over to where they’re all sitting. They all look up at me like I’m some crazy imposter. Great, this will be fun.

“Hey,” Ryan says.

“Hi.” There’s an awkward pause. “I hope today went as well as it could have,” I manage to mumble.

“It was fine. Thanks for coming.” I nod, looking around. “Your parents made you come, didn’t they?”

My attention snaps back to him. “No,” I say, but I haven’t responded quickly enough, and I know he doesn’t believe me.

Ryan glances around the room and looks over at Jake. “This blows, let’s go downstairs.”

He stands and everyone follows him. I’m about to turn away when Jake pushes me from behind and sends me a look, making it clear I’m supposed to follow them.

We head down to the basement, which is decked out like a den. This used to be Lisa’s domain when we were kids, but clearly Ryan’s inherited it now. I look around taking in the changes while we all wait for Ryan to speak. “What do you guys want to do?” he asks.

“Dunno, watch a movie?” John asks.

“We could play spin the bottle?” Jessica suggests.

I look over at her in disgust. “This is a funeral.” I pause. “And we’re not twelve.”