Chapter 1
James
"YIKES!" I yelped, jolting awake from a hurtful slap only to see Mr. Durand (the worst math teacher ever to exist) standing over me with a ruler. I blinked, rubbing my arm. My eyes widened. Shit! I just fell asleep during the most important lesson before the end of year exams! Now I am surely going to fail this class. Great. That means no graduation and an angry Mom.
"Mr. Hanson," Mr. Durand spoke. "You are on a very thin line between passing and failing my class. Without a passing grade you will not graduate with your class. Now, pay attention!"
"Yes. Sorry sir." I rolled my eyes and tried to pay attention to his lesson.
Halfway through though, the door cracked open and a girls head poked in. Right away I noticed her long brown hair that went down to her waist. She walked over to an irritated Mr. Durand. She spoke to him quietly and he stood up. "Alright kids. Seems like we've got a new senior here. Now, get up there and introduce yourself."
"Hi," the girl said shyly. "My name is Cassie Macintosh. I came here from Connecticut, and I'm going to sit down now." She quickly walked to the back of the class and sat down. She opened up her bag and tookout a pink notebook and blue pen. It was strange that she came only three months until graduation, but whatever.
I looked back at her and stared. Cassie was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my entire life. She had light freckles dusted over her nose and cheeks and her tongue stuck out when she wrote notes. Cassie looked up and caught me staring. Her eyes were beautiful too. A deep blue color that you could get lost in. She glared at me with her cheeks pink, and I looked down at my paper to keep writing.
"Hey, man!" I brought Bryce in for a bro hug.
"Hey. So, the three of us," he pointed to me, Alex, and himself. "Are invited to Anothy's party Saturday night at eight! You dudes coming?"
My eyes widened. No way! Anothy was on the most popular dude in the school. Of course I was going. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. "Hell yeah, bro! How'd you score the invites?"
"I helped him cheat on a math test," Bryce shrugged. "Who knew that would get us in?"
"Of course I'm going! His parents home?" Alex asked.
"Nah, don't think so," Bryce said. "I heard that dude can get his hands on a shit ton of alcohol for the party."
"No way! Saturday night will be lit!" I exclaimed. I checked the time. "Crap! I gotta be at home in ten to babysit by brother." I rolled my eyes. " At least I'm getting paid for it. See you tomorrow night."
"Bye man. By the way I'll pick you both up at eight for the party." Bryce said.
I nodded and walked away while getting my keys out from my pocket. I jumped in to my silver Ford pickup and drove home.
I pulled into the driveway at a two story blue house. Immediately, Mom opened the door and yelled "Hurry up! We need to get going in less than five minutes!"
"Sorry, Mom. I'm coming. Where are you going anyway?"
"I'm going out to the movies with the girls. Your dad is working late tonight. I'll pay you when I get back. Make sure your brother eats dinner, does his homework, and goes to bed on time!."
I looked at her. "Yes, Mom. I'll make sure it happens. Go out and have fun. I've got Billy all covered."
She let out a sigh. "Okay, Hun. I'll be back around eleven."
"Okay. Bye Mom."
"Bye." She brought me in and hugged me.I struggled in her strong grip. She let me go and got in her car and drove away. When she was out of sight I walked inside.
I dropped my bag next to the couch and looked for Billy. He wasn't in the kitchen doing his work, so I figured he was in his room. I walked into Billy's room and saw him playing videogames with a headset on. I grinned when I realized Billy couldn't hear me. I snuck in his room to behind his chair. Then, I grabbed his arms and yelled "GOTCHA!"
"AHHHH!" Billy yelled so loud, but the look on his face was priceless.
Shouldn't you be doing your homework?" I got up and tousled his hair.
"I don't want to do it." Billy glared at me. "Besides, you scared me half to death so I shouldn't have to do anything now."
"Nope. Kitchen. Homework. Now. Mom will kill both of us if you don't get it done."
Billy sighed and got up from his gaming chair. I handed him is work and he went skulking to the kitchen. I watched him go and headed to the couch to watch some TV and scroll on my phone.
A few hours later, I got a call. It was very surprising though, since the caller was Anthony.
