Gaea

It wasn’t a surprise that Lucy was no longer with them. She hadn’t been doing well for a while now.

“We gotta take her in,” Sassy sighed, staring dejectedly at the hunk of heated metal sitting in front of the garage. The beaming rays of the hot sun shone down, unobstructed in a sky clear of any clouds, to warm the shining, black bike. The streaks of gold that Uncle Mac had saved up to have painted hurt her eyes to stare at too long, so she instead turned her gaze to where he was kneeling beside the motorcycle. “You’ve been having issues with her for months, Uncle Mac. It’s time that Lucy gets checked over.”

The slump of his broad shoulders along with the low groan he released said enough of what he thought about that. Lucy, named after a college best friend-turned-girlfriend who had passed from cancer many years ago, had been Uncle Mac’s pride and joy. Thousands of dollars from extra side jobs had been invested in her and hundreds of rides had been spent on her.

Lucy was a holder of fond memories.

“Sass! Uncle Mac! You two okay?”

Turning, Sassy caught sight of Jeff stepping out of his house, holding the screen that covered the yellow painted door open for his siblings to exit. Youngest Malik stumbled out with a napkin of food and jelly smudged on his cheek, while Sarah skipped past with her earbuds audibly blasting an instrumental song. Probably a new piece she wants to practice on her violin. Immediately after, Courtney strode out with her phone pressed tightly to her ear, dressed in blue scrubs and behind her Jacob followed, rolling his eyes while he straightened his grey striped tie.

Sassy hadn’t realized that Jacob was already over. The oldest of the Harrison crew, the man was usually lost in his detective work to take vacation days. Courtney was the same with her career as a nurse, but the woman could typically be found at her parents’ house whenever she fought with her boyfriend, which was often and usually over the smallest things. Jeff had once made the comment about it being foreplay for them, before promptly pretending to dry heave, and begging her for bleach. If Jared hadn’t gone off to join the Navy, Sassy knew Jeff would be over to hang out more in order to escape the full house.

If his parents allowed him, of course. He was still in trouble for sneaking out last weekend. Fortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison weren’t aware of where exactly Jeff had gone, leaving him with the simple punishment of not having his gaming consoles for a week. If the elder Harrison’s knew that he had gone to a rave with some of his other friends, the two (especially the Mrs.) would be apoplectic with rage.

He was lucky that Sassy was his best friend and was more than willing to back his story of going to the neighborhood pool.

“Lucy’s on her last wheel,” was what she finally said when she registered his question. “Uncle Mac’s not taking it too well.”

With a sympathetic twist to his lips, Jeff let the screen door bang shut and hurried across the lawn, hopping the short metal fence rather than walking around to use the gate. “That sucks. You need a ride?”

Sassy followed his gesture to where Courtney was impatiently waiting for the younger two siblings to get into her (brand-sparkling-new, courtesy of her boyfriend, who was actually a kind man when Sassy met him) car. “Nah, we’ll just take the Suburban. It hasn’t gone for a ride in a while, since we changed the oil.” She didn’t know if Uncle Mac had even gotten used to driving the giant maroon monster. Lucy was his baby and he hardly ever drove anything but her. “Hopefully I get to school in one piece.”

Jeff snorted at her words. “Hopefully we make it,” he corrected, winking at her even as he moved to slide the pearly white garage door open. His next words were almost lost in the loud ruckus that the door caused. “If I spend five more minutes with Sarah going on about that violin chick, I’ll be charged with attempted murder.”

“No,” she laughed, stepping past him, “your mom would be charged with attempted murder because you tried to go after her baby girl.”

While Jeff rolled his eyes, Sassy leaned over the table of scattered, disorganized tools to snatch the ring of keys from the hook on the wall. Brightly colored beads knocked against her wrist, jingling along with the metal of the two lonely keys attached. Dust clung to her fingers, blending in as it smudged against her lightly tanned skin. The keys haven’t been touched in a couple of months.

“Uncle Mac!” Jeff called out to the man who was still glaring forlornly at the bike. At his name, though, he turned, scratching his fingers through his trimmed beard. “We gotta get to school.” Jeff jabbed a finger back to where Sassy was watching from the side of the Suburban. She raised a brow when both looked towards her. “Unless you want me driving the beast, we should get going.”

Apparently, Uncle Mac shared Sassy’s feelings about Jeff being behind the wheel of the car, though he immediately jumped up from where he was kneeling while Sassy merely winced. “No, Jeff,” Uncle Mac quickly shook his head, “I’ll be the one driving. Your mom still hasn’t forgiven me for trying to teach you.”

“She’s gotten over it.” Sassy sent him a look. “Mostly.”

Tossing the jingling keys to Uncle Mac as he passed, Sassy tugged Jeff’s plaid (and glitter splattered, thanks to Sarah) backpack from his shoulder and slid it next to her own. “You’re just not meant to be driving, Jeff.”

“Well, if we had a faster car, I’d be perfect at driving and--”

“Yeah, yeah,” she rolled her eyes at him. Part of her wanted to remind him that pulling GTA stunts in real life would find him serving time, but another part knew he’d just crack a smart-aleck remark back. “Just get in already.”

Jeff grumbled under his breath at her, but used the assistant handle just inside the door to hop up onto the seat. A nudge had him shifting to the other side so she could slide in after. “Can we stop to get some coffee?” Jeff asked as soon as Uncle Mac was in the driver’s seat. “Everyone drank the whole pot before I could get a cup, and I need my caffeine, Uncle Mac. I need it.”

Sassy’s stomach hit the floor at Uncle Mac’s expression, which Jeff couldn’t see because he was directly behind the driver’s seat. She knew what he was thinking about. Their fridge was worryingly empty, with only a few items filling a shelf. Milk, eggs, butter and jam. The pantry was better equipped, but only barely. It was mostly full of canned vegetables and soups, small bags of rice, some potatoes and beans, and a few packages of instant ramen.

A year ago, her and Uncle Mac wouldn’t be struggling with money like they were now. The two of them used to be able to pay the bills, buy groceries, and have enough to visit the movie theatre on Mondays, which sold all tickets for only a dollar. But then the call came, and suddenly most of their money was being sent to wherever her parents were currently located.

Even after getting most of their necessities, the money to replace their stolen items still stacked high. That’s not even considering the money for hotels until they could find somewhere that their bank was located.

“I’ll cover it,” Sassy spoke up, forcing the words through a tight throat. Oblivious, Jeff let out a silent cheer beside her, but her attention was focused on Uncle Mac, who frowned at her through the rearview mirror. The lines of his face appeared more pronounced with the exhaustion and sadness that seemed to linger longer and longer every day. “Tips were really good last night, so it’ll be my treat.”

The almost resigned nod had her swallowing past the lump that had lodged itself right at the back of her throat. She knew that Uncle Mac hated to depend on her for money. Ever since Sassy had been left in his care by her traveling parents, he had promised that he’d always take care of her and leave her wanting for nothing. That was before Eros Industries lost their biggest investor, though, which forced money cuts throughout the whole business.

But until Uncle Mac hopefully got the big promotion next week, Sassy would spend her money however she’d like. And if that meant paying for the water bill, or most of the groceries, then so be it.

Besides, tips had been really good yesterday. They had five large buses of traveling tourists stop to eat. Combined with the normal number of customers they received along with the fact that Sassy covered for two of the girls that were out ‘sick’, her wallet had ended up stuffed. She wasn’t supposed to be working those hours and it made for an exhausting morning when she arrived home from cashing her paycheck at just past two in the morning, but being able to buy more groceries after school one day would be worth it.

Rotating her shoulder that twinged from lugging around meals and beverages all afternoon and night (along with cleaning up tables and chairs, plus sweeping and mopping floors), Sassy leaned back in her seat and muffled a yawn. Coffee would be more than welcome. The cup that she had from their old petite pot hadn’t helped at all. Uncle Mac would probably need more, as well, since she knew that two small cups would not help him throughout work today. And unfortunately, his boss was extremely strict when it came to no drinks or food being outside the employee lounge. Otherwise, Uncle Mac would have a cup with him at all times.

“Oh, right!” Jeff exclaimed, dragging Sassy’s attention from watching the outside blur by through the window. Her best friend was slouched in his seat, spread out across most of it, grinning. “Mom’s making Grandma’s Special chili beans tonight along with some honey rolls, and you know how she gets.” He rolled his eyes, making Sassy grin while Uncle Mac snorted from up front. They were well aware of how Mrs. Harrison got when it came to making Grandma Hogue’s Special Recipes™. “Anyway, she’s gonna set aside a pot for you guys and a tray of rolls, so she said not to cook tonight.”

A wave of relief washed away any shame she felt at Jeff’s mom feeding them. She knew it was illogical to feel any shame considering the woman has passed over food (especially Grandma Hogue’s Special Recipes™) since Sassy had first befriended her son, but with money currently being so tight, it was hard not to. From past experience, the delicious chili beans would last a few nights, meaning three dinners were covered. Sassy only needed to buy groceries to last four to five days until Uncle Mac got his own paycheck.

Then they’d pay the bills and use whatever is left to purchase more groceries.

Maybe she could set aside enough for the monthly water bill (and phone, since this was her month to pay), and use all the rest to purchase groceries to last longer than a week. Uncle Mac would have to cover gas, but since he was the only one who drove anywhere, he was the one who did so anyway. If Sassy and Jeff didn’t need to put air in the tires of their bikes, she’d probably be riding to school. Unfortunately, Mr. Harrison had let another neighbor borrow the air pump, meaning she’d have to wait for it to be returned, however long that took. If it was the Lowman’s down the street, then it’d be a few days.

“I’ll let her know that we appreciate that after work today,” Uncle Mac responded. A sigh escaped him, lifting his shoulders and dropping them back down into a more relaxed position, which she was glad to see. She didn’t think he should be worrying so much at only thirty-six. “I swear those beans can bring about world peace. You need to convince your mom to enter the winter festival’s comfort food competition, Jeffery.”

Sassy joined in the light-hearted conversation, nudging at Jeff’s leg when he raised it to rest further on the seat. It was her chore to clean the car, even if it wasn’t used, and his shoes had a tendency to pick up the littlest amount of dirt. “Yeah, she doesn’t have to give the recipe away to enter. All she has to do is sign a contract stating that there aren’t any poisonous or hazardous ingredients in it.”

“Mom’s not too big on bragging about her cooking,” Jeff shrugged. “She says only an insecure chef brags.”

Just like the quoted picture that was hung next to the window of their kitchen. Sassy’s eyes always darted to the framed quote as soon as she entered the modernly painted room, flashing over the gold words neatly written against their black backdrop. It had been a gift from the workers of the restaurant that Mrs. Harrison owned before she became pregnant with their third child, Jared. Now she worked from home, doing some sort of virtual assistant job through the phone.

At least that’s what Sassy assumed she did, since none of the family have given her a definitive answer. Her children didn’t seem to understand what exactly her job was, either. Whatever it was, it paid well. Really well.

“Still,” Sassy said, brushing her thoughts to the back of her mind, “she’d definitely win the competition. And it raises money for the children’s hospital, too. I know she likes donating to the animal shelter and domestic violence group, so maybe she’d be interested in that.”

Jeff stretched his arms above his head, sitting straighter when the car slowed and pulled into the parking lot of the Espresso Express. “That’s true,” he said distractedly. Her lips tugged into a grin when she realized his eyes were already darting over the menu of the drive thru. “I want the--”

“Iced coffee with a shot of espresso and vanilla,” Sassy finished for him, fishing her wallet from her bag. The worn faux leather no longer creaked like it had when she first bought it. “I’ll just have a cappuccino.” The beverage was on the more expensive side of the menu, but only by a couple of dollars. She deserved to indulge a little bit. “You can order what you want, Uncle Mac.”

She knew what his order would be already. He’s never been a big fan of sweetened coffee.

Reaching back to accept the twenty handed to him, Uncle Mac rolled his window down, allowing a blast of warm air to fill the car. The speaker came to life with a squeal of static before it revealed the perky voice of the person taking their order. Sassy cringed at the woman’s voice, wondering how she managed to sound so upbeat at just past seven in the morning. She had barely managed to open her eyes all the way when Uncle Mac first discovered that Lucy wouldn’t start. That was more out of being startled by the wounded noise he released, but she considered that fact irrelevant.

In her mind, she’s barely woken up.

“I’ve got a large, iced coffee with espresso and vanilla, one large cappuccino, and a large black!” The dark-haired worker was just as upbeat as her voice alluded to. Her pretty smile and bright eyes were absolutely beaming as she handed the drinks to Uncle Mac, one by one, becoming even more so when Sassy told him to let the woman keep the change as tip. It was a few dollars, but she understood that some workers depended on their tips more than their paychecks. Her job granted most of her money through tips from generous customers. Besides, Uncle Mac has always told her that only jerks didn’t tip. “Thank you for stopping by Espresso Express! Have a nice day!”

Sassy was already sipping contently at her drink, leaving her unable to respond, but Uncle Mac and Jeff returned the sentiments. Then they were back on the road, making the under-five-minutes trek to school. She barely noticed as the caffeine buzzed addictingly through her.

“Are you walking home today?” Uncle Mac turned to watch her. Sassy hummed with a nod. “And you’re walking to work?” Another hum. “Alright, I’ll be home later than usual today, so keep an ear out for my knocks.”

Finally pulling away from the cup, Sassy licked the lingering taste from her lips and actually responded this time. “I will. Do you want me to check the mail, too?”

“No, I’ll do that,” Uncle Mac sighed, tilting his head to pop his neck. She winced at the sound, reaching up a hand to run over her own neck in sympathy. How could people do that to themselves? “You just be good in school. Love you!”

“Love you, too!”

Jeff, who had stayed silent throughout the morning ritual that usually happened on their front lawn while Sassy readied her bike, peered up from his phone to chime in with his own ’love you, Uncle Mac, my bro!’. Then he hopped out of the car as though nothing had happened, while she joined in Uncle Mac’s snort as she followed. Her friend was already striding (skipping, more like) towards the front doors, tapping away at his phone. If she didn’t know better, Sassy would believe he was excited for school. But she did know better.

“Why are you so excited?” she asked, waving as Uncle Mac pulled away from the drop-off lane. With her full focus on Jeff, she was able to see the way he hesitated, head ducking down slightly. Suspicion arose. “Jeff, what’s going on?”

He was definitely hiding something. Otherwise, he would have fallen into a rambling mess talking about whatever it is that was keeping his attention, interrupted only when he sucked greedily at his coffee. They’ve been best friends since he dumped a handful of worms down her shirt in second grade and gushed about dinosaurs over her screaming; she knows how he is on a regular, completely normal day. And she knows how he gets whenever he tries to hide something from her.

If it’s a secret that he doesn’t want her finding out at all, Jeff usually flat out told her not to ask about it. Sassy never argued then despite her curiosity, not wanting to push and respecting that he didn’t wish to talk. If it’s a secret that he didn’t really care about her knowing, then he’d let her question him a little and drown in her curiosity, until he broke and revealed it. And if it’s a secret that he wants her to be in-the-loop about, he won’t hesitate to tell her.

This one could be the second, but the furtive glances he tossed around them as he led her towards an empty bench between two of the front entrance’s columns indicated that it was most likely the third. “Okay, you can’t get mad at me,” he began as soon as they were seated. The third it is. “Promise me you won’t.”

A twinge of unease alighted in her mind, but damn it, her curiosity couldn’t let this go. “Fine, I promise. What is it?”

“You know Rose and Janelle?” Sassy wrinkled her nose at the second name but nodded her head. She’s never truly had a conversation with Rose past a class assignment, but her history with Janelle went all the way back to when she first transferred and met Jeff. It wasn’t a good history, either. “Well, they want to hold a ‘going away’ party for Mark before he moves to Colorado. It was supposed to be a small get-together, but since Kevin’s supplying the alcohol, everyone found out about it. So, it’s kinda become a big thing that everyone’s gonna show up to.”

Sassy followed along, making soft noises in the appropriate moments he paused to check if she was listening. She was, if only because she liked when he got passionate about certain topics. Partying was at the top of the list of said topics. “Why were you keeping this a secret, though? You know I don’t care if you hang out and party with Janelle and the others, and you definitely know I won’t tell anyone in your family.”

“I wasn’t trying to keep it from you, really,” Jeff started, uncertainty crossing his expression. Her brows furrowed. The unease was back again. “More like I wasn’t sure how to tell you.”

A part of her itched to point out that he already had, but she had a feeling there was more to it than just a simple party. “Tell me what exactly?”

“Rose-wants-you-to-come.”

It was said in a rush, the words bundling together in a way that her mind took a minute to separate and process them. When it did, Sassy blinked first in shock, then in disbelief. “Rose, Rosalie Taylors invited me, the girl she’s barely spoken to throughout all of high-school. The girl who her best friend makes fun of every chance she gets,” Sassy said the words slowly, hoping Jeff understood the magnitude of her incredulity. “And speaking of that, how does Janelle feel about her best friend inviting the girl she hates, hm?”

With an eyeroll that would put Samantha ‘Drama-Queen’ Williams to shame, Jeff slumped against the back of the bench and tossed an arm over his eyes. “Janelle doesn’t hate you,” he sighed, missing the dumbfounded look Sassy leveled at him. His other hand raised to gulp deeply at his coffee. “And Rose didn’t tell her. Said she didn’t want to hear Janelle’s whining.”

Barely withholding the urge to splutter in response at Jeff providing more evidence towards Janelle loathing her very existence, Sassy instead sucked in a deep breath and gathered her thoughts. Snapping at him wouldn’t do any good. She didn’t know the girl personally (unless information through rumors counted, which they didn’t in her opinion), but she could agree with one thing with Rose. A whining best friend was not pleasant to deal with. And Jeff had mastered the art when back they were making mud-cakes and flower jewelry.

“Okay, first of all,” Sassy paused to think over her response, “you know I don’t like parties. Not since Jeremy West tried to trap me in a game of seven minutes in heaven with him in sixth grade.” Both shuddered at the thought of the boy who contoured his face intensely to the point of even those with impaired vision could tell, but denied it when the subject was brought up, claiming the sharp cheekbones and jawline as natural genes. Johnny Depp was his idol, and it was incredibly obvious who he was attempting to emulate. “Second of all, I don’t like Janelle. That doesn’t even have to be verbalized. And lastly, why did Rose invite me anyway? I don’t know her, and she doesn’t know me. I can count all the times we’ve talked throughout high school on one hand!”

The strangest thing happened.

Jeff sat up straight, panic widening his eyes before they drooped as his face took on a neutral expression. His body relaxed back into his seat, one arm casually tossing itself across the back of the metal bench while the other settled his drink onto his knee, finger tapping against the condensed plastic. Sassy could feel her brow slowly raising. “You just gotta come, Sass.”

He didn’t even try to lie. She appreciated that. Even if it was frustrating that he didn’t give an answer.

“Okay, well if I come, what do I get out of it?” she finally settled on asking. Getting an answer for her other question probably wouldn’t happen with him avoiding it, so it was better to move on. It didn’t mean interest wasn’t still warring in her mind, however. “You know my thoughts on parties, you know Janelle and I don’t get along, and you also know that I hate alcohol since we snuck into your dad’s whiskey in seventh grade.”

She ignored the muttered, “Doesn’t mean you didn’t chug that strawberry daquiri last year.” It was a dare. A triple-dog dare that earned her twenty dollars from Courtney, who absolutely adored the drinks and liked teasing Sassy. The older woman was also the one who found them drunk and getting sick in Jeff’s bedroom with the whiskey, so she was well aware of Sassy’s intense dislike towards anything alcoholic.

“My wonderful company, banging music, and maybe even a cutie to hook and reel in for yourself,” Jeff said grandly, finishing his words with an exaggerated wriggle of his eyebrows. “Mark’s got friends from other schools, so there’ll be people from Worthington and Redcove.”

Of course, he would go this route. If there was one thing Jeff was absolutely dedicated to, it was trying to get Sassy interested in someone to date. For years he’s made it his mission to get her to seriously consider dating someone. It wasn’t like she didn’t have any interests. There were many guys and girls that she’s looked at and thought about talking to. But since the disastrous and extremely awkward relationship with Miles Dardric in sixth grade, dating just wasn’t on her to-do list. Bringing a guy or girl home simply wasn’t a focus of hers. Hell, she hasn’t even told Uncle Mac about being bisexual!

If she was honest with herself, Jeff and Uncle Mac were all she needed. The Harrison family as well, whenever she was with them, or everyone got together to hang out. Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend wouldn’t be too bad, and would actually be kinda nice, but it wasn’t a serious need.

Not that there was a point of thinking about this. Nobody has shown interest since seventh grade, when she rejected Sabrina Wells (which was the right thing to do, considering Sabrina dropped sweet Maisie Hart the second she realized girls just weren’t for her).

Sassy decided to make that point known. “No one’s been into me for years, Jeff. So other than your ‘wonderful’ company and ‘banging’ music, there’s really no point in me going.” She paused to sip her slowly cooling drink. “Besides, I wouldn’t even know what to wear. All I have are sweaters, jeans and t-shirts. Most of which have stains from painting the house. Not exactly party outfits, y’know.”

“You’d be surprised,” Jeff was quick to shoot back, “and Sarah will let you borrow a dress or something. You and I both know she has plenty to spare.”

A frown pulled at her lips from him bringing up the fact that Sassy and Sarah were about the same size. It’s not her fault that her genes left her small enough to fit into an eighth-graders clothes. The shortness of a whopping 4′11" came from her mom’s side (who capped at 5′ 1/2"), and though she was a bit thicker than the slim queen that Sarah was, Sassy still wasn’t able to brag about curviness like her mom could (and has, in the past). Maybe when she was older, but not at fifteen.

Another reason for her frowning was from Jeff countering what she says. Sassy knew from experience that if she were to put her foot down and give a solid ‘no’ as an answer, he would drop it. Her best friend has never been the type to push when he’s been denied or rejected. But if Jeff truly wants her to go, more than likely her answer would be something along the lines of a reluctant yes. Just like the time he really wanted to go see a new horror movie in the theatres, she could suck it up and go.

The movie still had her jumping at shadows for a whole week, though.

“You really want me to go to this thing, huh?” she gave in with a sigh. It tasted like creamy caffeine and defeat. Somewhat bittersweet.

“Please?”

She released a heavy breath through her nose. “Fine,” Sassy said, seconds before the first bell of the day rang through the building, audible even outside, “but you have to talk to Uncle Mac. And tell Sarah that whatever she dresses me in better not be too short.” Everyone who knew the girl were well aware of her passion for dressing people up, especially in dresses and skirts that would earn disapproving looks from teachers in school. Violin was the only hobby that Sarah preferred over fashion.

The victorious fist bump he held out to her didn’t even earn a glance.