Megan and Chet had graduated to texting and I’d dropped a little bird in her ear to find out if he was okay. Apparently, he had to pay a big fine and had two months of community service to get through. Maybe I’d find out what kind of service he had to do and volunteer since, technically, I should have community service too.
After school, I went to the Clerk of Court and paid his fine out of my savings account. It was the least I could do and I’d seen Zeke’s home. He probably didn’t have money for gas, much less almost five hundred dollars to pay a fine.
I ended up getting to soccer practice late, which earned me ten laps around the field. I didn’t mind it. I used that time to zone out and go to my happy place. It seemed I was living in that imaginary world more than the real world these days.
After my laps, I practiced hard and then jogged home from practice. I wanted to be so exhausted that I couldn’t stand up straight when I got home.
Once I walked in the door I was bombarded by Sydney.
“What happened to your face?” she asked with wide eyes.
I rubbed my cheek. I’d heard that question so many times that day and different people got different answers. I was becoming the queen of lies.
“Oh, it happened at practice last Friday. I didn’t see you before you left to go to your friend’s house for the weekend. No worries, Syd. It’s healing nicely. So, what did you guys do this weekend? Lots of prank calls and junk food?” I asked as I scooted by her and went into the kitchen for something to drink.
My cheek forgotten, she started talking about all the fun stuff she and her friend Ashley had gotten into over the weekend. I loved hearing about her having a good time. I was happy to know my sister was growing up with happy childhood memories.
“And then her dad took us to that ice cream place down the road and we got sundaes. Hey, did you know Ashley’s brother goes to school with you? His name’s Jacob and he’s super cute. Maybe you guys could go on a date or something?” She poked my side and I jerked. She thought she was tickling me, but really my ribs were still sore.
“I don’t think I know anyone named Jacob, but I’m way too busy to date right now, Syd. Maybe once I graduate.” I tugged a strand of her hair as I walked by and went upstairs for a shower.
Once I was settled in for bed, my phone went off with a text message from Megan.
Megan: FYI Zeke’s serving his community service at that Boy’s Club place on North Rhett Avenue.
Me: OK. Why are you telling me this?
Megan: OMG don’t even act like you’re not into him.
Me: I’m not.
Megan: Whatever. I’m not buying it. You should volunteer. Just saying.
Me: Maybe I will.
Megan: Good. OK, see you in the AM, Zeke Lover.
Me: OMG whatever! Goodnight, slut puppy. LOL
Megan: Hey, I kind of like the sound of that. LOL Goodnight!
The next day after soccer practice, I had Megan take me to the Boy’s Club so I could volunteer. The Boy’s Club was a place for young, troubled boys to go after school. It would be hard dealing with a bunch of badass young boys, but if Zeke had to do it, it was only fair I did too. I walked into a huge gymnasium full of boys running around with basketballs. The sound of squeaking rubber echoed off the walls and mixed with loud laughter and joking, making for a very loud space.
There were older boys and girls wearing bright- blue T-shirts scattered throughout the room. On the backs of the shirts were either the words “Big Brother” or “Big Sister.” It was kind of cool they had a place for troubled kids to run to other than the streets.
A few boys caught my attention as they stared at me and snickered to themselves. A brave one stepped away from the group and came up to me. He was no more than thirteen with a dirty white shirt and holey sneakers.
“My friend over there thinks you look good,” he said with a big smile as he pointed to another boy in the group.
“Oh, well, tell your friend I said thank you,” I said as I started to turn and walk away.
I turned and face-planted right into Zeke’s chest.