An hour passed before I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. It was a text from Steve:
"Hey, kid, something came up. I'm not gonna be able to pick you up today."
Typical. I sighed and slid the phone back in, letting it buzz again in my hand before silencing it.
After the earlier mess, we'd finally settled down. I finished most of the homework pretty quickly, half-listening to Jessica and Angela go on about girl stuff while I popped in my headphones.
New Edition played in my ears, mellow and smooth against the low hum of rain tapping the windows. Eric was off in his world, staring at his phone like it held the meaning of life.
Outside, a black-and-blue Suburban and a beat-up Chevy Astro pulled up. Mike and the others spilled out, Lauren trailing behind Tyler.
They waved through the glass before coming in, jackets soaked with rain.
"Yo, what up?" Mike called as he stepped in, brushing droplets off his sleeves.
"Hey Mike, you want something?"
"Yeah, just get me my usual," he said, flopping into a chair.
"Me too," Tyler added.
"Yeah, sure—if you actually paid me back this time," Connor teased.
Tyler held up his hands. "I got you next time, man, for real."
Lauren stayed quiet as usual, sliding into the seat beside Tyler.
"You guys hear about that animal attack in the next county over?" Ben asked suddenly.
"Yeah," he went on, not waiting. "Three campers. Totally mauled."
Angela gasped and covered her mouth. Jessica just rolled her eyes. Eric didn't even look up.
I didn't say anything. Didn't care. But I kept my eyes on Ben. He'd been acting off with me for a while now, like he had a problem he couldn't name. And I had a feeling if I ever caught him alone… well. We'd settle it then.
"Well, god bless the families," Angela said quietly, bowing her head for a second.
The others came back from the counter with food, and the conversation shifted. They started talking about the season and how unlikely it was they'd make playoffs.
I checked my phone again. We'd been studying for almost two hours. That was enough. I stood, slung my bag over my shoulder, and patted Eric on the back as I passed, jolting him back to reality.
Jessica perked up. "You want a ride, Aiden?"
"Nah, I'm good. Need some air."
The drizzle had lightened anyway. I just wanted the quiet. The group watched as I left, the door swinging closed behind me.
I walked through the school, down the steps, and across the parking lot toward the long two-mile stretch to the house.
Halfway down the street, I heard a horn beep. An old red truck—more orange now from age—slowed beside me.
"Need a ride?" a girl called out.
I turned and recognized her. Brown hair, pale skin. The other new girl—Bella—from lunch and Bio II.
The drizzle was picking up again, clouds thick and low overhead.
"If it's not a problem," I said, moving toward the passenger side.
"Not at all."
I climbed in, shaking the wet from my jacket.
"Thanks again."
She nodded, pulling back onto the road.
"So... you're the police chief's daughter?" I asked, putting the pieces together. Charlie Swan was the reason Steve had bailed yesterday.
"Yeah. That's my dad. What about you?"
"Steve's mine," I muttered. I hated saying it.
We kept driving.
"Where are you from?" she asked after a beat.
"Chicago. You?"
"Arizona."
"You're kinda pale for someone from the desert," I said, eyeing her.
She laughed lightly. "Yeah, I get that a lot. My mom says I'm part albino."
I smirked. "You out getting groceries?"
"Yeah. Charlie doesn't cook, so I had to get stuff myself."
The rest of the ride passed in silence. Comfortable, surprisingly.
She slowed at the street I pointed out, just before my driveway.
"If you need a ride tomorrow, just let me know," she offered.
I nodded. "Yeah. Will do."
I stepped out into the cool air and shut the door. The truck pulled away, and I started down the driveway, the rain softening again into a mist.