Chapter 12: It's Just A Milkshake

Hannah:

"What do you want, Lucy?" I asked while rolling my eyes. I was having a good day.

"Well, votes are almost here for the fall dance. I have to check on everyone that's voting for me. Even the losers." She placed a so-called sweet smile, I knew she was poisonous.

"The entire school probably voted for you, you don't need mine."

"Of course I do! Every vote counts, it's an incentive."

"That's not how incentive works," I muttered under my breath.

"A vote for me is a donation to the Amazon rainforest. It's all on the school website. Daddy pulled some strings." She took out two pens, one green, one blue, handing it to us. In cursive font, it said 'vote for Lucy' on it.

"Wow, very humanitarian of you," I spoke without sarcasm. It was something out of character but it's for a good cause.

"I know," she said in a sickly sweet tone.

"Is there anyone else running?" I asked.

"Marissa. But who cares? I'm gonna win. I haven't seen you around here. Are you new?" She turned to Louis, crossing her arms and tilting her head to the side.

"Yes, I'm Louis," he confirmed.

"I'm Lucy, obviously," she introduced, placing her hand on her chest, "whatcha doing talking to shitface?"

"Hannah's a friend of mine," he corrected, glancing my way. I grinned. At least he didn't ask the meaning of my nickname.

"If you ever get tired of her, I'm available. You're way too cute to be at the bottom like her."

"I think she's cool."

"Please! She likes that dress up thing for comics."

"It's called 'cosplay," I defended. I dressed up one time for Comic-Con, the one time my friends and I were invited when it came into town. I dressed up as Spider Gwen, Linda donned a Domino suit and Eddie was Deadpool. We had a blast and met amazing people of their versions of favorite comic book characters. I was proud of my outfit, I posted it on Twitter and Instagram. Maybe she hated the fact that I had over 1,000 likes from the pic and 100 more followers. Hence why the embarrassing video of cheerleading audition. My follower count depleted.

"I'm hoping to count on your vote." Lucy walked up closer, kissing him on his cheek.

Without anything else to say, I left. Pushing the front door with force, I stomped outside and to the sidewalk.  She's such a bitch, always in my face. What did she care about what I did? Charlie would have- wait, Charlie would have done nothing. Standing there, oblivious and zipped lip. The thought of it still pissed me off.

"Hannah!" I heard Louis' footsteps running toward me.

"Oh, Louis, I'm sorry about her," I said apologetically.

"Why are you sorry? Is she always like that?" he asked.

"Even on a good day." We both laughed; I pulled out my chapstick from the side pocket of my backpack and applied it on my lips.

"You still wanna hang out?" he gave me a toothy smile and I couldn't help but smile too, it's contagious.

"Yeah, what do you have in mind?"

"Dairy Queen?" he suggested.

"Let's go." Walking to the parking lot and straight to his car, he unlocked the doors with his alarm button. Turning on the engine, he exited the lot. I shot Linda and Eddie a text where I was. Linda texted me back with 😍😘😘😘 emojis. I texted back with 😅. I don't know why I was nervous. It's just a milkshake. 

Charlie:

I woke up this morning with a terrible headache, fever, and chills. Mom insisted that I stayed home to not spread germs at school. She called the school about it, I'll get my assignments from my teachers when I felt better. I know the coach would make me work double-time at practice tomorrow. I threw up twice, I couldn't swallow any pills. I was fed liquids: tomato soup, warm water, Dayquill and lots of mint tea, which I hated but it helped the sore throat, headache, and nausea. I expected Hannah to call or text. I called her at 3, turned off her phone. I tried again, three times and she didn't pick up. I shot her a text.

Hey. U home? - loopy

I waited for a while for a response, I sat up to drink more of it. "Ugh," I grimaced. It was warm, I placed it down and some of it spilled. My phone pinged. It was her. Finally. Out with a friend - bubbles

Linda? - loopy

She took ten minutes to text back. Louis - bubbles.

She's with him. Him. What the hell? Why the hell was she with him? I attempted to reply back, telling her to leave and come here. Calling her to scold her. What am I thinking? I'm not her father. I tapped on the screen with my thumbs, the sounds of clicks from the letters I jumbled up words of what to say. I simply replied back with Oh - loopy. I stood on my feet, I wasn't so cold anymore. The throbbing of the headache went away. The house was quiet, this morning I heard mom's rattling from the pots in the kitchen. Calling out her name, silence answered me. I knew dad wasn't home. I heard the notification ping again.

Where were u today?! I tried looking for u ☹ - bubbles

Came down with a cold, babe. Don't be sad - loopy

Aww, poor baby! U want me to come over later? I have vapor rub - bubbles

Are you suggesting something? 😏 - loopy

Charles, it's not only for your chest, if that's what you're thinking - bubbles

You said it, not me - loopy I chuckled, she's so cute. Well, I am feeling a bit congested and my mom just left

I'll be over soon 💕💕💕💕

I was in need of a personal nurse.