Liam Hayes?

ELLE

In haste, my first week as a tenth-grade student was over. 

This weekend, Cassie would come over. 

It was a Saturday, and as usual, Dad got ready to leave for one of his many jobs. 

“Reach out to me if anything goes wrong. I left some money on the table in your room. It'll be enough for you, your brother, and Cassie before I get back by tomorrow, mm?” 

“Yes, Dad. Thank you.” 

“Call me if something goes wrong, Elle.” 

I shrugged, already frustrated. “You know nothing ever goes wrong. But if anything should go wrong, I'll call you. How about that?” I reached for a kiss. “I love you, mm?” 

“I love you, too, pumpkin.” 

He snatched his work backpack from the table and headed towards the door. “Talk of the devil.” He mouthed when the front door opened, and I looked, only to see her. 

“Cassie!” 

We hugged briefly, and again, Dad repeated the same thing he told me a while ago. 

“You'll be late for work if you keep talking, Mr. Bennett. You know nothing ever goes wrong. But we'll call you if something goes wrong.” She hugged him, and together, we watched him leave, a sigh escaping both our mouths. 

“What do we do now?” 

While I fell on the couch, Cassie dropped her backpack and announced. “We're going over to Donald's later to play some games. Especially Fruity Dance.” She chuckled. “But before that, do you, at least, have some food in this house? I couldn't wait for Mom to finish before rushing out.” She got up and headed into our kitchen. “Elle! I want food.”

“On my way!”

I jumped to my feet as well. 

Christian was asleep. This could only mean one thing: We had all the time in the world to ourselves before he would wake up. 

As I said before, Dad worked many jobs. 

Not so many, but an unhealthy number - just so he could give us the best - all the best. 

Due to shifts - coincidentally, he left the house on weekends when Cassie came over. This way, I could watch over my brother until he returned. And on other weekends when I should spend time at Cassie’s, he was home as there were no shifts for him to cover. 

“Elle!”

I hurried into the kitchen. 

I opened the fridge and took out a box of cookies. “You know what, Cassie? You should eat some snacks. I'll fix some toast.” I handed the box to her, getting ready to fix some toast. “Or is it pancakes you want, Cassie?” 

She fell onto a chair and groaned. “How about both?” 

“Right.” I turned and thought about it. 

Moments later, I was busy fixing some toast and pancakes for my best friend. 

Christian, after a long while, woke up. 

“Where is Daddy?” 

“Gone to work, Chris.” 

“I'm hungry.” 

“Well, give me some time to finish this. Later, we can go over to Donald's and play some games. How about that, Chris?” 

“Cool—”

And after a long time of cooking and gossiping, everything was ready. 

While Christian ate and played on his own, Cassie and I ate together. There was nothing we didn't do: Sing, dance, wear my clothes, even run around the house. And when we got tired, it was time to play those games. 

At the game center, Donald was attending to a customer when we walked in.

At the sight of us, he winked and spoke. “Hello, guys. Elle, Cassie, Christian. I assumed I wouldn't be seeing you two this weekend.” 

“Why not?” I asked as I handed him some cash. And in return, he gave me some quarters. “Not enough.” I handed him more cash and we were given more quarters.

“Enjoy the games.” 

When the quarters were shared between me, Cassie, and Christian, we began playing. And just as before, Cassie and I came first on the Fruity Dance machine. 

“Told you—” Cassie smirked. “I win.” 

“Fine. Fine.” I gave up, my hands in the air. “I'll win next week, you won't see it coming.” 

Right from childhood, the Fruity Dance game remained our favorite, and all through these years, it was rare to be beaten. It was either I came first and Cassie came second, or she came first and I came second. 

We moved to other games, and by the time we played to our satisfaction, we were on our way home before nightfall. 

The next morning was a Sunday, and while my best friend and I still had a good time, we expected my Dad home anytime soon. Although at the same time, we expected Noah who would come over to take his sister. 

I wished the moment never came. 

Having Cassie around was more fun than Christian who wasn't grown enough to keep the company I expected of him.

Soon enough, Dad came home. 

As usual, he brought home goodies with him. Cassie, Christian, and I were busy unpacking when a car honked its horn. 

“That's Noah's car.” Cassie cried. 

“Why does he keep coming early?!” I cried. 

Our doorbell soon rang. My brother went to get the door and when it opened, it was Noah. “What are you two up to?” He stepped in and looked around like he was in search of something. “Did I do something wrong?” 

Did he really ask us that?

“You always come earlier than you should.” 

“That's because I can—” He settled into one of the couches and let out. “Can we go now? Mom is waiting. For you to be home.”

“That's a lie—” Cassie sat next to him. 

“Yeah, I'm lying. But can we go now?” 

She looked at me and let out. “We'll see at school on Monday. It's your turn next weekend.” She grabbed her already packed backpack, took some of the goodies we were unpacking, and followed Noah. “Thank you.” We hugged each other. “I enjoyed myself.” 

Together, the whole family saw Cassie and Noah to the car. Dad gave her some money to ‘keep’. He did that almost all the time. And soon enough, they were gone in Noah's car. 

“I finally get some peace.” Dad muttered as he held both our hands while we walked back to the house. “Before that, who wants to tell me how their weekend went?” 

“I played games.” Christian started. 

“Elle made pancakes and toast.” He continued, not giving me a chance to speak. 

“Oh, that's nice. Is that all?” 

He looked at me and I breathed out. “We had a good time, Dad. As usual.” I reached for a kiss. “Thank you for being the best Dad.”

Monday came like a hurricane. 

I was ready for school in no time, hurrying out of the house after eating breakfast with my family. “I love you, Dad. Love you, Chris.” 

“Bye, pumpkin!” Dad would say as usual. 

Then I hurried to the end of our street, waiting for a sign of the bus that took us to school. Usually, Cassie and I rode to school together. Not until Noah was given a car on his nineteenth birthday. His parents said he was old enough to have one.

“Are you coming in or not?” 

“Yes!” I snapped out of my thoughts as I caught up with the inside of the bus. “Good morning, Mr. Julius. Let's go already.” I greeted him as the bus pulled off. 

After a long drive, we arrived at Brookridge High School. When I came down, I looked at the spot Cassie usually waited at. 

She was there. 

“Hey.” 

She turned and smiled. “Good morning, Elle.” We hugged each other and walked. “I almost thought you wouldn't make it today.” 

“What?!” I cried. “You'll know by now.” 

We always had something to talk about. Today, we talked about Mrs. Sharon and her funny shoes. We were at it when someone called from behind. “Good morning, Elle.” 

Immediately, we went mute. 

I turned around before Cassie, then I saw him. Liam Hayes, the book wizard from our class. What could he possibly want with me? 

“Good morning, Liam.” 

“Good morning, Elle. Good morning, Cassie.” He offered a smile. “I wanted to give you this.” He looked around like a thief before handing me a piece of paper. “See you in class.” Liam ran off before I could say a word. 

What the hell was happening?