Waiting For Uncle Jedd

Jezebel

I sit my purchases in the back of Uncle Jedd's hummer. I notice a boy and a girl who look to be about my age sitting up against the side of a building in the alley across from the shop. They are passing a blunt back and forth, and I could use a drag. I decide to introduce myself and ask for a toke. I cross the street, and the boy is already staring at me. I guess I should get used to the attention, being the talk of the town and all that.

I can hear him say, "Must be the new girl." The girl doesn't look at me until I am standing in front of them. She has bright, red hair and so many face piercings. She seems to be covered head to toe in tattoos. Her eyes are bright red and look demonic. Not to be rude, I love tattoos and piercings, but this girl has them to the extreme!

"Holy shit!" She exclaims. "I love your contacts! I never thought about putting a different color in each eye, but I will definitely be trying it out now! You look so badass!"

"Thanks," I reply. "These are not contacts, though. I was born with these eyes."

"No way! That is even more bad ass!" she says excitedly. "My name is Hazel, this is Marc," she says, pointing to the boy next to her. He looks vastly different from her, like what you imagine a surfer dude to look like. He has shaggy, sandy-blonde hair, pale blue eyes, tan skin, no piercings, and a few tribal tattoos on his arms. Hazel is dressed like a goth chick, while Marc looks like a preppy boy. I wonder how they became friends. Perhaps we will become close and I will find out later.

Marc holds out the blunt to me, and I happily take it. I take a long, deep drag and exhale slowly. "Not your first time, huh?" Marc asks.

" No way," I reply with a giggle. "My friends and I used to blaze together all the time! You got any I can buy from you?"

"I ain't a dealer, but I will be nice and sell you two of the joints I have rolled up in my purse," Hazel says.

"Thank you so much, girl!" I say enthusiastically. "It will help me sleep tonight!"

"I am an insomniac too, so I get it," Hazel replies. "Did you just arrive today?"

"Yeah," I say quietly. I expect her to start questioning me about why I was exiled, and I don't want to talk about it. I don't know what to say.

"What are you doing tomorrow night?" Hazel asks me.

"Nothing that I know of," I say, shrugging my shoulders.

"Then you are coming to a party with Marc and I," she says excitedly. "There is a pool and a hot tub, so wear a swimsuit under your clothes. This will be a great chance for you to meet the rest of the teens in our pack. Marc and I can pick you up around eight."

"Okay," I say, smiling. I feel nervous at the thought of meeting all my peers at once, but I guess it is better to rip the bandaid off than to peel it slowly.

"Jezebel! It is great that you made some new friends so quickly, but it is time to go," Uncle Jedd yells. "Hello Hazel...Marc," Uncle Jedd says, waving at Hazel and nodding at Marc.

"Hi, Mr. Black," Hazel yells back. Marc Nods, and says, "Jedd." I get a cold chill. It is creepy the way my uncle and Marc acknowledge each other.

"Well, I guess that is my cue to leave," I say, turning to walk away.

"See you tomorrow," Hazel says.

"Right," I reply. "See you tomorrow."

"And the rest of the teen wolves," Jade says mockingly in my head. "Reminds me of that tv show. Don't forget that we need to finish binging it. I think it is hilarious! Humans have such intriguing imaginations!"

"I was wondering when you'd have something to say," I reply back in my mind. "You have been so quiet." I climb into Uncle Jedd's Hummer, and he heads toward home.

"Just silently observing the shit show that is currently our life," Jade says, yawning. "It is exhausting dealing with all your whirlwind of emotions. Excuse me, while I have some more beauty sleep."

I laugh obnoxiously in my mind.

"Stop it," Jade growls.

"Or what? Are you going to finally emerge and beat my ass?" I taunt, obnoxiously.

"Uhgg! You are such a bitch sometimes!" Jade snarls.

"I know! Same to you to boo." I say smirking.

"Earth to Jezebel." My uncle says, waving his hand in front of my face. "Did you hear anything I said?"

My cheeks flush red, "Sorry, no I didn't," I reply.

"I said," he huffs, obviously annoyed he has to repeat himself, "that you need to be careful. I am not trying to scare you or deter you from having friends but I have some history with Marc's family. I'd hate for someone to take their dislike for me out on you," he says, cautioning me.

"I noticed the tension between you two. What's the story?" I ask.

"Well, that is a story for later. Right now I need to get you home. I have to get ready for my border patrol shift," he says, dismissing me. We ride in silence to his house. He pulls into the drive and parks. I get out of the hummer and grab the bags out from the back floorboard. I push the door shut and start heading to the front door. Uncle Jedd rolls down the passenger side window.

"I will be back early morning. You can lock the door if it makes you feel better. I have a key so I can let myself in when I get back. Make yourself at home," he says before backing out of his driveway and speeding off to work.

Whelp, guess it's time to start cleaning. That is the only way I will be able to make myself at home. I do not like messes.