"So can you give me a ride to school, Goner?"
Conner looked between his mother, who was putting the finishing touches on their breakfast, and Angelica, sipping her coffee across from him. He replied in a low voice, hoping his mom was more focused on the oldie rock station she always listened to in the mornings. "So... you're going to go back?"
Angelica shrugged. "Sure. Like, what's the alternative? I can't go back to my normal school, and my dad would freak if I ditched what he thinks is my new school. Besides, I already did all this shit once, so why not just boost my GPA and take it easy?"
"Oh. You're not... mad?"
"Mad? At who? Some bizarro portal in the universe that warped me to another reality? Nah. I did all right in high school, and I'll do better this time around. Besides, not like there aren't fringe benefits here and there, if you know what to look for."
Something subtle in her tone made him cognizant of the way she looked today. He was so used to seeing low-key Angelica, home from school and lounging around the house, that he forgot how well she cleaned up. A fashionable dark floral dress that was snug across the chest and then hung straight down to mid-thigh, makeup to the nines, hair straightened, jewelry. Her stepbrother so seldom noticed her appearance, he'd nearly forgot how good she could look."Got your eye on someone, do ya? Aren't you worried about jailbait?"
Her voice dropped still lower. "Really? After your little date last night, you wanna lecture me on what I tap?" She grinned at the sight of his crimson faΓ§ade. "Anyway, are you gonna give me a ride or what? I don't have a parking pass, and what's the point in spending forty bucks on one if I can bum off you?"
"Uh, that could actually be a problem. See, I give Owen a ride."
She frowned. "Oh yeah. Eh, I can behave myself if he can."
"Then... sure, I can give you a ride." Conner could almost hear his friend's voice echoing,
I'll ride you any time, Ang.
Lord, he hoped the guy could behave himself for a fifteen minute car ride. He didn't have much hope.
Except when Owen hopped in the backseat a short while later, the only thing he said was, "Oh, we're taking you today? Cool. You look really nice, by the way."
"Thank you, Owen," she answered.
That was it. That exchange was very nearly as strange by virtue of its banality as everything else this week had been by its bizarreness. The whole drive was silent save for the radio. When they got to school, Angelica parted ways with them, though only after Owen wished her a good day, and she wished the same to him.
"OK, so what the hell is going on," Conner demanded of his friend once his sister was out of earshot.
"What are you talking about, man?"
"I'm talking about the first civil exchange I've ever seen between the two of you."
"Eh. I figured after how she flipped on me the other day, I'd better just play it cool. Damn, man, I'm not
that
immature."
"Since when?"
Owen laughed. "Say, speaking of grown-up behavior, how'd your date with Hottie go last night?" Conner's broad grin gave it all away. "That good? How many bases you round?"
"I... look, you wouldn't believe it all if I told you. She's so into me, she'll just... I'm not exaggerating when I say she'd do anything for me."
"Oh bullshit. Man, one little blowjob and suddenly you think you're big pimpin'."
"Her words, not mine. I tried to come up with something she wouldn't do, and if she has limits, we didn't find them."
"Wait, you mean you didn't find them, as in you got all kind of wild? Or you didn't find them, as in she
said
she'd get all kind of wild?" Owen asked. "Talk is cheap."
"Well..."
"Ha! I knew it! Sure, she
says
she'll do this and that, but just you wait. You make the ask, and suddenly she'll be too shy, too nervous, too much of a good girl and good girls don't do
that
..."
"Let's see, shall we?" Conner cut in, fishing his phone out of his pocket. He brought up Hailey's text history, then typed out a message.
I need a blowjob from my slut. Know someplace private we can meet during first period?
Owen's expression shifted. "Well then. You don't mince words, do you."
Conner just watched for a reply, and quickly received one.
Meet me in the auditorium. Your slut can't wait.
"Daaamn, son. All right, so maybe I was wrong. Happy?"
"I'm gonna be soon," he said, texting back Hailey to confirm.