Should I Jump?

Chapter 1: Plans

         English class was such a bore. I literally doodled on my paper as professor Gordon taught about… well to be honest I’m not sure. Who said I was paying attention? It’s not like the school cared about anything right now anyway, save for Friday’s party to kick-off the summer. It was the last week of junior year for me. I was more than ready to have it over with. Though, I’m not one to party. I wasn’t popular enough anyway. No one asked me so it’s not right to invite myself. However, it was meant to be all the rage and booze would be there. You'd think every parent in Riverside wouldn't let their child participate but hey, It's the 21st century and who said raising the off spring was a must.

         The rest of the school day went by in a flash. All my classes were easy and no one ever talked to me so they just left me to my own thoughts of Leighton. During lunch I sat alone. I ate what slop they had and thought of him. My neighbor. Leighton Sekemoto. I know, the name is odd, but he isn’t from here. Well, at least his lineage isn’t. Watching him play with his sisters after they got home from school always warmed my heart. Sunni was thirteen, Angelica was nine and Maritza was seven. They all look just alike. I’ve always pondered on what it would be like to have siblings other than my twin brother. Leighton was unlike my family. He was sweet and caring. He was perfect.

“Hey Ambri.” Speaking of the angel himself. Walking over with a tray in his hands, Leighton sat right in front of me.
“Hey.” Here I go again, palms collecting sweat.

“Why do you always sit over in this corner?” His curiosity was killing me. Does this guy ever stop to think he’s better than me? Apparently not...

“Why doesn’t anyone else sit over in this corner?” He smiled that perfect smile again only to make me catch my breath in my throat when I retorted.

“Touché miss Ambrosia. Okay so I was thinking that since you have to take me home, why don’t you come over to the house for supper?” was he seriously asking me this? Of all people, Leighton was inviting me over to his house…

“Um, I kind of have a lot to do.” Stop lying to yourself. Go to the boy’s house! I swear I’ll never have a life arguing with myself.

“It’s only for a little bit. We are having an early birthday party for Maritza. She’s turning eight.” His smirk, it made my world turn hot and I felt my skin catch flame, I had to give in.

“Sure. For a little while.” I forced a smile and he raised his thick eyebrow slightly.

“Promise?”

“Yeah sure… I promise.” What have I gotten myself into?

All he did was smile when the bell rang. It was time for the last class. Which I was didn’t plan to pay attention in. Or maybe I wanted to, I just couldn’t.

         The ride home wasn’t bad and neither was his presence. It actually felt good to have someone else in the car. I hated being alone. We jammed out to music until we reached the stop sign by his house. It was cold today and gloomy, as it has been all week. All the children were getting off the school buses and of course their little shrill voices echoed through the neighborhood and their little bodies darted across lawns. The houses lined the street as you see in movies. Close together for security, yet far enough apart for privacy. Oak tree branches hung slightly over the side walk and all the houses look the same. Our little utopia…

         Leighton and I separated at the end of the driveway with a wave over our shoulders. He went his way as I went mine. I’d see him soon enough, now it was family time. At least that’s what my family called it. I called it hell time. My mother always made us eat at the table every night to try and reconcile the fact that her and my father were having issues. I guess she thought it would help.. but what she doesn't know is that he's a cheating bastard. I even caught him in the act last summer while we were at the river. He never saw me peaking in the window and the whore he was with I had never seen in my life. Of course I was shocked, but I figured my mother would see who he really was soon enough. My mouth has and never will bring the subject up either.

         My thoughts faded as I carried myself up the porch and opened the front door to my house which led into the foyer. The living room resided to the right while the kitchen and dining room were to the left. The walls weren't painted brightly but they did have some character. My mother had it formally decorated. To me it looked nice but I wasn't picky. I would live in a card board box if I was capable of staying dry and it was sanitary. The things I think of… I attempted to make it to my room but Liam stopped me at the bottom of the stairs. Chewing on an apple, he spoke.

“What ya up to?” The annoying smacking his mouth formulated and the gushing juice noises coming from his mouth as he chewed nearly threw me into a fit. I really wanted to smack his smug sarcastic look off of him.

“Nothing. Going to my room. Bye.” My feet ended up on the fourth step when he questioned me again.

“You know you’re being rude right?”

“Liam, I’m not in the mood. It’s been a long day.”

“Fine, whatever. Mom wanted me to tell you that tonight is her art show. She wants you there.”

“Why couldn’t she have told me that? Plus, I have plans. I can’t make it.”

“You have plans? Wow. That’s a shocker.” He snickered while finishing off his apple, tossing it in the garbage as he walked towards the kitchen.

“You can be a real jerk.” I began up the stairs again when I turned around.

“I’m going over to Leighton’s; I’m not coming to moms art show.” With that I climbed the stairs regardless of if Liam had even heard me or not.

          I went up to my room to read my favorite novel until five o’clock. I drifted into the pages and engrossed myself with the characters. I became one with them as if it was me who was being rescued by prince charming. One hour into reading my novel a knock at my door arose. Shit. Already time to come down stairs for this painful supper before heading to Leighton's. I shudder at the thought of his name. Get a hold of yourself Ambri, he won't ever feel the same as you.. Besides, hopefully this wouldn't be too bad… what’s the worst that could happen?