Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless (3 page)

chool starts the day after Labor Day, and within that first week, I figure out two very significant things about Isabella and her friends. First of all, although they aren't in the snootiest clique at SHS, which is a relief, they are still relatively high up in the high school feeding chain. As a result, they are somewhat exclusive-a tad bit snobby even. I get the impression they come from fairly well-off families - kind of the who's who of Stanfield. Although they play it down.

The second thing I discover is that Isabella and her friends are quite academic ... a bit more intellectual, or so they assume, than the rest of the student body. And talk of college scholarships and SAT scores isn't uncommon at their lunchroom table. Yes, they have their own table. No one seems to dispute this either. Anyway, although they are academic, it's not like they talk incessantly about education, which would be lame. But they're not afraid to discuss whatever comes up ... from politics to books to maintaining a GPA and precollege courses.

Oddly enough, I'm able to hold my own with them. Thanks to my mom's new job (at what seems to be a prestigious marketing firm-and it helps that Lily's dad works there too) and my own scholastic background, which is relatively strong, I can almost appear to be one of them. Sure, I still feel a bit like an imposter, but I can get past this. And by the second week of school, I actually feel like I am becoming one of them. And it feels awesome.

"I'm pretty sure I'm going to get an early acceptance from Yale," Bristol Allen announces to the group on Friday. Bristol and Isabella have been on and off best friends since grade school. Lily confided this much to me in journalism the other day, letting it slip that there'd been a love triangle last spring. Jayden Hammaker had been in the center with both Isabella and Bristol fighting for his affection. "Not that it worked," Lily told me. "Jayden was so not interested." Anyway, it seems that Bristol and Isabella have moved on since they're relatively civilized to each other. Plus, I'm guessing that Isabella has her eye on Ethan now, and I'm guessing that Ethan feels the same.

Jayden is peering at Bristol with a skeptical expression now. "You honestly think you'll get an early acceptance from Yale?"

She nods a bit smugly. "I expect to hear something from them before Christmas."

"Don't hold your breath, Bristol." Isabella smirks as she sticks a straw in her soda. "Yale's a long shot, for you anyway."

Bristol's dark eyes flash. "How would you even know? It's not like you're applying to any Ivy League schools."

"'hat's because I'm going to my parents' alma mater." Isabella makes a face at Bristol. "Which some people happen to think is preferable to any of the Ivy League schools."

"And most Ivy League schools don't do early acceptance," Jayden informs her.

Bristol holds her head high. "FYI ... one of my dad's best friends happens to be on the Yale admissions board."

Jayden just shakes his head. "Trust me, Bristol, it'll take more than a buddy on the board to get an early acceptance from Yale. That is, unless you're someone they really want. Some hot commodity they don't want to miss out on." His eyes twinkle like he knows this isn't the situation.

"Or maybe you have some hidden talents we don't know about," Lily teases.

Bristol scowls and looks like she's about to argue this when Ethan changes the subject. "So, who's going to the big game tonight? It's supposed to be a good one." The response from the table is less than enthusiastic, and I can tell Ethan's disappointed. Even so, I don't say anything to encourage him. The truth is, I like sports, but I'm guessing this clique's not into the whole jock thing-and I'm not comfortable enough to rock the boat.

Isabella looks at Ethan. "Well, I'd like to go to the game."

"Cool." He nods eagerly. "How about I give you a ride?"

And just like that, it all turns around. Everyone starts acting like they want to go too. Suddenly they're planning rides, Lily offers to get there early to save seats, and some of them are arguing on where to eat afterward. I can't help but be impressed at Isabella's influence with this crowd, yet she seems to simply take it in stride. To my relief, she's including me in these plans too. "Who are you riding with?"

Before I can object, Ethan decides that I must ride with Isabella and him. I have a feeling it's because Bristol was trying to squeeze herself in. Maybe there's still a rift between those two girls. Now as much as I appreciate being included, I'm a little concerned that Ethan's the one offering the ride. I do not want Isabella to perceive this as me trying to push into whatever may or may not be going on between Ethan and her. No way do I want to blow my friendship with her -especially after only two weeks as the "new girl."

"How about if I hitch a ride with you, too?" Jayden suggests to Ethan. "That way we'll save on gas."

Ethan agrees, and as quickly as they came, my fears fade away. Not only am I being included in this group, but I'm going on what almost seems like a double date! Okay, it's not like I'm delusional; I know Jayden hasn't asked me out proper, but I must admit it feels extremely cool to imagine it that way. I've never been on a real date. Last year I thought a guy was going to ask me out. But a girl who I had supposed was my friend told him my mom was crazy, and that kind of squelched the date-not to mention the rest of my junior year. But that's an old story.

Anyway, I am still riding high when I get home from school on Friday. So high that I don't really stop to wonder why my mom came home from work early. My focus is on putting together the coolest outfit I can for the football game. Something that will encourage Jayden to give me a second look. Or so I hope.

It's not until Isabella calls me on my cell phone, announcing that Ethan has just turned into my condo complex and that I'm supposed to meet them down there, that I notice my mom's grim expression. She's seated on the couch with her arms folded tightly across her chest like something is really bugging her.

"Is something wrong?" I ask as I pull on my jacket.

She scowls darkly. It's a look I haven't seen in months, but it sends chills through me. "Just my ridiculous excuse of a boss," she snaps. "That's all."

"Something's wrong at work?" I feel uneasy as I reach for my bag.

She stands then, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Nothing I can't manage, Adele. Don't bother yourself to worry about me or my problems. You just run along with your little friends. Have fun!" The mocking tone of her voice is laced with anger now. And although I know that whatever's going on isn't really my fault, I feel guilty. My mom will find a way to blame me for this. She always does.

I just kind of nod then, mumbling something that I hope sounds sympathetic as I rush out the door. But that tone in her voice ... that look in her eyes ... it's all too familiar. And it is not a good sign. My mom's world is starting to unravel again. Already-it's falling apart!

But as I hurry down the stairs, I do not want to think about that. I do not want my mom's problems to ruin what's going on in my world. I am simply imagining things. And sure, maybe something is wrong, but like my mom said, she will manage it. She will put it back together. After all, that's what parents are supposed to do. And it's about time my mom accepted this and got on with it.

I hear a honk from the other side of the parking lot and hurry over to where Ethan's car is parked near the street. Isabella said to look for a small silver car. I'm not sure what the make is, but I can see it's fairly new and I suspect it's one of the new hybrid designs.

"Cool car," I tell Ethan as I slide into the backseat where Jayden is already seated.

"Thanks." Ethan turns and grins. "Gets almost forty miles per gallon on the highway."

"Sweet."

"So, how long have you lived in Westwood Heights?" Jayden asks me as Ethan pulls out into the street.

"Just since summer. The condo kind of came with my mom's job. But we'll probably move into something a little nicer in a while." Okay, even as those words spew from my mouth, it's like I have no idea where they originated. Who do I think I'll impress with that stupid lie? And why? Anyway, it's too late.

"'here's a house for sale next door to us," Isabella says. "You should tell your mom to come by and check it out. If she bought it, we'd be neighbors."

"That'd be cool." I grimace inwardly.

Jayden gives me a slightly questioning look, as if he knows more about my situation than I thought. But he doesn't say anything. And again I must be imagining things. Really, there's no way Jayden or anyone else at my school could possibly know anything besides what I've let out-and that hasn't been much. And it will be even less from now on. For sure, there will be no more spinning little "white" lies either. I know from years of watching my mom's mistakes what kind of trouble deceitfulness brings. Not that I want to think about any of that tonight.

After Ethan parks near the football stadium, he and Isabella walk together (actually holding hands, which makes me think their relationship is moving right along). Jayden probably feels like he should follow suit, so we walk side by side too - although no hand holding is involved. And even though I know we aren't really on a date, I pretend we are. Once we're inside the stadium, I allow the charade to continue by sitting next to him. Not that he seems to mind-if anything, it feels expected. Or else I'm just feeling hopeful.

But during the first half, I can't help but notice Bristol. She and Lily are sitting on the bleacher in front of us, and every once in a while, Bristol glances back with an expression that feels kind of like jealousy. Unless I'm imagining it. And that's possible since Bristol was crushing on Jayden last year. Anyway, that's what I try to convince myself-that Bristol's jealousy is just my imagination. Or maybe she's just curious.

I must admit it feels intriguing to be the girl of interest. To be in an "enviable" position. I mean, it's so unlike my previous life. Just the same, it's unsettling. I'm fully aware that I'm still the new girl here, and I can't afford to make any enemies at SHS. So at halftime I make some lame excuse to Jayden, saying I want to talk to Lily, who's sitting next to Bristol. I sit by Lily and make small talk with them about the game, acting totally nonchalant, like I have no idea Bristol may have been shooting dagger looks in my direction.

"Are you sitting with us for the rest of the game?" Bristol asks me in a slightly irritated tone, like maybe this spot on the bleacher is reserved for someone more important than me.

"Is that okay?" I watch her closely as a somewhat catty smile appears.

"Absolutely. In fact, I'll go grab your seat before anyone else gets it." And just like that, she's sitting next to Jayden. Since he doesn't glance back at me or act the least bit concerned, I figure it's probably for the best. I mean, Jayden's a cool guy, and if I were a different person (someone more secure and not freaking out over every little thing), it might be fun to have someone like Jayden interested in me. In other words ... in my dreams!

As I sit there in the cool autumn night air, pretending to be focused on the game that our team appears to be winning, I am totally distracted. Despite my resolve to block it out, I can't stop thinking about my mom's gloomy mood tonight. How long will it be until this lovely little life I've barely started to build begins to crumble and fall apart? And if this whole thing is going to disintegrate anyway, why should I even go to the trouble to create it in the first place? Seriously, I could do without this stress.