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The rest of the day went by pretty fast. As the final bell rang, signaling the end of school, I started to walk fast toward the cafeteria. Aunt Kate is normally late, but I wanted to get there before Allison and Sydney. When I arrived at the spot, I saw that they were already there, talking. Something was off. Sydney seemed uncomfortable. But of course, Allison didn’t see it. She wasn’t trained to notice these things. I walked up to them but avoided joining the conversation. She sent me a 'help me’ look. I just shook my head and shrugged.
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“This is what you get for lying.” I mouthed, jokingly. Knowing deep down that I lied to her too. She glared at me.
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Then I saw my aunt’s car swerve over to the curb. She rolled down the window.
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“Get in Wonder-Twins and new friend!” I laughed. I was close to my Aunt. I was closer to her than my own mother, she is like a third parent to me. She was always really cool, but even more so with the car and the sunglasses.
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“I call shotgun!” Allison exclaimed. She hopped into the passenger seat before anyone could protest. Sydney stood there clearly unsure what to do. I jumped into the car and held the door so she could climb inside. She got in and I observed her emotions, to find discomfort.
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“So? How was school today guys?” she wondered as she glanced in the rearview mirror.
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“Oh, it was fun!” I replied as Aunt Kate flipped the sun visor down and placed her sunglasses onto her head. She made eye contact with Sydney.
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“How was your first day of school?”
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“F-Fine.” She stuttered. I saw the flickers of panic that flashed in her eyes. She quickly looked away from my aunt and I could tell her breathing had gotten slightly faster. She was freaking out. She was moderately okay at hiding it, but I saw through the pretense.
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Maybe she's just intimidated?
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“So what's going on today?”
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“We have a project due by the end of the week. But we were split into two groups. So, the plan is that we basically do two separate projects, but work on them together. Everyones meeting up at the house.”
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“Ohhhh, I see. Who’s in your group, Laura, besides this one?” She grinned. I could already tell, that she knew. I noticed Sydney hide a flinch out of the corner of my eyes. Again, her breathing had gotten a bit faster.
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“Is Stiles in your group?”
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“Yes!” Allison replied, having no idea what my aunt is hinting at. “He’s coming over too. So is Scott.”
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My aunt gave me a look and I gave it right back, causing her to laugh. Then, she slammed on the break, causing everyone to lurch forward. She slammed her fist on the car horn, and just held it there.
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“ASSHOLE! IT WAS MY TURN!” She yelled
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I saw Sydney’s hands start shaking and she made a small noise. She was losing the pretense she’d been holding, and it was becoming more and more clear that she was freaking out. Her hands were to be shaking. I got my observation skills from my dad's side of the family, so my aunt also noticed.
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“Laura, elle est ça va?” Allison turns around, now noticing that something was wrong.
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“Je ne sais pas. Il y a un problème avec elle, mais je ne sais pas ce que.”
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“C’est très bizarre.” My ancestors all originated from France, so it had always been a family tradition to be taught French as a child.
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“So…. What's your name?” Aunt Kate asked
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“Sydney,” she replied but I could tell it was forced. Like she was trying to force herself not to stutter. Her hands were clenched into fists. They were clenched so tightly that her knuckles were white.
She is trying to get them to stop shaking
"Are you okay?" I whispered
She gave me a quick nod while avoided eye contact.
Something was definitely off.
We pulled up to my house, and Sydney immediately got out of the car. I watched as she slung her backpack strap onto her shoulder. She still seemed a bit… shakey. I hear her ask Allison where the restroom is, and watch Allison give her directions. My phone started to vibrate. I stepped out of the car, and answered it.
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“Hello?” I asked. I could hear a little bit of arguing on the other end.
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“Hi, Scott and I are almost here. He says he knows exactly where he is going but I’m pretty sure we are going in the exact- opposite direction of the address that you gave me.” he snickered
“Dude where even are we?”
“Here give me the phone.”
“You guys live by a Dairy Queen right?” Scott asked
“Guys, Dairy Queen is on the other side of town.”
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There was a moment of silence
I could just feel Stiles giving Scott a death glare.
“Whoops.”
“Okay, why don’t we plug in the GPS like I suggested we do the first time.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve only been to her house once.”
“Scott, when have you ever gone to my house?” I asked
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There was a nervous laugh
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“Okay on second thought, I don’t want to know.”
“Stiles, you dropped me off after the party last semester, remember?” I blurted. That was a stupid question. He probably forgot.
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“Yeah, I remember.” His voice was filled with recognition. My stomach did a somersault
“I honestly thought that you forgot.”
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There was another moment of silence.
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“Well, what happened at the party?” Scott asked, ruining the moment.
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“You left Allison and Laura at the party, jackass.” Everyone laughed. That wasn’t the only thing that happened that night.
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“Well we are fifteen minutes away, we’ll see you in a little bit.” Scott briskly stated
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There was some rustling on the other end.
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“Nothing!” Stiles shouted
“Scott, stop pinching me. I’M TRYING TO DRIVE. Okay, hand me back the phone.”
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“Scott is trying to get us killed. I’m going to have to call you back once I explain all the bad things that can happen while driving when your best friend is pinching you.” Stiles snapped
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I laughed, “Alright, I see you in a few.”
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“Byeeeeee.”
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“Byeeeeee.”
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I hung up, and tried to wipe the childish grin off of my face.
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