Episode 11 - Not To Be Third Wheeling

Cole had come to my aid by giving me Lilith’s scarf. She was his step sister but they went along pretty well. Lilith didn’t mind because it had been buried in her locker at school for a long while and she had no use for it.

Thus, she agreed to lend me.

I used it to protect my hair for the rest of the lectures, before school hours were over. Whitney gave me a mischievous look, as lectures went by. I ignored her facial expressions, not wanting to sign up for another trouble.

Cole drove us in his old rickety car, dropping me off.

The moment I got home, I noticed nobody was home, which I was a bit thankful for. I didn’t want them asking me any questions about my hair. I hastily went to my room, throwing my backpack on the bed.

I grabbed a bottle of my shampoo, and commenced the washing of my hair. I scrubbed and scrubbed it, emptying about half of the content on my hair.

I checked the bathroom mirror to see my progress.

I sighed that instant.

“Damn, damn, damn!” I breathed off.

There was no progress at all. And it wasn’t going off. That made me so angry and I began to wash my hair in irritation and anger.

“Damn you, Whitney! Damn you and your minions!” I also exclaimed.

I didn’t even know when tears of frustration came out. I dried my hair coming out to take a snack. I was so hungry and everything looked like it wasn’t working for me.

On my way to the kitchen, I stopped in my tracks when I heard a voice.

“Don’t forget to do the dishes, Phoebe,” I sighed, grunting and looking back at the cage she was kept in. It was Pia the Parrot. She was the house pet, who was bought by mum, for her love of birds.

“Oh hello, there,” I called out, smiling at her.

“Hello, Phoebe,” she replied, in her lowkey bird voice which I found amusing. From the time she has been with us, she had inculcated some things we did do and say. Mum didn’t fail to notice and used her to deliver messages whenever she knew she wasn’t going to be around.

“What did mum tell you this time?” I asked her, with a nudge on her head. She stared at me, before saying,

“Don’t forget to do the dishes, Phoebe.” It was on repeat from her, till I had to block my ears.

“Fine, fine, okay. Heard it all, Pia. So that’s enough for now,” I told her. My eyes searched around. I reached for the cup board we stored her food. Immediately, I brought her day’s ration, dropping it in front of her.

“Here you go,” I said. She rushed the food with her beak while I went to the kitchen to do what mum said and get some snack for myself.

…

By night fall, there was this queasy sensation disturbing my body. It was like the same as school. Like I was unwell. I continuously rolled on the bed, unable to sleep.

I snuggled into my blankets, resting my head on the luscious and soft pillow. But it seemed like there was no use. I wasn’t still comfortable. Thus, I kicked my cover cloth with my legs.

“Just what I need,” I grunted out, before standing up weakly. I needed to take some drugs to quench this restless feeling. But the drugs were kept in the dining room’s cabinet.

My feet trotted the stairs, as I dragged them along sleepily, in my pajamas.

Ouch, my head sure hurt too. 

I thought.

Giving a loud yawn, I walked towards the dining table, next, to the cabinet. I took a cup and took some drugs. I examined my head before I headed back to my room. It was like I was having a fever.

Just as I walked down the passage, I heard some whispers.

“Here? He can’t live here. That boy has a bad criminal record,” A low voice made out. I didn’t miss the fact that it sounded like dad’s.

“He is changed now,” This one was indeed a sweet and kind tone. Genuine like mum’s.

“What makes you think so? What about Phoebe? She’s going to call him an intruder just like she did the last time to Galaxy.”

“But he’s still bound to us by blood. We need to make a decision now,” she replied.

I inhaled, before dazing back into reality.

What was I doing?

I shouldn’t be eavesdropping on my parents. I hurriedly walked to my room, getting on my bad. As I wrapped myself with my blanket, I couldn’t help but think.

What were mum and dad talking about?

…

The next day at school, I showed up wearing one of Galaxy’s outfits again. This was because of Whitney’s statement that I should put on a slutty cloth. I didn’t want to piss her off.

I hated it when she bullied me.

I also hated the fact that I had no nerve to stand up to her or any of her minions.

As usual, Asher was in the corridors. A female was in between his legs, talking to him. It was pretty noticeable that she was attempting to seduce him. He wore a dismissive expression and didn’t even look my way when I walked past him, timidly.

I peeked through the corner of my eyes, only to sight her slapping him. She scoffed, walking away. My hands went to my chest, as I wondered what just happened.

Asher Gilbert was the mysterious type for sure.

“What the heck are you wearing?” Cole asked me, with his mouth opened wide in shock. I knew my red hair was a different history, but my cloth was something that gave me so much attention.

It was a denim booty short, with a fish net hose and boots. My upper part was clothed in a blue chiffon crop top, which neckline was also too low, spilling my cleavage. The back was also open, leaving my mid back open.

I pulled Cole to my locker, before whispering to him.

“Whitney ordered me to wear it, you know I wouldn’t put this on voluntarily.” I told him.

“Hey, Phoebe, hi Cole.” Someone called. We both averted our gazes to who it was, only to see Roxanne.

Roxanne was our grade mate. She had a dark tan skin, which suited her. Her shape was curvy like a barbie doll, with a petite stature. Her hair was in the usual frizzy black curls, which suited her face.

“Hi,” We both let out at the same time. Cole had a crush on Roxanne. There was just a slight problem. Roxanne was a les. She had interest in only girls. This didn’t mean my best friend didn’t still drool over her.

“That’s a really cool outfit, where did you get that boot?” she complimented, asking. Her eyes raked over me. Cole cleared his voice immediately.

“Uh…Thanks but this is not mine. It’s my cousin’s actually.” I confessed, biting my lips.

“Oh, wow. Sorry about that, it sure suited you perfectly. That made me misunderstand.” she said.

“No worries, it’s okay.” I told her. This outfit managed to get me some attention today.

“Yeah…” she trailed out, staring at the both of us.

“So, would you be free probably this weekend? You could hang out with me and Phoebe and get some snacks, have fun, what do you say?” Cole asked, to my awe.

My eyes bolted, so did I gulp at my words. I was surprised at where his bravery came from.

“Oh, you both just hang out, I certainly don’t want to be third wheeling,” she said, swaying her hands.

We both stared at ourselves in a minimal amount of shock.

“Wait, you thought we were… dating?” I let out. Cole laughed so did I too.

“You don’t have to worry about that, w-we certainly aren’t.” Cole said.

“We are more like childhood best friends, you know, the stick together kind of friends.” I shrunk my nose, explaining it to her. Her eyes widened in surprise immediately.

“Ohhh… I’m sorry… I didn’t know. I always see you both together. I assumed you two were—”

“Don’t mention it,” we both said at the same time. Cole meant the world to me, but having him date me was like something illegal. It would be incest in my vocabulary because he was like my brother.

“In that case, who’s up for a frat party tonight?” she asked, clasping our hands happily.

Just one outfit, and we both get invited to a party for the first time?

I think you already know the answer to that.