CHAPTER 4
Emma gave me the silent treatment as I drove home from school, and I let her. When we finally made it back home, I parked my car next to Dad’s new Mercedes on the driveway. Mom and Dad worked together, and they always carpooled. Today, they must have taken Mom’s SUV to work.
As soon as we entered the house, Emma slammed the front door and finally let her anger out. “I don’t like being late to school, Paige. Bad things happen when I’m late. I’m telling Mom that I want her taking me to school instead of you. You are so getting in trouble for this, and you are going to burn. BURN,” she yelled.
I cringed. The deal was that I get a brand new car for my birthday if I drive my sister to school and back. I can’t have Emma complaining about my car duties when I just got my car. Emma ran up the stairs, and I heard her bedroom door slam.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly to no one, and I really was. Sorry for making us both late to school this morning, sorry for seeing a delusion, and sorry for a few other things I can't remember just now.
Dejected, I walked slowly into the house and closed the front door, locking it. My small dog, Buffy, jumped up and down in front of me and greeted me with the enthusiasm of a dog who hasn’t seen me in seven hours. At least, someone was still happy to see me today.
I patted Buffy’s tan head while she wiggled her stubby, little tail. Her wiry hair, neither short nor long, somehow managed to stick out in every direction. I smiled at her. Buffy was ugly in every sense of the word, but she was always beautiful in her loyalty and friendship. She was a mixed breed, but if I squinted my eyes a bit, she almost looked like the Taco Bell Chihuahua.
“Let’s get you something to eat, shall we?” I dropped my messenger bag on the floor and walked to the kitchen. Buffy definitely deserved a special treat for being my only friend today.
After giving Buffy some food, I parked myself on the living room couch and watched TV. I knew I should be doing my homework, but I had a really stressful day. I deserved some down time. What the heck? I’m young. Homework can wait.