My Sister's Best Friend

29

Another week later, a week away from the state championships, I can't seem to tear my gaze away from the kitchen clock. I'm supposed to leave for Maya's any minute now, but I need to wait until her dad goes to work, and that should take another thirty minutes before the coast is clear.

For now, I'll have to eat my cereal quickly in order to get out of here before witnessing another Maddie and Cameron smooch fest.

Gross.

My hope is crushed when Cameron strides into the kitchen and opens up our fridge to grab the milk. I don't know why the action bothers me, because it never used to, but he's not wearing a shirt, and just knowing he came from Maddie's room irritates the hell out of me.

I mean, my parents didn't even care that he was in her room! As long as they kept the door open, they were able to do whatever they pleased. It's such bullshit.

"Hey." Cameron says unevenly, shifting his weight as he grabs a box of fruity pebbles.

I nod and stare back down into my bowl, swirling my spoon around and around in circles. I'm not even hungry anymore.

"Can we-"

"Gotta go." I mutter harshly, and after I dump my bowl into the sink, even though I know it's wrong, I'm out the door before he can stop me.

————

I'm trying to shake off the awkward interaction with Cameron as I drive to Maya's house, but I can't. I'm gripping the steering wheel with so much force that I fear it might break off, and I'm so deep in thought that I haven't even bothered to turn on the radio.

I know I'm overreacting, I can feel it, but I'm not sure when I won't be weirded out. Maddie seemed to accept Maya and I with open arms, but she hasn't had to be around us hardly at all unless we're in school. Maya didn't want to make Maddie upset, so I always drove to her house, and I know that I could fix all of this if I could just get over myself.

Parking into the familiar sand spot a block away from her house, I walk down the road, peeking around the corner to make sure her dad isn't home. His civic isn't in the driveway, so I continue down the path until I reach her trailer.

It's hot as hell outside, and I wish I had changed out of my sweatshirt and sweatpants when I finally reach her window. I'm about to knock until I hear rustling from the other side of the trailer.

My eyes grow wide when I see her father grabbing the lawn mower out of their shed. It's no use hiding — he can see me clear as day trying to get into his daughter's window. Almost instantly, I watch as his eyes narrow.

"Qué diablos crees que estás haciendo, Ethan?" TRANSLATION: "hey, what the hell do you think you're doing, Ethan?"

Oh my god, I have no idea what he's saying, but he sounds pissed. Yup, he's definitely pissed when he flings the mower to the side and starts shouting. Why is he still here? His car isn't in the driveway. I thought he was gone.

Just then, Maya opens up her window, and as soon as she lays eyes on me, her eyes bug out of her head. "Ethan, why are you here?" She shrieks, and then she looks up at her father. "Papá, t-te lo puedo explicar." TRANSLATION: "dad, I-I can explain."

"Explicar me qué? Explicar me cómo estás metiendo a escondidas a un chico en la casa? Que se vaya. ¡Ahora mismo!" TRANSLATION: "Explain what? Explain how you're sneaking a boy into the house? Get rid of him. Now."

"Papá, si tan solo me dejas explicar- TRANSLATION: "dad, if you'll just let me explain-"

"Esto no va a pasar. Dile adiós. ¡Ahora!" Her father is definite with his tone, and I wish I knew what he was saying to her more than anything. From the looks of it, it's not good because she's crying. TRANSLATION: "Now. This isn't going to happen. Tell him goodbye."