A part of me knew I should have allowed our driver to carry me to school. I decided it would be a pleasant experience to take my sister's advice for us to go to school together.
While I sat in the passenger seat, I couldn't help but chastise myself for my decision. My sister, Philly, had never been known for her punctuality unless Caden drove her to school.
Now, the regret was setting in. I was about to experience my first tardy, and the thought brought a lump to my throat. Meanwhile, Philly seemed unperturbed, calmly perusing the Starbucks menu in the drive-thru as cars behind us impatiently honked their horns.
"Hurry, Philly! People are honking their horns," I stammered, my anxiety growing with each passing second. Another car blew its horn behind us, making me tremble. Some people gave up on the line and drove away.
Philly, with a bright smile, turned to me again."Are you sure you don't want anything?" She asked, seemingly ignoring the chaos around us.
My irritation flared, and I wondered if she was deaf to the horns blaring outside. My frustration reached a breaking point, and I had to pinch my leg to stop myself from imagining strangling her.
Her eyes glittered with mischief as she observed my agitation. A chuckle escaped her lips as I tried to duck, though her tinted windows shielded us.
"Fine, I'll have a Grande Caramel Frappuccino with extra caramel sauce," she said, placing the order.
I couldn't help but marvel at the irony. I was wearing braces and dealing with cavities, while Philly had an insatiable sweet tooth and perfect, cavity-free teeth. The only reason I knew it to be true was that we were sisters.
"Also, a Beyond Meat Burger, 2 Medium Pumpkin Spice lattes, and 2 Medium Hot Chocolates," she enthusiastically announced, leaving me perplexed.
What could she possibly need all those drinks for herself? Our mom had prepared breakfast, which Philly had declined. She didn't even seem concerned about being late in the second week of school. Her radiant smile contrasted with my rising stress levels as we left Starbucks to head to school.
The moment I caught sight of our familiar school colors, my heart raced. How would I explain our tardiness? "Oh, my sister decided to stop for Starbucks!" I could envision the teacher's exasperated reaction, sentencing me to detention. And I couldn't even craft a convincing lie.
My breaths grew shallow as we approached the school. Philly, on the other hand, looked entirely at ease as she parked the car.
"Relax, we have three more minutes before homeroom is over," Philly beamed, her smile almost infectious. I tried to maintain my composure, my expression hardening as I remained silent, rushing into school.
"Oh, Ashi, wait up!" Philly called out as she caught up with me. I slowed my pace but continued walking.
"Is Ms. Jackson your homeroom teacher?" she inquired, breathless. I nodded in response.
"Good," she chimed with a playful glint in her eyes, "a Medium Hot Cocoa to make amends for our little detour." She strolled ahead of me, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips.
Despite my annoyance, I knew I couldn't stay mad at her for long. She is the same person who had shared secrets with me and wiped away my tears countless times. She always finds the best way to help me.
As I entered the classroom, I found Mrs. Jackson to be lenient, only giving me a warning. She seemed appreciative when I handed her the Medium Hot Cocoa; I silently acknowledged that I should thank Philly for her idea. Before I could even sit down, the homeroom bell rang.
YOU ARE READING
Three Hearts, One Love(Entangled Hearts Book I)
Teen Fiction*****Hiatus******* In bustling Los Angeles, three high school juniors find themselves entangled in an unconventional love triangle. Caden yearns for his best friend, Ashley, yet can't shake his feelings for his ex, Caylee. Ashley's affection for bot...
