Broken Benefits

Chapter 6

"Sweetie, Your back early". My mum called as I rounded the sitting room and heading for the kitchen. Having hardly noticed her presence on my way in, I stopped and looked over my shoulder waving at her in greeting. "Did something happen" She had a worrisome look on her face, as if she knew something. Shit, did the school phone her about me? Maybe a teacher seen me in the hall or skipping my class with Alex.

Deciding to call her bluff, I shook my head and smiled forcefully. "Nope, everythings fine. We were let out early for last period and a friend drove me home". I explained, not totally lying. Part of it was true.. if you consider Alex to be my friend now. Should I consider him my friend? I mean, only a friend would help like he did. The thoughts of whether I had made a new friend today whirled around my head. Alex was a Jerk, just look at how many times i've called him one if you need confirmation, but he's a tolerable jerk. So i guess i wouldn't be mad if we were friends now.

"Jordan dropped you off? Why didn't you invite him in for dinner" My mother looked at me accusingly, as if I had betrayed her. My mother adores Jordan, i'm not quite sure why but she does. Apparently he is an angle boy sent from heaven and his parents are very lucky to have him for a son. Gah, gross. Her words, not mine.

Smiling nervously, I shook my head. "It wasn't Jordan. It's a new student I met today" Once again, I told only part of the truth. I didn't want to point out that this new student was actually a boy. One of two things would happen if i did. 1) My mother would demand that I invite him over swifto so she can begin planning our wedding. Or 2) She would flip her lid and ban me from seeing Alex ever again because 'only Jordan is good enough for my baby girl'. Again, her words not mine. I wasn't Jordan's type even if he was mine. 

Her accusing face turned into one of excitment now. "Oh, honey. I'm so glad!" I cursed under my breath, knowing that she was at the point of jumping up and down in excitment. "When can i meet them? You can invite them around for tea some time" See, I was right as always, she is overreacting already. 

Groaning, I stared at my mother with an impatient look across my face. "Im not a child mom. It's just a friend, no need to throw a party for them." I held back from rolling my eyes, knowing that I would be grounded if I didn't. I couldn't help but feel annoyance rushing to my cheeks, brightening them. I'm not six anymore, I didn't need my mom to solidify my friendships with homebaked cookies and a movie. It was ridiculous. 

Thinking about cookies, I couldn't help but remember how me and Jordan first met. It was when we were aged 5 and I had just moved to the town. 

"Mommy, can I go on the swing?" I called over to my mom, who was sat on a bench reading a book with a smile plastered on her face. Looking up from her book, she nodded back at me. 

"Just be careful Darling, don't go to high" She cooed back, being overprotective as usual. 

Jumping from happiness, I ran across the park as quick as I could to reach the swings. I didn't care what mommy said, I was going to swing as high as I could. So high I would be able to reach the sky. But when I reached the swing set, another boy had stolen it from it. 

"Hey! I wanted to use that swing" I crossed my little arms over my chest and pouted at the boy. He was a strange looking boy, stranger than one I had ever seen. His skin wasn't pale like mine and his hair went above his head rather than down it. 

The little boy stopped swinging for a second and looked at me before sticking his tongue out and beginning to swing again. Huffing, I moved myself closer, blocking him from being able to swing. "I said, I wanted the swing" I stomped my foot in anger, the beginning of  a famous Elisa tantrum. Once again the little boy ignored my demands and carried on swinging, this time hitting into my legs each time. In retaliation for this, I grabbed the swing, pulling it with all my might, until it came to a stop. Reaching out my hand, I then yanked on the boys hair, making him shriek. "Freak hair, freak hair" I chanted at the little boy until he ran off crying. 

In triump, I took a seat on MY swing and began swinging as high as I could. I was so distracted by trying to swing higher and higher, I failed to notice my mother storm over to me. An angry look plastered on her face. Behind her trailed another women, holding the hand of the crying little boy. 

Stopping in front of the swing, my mother put her hand out to stop me. "Elisa!" She scolded, her other arm resting against her hip in a classic mad mum stance. Knowing I was in trouble but also knowing how to win over my mother, I battered my shiny blue eyes at her. "What did you say to this poor boy" My mother indicated towards the little boy who stole my swing. He had his arms wrapped around the other womens legs, sniffing constantly. I looked up at the lady puzzled, she looked the same as the little boy. Dark skin, high hair and other features I had not seen before. 

Hopping of my swing, I stood beside my mother and tugged at her sleeve until she bent down to my height. "Mommy, they look funny and have strange hair" I whispered into her ear, except my whisper wasn't very good and the duo overheard me. My mother went bright red from embarrashment and shifted from foot to foot. She looked over to the other lady and apologied for what I said, whilst I stood and watched on confused as to what I had said wrong. They Did look different, I thought to myself. The lady told my mom it was okay before bending down next to me. Unsure of the stranger, I hid behind my mother's leg. Just as the little boy was doing to his mom. 

The women had a gentle voice and spoke softly to me, introducing herself. "Hello dear, my name is Candis. What's your name?". When I hesitated, she nodded her head in encouragement. 

"Eliza" I spoke in return. 

"That is a lovely name Eliza" She smiled at me, before indicating to the boy beside her. "This is my son, Jordan" I gave him a little wave here, earning myself a smile in return. "Eliza, people will not always look similar to you, for many reasons, but that doesn't mean they are strange. It just means they are unique and different. Just like you, you look different from me and Jordan don't you?" I nodded my head at Candis enthusiastically. "Which makes you unique to us and us to you. Do you understand". Once again I nodded up at Candis, not really understanding but accepting it. 

Looking back up to my own mom now, I let go of her sleeve and ran beside Jordan taking hold of his sleeve instead. "Can I share my cookies with Jordan?" At the mention of cookies, Jordan perked up and started to get excited. "You have cookies? I love cookies!" He exclaimed at me. 

We'd been friends ever since that day. Unseperatable. The power of cookies when you were 5, I smile at the memory. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped" I apologised to my mom, not allowing her the chance to note my sarcastic tone.  "When will dinner be ready?" I asked her, hearing my stomache growl as if on cue. Thanks to Jordan, I hadn't eaten much lunch today and after everything I could not wait to stuff my face with mothers famous Mac&Cheese. 

Hearing my stomach and eagerness for food, my mother laughed. "The usual time, did Jordan eat your lunch again?" She moved past me, towards the kitchen counter and retrived something from the shelves. 

Leaning against the counter, I looked over at what she was holding. "Yep" I responded to her, popping the P. "What's that?" Standing back up straight, she handed me a tuppleware tub, a sly grin on her face. "Is this what I think it is?" I couldn't help my excitment, my mouth stretching into the largest grin. 

My mother brought a single finger to her lips and whispered "Don't tell your father or brother. You know how they get when they don't have the last slice" My mother winked before shooing me from her kitchen, the delicious snack in hand. 

.........

Heeey, 

So, how long does everyone like their chapters to be? 

I'm conflicted on how long to make them for you guys. So far i started out really short and got longer but I felt the previous chapter was pushing it so I shortened it again here. Which do people prefer? 

The content / plot per chapter will be the same so you won't be missing out. It'll just be based on how I seperate each chapter.