When the end of school bell rang, Allie found herself thanking God that school was over. While walking down the hall and towards the door to leave the school building, Allie heard the voice of a new friend.
Nicole: Allie, hey?
Allie stopped walking as she turned to Nicole behind her. Once Nicole was caught up to Allie's walking pace, they walked down the hallway together.
Allie: Hey Nicole.
Nicole: So my family is having a house warming party, I want you and Lola to come so bring your family.
Allie: Yeah that sounds fun, what time?
Nicole: Around seven, see you then.
Nicole delightfully smiled at Allie as she waved goodbye while hurrying out the door. As if trying to be sneaky, Dustin came walking up to Allie once she walked out of the school building doors.
Dustin: So, I hear you're coming over tonight?
Allie: Yeah, your sister just invited me.
Even before Dustin had time to smile, he heard the only voice that could make him cringe inside.
Nicole: Dustin, stop flirting with Allie and let's go home.
Dustin's face went pure white from embarrassment. Busted, Allie thought as she tried so hard not to laugh in Dustin's face.
Dustin: I wasn't...
Nicole cut Dustin's words short as she started walking towards him and Allie.
Nicole: Don't try to deny it.
Dustin was too embarrassed to say anything back, so he just stood there afraid to make eye contact with Allie.
Allie: Well, I'll see you both tonight.
Allie made sure that she was far enough away from Dustin to start laughing the laugh that was crawling up her throat when she was in front of him.
As Nicole walked in front of where Dustin stood, she gave him a stern almost pissed off type of look.
Nicole: No!
Dustin: What?
Dustin was confused, he had no idea what his sister could be complaining about now.
Nicole: My friends are off limits!
Dustin: Nicole, you don't have any friends. You've know her for like what? Two days?
Nicole put her hands on her hips and looked to Dustin with a snobbish face. With her left hand, Nicole started to wag her index finger in Dustin's face almost like a sassy type of person would do with a head roll and say mmhmm.
Nicole: Correction, it's been three days. And yes, that does make her a friend so that means no for you; we don't want a repeat of Nebraska.
Dustin hated the way Nicole always brought that subject into talk like it was something that could always be used against him. But then again, it could, even with that fact he still had enough of Nicole's snotty attitude.
Dustin: Nicole, you're a bitch and bitches don't ride in my car.
Nicole: Well too bad, mom and dad said we have to ride together, we moved here for your stupid mistake so this is the least you could do for me.
Nicole snapped a glaring glance at Dustin as she walked away. Dustin felt like he could rip his sister's head off at any moment but figured that there were too many people around for them to witness the crime. Instead, he just calming walked as he followed Nicole to his car.
**********
As the clock struck seven, Allie found herself walking down the streets of her neighborhood with her mother. As they approached Nicole's house they didn't even bother knocking, they just walked right in.
Allie saw every single guest upstairs congregating in the living room, along with Lola and her parents. As Allie and her mother walked into the living room of Nicole's house, Lola's mother was the first to notice them as she looked to Allie with a welcoming smile.
Lola's Mom: Allie honey, how are you?
Lola got her looks from her mother, dark hair and dark eyes, along with a petite figure. She always smells so good, Allie thought as she hugged Lola's mother hello.
Allie: I'm good.
As Allie released from Lola's mom's hug, she felt the need to say hello to Lola's father, whom stood next to Lola's mom. Lola's father was a bolding man, but you could still see that he had a brown color of hair, not quite like Lola and her mother though. He also always had a look on his face like everything amused him, that's what Allie like about him. Before Allie could say hello to Lola's father she felt Lola's hand gently touch her arm.
Lola: Come on Allie, let's go find Nicole and leave are parents be.
Allie figured that Lola was standing by her parents too long before she had gotten there, so she figured that her friend was just dying to escape.
Allie: Yeah, so now they can talk about boring grown up stuff without us kids.
Lori: Hey, you're going to be a grown up soon and your kids are going to be saying the same thing.
Allie felt as if her mother was always putting pressure on her to grow up, get a job, go to college and have a family of her own. Sometimes Allie just didn't want to hear it anymore, but she always knew a way to get herself over it.
Allie: Remember mom, I'm going to end up in a morgue.
Allie smiled mischievously at her mother, who wasn't amused even one bit, as she started walking away lopping her arm through Lola's.
Lori felt herself get red in the face as Lola's parents stood there looking at her curiously.
Lori: She never looks while crossing the street.
--------
Walking away from the adults, Allie and Lola didn't see Nicole anywhere in sight, but they did see Nicole's mom Kathleen.
Kathleen: Hey girls.
Kathleen's eyes always seemed to light up as she talked, Allie couldn't tell if it was an act or not so she just decided to go with it and ask away with the question that was on her mind.
Allie: Hey Kathleen, do you know where Nicole is?
Kathleen: She's either in the kitchen or her room.
Kathleen pointed to both the different rooms as she spoke of them, as if either Allie or Lola didn't know where either was.
Allie: Thanks.
Allie and Lola turned away from Kathleen as she went back to the conversation she was having with the people around her. Allie leaned into Lola as if in a huddled secret conversation.
Allie: You check her room, and I'll check the kitchen.
Lola stepped out of her and Allie's huddled conversation as she looked to her friend with a look as if to say Really?
Lola: You just want the kitchen because the food is in there?
Allie looked to her friend as if to say no way, and made a 'psh' type of noise as if she didn't believe. Lola just gave her a know-it-all type of look, it made Allie caved.
Allie: So...?
Lola: You're so predictable.
Lola rolled her eyes playfully to Allie as she walked towards Nicole's room. As Allie walked into the opened doorway of the kitchen, she had to tell herself to breathe when she saw who was in the kitchen. It was like she forget he lived here.
Allie: You're not Nicole.
Allie said as she walked over to the white kitchen counter top where Dustin was pouring chips from the bag into a big party bowl. Dustin put down the bag of chips that was in his hands as he heard Allie's statement.
Dustin: Thank god for that, but I think she's in her room.
Allie: Yeah, Lola's on that.
Dustin looked to Allie with a confused expression as he tried not to laugh a little to himself.
Dustin: What?
Allie: Never mind.
Allie could see the smug rough look on Dustin's face as she just mention Nicole, so she thought it was time to either change the subject or make him laugh.
Allie: So, are you a party pooper sitting here in the kitchen?
Dustin: No, I'm on food duty.
Allie liked the sound of that as she looked to the different bowls of food that were prepared on the kitchen counter top.
Allie: Good because I'm starving!
Dustin: Well it's your lucky day; you can sneak some food before I bring it out for everyone.
Allie gave Dustin a thankful smile as she started digging her slender fingers through the different food bowls. She hoped that she didn't look like a pig in front of Dustin as she stuffed the food into her mouth. Dustin didn't look disgusted at all, he looked almost happy, or pleased, or something.
Lola: How did I know you'd be in here eating?
Allie heard her best friends almost laughing voice come from behind her and when she turned herself around with a handful of food in her cupped together hands, she saw Lola and Nicole standing in the opened doorway. Allie swallowed the food that was already chewed in her mouth before she spoke.
Allie: Hey, he said I could.
Allie pointed her hands towards Dustin because she couldn't release her fingers or otherwise the food would fall to the floor, Dustin just looked innocently at Lola on his behalf. Nicole didn't say anything, she just turned and walked out of the kitchen, so Lola rolled her head towards Nicole as a gesture for her and Allie to follow. Before Allie walked out of the kitchen, she turned her head back to Dustin and mentally said Thank You. A part of Dustin thought he heard her say it, but then again it could have been his mind that constantly echoed her voice.
As Nicole walked into the living where every one of the party guests were, she saw a tall man that she recognized and became overly excited.
Nicole: Uncle Tobey!
Was that a squeal? That was totally a squeal, Allie thought to herself as she heard Nicole say her uncle's name. Nicole went over to her uncle as she practically jumped into his arms and hugged him.
Tobey: Hi Nicole, how do you like Texas?
Nicole: *releasing from the hug* It's pretty good.
Nicole turned to Allie and Lola like they were a part of the conversation for some odd reason.
Nicole: I've actually met two new friends, Allie and Lola.
As Nicole said their names, she pointed to the rightful person. Allie finished her last bite of food as she and Lola both waved 'hello' at the same time.
Nicole: Allie lives just down the street.
As if joining the conversation for the first time, Nicole's Uncle Tobey, whom looked nothing like Nicole's family because his tall, dark, and mysteriously creepy exterior, turned to look at Allie. Not Allie and Lola, just Allie.
Allie grabbed Lola's hand as a gesture to say help me! Lola didn't move an inch because she understood when she saw the way Tobey was looking at Allie as if he was undressing her with his eyes. For the first time, Allie started to hate the way that she looked. Curse you mom and dad! Allie said to herself in her head.
Tobey: Oh Really?
Nicole: My uncle actually lives by you.
Allie didn't feel like talking, she felt like running away and never coming back. Even though, she told herself to put her polite pants on, as her mom used to say to her when she was little, because he was Nicole's Uncle.
Allie: Oh, well hello neighbor.
Tobey: Allie, what's your last name?
Screw you ASSHOLE! That's my last name, Allie felt like screaming as she ran away, but she contained herself as she still held Lola's hand. It was like Lola was holding her grounded.
Allie: Jenner.
Allie was a little hesitant at first to give out her last name because she was slightly afraid that Nicole's Uncle would use it to track her down and do things to her... Allie had seen it in movies, it can happen in real life!
Tobey: Oh you're James Jenner's daughter, good man.
Forgetting that Nicole's uncle was even in front of her, a smile slid across Allie's face as the image of her father flashed through her mind.
Allie: Yeah, he was.
Tobey: Oh yeah, I read about his death in the papers. That must suck huh?
Douche bag! Allie didn't care if he was Nicole's Uncle, no one talked about her father's death like it was nothing at all. Her father was everything to her.
Allie: Yeah... My grandma also died when I was seven, do you want to talk about that?
Allie raised her voice slightly as she spoke in a raged tone of voice. Nicole's uncle just looked at Allie confusingly stunned.
Tobey: Why would I want to talk about that?
Is the room getting warmer and smaller? Lola thought to herself as she could feel the tension and the warmed rage in Allie's hand that she still held. Lola knew that if anyone disrespected Allie's father like that, there was no way of getting Allie to calm down unless you take her away from the situation. In order to do so, Lola stepped in as she looked over to Nicole for help.
Lola: Umm... Nicole why don't we go downstairs or something?
Nicole looked confusingly at Lola, but then got the idea as Lola rolled her eyes towards Allie, whom ragingly looked at her Uncle Tobey.
Nicole: Yes, good idea.
Nicole led the way to the stairs, as Lola tried to drag Allie away before she did something she would regret. Allie almost agreeably went with, but then she head Nicole's uncle disgusting not even sorry sounding voice.
Tobey: *to Kathleen and Rob* Was it something I said?
Allie released herself from Lola's hold on her hand, and walked straight over to Nicole's uncle with the same raged face as before.
Allie: Yeah it was something that you said; generally when you hear about a death you say I'm sorry not, "Oh well that sucks."
Allie mocked Nicole's Uncle's disgusting, ever so rued, disrespectful tone of voice, like the smart-ass she was proud of being.
Allie: Get some manners.
Allie felt like spitting in Nicole's Uncle's face, but knew that it would be inappropriate with all the guest's at Nicole's house and her mother somewhere in the room, so Allie just walked passed Lola and Nicole to the stairs going down.
This was the exact thing I was trying to avoid, Lola said to herself as she winced her face when Allie walked passed her. She knew that was Allie, standing up for her family or friends not matter what or where, Lola learned to love it.
As Allie made her way downstairs to Nicole's basement, she looked around and saw two large brown couches against either side of the wall facing towards the big screen television that sat in front of it. Allie plopped herself down on the couch closet to the door so she didn't have to walk as far, Lola sat next to Allie as Nicole made her way to the farthest couch.
Nicole: Allie, I'm sorry about my uncle, he's a jerk.
Nicole had an apologetic look on her face, but Allie just gave her a No-Shit-Sherlock type of look.
Allie: You think?
Nicole: So do you mind if I ask...?
Allie knew exactly what was on Nicole's mind, she just smiled reassuringly thinking, Why can't everybody ask that question like she does?
Allie: No, because you asked nicely. About two years ago my dad died of Leukemia. It developed when I was around the age of 10, he fought as hard as he could for seven years, but eventually he couldn't fight the sickness anymore.
Nicole: *sympathetically* Allie, I'm so sorry and sorry on my uncle's behalf.
Allie knew that Nicole was just trying to help, but it didn't help. Her Uncle was the only one who could say he was sorry, and it's not like he would ever say that.
Allie: Thanks.
Nicole's face suddenly became different, as if it wasn't part of this conversation about Allie's father.
Nicole: Even though my uncle is a jerk, I would take him over my brother any day.
Allie looked at Nicole narrow eyed thinking, yeah right, you can't be serious?
Allie: Why?
Nicole: Because of the reason we moved here.
Allie looked over to Lola, who gave her the same not fully believed look, then looked back to Nicole.
Allie: Yes, because your Uncle is so much better than having to move to another town because of your brother's weird racing dreams.
Nicole's suddenly looked away from Allie and Lola's eyes as if for dramatic effect, but a part of her was serious.
Nicole: Well, my brother's racing is only part of the reason why we moved here.
Allie and Lola glanced at each other confusingly, then back to Nicole in wonder as they were on the edge of their seats.
Allie: What's the other part?
Nicole got up from where she sat on the far couch and walked over to the basement door. She closed it to make sure no one was listening, and made it seem like what she wanted to say next was a secret.
Nicole: My brother had an incident back in Nebraska.
Nicole said as she sat her back down on the couch. Neither Allie or Lola looked away from Nicole, they were too interested or scared, one of the two, of Nicole's suspense building story.
Allie: What kind of incident?
[ Meanwhile upstairs... ]
Unaware of what was being told downstairs, Dustin was in the kitchen putting the prepared bowls of food on the kitchen table for the guests to finally eat something.
Tobey: Hey little nephew.
Tobey said as he walked into the kitchen and stuck his fingers in a bowl of pretzels.
Dustin: Hey Tobey.
Tobey: So, what's up with that Allie girl?
Dustin looked up from the bowl that he had just set on the table and up to his uncle. He felt like screaming slim ball! at his own uncle because he knew what his uncle was getting at.
Dustin: Tobey, I know what you're thinking. She's still only seventeen.
Tobey: Wouldn't be the first time I have been with a seventeen year old.
Tobey shrugged his shoulder as he spoke, like it was no big idea that he could've been charge for rape of a minor.
Dustin always felt like slugging his Uncle in the face as he spoke about women, more like girls, it was as if he had no respect for anything in this world at all.
Tobey: She's got spunk that one, and she's your type. You should go for her.
Wouldn't be the first time I thought about that, Dustin said to himself, but didn't dare say it out loud.
Dustin: No, she's Nicole's friend and off limits.
Tobey: But, off limits are the best.
Dustin: How about you drop it?
Dustin became defensive as he just wanted his uncle to stop thinking everything he was thinking in his mind about Allie. He could just imagine what his uncle was thinking in that degrading mind of his.
Tobey: *holding up his hands in surrender* Whatever you say little nephew, but I still say she's your type.
Dustin smugly looked at his Uncle as he walked out of the kitchen putting a pretzel in his mouth. Dustin was left in the silent kitchen with his own thoughts jumbling around with only one person in mind, Allie, but he quickly tried to shake her out of his head.
{Downstairs...}
After Nicole had finished telling her story that wasn't exactly hers to tell, Allie and Lola just stared at her with shocked opened mouthed expressions. Allie felt drool fall out of her mouth, so she quickly closed her mouth that once felt like it was on the floor, and swallowed her spit before she started talking.
Allie: I think my stomach just fell out of my butt.
Lola had to agree with Allie, even though it was a little dramatic. She picked her own jaw up of the floor, and spoke as if she was somewhat out of breath.
Lola: Yeah, what she said.
Allie: So your brother umm...?
Allie began stuttering and stammering to herself as she couldn't find her words, so she looked over to Lola for help.
Allie: Lola?
Lola: Raped a girl?
I can always count on Lola to finish my sentences, Allie thought to herself as she couldn't bring herself to say the words on her own.
Nicole: His English teacher to be exact.
Nicole reassured Allie and Lola. Allie suddenly put her hand up to her mouth and made a face as if she was going to be sick, she felt like she was already sick to her stomach.
Allie: I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
Allie swallowed her breath to help relieve herself and be able to speak again.
Allie: I'm not even going to look at your brother anymore; he might rape me with his eyes.
Lola had to laugh a little because she knew that Allie was not only using humor, she was serious; humorously serious.
Nicole still looked at Allie and Lola as if she had more to say. More? I don't think I can take anymore, Allie said to herself.
Nicole: Now you can see why I hate him so much.
Allie and Lola just shook their heads wordlessly as they agreed with Nicole.
Nicole: So off limits!
Nicole pointed her right index finger sternly at Allie and Lola as if trying to drill her words into them. Allie looked to Nicole with wide eyes while shaking her head in agreement.
Allie: Oh, no problem there.
Lola: Yeah...