The Moment Everything Changed (Lucy's Life #1) Read online

  “You confronted her?” He questions sounding shocked but smiles.

  “I guess. I’m just sick of her.” I say taking a bite of my sandwich.

  “So what happened when you confronted her?” He asks smiling over at me.

  “Nothing. What could she do?” I look over at him.

  “I don’t know.” He’s quiet for a moment. “You know it’s hard to believe Britney’s your sister though.” Bobbie says picking at his bag.

  “Why because she’s popular and I’m not?” I ask shyly barely looking up at him.

  “No because your nice and she’s really bitchy.” He kind of laughs.

  “She can be.” I laugh looking over at him. “How do you know she’s bitchy?”

  “I’ve seen her around.” He returns looking at me.

  “How about we don’t talk about them.”

  I’m looking at him and for the first time I get a good look at his eyes. They’re brown and almost sad looking.

  “Deal.” He says looking away.

  It’s silent. “So I heard that you and Tori were a thing?” I tread lightly.

  “Who told you that?” He turns back to me.

  “Kira.” I say taking another bite of my sandwich. Or was it Octavia. I can’t remember.

  “Yeah that seems like so long ago.” He says shying away. Why can’t I get a straight answer or explanation from either one of them?

  “So what happened, how come you guys aren’t together?” I look across the table at him.

  “It was like dating my sister.” He replies turning red.

  “Huh.”

  Is that what he’s going to think of me too? Tori and I could almost pass as the same quiet girl. My hair’s a little darker and I’m a little more vocal but we both kind of dress the same and act similar.

  “Can we just drop it?” He questions uncomfortable.

  “Of course.” I smile. “Hey where’s your lunch?”

  “I’m not hungry.” He lies.

  But I hear his stomach growl. “Really you’re not hungry?” I chuckle.

  “Not that hungry.” He shrugs it off.

  “Here take the other half of my sandwich. I don’t have much of an appetite after spending the last hour with Megan anyway.”

  He laughs. “Are you sure?” He questions eyeing the sandwich.

  “Yeah, here.” I push the other half across the table to him. It wasn’t that I wasn’t hungry but I could tell he needed it more than I did.

  “Thanks.” He says picking it up. I watch as he takes a huge bite and sips his pop.

  I smile while he eats and we talk change the subject to music. I tell Bobbie I like bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Moist, Korn, Off Spring and Green Day, leaving out the more girlie type bands I like so he doesn’t judge me. I want him to see me as more like one of the guys. Bobbie’s shocked by my band selections. No one seems to believe I like heavy music. He admits he had me pegged for liking more girlie type music like country or boy bands.

  “Ewwww, no.” I laugh.

  We have Family studies right after lunch today so Bobbie offers to help me with the elevator but says he needs to head out for a smoke first. Not wanting to walk that way I tell Bobbie I’ll meet him back at my locker. He agrees and heads off in the opposite direction.

  As he walks away I can’t help but watch him. When I’m not around he walks with more of a slouch and his hands are always buried in his pockets. I can’t help but wonder why he’s so guarded? We’re at Bobbie’s locker which just happens to be two rows down from mine when suddenly we see a huge crowd of people walking towards us.

  “What’s going on?” Bobbie questions.

  “Don’t know.” I look around him.

  “Isn’t that your sister…and Megan?” He asks.

  I look to see Britney holding onto Megan by her long red hair. “Um yeah.” Bobbie slams his locker shut and spins his combo lock.

  “Lucy.” My sister calls out practically shoving Megan in my direction.

  What is she doing? “What?” I move away from Bobbie and he seems happy to distance himself from me.

  “Did Megan push you down the stairs?” Britney asks pushing Megan closer to me.

  “Please Lucy tell her she’s wrong.” I look down on the floor at Megan who’s bawling.

  How easy it would be to teach her a lesson. Britney would do it too. We may not get along all the time but I always figured my sister had my back. Guess this just proves it.

  “Lucy if she did tell me. I won’t let her push you around.” Britney returns.

  I’m looking at the huge crowd of people and my hearts racing. Tori walks up beside me.

  “That’s your sister right Britney?” A girl points to Tori.

  “No Lucy’s my sister.” Britney continues. “Lucy just tell us what happened.”

  “She didn’t push me…” I say. Even though I’d like to tell Britney all about what happened in sewing class earlier but I know it’s petty and will only make things worse. I’m just not the type to stir up attention.

  “How come people told me they saw her push you?” She questions almost getting in my face now.

  “I don’t know?” I question. “If she’d done something I’d have no problem letting you handle it like this but she didn’t.” I return becoming a little annoyed by the whole thing.

  “That was me she pushed.” Tori speaks up.

  “I told you. I didn’t touch your sister.” Megan pleads from the floor where Britney threw her.

  “I know for a fact you’re picking on my sister and that stops today.” Britney says turning towards Megan. Megan cowards away from her.

  “I’m sorry. I won’t bother her again.” Megan pleas with my sister.

  I’m looking at Megan who’s shaking. Megan must have tried something with Britney but Britney’s not one to mess with. I’ve since moved away from Bobbie’s locker but looking back I can see Bobbie’s clearly embarrassed by all this extra attention. Great now I’ve probably scared him off.

  “Fine if nothing happened then I’ll let it go. If you do anything to my sister, I’ll be back for you.” Britney says then starts to walk away and the crowd of people follow her leaving Megan still on the floor in front of me. I look over to see Bobbie look at Megan.

  Megan stands up shaking. “Thank you.” She whispers.

  It’s the first time I’ve seen her so defeated. “Are we good now?” I ask suddenly feeling so powerful for once. She only nods and runs off.

  “Wow that was intense.” Tori says.

  “What happened?” I turn to look at her.

  “I was walking down to the café when Megan came pushed me.”

  “She pushed you down the stairs?”

  “Sort of.” Tori says shyly.

  “Are you hurt?”

  “No…just embarrassed.”

  “How did I get pulled into this though?” I ask.

  “I don’t know, maybe someone thought I was you.” Tori says shrugging.

  “I guess we’re always together. I could see how someone got us confused.”

  “I guess…Can I walk with you guys to Family Studies? I don’t really want to be in the halls by myself after this.”

  “Of course.” I smile understanding completely.

  “Actually if she wants to walk with you I’m just going to go ahead.”

  “Um okay.”

  “I’ll see ya up there.” He calls behind him. I scared him off.

  I watch him walk away and I can’t help but feel bad for some reason. What just happened? Have I somehow offended him?

  I’m sitting in class when I hear mine and Megan’s name over the PA system. It’s instructing us to come to the principal’s office. Immediately the class starts to roar. Oh, great now I’m being called to the principal’s office over this. I pack up my things not knowing how long I’ll be and quietly head out of the class room.

  “Quiet down.” My teacher calls out.

  All I can think is why wasn’t Brittney�
�s name called? She was the one who brought Megan to me in the first place.

  I make it to the office within ten minutes. I’m nervous as hell as I approach the office but I act like this is nothing. Taking a deep breath, I decide to go inside. Let’s just get this over with. I’m struggle with the office door when the secretary gets up to help me.

  “Thank you.” I return once I’m inside.

  I look over towards the seats and there’s Megan. She’s doing everything possible not to look at me. Did she go to the principle over what happened? The principle comes out of his office and looks at the two of us.

  I can only imagine what he’s thinking. On the one hand there’s Megan, a stuck up red head who looks like nothing but trouble and on the other hand there’s me, quiet and shy sporting a bright pink cast.

  “I won’t make you both come into the office.” He says looking at us and gesturing towards my cast. “So what’s going on between you too?” He’s looking between us but neither one of us speaks up. “Someone’s going to have to explain something.” He continues.

  I look towards Megan because I’m really not sure why we’re even here. If she went to the principal shouldn’t she be the one to speak up?

  “What happened was a misunderstanding.” I offer.

  “How so Lucy?” The principal asks narrowing in on me.

  I’ve never been good with confrontation but if I was going to get out of here in a timely manner someone had to say something.

  “Well from what I learned was Megan and my friend got into something but my sister over heard that it was Megan and I.” I begin. “Britney was only trying to protect me.” I say defending my sister. But really I can’t help but feel like Britney just wanted someone to pick on at the time but this time she earned so of my respect.

  “Is this true Megan?” Our principal asks turning towards Megan who’s looking everywhere but at us.

  “Yes.” Megan barely says.

  For someone who acts so tough she’s surely shying away. Not so tough now are you? Megan’s just one of those girls who like to bring the weaker ones down because she can.

  “What happened between you and this other girl Megan?” Our principal questions.

  “I don’t really know. I think maybe I might have bumped Tori and she might have fallen down a few steps.” Megan offers making it out to be a smaller issue. Wow she lies so well.

  “Is this Tori okay?” He asks looking towards me for answers.

  “She’ll be okay.” I offer.

  “And what’s going on between the two of you?” He looks between us.

  “Well we don’t really get along but she hasn’t physically hurt me.” I offer looking in her direction. “I feel like after today it will no longer be a problem though.” I was no longer worried about Megan. She’s not as tough as she tries to be.

  “Megan is there anything you want to add?” Our principal asks.

  “No sir.” She barely says.

  “Alright then if everything is cleared up you can go back to class Megan.” He says motioning for her to leave. What about me? Am I still in trouble?

  I watch Megan quickly make her way out of the office while our principal stays put. Once she’s completely gone and the office door closes the principal turns back to me.

  “Is everything really okay Lucy?” He asks.

  How much do I tell him? “I’ve had some problems with Megan but nothing major like I said.” I admit.

  “Is she bullying you?” He asks.

  “Not really no, it’s more like she picks on me.” I say looking down at my hands. “Nothing I haven’t been handling on my own.” I reassure him. That was until Britney caught wind of it. There’s no controlling that sister of mine.

  “So we don’t have to worry about the two of you?” The principle continues.

  “I assure you I don’t plan on getting into trouble anytime soon.” I smile nervously.

  “You’re not in trouble Lucy. I just wanted to call the both of you in to find what was really going on.”

  “So it wasn’t Megan who came in here?” I ask.

  “No. You thought it was her?”

  “Well she’s said she’s had issues with my sister before.” I slowly offer.

  “So it’s your sister that’s the problem?” Shit now he’s going to look into Britney. I can’t let that happen.

  “No. Like I said she was just looking out for me. You know cast and all.” I return, hoping I haven’t gotten Britney into any trouble. “Please don’t involve Britney anymore, it’s really not an issue I assure you.”

  “Okay Lucy. You may go back to class.” The principle says vacating his spot.

  “Thank you.” I start to get up.

  “Do you need someone to accompany you back?” He motions to the cast.

  “If you could just help me with this door I think I’ll be fine with the rest.” “Sure.” He moves to the office door and holds it open. “Thanks for coming in Lucy.”

  Like I had a choice. “Of course but I do hope to avoid seeing you again.” I smile slipping past him nervously.

  “You and me both.” He says smiling.

  I head around the corner out of sight. I’m leaning against the wall to calm my nerves. I take a long deep calming breath. What a great start to high school. Not even here two full weeks and I’m already being called into the principal’s office. I can only imagine how the rest of the school year’s going to be like.

  Chapter Four

  Thankfully my next period is a spare. Would I see Bobbie though after what happened? Not likely. I hobble down the hall to the AR room and collapse into a chair. Mrs. Jang approaches me a second later.

  “Everything okay Lucy?” She asks leaning over the chair in front of me.

  “Yeah everything’s fine. Just a big misunderstanding.” I paste on a smile. I’m exhausted over all this attention.

  “You’re sure?” She pushes.

  “I’m sure.” I smile again.

  “Alright.” She seems satisfied with my answer and walks away.

  I’m thankful for some time to myself but I can’t help but look towards the door hoping to see Bobbie. He had this way of distracting me from everything else. Unfortunately, there is still no sign of him. I’m not surprised though. Reaching into my bag I retrieve my Walkman. I’ve still got at least forty-five minutes to go before I can leave for the day but really, I wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere.

  Slipping my headphones on I let the music take my mind off everything. I see Mrs. Jang glance my way, shit I’m supposed to be working on something if I’m in here. I nod and reach for the book we’re reading in English. Of Mice and Men. Not really, focusing on the words I leave the bookmark where I start and pretend to read.

  After everything that happened this afternoon I would have thought Bobbie would have been a little impressed. What went down was kind of badass what guy wouldn’t be impressed…? Apparently, a guy like Bobbie. Ugh. I put my head down confused. Why does, things have to be so complicated?

  There is maybe twenty-minutes left until the end of the day so I decide to pack up a few minutes early. Gathering my things, I throw up my hoodie. Slipping my Walkman in the front right pocket I start down the hallway. Only two more weeks left with this stupid cast, thank God. I push the door a little too hard and almost topple over. Looking to my right I see Bobbie sitting on the square planter.

  So, that’s where he’s been hiding. How come he didn’t come find me? I’m momentarily distracted. Should I approach him or just walk by? Right on cue my bus shows up. Guess I’ll just leave him be for right now.

  Slowly hobbling towards my bus, I make it a little ahead of Bobbie before I act like I’m tired out. Really, I just needed a second to take him in. I’m curiously standing there waiting for something to happen…But he doesn’t even acknowledge me. Not even a glance. I guess that’s that.

  As disappointment washes over me I hobble to my bus. My driver Gloria smiles at me and helps load my walker on for me. />
  “What’s wrong Lucy?” Gloria asks looking at me through the mirror above the driver’s seat.

  From day one Gloria’s been able to read me pretty well. “It’s nothing.” I lie finding my seat.

  “It’s that boy, wasn’t it?” She questions still looking back at me.

  How does she know? “What makes you think that?” I ask turning down my music.

  “I see the way you look at him.” She smiles at me. “You light up around him you know?” She winks.

  I look up at her. “I do?”

  “You do.” She continues. “So tell me, what happened?”

  “Well this girl Megan has had it out for me since day one. She has something against my sister or something.” Gloria nods at me. “Well today she pushed one of my friends and someone told my sister it was me who was pushed, so of course my sister starts this big fight in the middle of the hall in front of what felt like the whole school.”

  “Okay so what’s this got to do with the boy?” She pushes as we’re navigated the streets.

  “Bobbie. His name is Bobbie.” I pause and she smiles. “Well he witnessed the entire thing.”

  “And?”

  “That’s just it. I don’t know what happened after that. Suddenly it’s like he doesn’t want to associate with me.” I hear the sadness in my own voice then.

  “From the looks of this Bobbie boy he doesn’t seem like someone who like’s violence.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of…I’m not that type either though Gloria.” Even though I think a little of that might be hidden inside me somewhere. I’m a fighter but on the inside.

  “Of course not. I never meant to imply you were.” I nod and smile. “I’m sure everything will blow over. Give it the weekend.” Gloria reassures me.

  “You think?” I question.

  “I do. You’re such a sweet girl. He’ll see that soon enough I’m sure.” She explains pulling to a stop at my stop.

  “Thanks.” I get up from my seat and hobble towards her. “You know I’m so glad you’re my driver. You have such good advice.” I smile.

  It’s not like my mom would give me advice. It’s not like I’d even go to her with something like this either.

  “Anytime my dear.” She smiles. “See you Monday.”