Page 88 of The Rebel
“Well, well...isn’t getting to school on time an emergency?” I retaliated, my rage boiling. “And if you knew I was, why didn’t you say something about it?”
“And is there anything else you need to tell us? Any othernewswe should know about?” Mom’s voice was her usual sergeant major, but there was a flutter in her eyes, almost a twinkle, like she wasn’t really angry, but riling me up.
“What news?” I said warily, unsure if they were referring to the time I skipped Mrs. Fox’s class, Miss Creighton’s detention, or Vice Principal’s complaint about my overuse of makeup.
“Ahh, Poppet,” Dad said, snuggling up to me as I turned my attention to the timer on the microwave. “You forget that Mom and Dani are best friends...”
My heart literally stopped beating. Now I wasn’t evernotgoing to tell Mom and Dad about Jade, but I hadn’t yet decidedhowI would mention it. But to find Mom and Dani had been gossiping about us already...that was a heart-stopper.
My throat was suddenly tight and the beeping of the microwave stopped, leaving a silence, a painfully awkward silence.
“What? Huh?” Paris said cluelessly.
I opened the microwave door and stabbed my finger in the oats to test the temperature.
“Good enough,” I said, handing the bowl to Paris, though it probably could have had an extra fifteen seconds.
Mom’s smug little smile was infuriating—she stared at me with sappy eyes and simpering lips.
“What!” I shouted. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Mom and Dad started laughing like complete juveniles.
“Such a firecracker,” Dad said, patting the top of my head. “Full of spark.”
“Who would have thought? Huh? You and Jade? Awww!” Mom crooned in a lovey-dovey voice.
“Hey what?” Paris nearly choked on his spoonful of oats. “Whoand Jade?”
“Your little sis and Jade apparently...”
I cut off Mom right there, my heart thumping in my chest like it was about to break my ribs. “We only had one date and that was in the airport cafe waiting for the flight. He gave me a ride to the airport.”
Mom pushed in, moving Dad aside so she could put her arm around me. “I’m so proud of you.”
“For going on a date?” I asked with a note of cynicism.
Mom let out a frustrated sigh. “Gah, Vali. For your great artwork—that you never let us see. For taking care of your brother, for knowing exactly what he needs.”
“Oh,” I gulped.
“For being you,” Mom said with a rough sort of softness which immediately set my lower lip quivering.
“For being me?” I wanted to shrug her off for saying such ridiculous things, but I also loved being in her hug, inhaling her scent, snuggling next to her.
“Yes, you keep us grounded, you keepmegrounded. I know you put up with a lot, that you miss out on your own things because of tennis. It’s not easy for you, and we always want to do the right thing for you too, sweetheart.”
I was squeezed tighter as Paris joined the group hug. “Jade, huh? Just wait till I see him again?”
“No!” I said, pushing him away. “No, you won’t say anything, Paris. Just hurry and eat your breakfast! Haven’t you got a tennis match to win today?”
My brother locked eyes with me and he grinned. “Yeah,we have,” he said, and he put his hand up for a high five. Mom and Dad joined in too, but it was a spectacular fail, hands missing.
But the Reid family was back together—and that was all that mattered.
Epilogue
JADE
The plane lands with barely a bump and bounce, and Oliver uncurls his fingers from the seat’s armrest. He’s been a little bit anxious on take-off and landing, but has otherwise taken his first plane ride in his stride. Well, in business class, why not?
