For the first time in years, at least as far as Zoe was concerned, the two sisters walked to school together and talked. It wasn't like they talked about anything substantial, just the small stuff. Annoying stuff this teacher did, and times they felt they should have gotten better grades. Jon shared more about her evening with Joseph, and naturally Zoe can't help but titter to herself softly. Zoe concludes the conversation with a wry quip.
"Well, I'm glad you're interested in someone who's not a douche bag for a change."
Jon twists her lips in annoyance. "Hey! I'm not 'interested,'" She makes airquotes. "Or anything like that. He's just really smart, and fun to hang out with."
"Suuuure~" Zoe laughs once again, then states morosely "I'm just glad you're hanging out with someone who's helping you with school, instead of keeping you from it."
Jon sighs, and quietly agrees.
Zoe grasps her sister in a tender, if brief hug, before the pair parts ways and each head on to their classes... Both are oblivious to the watchful eyes of Ryder.
He clenched and relaxed his jaw over and over as he watched them from his hand-me-down pickup. Allison cut her hair. Just up and chopped it off... She knew he liked it long, and didn't even ask him first. He clenched his fists in annoyance. What went wrong?
A week ago she never left his side. She was all over him... flirty... playful... Fun! Now? She treats him like some freak. Like she'd rather be anywhere else in the world than by his side. A week ago he was her world, and she was his. They cruised in his truck together while she sang the songs on the radio. She tried different recipes on him, and coaxed him into hanging out with their friends more than he ever would have on his own. And of course, he knew how to treat his lady right. He payed at resteraunts. He payed at the theater. He bought the booze... And naturally he was a stud in bed.
He rubbed his eyes as his anger grew. "So What happened!" He states out loud this time. Only a week ago, Allison had ditched her grandfathers funeral to ride with him to Biff's family lake house. Biff's girl Sarah was there, along with a dozen or so others... They grilled... drank... cruised on Biff's boat. She even persuaded him to dive into the still chilly water to chicken fight Biff and Sarah. When they inevitably tumbled into the icy waters, she tugged him away to "warm up" in the bedrooms.
He gripped the wheel of his truck. The football team had told him she was like that. "Allison's a slut... You aren't her first, and you won't be her last." At least that's what they said... But he insisted that what they had was real. Now? Now word was starting to get around. He was starting to get teased for losing his girl to some bandgeek dork. Now he was a third wheel every time he went out. Now the chorus of "I told you so's" were starting to growing.
"Shit!" He punches the wheel of his truck. He wondered, for a moment, what could have motivated this. Was it really that dork in the library? Did he somehow score a 10 out from under him? Was he just her next fling? Or maybe Zoe... That bitch sister of hers. Zoe, always trying to get between them... He thought he and Allison were allied against that meddlesome goth, but apparently not.
He finds himself contemplative as his thoughts settle on Zoe... Zoe, and the Wish he heard yesterday... He let himself in to see Allison, as he always did, and came across Zoe instead. Not wanting to deal with her, he hid himself just long enough to hear her wishes for long, purple streaked hair... He'd have made fun of her if it hadn't actually happened. His vision went hazy, and the next second she had the exact hair she wished for. He was so startled he forgot he was supposed to be hiding, and got caught. Naturally, he played dumb, but couldn't help but notice she clutched something to her chest. And now, Allison has a new haircut too. And Zoe had something that could magically change hair. His thoughts grew silent.
He heard the school bell ring.
He watched as students scurried indoors.
He waited until the parking lot was empty. Then he turned the key, pulled out, and accelerated down the road...
