That day at lunch there was no sign of Benji or Joel. Jina sat at the table alone playing with her food. She looked up to see Heather standing over her.
"Where is everyone?",she questioned.
"I dont know",Jina replied picking up the school's mashed potatoes and throwing it back onto her plate.
"Whats wrong with you?",Heather questioned.
"Joel will not fucking talk to me.. he says he needs time to himself.. I wanna know whats the matter with him.. he's never not been able to tell me anything and it's making me angry! I hate when he tunes me out and doesn't want to talk about.........".
"There father left last night".
"Wait a minute what?", Jina stopped talking as Heather said that.
"Yah.. Benj was crying in studyhall I felt soo bad I didn't know what to do.. and don't be mad at Joel for not telling you!",Heather said.
"Why not I love that boy with all my heart and all he ever does is shut me out I dont fucking understand it why can't he talk to me about this?",she questioned.
"JINA! If you love him then you'll respect his space! Your such a self centered brat! Everything is always happening to you and no one else. It's like no one else has problems but you! We all have problems Jina and yours aren't THAT IMPORTANT! I hate you I really do.. I wish my mom had never adopted you.. because without you Ash and I were fine.. and before you came everything was soo much better!Think about someone elses feelings for once!",Heather had tears streaming down her face. She had wanted to say that to Jina for the longest time but couldn't until just then. Heather stormed away. She felt herself bump into someone she looked up from the black shirt and looked to see Benji.
"Hey why are you crying look at me",Benji took Heathers face in his hands.
"I hate JINA she's soo self centered she has no feelings for anyone else.. can we eat somewhere else?",she asked Benji.
"Yah come on",he told her as they walked out of the cafeteria.
~*~
Slowly Jina opened the front door to her house. She had served detention from 2:30-4 so she missed the bus and had to walk home. She walked in and came face to face with her "mom". She had long red hair and blue eyes.
"Jina.. Mrs. Cap called me.. you got detention for being late talking back and you haven't passed one test this quater what is up with you?",she questioned.
"Nothing! I was late thats all.. and I never understood math",she said.
"Jina your math final is tommorow.. and if you don't pass your going to find yourself in summer school so go up to your room right now and study!",she scolded her.
"Your not my mother.. you can't tell me what to fucking do!",Jina yelled running up the stairs.
"DONT YOU DARE USE THAT AGAINST ME CUZ IM THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE YOUNG LADY!",she yelled up the stairs. She heard her bedroom door slam.
~*~
Ashley looked up from reading Boys Life and looked over at Heather who sat on the other side of the round wooden table in the kitchen. Heather was reading her U.S. History text book.
"Whats up her ass?",Ashley questioned.
"Herself!",Heather stated. Ashley looked at her.
"Did you two have a figth?",she questioned. Heather looked at her.
~*~
Joel,Benji and Sarah sat on the couch in their livingroom watching tv. They heard the front door open and close. They turned around to see their mom.
"Hi guys",she smiled.
"Mom your home.. are you feeling okay?",Joel got up to help his mom the the grocery bags.
"Yah.. Joel I'll be fine baby.. umm Sarah Benj? could you help with the grocery's the rest are in the car... and Benj do you think you can take a look under the hood of the car.. it's not working right I think I have to bring it into the shop",she questioned.
"Yah mom I'll look at it, I'll make sure Joel helps too",he said. Joel shot his brother a glance.
"It's this fucking engine.. we need a new one.. you know how much thats gunna cost Joel?",Benji questioned looking up at his brother he was banging his head to the music on his headphones. Benji ran up to him and grabbed the tape player violently throwing it across the room.
"Hey dude what the fuck?",Joel questioned.
"Aren't you going to help me?",Benji questioned.
"Dad taught you how to do this not me..",Joel said.
"He taught you too Joel.. don't start getting lazy already.. we still have to get summer jobs we need to help mom!",Benji said.
"I know Benj... Im sorry.. Im not into anything today.. you know? nothing seems right...",he said.
"I know how you mean Joel.. we're gonna have to adjust we know he's never coming back!",Benji said.
"I know and I hate him how could he do that to mom she's such an awesome person how could he leave us to just fall apart? I dont understand Benj",Joel looked at his brother teary eyed. Benji walked over to his brother and gave him a hug.
"Dinners ready",they heard Sarah say from the little door leading into the house from the garage. Joel whiped his tears and Benji pulled away from hugging him.
"We'll be right there",Benji stated.
"Okay...",Sarah looked confused but she ran up the stairs.
"We're gonna be fine man! you just watch.. we're gonna be fine!",Benji tried reassuring his brother. Joel nodded and they walked into the house to get dinner.