Chapter 8: 3 - Bonus Part

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Any Stranger Things fan?

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RIDGE MEANDERS

"Thank you for ruining my sleep, mom."

"Oh, stop acting like it's the end of the world. You have school in half an hour. Get up and get ready," she states, getting out of my room in a hurry, probably going to wake my little brother up.

Rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand, I squint them, trying to have a look at the wall clock.

7:27 a.m.

I huff slightly, then make my way towards the bathroom to freshen myself up. Once I'm done with my morning business, I head downstairs to find mom, dad and my ten year old brother, Miles, having breakfast.

"Morning Meanders Family," I greet them, all the way fist bumping Miles.

Anne, our cook comes out of the kitchen, holding a tray full of food - scrambled eggs, toast, a glass of orange juice and bacon. She places the tray in front on me, on the dining table and ruffles my hair.

"Good morning boy," she grins.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you cannot touch my hair?" I mutter in annoyance, trying to tame my hair, again. I seriously need to get a haircut soon.

"I don't know, like a thousand times maybe?" She laughs, then pats my cheek affectionately. "If I don't do it, then who will?"

Anne maybe forty year old lady but she still acts like a teenager. She started working for us when I was just a year old. Ever since, she's kinda stuck with us. Like a family.

"His girlfriend, obviously," Miles mutters from across the table, mouth full with food.

Before I can reply, mom speaks up, "Miles Jonathan Meanders, how many times do I have to remind you that you do not speak with your mouth full. When will you learn?"

"Never," he mutters under his breath. But mom doesn't hear him, I guess. Then he grins up at her. "Sorry mom. Won't happen again."

"Good." With that, mom continues finishing her breakfast, talking with Anne side by side. Isn't she a hypocrite in this sense? But who am I to say anything against her?

I turn my attention towards my dad, to see him busy on his phone, typing with his free hand." Dad, how's work?"

He scans the phone's screen for the last time before placing it on the table. He turns towards me before replying, "Same old- boring. It's the same everyday - paperwork, deals, partnerships. You know, I'm thinking about going on a year long vacation. I really need a break from this corporate world."

I guess he sees the glare mom's throwing his way, because he adds, "with your mom, obviously."

She grins up at him before returning back to her conversation with Anne. I chuckle at my mom's antics. 24 years of marriage and dad is still scared of her.

"So, will you take Miles with you?" I ask.

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After breakfast fiasco was over, mom and dad left for their work, leaving me with my brother, because apparently I have to drop him to school today.

"Come on buddy, put your seat belt on. Safety first," I command.

After he's done, I step on the gas and get going. Since I have a kid with me, I stick to the recommended speed, which is really, really difficult for me. But I suck it up and drive slow. As we drive past the neighbourhood, I see an old lady walking along the side of the road on the footpath, a-

"Ridge, I have a girlfriend," Miles announces out of the blue, cutting off my thoughts.

"What?!" I yell, the old lady completely forgotten. "Have you gone mad? You're only ten. Even I don't have a girlfriend. Who is the girl? Do you really like her? Is she from your school? Does mom know? Have you guys-"

Laughter fills the car before I can continue with my outburst, "God, you should've seen your face. Priceless. It's always so good messing with you. Damn, I wish I had recorded that."

He continues laughing, clutching his stomach as he bangs his hand against the dashboard.

"Idiot." I mutter under my breath. I cannot curse at him or else mom will kill me, if she finds out, so that's the word I stick to. And I know how manipulative this little bastard can be when he wants to.

"You don't have to worry about me having a girlfriend. Because girls my age are always cranky and moody."

"Let me tell you something little brother, girls of all the ages are cranky and moody," I reply.

We share a good laugh at that, all the way to Miles' school.

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As soon as I enter the school building, I spot my group of friends in our usual hanging out place - near the staircase, that leads to the Janitor's room.  I walk towards them in quick steps.

"Hey guys," I greet them all.

I get a few enthusiastic heys, hello, hi bro in return.

"So, what are we talking about today?" I ask them, observing the excited expressions on their face.

"There's a new girl in our school. She got here today. And according to the rumors, she's hot," Kiara answers.

Everyone nods their head at that. It's not everyday we have a new admission. Also, it's not even easy to get enrolled in Hillcrest Academy.

"Oh. I thought, Mrs. Wilson retired or something," I frown. Because I want that to happen so bad. Everyone laughs at my misery, just like always.

Even though I'm curious about the new girl, I don't let it show. Besides, my experiences with any new girl is anything but worth remembering. I shake my head at the thought and snap my attention towards my friends, only to realize that Erica is nowhere to be seen.

"Wait. Where's Erica?" I ask them.

"She's the Student Body President, so she was assigned to show the new girl around," Ashton, Erica's boyfriend and my dear best friend replies.

I nod my head, twirling my car keys around my finger. I shove the keys in my backpack, making sure I don't misplace it by mistake.

"You do that all the time," Kiara huffs, glaring at Eric. Her statement brings me back from my thoughts.

"Sorry babe, I just got distracted," he apologizes, even though his eyes are filled with mirth.

"Oh no, you'll be sorry when I'm done with you. I'll fucking kill you, Eric Cason Daniels. I'll kill you," she yells at him before pouncing at him.

Before Kiara can even reach him, Eric takes off. Kiara runs after him. We hear him shout sorry all the way before his voice fades away completely.

And then, all of us burst out laughing.

"What the hell did he do this time?"

Neil, who's usually very silent, replies. "It's Eric. It can be anything. "

Ignoring their usual banter, we guys head to our respective classes.

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It's lunch time now, so I place my tray on our table before excusing myself because I really need to take a leak or I might just piss my pants. No kidding. Mrs. Wilson decided that I don't really need the bathroom and I'm making excuses to get out of the class, so she stopped me from going. What a bitch!

Hurriedly, I make my way towards the bathroom but stop when I hear distant voices. I decide to walk a little slow to figure out who's there. When I'm a little close to the staircase, from where the voices are coming, I stop myself. Even though it's not nice to eavesdrop, I still do. Because, who cares?

I realize that it's a conversation between two people. One of the voice belongs to a girl. A voice I don't quite recognize. She might be the new girl everyone's talking about. But the second voice, the voice of a boy is something I can never not recognize. It's Conan Jones. Hillcrest's very own player. That dumbass is always lurking in the hallway, waiting for some girl, ready to make his move.

I decide to mind my own business and walk away but immediately stop when I hear what the girl says. "Step away from me." And then, "Stop testing my patience."

What halts me in my steps is her voice. She's got a bold voice, with a hint of softness in it. Authoritative, determined and furious, that's what she sounds like.

Sound of someone punching and a bone cracking fills my ears. For a second, I panic, thinking that Conan might've hit the girl but then I hear his cries, along with, "You bitch, you broke my fucking nose!"

So, it is the other way around. I chuckle, shaking my head. Feisty.

The girl's got some balls. Gotta give her that.

Before I can make my presence known, Mr. Turnings' voice echoes through the empty hallway. "Mr. Jones and Ms. Herrington, in my office, now!"

First day of school, and the girl's already in trouble.

I back away from the staircase to take a different route to the bathroom. My mind constantly moves back to the girl - her voice. I don't know who she is, but one thing's for sure, I want to get to know her. I have to know her. There is something about her that intrigues me, something that pulls me to her.

Like a moth drawn to a flame.

And I'm screwed. So fucking screwed.

Looks like history is repeating itself.

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