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Teal laughed. “So you were a badass.”
“Pretty much. Teachers hated me. Kids loved me. It was a whole big thing. I hated authority.”
Teal rested her cheek on her hand and shook her head. “I find that so hard to believe.”
“Trust me, I had a past.”
Chapter Four
Teal failed that first exam. Then the next three exams.
Jaxson was nice about it, but he did think the overall problem was the fact she didn’t test well.
She didn’t know what it was, but she hated looking dumb in front of him. After each test exam, he’d go through all the questions that she answered wrong. What she hated most, while they were going through them, she always answered them correctly, which only infuriated her more.
This was the first Saturday.
Sunday, she spent at home, listening to her mother on the phone again.
Then it was back to another week of school.
Another Saturday of being taught by Jaxson, another Sunday, and then another week of school.
Three weeks in, and she had settled in well. She hadn’t made any friends, and she didn’t mind. Even before they moved, she hadn’t been good on the friends front and often preferred her own company to that of anyone else.
By Friday night of the third week, she was tired and looking forward to Saturday. That was the highlight of her week, spending time with her teacher.
She opened the door to her home to find two suitcases.
“Mom?” She yelled to be heard, and her mother suddenly appeared from the kitchen.
“Teal, it’s good that you’re home.” Her mother finished typing on her cell phone and then looked up. “So your father and I, we’re making progress. I’m traveling to England to go and see him.”
“England, that’s where he is?” Teal asked.
“Yes, and we need to come to some kind of agreement. So, I’m flying out there. I wasn’t able to book you a flight, and withschool and tutoring, you can’t take the time away. Senior year is important.” Her mother stepped toward her and cupped her face. “Don’t worry. I’ve made Mr. Rebel aware of the situation. He knows you’ll be here on your own. You’re an adult now, and you can take care of yourself.” She pulled out her purse from her bag and handed her a card. “For groceries and whatever comes up. You know the drill.”
This wasn’t the first time she’d been left alone. “Yeah, I know the drill.”
“I know I’ve been all over the place, but I’ve got a good feeling about this, Teal. I’m going to bring your father home, and we’re going to fix all of this. You won’t have to worry.”
She wanted to ask her mother if it was really worth it, but she kept her thoughts to herself and merely smiled.
“If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to call. No wild parties. No boys over. I want you to be good. Got it?”
“Got it,” Teal said.
Her mother blew out a breath and then giggled. “That’s my cab.” She cupped her face once again and kissed her. “Love you. Already miss you.”
She stood at the door and watched as her mother ran toward the cab, two large bags in her hands.
The cab driver climbed out and helped put the bags in the back. Her mother waved back, and Teal held her hand up, still with the credit card in her hand.
She waited until she could no longer see the cab and then closed the door.
Alone. In a strange town. In a house that didn’t feel like home.
She leaned against the door and sighed. Her parents would make it work. Of that, she had no doubt. They were constantly fighting and making up, and the fact her dad had now invited her mom to England meant he was ready to move on.
