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I lean against the back of our worn sofa. “It’s temporary, right?” The idea of living with an underage girl isn’t exactly comfortable. I already help my parents with my five siblings. There’s no need to add one more.
“Yeah, just for the weekend. You won’t even notice she’s here,” Cedric responds with a casual shrug.
I frown, because Cedric spends his weekends with his girlfriend. I can’t fathom the notion of having him in the apartment tutoring his sister. Though I should give him the benefit of the doubt, right?
Reluctantly I say, “I’m cool with that.” Even though my gut tells me this is a bad idea.
Cedric gives me a look of relief. He fiddles with his phone, taps on the screen a few times, grabs his car keys, and heads toward the door. “I’m picking her up from the ferry, be back in a few.”
I stare at the closed door. He’s picking her up from the ferry. His sister was already on her way to the apartment. What would he have done if I said no? Fuck, this guy is seriously unbelievable. This is definitely the last year I want to deal with roommates.
While Cedric is gone, I spend the time picking up the place. I’m not the neatest person, but walking around piles of trash is a sign that we have to do some house cleaning before the foul smell attracts some uninvited guests—including my father.
When Cedric returns, he walks in with a girl who can’t be more than thirteen or fourteen.
My heart drops. “He’s got to be kidding,” I mutter to myself. I was expecting someone older, maybe a seventeen-year-old. Not a kid who’s probably in middle school, just like my sister Indie.
“Ameline, this is one of my roommates, Gabriel. Gabe, this is my youngest sister, Ameline,” he introduces us.
“Hi.” Ameline gives a small, timid wave, her eyes scanning the room, clearly unsure of where to settle. She looks so out of place, and I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.
I wait for Cedric to say something or usher Ameline to his room when his phone buzzes. He pulls it out and, while reading it, his forehead creases. “It’s Jamie, I have to go pick her up.” He fishes money from his wallet and hands it over to his sister. “If you get hungry, there’s a pizza place down the street. You can use my bed. I might stay at Jamie’s tonight, so you don’t have to sleep on the couch.”
I stare at the closing door, my mouth agape, then turn to Ameline with a mix of surprise and disbelief. “Did he just leave me to babysit you?” I can’t hide the annoyance in my voice.
Ameline laughs, a sound that’s light and somehow cute, loosening the tightness in my chest and my back.
“I haven’t needed a sitter since I was ten.” There’s a hint of amusement in her eyes as she says this. “Though I wouldn’t be surprised if my father started searching for one—since I need to become a better version of myself.”
I lean against the wall, arms folded. “My parents never left any of my siblings under fourteen alone.”
She gives me a look that’s both curious and slightly challenging. “Okay, and what does that have to do with me?”
“You’re like thirteen, right?”
Her laughter reverberates throughout the apartment. This time, she clutches her midriff. Between laughs, she says, “I’m a senior in high school, you tell me.”
I blink, taken aback. “Oh, you look?—”
“Young?” she finishes for me, a playful smirk on her lips. “Yeah, it’s the height. I’m barely five-three-and three quarters.”
“So . . . you’re not thirteen?” I confirm.
She shrugs. “My driver’s license will disagree with you.” After studying me for a long time, she asks, “Do you always scowl at people, or is it just me?”
I straighten up, a bit defensive. “What do you mean?” Her comment catches me off guard, making me question if I’m being too broody, as my younger sisters, Harper and Lyric, claim when I’m just assessing a situation.
“You look upset,” Ameline observes, her eyes narrowing slightly in a mix of curiosity and concern. “Did I do something to piss you off?”
I exhale. “Not exactly, but for a moment, I thought my roommate left me to babysit his little sister.”
“Nah. I can take care of myself. I’m only here because he’s the one excuse I have so I can get out of my house.”
I recall Cedric mentioning something about his stepmother. “So, you don’t have anywhere else to stay?”
“In a way. The Wicked Witch of Washington isn’t that bad, but it’s hard to live with her. She’s always on my case, but can’t be bothered to remember to fill the fridge with food.” She waves a hand dismissively, a wry smile playing on her lips. “I wish Dad would’ve let me stay with a friend, but Cedric is the best I could negotiate. Obviously, I’m not a savvy businessperson, but I’ll get there.” Her tone carries a hint of frustration laced with a tinge of humor.
I find myself checking my phone, contemplating if I should text my cousins to hang out, call one of my hookups, or just take Ameline out for dinner. A sense of responsibility nudges me. If she were my sister, I wouldn’t want her to settle for just a slice of pizza for dinner. I’m also not in the mood to cook today.
