Lennon's Jinx (5 page)

I
wince at the sight of him. “Hurry up.”

“Here
you go, kid.” He throws the keys without looking at me. His arms wrap around
Mom, and I grimace.

Kid,
my ass. I’ve been managing this family for many years now.

I
zip out of there and move his car. I pitch his keys on the counter while
considering chucking them in the garbage disposal, but that would mean he’d be here
when we got home.

When
I slide back into the SUV, Currie taps her Gucci watch. “We can’t be late.”

“I’m
going as fast as I can.”

“Don’t
give Lennon such a hard time,” Zoe says. “It’s your mom’s fault.”

Currie’s
forehead crinkles with hurt because Mom has plenty of time for losers but
little time for Currie.

“I
love you,” I say.

Currie
folds her arms across her chest and stares out the window. “You’re just my
annoying brother, not my father.”

I’d
like to think her words don’t lance my heart, but they do.

I
drive to the girls’ private school. Currie is Einstein smart, and this school
caters to the talented. I found it online for her since she deserves better
than a public education.

I
tap my cheek as I stop in front of the school. “Where’s my kiss?”

Currie
sighs and glances around to make sure her friends aren’t watching. “Oh
brother.”

“That’s
who I am, so don’t forget it.”

Zoe
undoes her seatbelt and gives me a loud smack on my cheek. “Don’t be mean to
Lennon.” She swats Currie.

“All
our friends think you’re a hunky monkey,” Zoe whispers into my ear.

“Good
to hear. Groupies of all ages.”

Currie
rolls her eyes and plants a light kiss on my chin. “Don’t be late today. I have
a recital,” she says this like I don’t know. She slings her backpack over one
shoulder and runs to the school, chatting nonstop with Zoe.

Other
than dealing with Mom’s booty buddies, this morning ritual makes my day. I wave
then drive to my public high school. The one I deserve.

On
my way over, my mind works on why Jonathan needs to talk to me. He never wants
to talk to me, just Currie, which suits me just fine. The fact he wants more
time with her scares the hell out of me. What else does he want? Will he get a
court order for full custody before I turn eighteen? Hard knots bunch my
shoulders then work their way into my gut. I can’t let that happen.

Inside
the school, Bailey waits for me at my locker. I’m never sure why. It’s not like
we date. It’s not like I’ve ever asked any girl on a date.

She
walks me to my class anyway. “See you at lunch?”

“I’ve
got errands to run.” I don’t really, but I like my space and a big juicy Five
Guys burger. I only get real food when I’m not home.

I
nap in English until I’m called down to the counselor’s office. What does
Webster want this time?

When
I get there, I almost run into Jinx, which isn’t normal. She’s smart, so we
don’t have any classes together, except choir, and she’s never called out for acting
up. I wonder what she’s doing here and not in one of her special AP classes.

Jinx
glances up at me and snarls. “You.”

My
first reaction would normally be to say something smart like ‘the one and
only,’ but my gaze fixes on the purple bruise haloing her eye. Did she piss off
the wrong guy at the party last night? Did Alex do that? He’s been caught roughing
up a girl before.

I
gently cup her elbow because the black eye looks like it hurts. “Are you okay?”

Jinx
jerks her arm away and cowers. She’s shaking like I’d hurt her or something. “Not
your concern.”

I’d
never hit a girl, though a few times, I wanted to whack Currie’s butt when she
threw a tantrum in the store. Mrs. Nowak always made me give her a timeout or
take her to the car until Currie calmed down.

In
the counselor lobby, two cops chat with the principal. The students working
there eye Jinx and whisper to each other. With her chin to her chest, she
enters, avoiding the other students’ stares. The officers escort her outside.

Now,
I’m really curious. I hope she doesn’t blame me for that. I’m determined now to
find out her story. Why hers is more important to me than any other sad sob, I
have no clue. I’ve always been drawn to her until she shoves me away.

Webster
gestures me into his office where I take a seat. My gaze follows Jinx through
the glass bowl and down the hall.

“What
happened to Jinx?” I ask. “Was she fighting? Is she okay?” That would be hard
to believe from the Chosen One. She was voted most likely to succeed in our
class.

“No.
She’s fine. The police just want to ask her a few questions.” Webster has my
transcript up on his screen and my ACT scores. The school made us take the
stupid test.

“Your
ACT scores just came back,” Webster says. “They’re pretty good. Have you
applied to any colleges yet, John.”

I
go by Lennon, and he knows that. “Nope.”

“Your
grades aren’t the best, but you’re a bright student.”

Great,
the Lecture. It’s a little late for that.

“You
have potential if you’d just work at it,” he says.

That’s
not what my mom would say. She says I’m just like Jonathan, a loser.

“I’m
not going to college.” I have a trust that Jonathan originally set up for me,
probably to evade taxes.  With the money I wheedled out of him and with my band
mate’s mom’s financial advice, the trust has grown substantially for Currie and
me. We take care of Mom out of pity and because Currie says we have to. We
should be set for life, or close to it, if I can curtail Currie’s obsession for
clothes and shoes.

“If
you just applied yourself, you could go to a junior college then transfer. The
choir teacher says you are quite the musician. You could major in that and
become a teacher. A degree would give you more options, though you could play
professionally like your father.”

I
pick at the rubber edging around Webster’s desk that’s coming loose. I don’t
want to be like Jonathan, though I have a warehouse band that would get more
gigs if I advertised us more. We’re not half bad.

The
administrator pokes her head in. “Your next appointment is ready.”

“I’m
here if you need me,” Webster says.

“Glad
to hear it.”

Disappointment
replaces expectation on his face. That’s worse than Webster being angry with me.

I
stroll out of his office. Currie would love for me to attend college. If I went,
it would be for her, but I wouldn’t major in music, even though I like it. No
way I’d follow Jonathan’s example.

As
I’m on my way out, I amble past the front office. Jinx is still talking to the
cops outside. From their posturing, they want to give her a ride downtown. I walk
out the front doors, so I can eavesdrop.

While
strolling past, I hear an officer say, “You should file a report. It could get
worse.”

Someone
did punch her.

“Nobody
hit me,” Jinx says. “I’m just clumsy.”

Even
I don’t buy her flimsy lie.

Jinx
focuses on me. Her glare burns through me because she knows I’m snooping.

With
my head down, I wander to the back of the school and enter there where security
frisks me. When I wink at the female cop, she blushes. I’m assuming she likes
it as much as I do.

Normally,
anything to do with the students at my high school wouldn’t matter to me, so
why am I prying? If I understood myself, I’d be as smart as Currie. She’s
always psychoanalyzing me. I’m her pet project.

I
bump into Bailey. It’s her free period. She usually knows the local scoop. “Did
you see Jinx’s black eye?”

“Oh
yeah. She probably threw beer into the wrong guy’s face. I’m thinking Alex. He
hit on her hard last night.”

He
did? How did I miss that? “What did Jinx say?” I’m guessing she said no, but I
have to make sure.

“That’s
not hard to guess. Jinx told Alex that hell would have to ice over first. He
said it probably wouldn’t be long if she was down there.” Bailey giggles at
that.

“You
don’t know then who hit her?”

“Not
yet. Still checking. Why do you care?”

“No
reason. Other than I haven’t gotten over last night.”

“Me
either. Bitch. Why’s she so uptight? I closed the den. She should’ve known not
to enter. Rena certainly did.”

I
didn’t see Rena last night. She’s tutored me in math since middle school when
the teacher said I could take the more advanced class. I don’t know what he was
thinking.

“The
den is off limits because her dad’s stuff is in there,” I say.

“Oh?”
Bailey’s lips turn down. “I didn’t realize.”

 “Gotta
run.” I rush back to class where my English teacher assigns homework. I enter
it into my daily planner because Currie expects me to turn it in, so that I
pass.

A
student council member passes out Valograms in the form of roses and Hershey
kisses before we’re allowed to leave class. I had no idea today was Valentine’s
Day. Why would I? I’ve never had a girlfriend.

A
brilliant idea strikes me, so I text Currie. Girls love stupid stuff like
flowers. I just don’t want Jinx to hate me. She sits right next to me during
choir, and as much as I hate to admit this, even to myself, her voice is kickass,
and I love to listen to it.

Me:
How ‘bout a rose for Jinx?

Currie:
I’m in class, knucklehead.

Me:
So what?

Currie:
One rose means I luv u.

Me:
That’s no good. How ‘bout three?

Currie:
What about Bailey? Won’t she be mad?

Me:
U r right. What if I give her chocolate?

Currie:
Good. Leave me alone.

Me:
Np. Luv u.

Currie:
Knucklehead.  

Currie:
Make sure they get them during class. Flowers don’t count unless everyone else
sees them.

Me:
U r right as usual.

I’m
not sure why girls like flowers when they wilt in a day and die.

I
corner the student council member Ashley outside of class. “I want to send a
few Valograms.”

She’s
another real blonde. She eyes me suspiciously, tossing back her mane like a
spirited filly. I do love the untamed.

“You
were supposed to order them last week,” she says.

God,
she’s such a snot. The way she struts with her nose held high. It’s like she’s
got a broomstick up her ass. “Don’t you have extras?”

Ashley
snorts out an irritated breath. “Probably not. You can check in the office.”

I
run down there, which will make me late for class. If Currie saw all my
tardies, she’d throw a fit.

The
admin assistant grins big at me. She’s in her mid-forties. I’ve had my share of
older women. I’m over that. “Any Valograms left?”

“We
have plenty. Who’s the lucky girl?”

Nice,
Ashley. “Three roses for Jinx.” I’m not sure of her last name, but I’m guessing
the whole school knows of her academic genius. “Chocolates for Bailey
Zebrowski.” My mind wanders to Rena. She’s always nice to me and deserves
something other than a bonus for tutoring me. She’s also Jinx’s closest friend.
I don’t want her mad at me for ignoring her. “And two roses for Rena
Pennington.”

“Many
lucky girls.”

“They’re
just friends.”

“I’m
sure they’ll love them. What color roses?”

Why
do they make this so difficult? “Red.” Is there any other color?

“We’ll
give them to the girls after lunch. What do you want to say on the cards?”

No
wonder I don’t date. This is too much work. If I text Currie again to ask her
what to put, she’ll get even madder. “What should I put?”

“If
they’re just friends, I’d put Happy V Day, from Lennon.”

“That’s
good. Thanks.” I rush out of the office and decide to skip choir to avoid Jinx.
It’s next period, and she’s probably not ready to see me again so soon anyway. Maybe
the flowers will work or make things worse.

I
leave early to lunch and meet up with my band. Danny Boy goes to the junior
college nearby and Clive goes to a high school farther south, so we meet in the
middle of Naperville. I grab Five Guys first because I’m starving after only a
bowl of yogurt and fruit.

I’m
looking forward to see what Jinx thinks of the flowers.

Who
am I kidding? She’ll probably dump them in the trash.

Chorus:

If
I have to see them together, it’s a bad day.

If
she gives me one of her snarky smiles, I want to punch her face.

Don’t
kiss her in front of me because I may go postal.

It’s
a bad day.

My
head hurts. My self-respect is in the toilet.

What
did I do to deserve this?

I
cheated on my boyfriend, and he won’t come back.

But
now he’s with a girl, I want to have a heart attack.

I
don’t blame him. He doesn’t deserve what I did to him.

But
why her? She sucks.

It
should’ve been me, not her.

Does
he ever wish it was me instead of her?

One
night, bad hurt.

I
should’ve stayed home, but I wanted to see you.

You
didn’t show, so I lost all control.

Now
everything is wrong, and it’s a bad day.

Being a girl sometimes sucks.
Like now.

The
whole left side of my face aches. I just started my period and had to borrow
firecrackers from Rena because the tampon dispenser jammed on my last quarter. To
top it off, Kelly slammed me so hard that I banged my bad eye against my opened
locker door. What did I do to her? She’s the one who got my boyfriend. She-dog.

When
I touch the bruise, tingles spread across my cheek, leaving a dull throb in my left
temple. I’m still dizzy from last night’s blowup. I’ve managed to avoid my
friends all day, but I promised to give Iz a ride home, so I’ll have to face
the firing squad soon. Rena will ride my ass if she finds out exactly what
happened.