Then Jack stepped out from around the corner, and all positivism in the world shattered. “Hey Ms. Why We’re About to be Late.” He said with a smile. “Wow, that’s a long name.” I replied. “Yeah, well, it’s true if we don’t hurry.” He said as he glanced at his gold watch. I rolled my eyes and we started walking.

“Hey, I never asked you. How’s your dad holding up?” Jack said, seeming really sincere. “Oh, uh...” I looked at the ground, feeling tears threaten. My mom suddenly divorced my dad and ran away right after school got out. Something about not being in love with him (or me, but my dad will never admit that) anymore.

I took a deep breath. Marge glared at him and smacked his chest. “I-I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer.” Jack stuttered. I’ve never seen him stutter before. “No, it’s okay. We’re doing okay. We have to be.” I replied, giving him a sad smile. Then we avoided that topic like the plague.

Even though we stopped talking about it, the thought of my mom hung with me the entire morning. It wasn’t until lunch when I finally started to focus on school. “Hey my sister’s friend.” Jack came up behind me in the lunch line, accompanied by his entourage. I rolled my eyes as the group snickered.

Then Alex got in line behind them and my heart sped up slightly. “Ooh, someone’s got the hots for the new kid!” One of the guys in the group sang. My face became red and I looked away, but not before glancing at Jack. He looked conflicted, as if not knowing what to do. Then it was my turn to pick out my lunch.

As I walked away with a tray full of mac n’ cheese, that same guy thought it would be hilarious to stick out his shoe. I tripped over the converse and sent my lunch flying before it came crashing down on my head.

Alex rushed over to me and helped me up, and when I grabbed his outstretched hand, electric shocks went through me and I blushed. I looked over to Jack and he looked like he wanted to help but didn’t, probably because he wanted to be cool with his friends. I sent a fierce glare, wondering if looks could kill.

I thanked Alex and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. That’s where Marge was. “Liz! What happened?” She asked, sounding horrified. “Your brother and his friends are what happened.” I replied sourly.

“Ugh, of course. I am so sorry. Here, I’ll help you clean up.” She said, and we spent the rest of lunch picking mac n’ cheese out of my hair.

“Hi everyone! I went through all your letters and am glad they’re appropriate. I’ll be handing them anonymously to half of you on your way out. But right now let’s get some paper and a pencil.” Mrs. Lasagna announced.

I reached for my backpack and pulled out the pencil Jack gave me yesterday, bite marks and all. Then we had to write a two-page essay about summer, which was basically nothing for me. Just relaxing at home and a few trips to the pool. Eventually the bell rang and we lined up at the door.

She called up people to receive their letters, and since I wrote the first one, I’m still waiting for a reply. “We’ll be writing letter number two in class, but you can do it at your house if you’d like. Just make sure to bring it in tomorrow if you decide to do it at home. Have a nice day, everyone!”

We were all able to leave, and Jack was close to giddy to see what the letter said. But Marge told him to wait and read it in private, in case it was me or her. He reluctantly agreed and we walked and talked. “I’m practically dying waiting for letter two. This suspense is killing me.” I said. Marge nodded sympathetically.

“Well it’s killing me to not be able to read letter one.” He emphasized, looking pleadingly at Marge. “Well, you’re gonna have to live with it until we get home.” She replied, eyeing him strictly. He sighed and we arrived at the fire station. “Aw, no! Come with us again, Liz. Please?” Marge begged.

“Sorry, I can’t. I, um, promised my dad I’d help him.” I said, twirling my hair without realizing. “You know you’re a horrible liar, right?” Jack said, nodding towards my hand twirling my hair. I scowled but didn’t feel like arguing as I whipped out my phone and texted Dad, telling him I’d be away yet again.

“I don’t know what good it’ll do. I’ll only feel guilty the entire time.” I said to them as Marge dragged my by the wrist. “No you won’t. After homework we’re going to the carnival. Today’s the last day!” Marge exclaimed. “We are?” Jack asked, given a wide-eyed look by Marge. “Oh, we are!” He said quickly with a huge, fake grin.

We finally arrived at their house, me feeling guilt-ridden the entire walk about leaving my dad and having a bunch of flashbacks. Like how easily my mom had left. Just like that. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that she’s gone. And while I assumed everything was fine, it wasn’t. Then one day before summer break I got up and she was gone, as well as her car and clothes.

I still vividly remembered my dad already sitting at the table with his head in his hands, letting out sob after sob. I silently walked over, a few tears streaming, me already knowing the answer.

He looked into my sorrowful eyes, and already knew what I was thinking when he shook his head. Mom? I didn’t burst out crying like I thought I would. My eyes went wide and I numbly dropped to my knees, unable to comprehend, as if someone had flipped a switch and turned my brain off.

“Earth to Liz, come in Liz. Do you read me?” Someone shouted. I blinked and shook my head, clearing those memories and dragging them to the trash bin in my brain. “Sorry, were you talking to me?” I replied with a sheepish smile. “Yes. For three blocks. And you kept replying with, ‘That’s great.’ Like a zombie.” She replied irritably.

“I did?” I replied, turning to Jack. “You did.” He agreed. I looked to the ground, embarrassed. “Anything you want to talk about?” Marge asked, gentle this time. I stared at the sidewalk, deciding, but eventually realizing that if I did I’d be crying soon. I shook my head.

“Okay, just know we’re here for you.” She said, giving me a one-arm hug and Jack nodding. “Now we’d better get on homework or we’ll be late!” Marge yelled, running ahead and dragging me (again) by the wrist.