“Rochdale Boulevard. Right off Somerset.”
We pad outside and descend the steep concrete stairs. The weather has gotten a lot milder since lunch.
“I would offer you a ride, but that’s in the opposite direction of Olive’s school,” she explains.
“I’ll be okay,” I assure her. “It’s about a twenty- to thirty-minute walk. Besides, you’ve done enough for me already today.”
“I can show you a shortcut,” Meela offers. “You’ll be home in fifteen minutes flat. It’s through the woods, though.”
I could kiss her, because shit, my feet are on fire. I need to get these death traps off stat. RIP wedges. You will not be worn again.
“The woods don’t bother me. Lead the way.”
“See y’all tomorrow,” Leah says with a quick wave and hurries toward the parking lot.
We call out our farewells and set off in the opposite direction.
“You walk too?” I ask.
“Hell no.” Meela points to a small building two blocks ahead. “My sister owns that convenience store on the corner and the laundromat next to it. I usually drive to school every day, but she took my car keys because she’s a big, fat, drooping labia.”
I burst out laughing. She has a way with words, that’s for sure.
“She makes me wait with her until closing time,” she complains. “It’s the worst torture imaginable.”
“That sucks.” I dutifully take her side.
“Okay, yeah, I snuck out of the house in the middle of the night.” Her arms fling into the air. “Big fucking whoop! I come home and find her sitting in the dark, like she’s fucking Hannibal Lecter or something. I swear she’s thirty-four going on one hundred. Anyway, my car privileges will be restored this weekend. Thank the heavens above because having her chauffeur me around for the last week and a half has been a complete nightmare. That chick seriously needs some D.I.C.K in her life.”
“Your sister sounds very strict,” I remark.Like my mother.
“You have no idea.” A prolonged sigh parts her lips. “So what grade are you in?”
“It’s my last year.”
“Ugh! You’re so lucky,” Meela whines. “I can’t wait to graduate and tell my sister to stick her stupid, asinine rules where the sun don’t shine. Aren’t older sisters supposed to be fun? I think mine may be broken. Do you have any siblings?”
I scoff. “An older brother, and trust me, they aren’t any better.”
Her nose wrinkles. “Gross. I’m happy I don’t have one of those. I heard they’re smelly.”
“You heard right.”
My gaze roams over the neighborhood. I was rushing this morning and didn’t pay attention to my surroundings. There isn’t much in the general vicinity—just a gated apartment complex across the street, a park adjacent to it, and a storage place a little farther up.
“You can’t ride the cheese bus since you live within two miles of the school, but you can get a transit pass from the office. It’s free and you can use it for the whole school year.”
“Really?”
“Yep, but honestly, it’s better to walk if you ask me. With the constant stops, it’ll take you almost an hour to get to school. That means earlier mornings and less sleep for you. It’s good to use for rainy and snowy days, though. And you can use it on the weekends too, which is a plus.”
“Thanks for the tip,” I say, eternally grateful.
“No prob,” Meela says, stopping at the entrance to the convenience store. “Cross the street here. You’ll see the footpath leading into the woods in about a block.”
“I want to come inside and take a look around.”
“Cool.” She opens the door, and the bell hanging above the entrance chimes. “After you.”
