Chapter 6

Claudia reaches the main entrance of the building and looks around. It doesn't seem like Micah is here yet. C finds a bench and shifts her bag so that it rests on her lap. Her small stature causes her feet to just barely reach the ground. This allows her to dangle and swing her feet. Keep the blood flowing and all. After around 10 minutes, C spots Micah headed her way and stands, placing her bag back onto her shoulders. Micah waves and joins C as they exit the building.

"Should we work at yours or at mine?" Micah asks nonchalantly.

"My place is pretty huge, and my mom is always busy, so we won't be interrupted there. It's just a suggestion. I am fine with whatever you're cool with," C responds.

"Your place sounds like a better work environment than mine. I have a set of older twin brothers and I don't think they have ever heard of the word 'quiet'." Micah sighs, blowing a strand of hair out of her face.

"Works for me. I hope you aren't allergic to cats. If you are I can just shove mine in a room."

"I'm not allergic, just not a huge fan of pets or animals in general. They never seem comfortable around me. I am a giant, so I get it."

Micah and Claudia head towards the store. It's only a few miles from the school so they make it there relatively quickly. They enter the store and up the stairs into the living room. They drop their stuff on the coffee table and then themselves onto the couch.

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After a long day of sweeping, moving out old items from storage, and assessing what materials I will need to get this craft store up and running, I decide it's time to call it a night. I lock the front doors of the building and turn towards the stairwell. Quiet laughter leaks from the floor above. I follow it to see what's going on. I open the door to our upper-level apartment and see C with a taller girl. Blonde hair, light blue eyes, slightly tanned skin, a big smile, and lovely dimples. She fits the stereotypical image of an athletic and popular teen. What is a girl like this doing in my house? C always manages to drag the strangest creatures into our house. I give them a nod and a wave before entering the kitchen.

"I didn't know that we would have guests for dinner Claudia. Should we order in? I don't know if I should subject this poor girl to whatever bland casserole I manage to whip up," I nag.

"Are you staying for dinner Micah? I know we have our separate sections of the project planned out but we still haven't decided on what we should wear when we present to the class," C stares at Micah expectantly.

"I don't think my family will miss me. What should we order?"

"Pizza? Chinese? What are you girls interested in?" I inquire, rubbing my chin while looking into the barren pantry. We haven't even finished unpacking. Of course, we don't have any real food yet. I should probably make a list and find directions to the nearest store. I wonder how far we are. Hopefully not too far. Within walking distance would be nice. I hate driving. I have had to drive so much these last few days. I need a nap.

"Pizza sounds great." They both say at the same time before looking at each other and cracking up. Weirdos. I grab my laptop and the landline to search for the perfect pizza place to order from. Someplace with long, gooey cheese pulls and 2-liters. Do we even have the cups unpacked yet? I hope they can toss in some cups, plates, and napkins if I ask nicely. Shit. I'm never going to get settled in here. There's way too much to do.

After successfully ordering our nourishment, I decide it's a good time to watch some TV to kill the time and distract me from my stomach while we wait. C and her friend already moved to the bedroom to figure out outfits. Occasionally C and her friend parade out to show me some of the looks they put together as if they are supermodels walking down the catwalk, trying to entice the audience members to purchase whatever designer's latest pieces.

I remember when I was pregnant with C. I spent way too much money on baby clothes. After every haul I would force Tommy to sit on the couch as I took out every item, explaining why we needed it and how cute the baby would look. Every event like this ended up with one of us laughing our ass off at how silly the other person looked, fawning over a human that wasn't there yet. We were so excited to be parents. Tommy was more excited than I was. He always had a knack for dealing with kiddos. Every family reunion involved Tommy entertaining all the kids while I updated the family on the baby's progress, Tommy's work situations, and my own goals for re-entering the workforce. Honestly, I feel like I had an easier job between the two of us. I wasn't always a big fan of kids. I grew up an only child until 6th grade when my younger brother was adopted into the family.

A doorbell jolts me out of my memories and into the real world. I run down the stairwell and to the main doors of the building. A small brunette boy waits with hands cupping the glass, trying to see any type of life inside the building. Once he spots me he takes a step back and starts taking the pizza out of his carrier. We swap pizza for payment and tip and the teen turns back towards his bike to deliver his next pizza. I bring the pizza up and set it on the counter of the island.

"Girls! Pizza is here!" I shout. Just as I spit out the last word Claudia and her friend exit the bedroom. They both grab a couple of slices and sit on the couch, munching away as they talk about their presentation. I'm still in shock at how quickly C has made friends. I'm not too surprised. She has always been a kind and friendly soul. She is a bit shy but that doesn't seem to have affected her ability to shine in the slightest. A quick smile and a slice of pizza ease me back into my memory land. I'm getting old.

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At around 8:30, both girls are out of their minds, cackling away at impressions of the teachers they have together. Micah glances at her phone.

"Crap, it's this late already? I have to go Claudia. Do you feel like we've got enough figured out to finish our parts and present next week? Or should we plan another time to get together?"

"I'm feeling pretty confident about what we've got. We got a ton of the project done tonight. I think we should be fine on our own. Do you need a ride home? I can have my mom drive you back?"

"I should be fine. I only live a few blocks away and it's still light out. Thanks for the food. See you in class." Micah stands, packs her bag back up, and slings it around her shoulders. She gives a small nod to signal her leave. Claudia follows Micah down and locks the door once she is out. Back upstairs, Sylvia is picking up plates and cups to toss. C puts away the pizza and then settles onto the overstuffed blue armchair that sits across from the TV.

"Who was that?" Sylvia looks at C with a raised brow.

"That was Micah. She is my project partner for speech class. Mr. Rennet assigned a project next week and we were paired up together. I know it's super early to have already planned out most of the project, but neither of us would have been able to meet any other day this week. Micah is on the volleyball team and has conditioning this week so most of her mornings and a few of her evenings are blocked out with that. Micah is also part of the planning committee for the dances and other events at school. Homecoming is next month so that's taking up a lot of her time as well."

"Oh okay. She seems nice. I'm glad you're making friends so quickly. I was worried that this move would be too much for us, but you seem to be adjusting fine enough. I can stop holding my breath and start to figure out my own stuff now. I'm so lucky to have such a capable and dependable daughter," Sylvia lays on the couch facing C. She turns to look at the TV to relax a bit before bed. Nothing good is ever on this late.

"I'm fine mom. The kids at school are nice enough and the teachers are too. Worry about yourself. You have a huge shop to open and you just finished selling a house. My life is small potatoes compared to what you are dealing with right now." C stands up to give her mom a hug before heading to her room to sleep. It's still early but after a full day of school and social interaction, her battery is empty.