“Five more minutes. Please.”
“No, you’ve both got swim lessons and soccer tomorrow. You’ll be bears if you stay up any later.” She turns off the television and we both plug in our controllers to charge them.
Ali stomps her foot as she goes into the bathroom to brush her teeth. I’m just as mad as she is, but I don’t like to show it in front of Carmen. She’s my stepmom but she’s basically been my mom since the day I met her.
My real mom died when I was just a baby and my dad raised me by himself until he met her. Of course he had help with nannies and babysitters, but when Carmen came along she was like a real mom. She taught me how to tie my shoes and how to bake cookies. I didn’t really know what I was missing out on until she came along, and now I don’t want to do anything that might make her go away.
“Mom?” I say while Ali is out of earshot.
“Yeah, buddy?” She’s in my room putting away a stack of laundry and I sit on the edge of the bed. I must be quiet too long because she turns around and looks at me. “Is everything okay, Drake?”
“It’s Muffins for Moms tomorrow and I, um, wanted to know if you’d come to my class.” I stare down at my feet as I kick them back and forth. I don’t know why I’m so nervous to ask her.
I feel her walk over and sit down on the bed next to me. After a moment I look up and see her smiling so sweetly down at me.
“I know it’s tomorrow. I’ve had it on my calendar all week. Of course I’ll be there, you know that.” She puts an arm around me and I lean into her softness. She’s always so warm, I can see why my dad likes hugging her.
“Okay, cool.” I try to play it off like I wasn’t worried, but deep down the knot in my stomach loosens.
“I’ll pop into Ali’s class and then come to yours afterward. But don’t worry, I’ll save room.” She winks at me and I smile again, realizing that I was worried for no reason.
Ali and I are in the same grade, but after we talked to one another nonstop through kindergarten and first grade our parents made us split up. I still get to see her throughout the day and we have recess at the same time so it’s not so bad. She’s my best friend so I wish we could spend all of our time hanging out.
“Night, Mom,” Ali calls out as she climbs onto the air mattress on the floor that’s already made up. Mom put it in here for Ali’s birthday and it’s been here ever since.
“Night, Ali-bug.” She leans down and cuddles her as I get into my bed and she comes and does the same.
“Get some sleep, buddy,” she says as she tucks me in. “Can’t wait for tomorrow,” she whispers before she turns out the light and closes the door.
As soon as the door shuts, I feel my bed dip and Ali crawls in beside me. “How long do you think we have before we can start playing again?”
“Maybe we should just get some sleep?” I say, never wanting to be the one that makes Mom mad. I save up all my sneaky stuff for Dad.
“Nah, she’ll send Dad up here if she hears us. Remember they take turns.”
“True,” I say, grinning at her, and grab the remotes again.
“Turn down the volume,” Ali hisses when the game console comes to life.
“Just remember if Dad comes up I’m pretending to be asleep,” I say because we both know he won’t get mad at Ali.
“You’re terrible at faking sleep.”
“Here, you take the black one, it’s got more power,” I say, handing it to her.
“Thanks.”
“You be Mario this time. You’re better with the jumps.” I watch her play for a bit before I join her. She’s always so happy when she’s gaming and even though we’re both tired, I wouldn’t turn down a chance to play with her.
We end up staying up a lot longer than we thought but we beat the game. Afterwards we both fall into my bed and pass out, but just as I fall asleep I think how cool it is that I get to live with my best friend. I never understood when some of my friends at school complained about their sisters. Ali is awesome.
Chapter Three
Ali
Thirteen years old
I reach for my backpack and take it from Drake’s hand. “Don’t go through my stuff,” I snap at him but then instantly feel guilty. I’m going to blame it on the hormones Mom said are making me moody.
Drake stares at me with a shocked expression and then his eyes narrow. I’m not usually short with him because there’s never a reason to be. Drake’s my best friend but I’m worried things are going to change.