Something about my mother’s tone told me she wasn’t too happy that Mia was along for the trip. It was surprising to say the least since Mia had always been the perfect one.
Justin kissed me on the tip of the nose before holding the back door open for me as I slid in, making room for him. His hand settled into my lap as he slammed the door shut, and I looked towards the front passenger seat. “Hi, M-” her name died on my lips as she spun around, lowering her sunglasses down, while completely ignoring me, and her eyes landed on Justin. “Well, hello there sexy. Are you sure you don’t want to sit up here with me? I’m sure I can make room.”
Chapter 19
Lunch had been…awkward. My mother had surprisingly been talkative, I think mainly due to the fact that she was trying to distract me from staring openmouthed at Mia. Or whoever it was that had showed up with my mother, because it most certainly was not my perfect step sister.
Gone was the glossy, waist length chestnut hair that I had always been jealous of, along with the light makeup she had always worn. She must have decided to switch her favorite store from Preppy’s R Us to Sluts R Us.
I’m pretty sure there was no way her tight neon pink skirt could get any shorter, and I guessed that she didn’t have on any underwear, but that didn’t stop her from bending over as many times as she could in front of my boyfriend. Justin was always quick to dart his eyes away, but I was sure there was no way he couldn’t have seen something.
Her hair was now a bleach blonde, pink stripes running through it and cut into choppy chunks. The thick framed glasses she had always worn had been replaced by bright green contacts that I thought made her look a little paranormal, but by the way she was making googly eyes at my boyfriend, I think she was convinced they were sexy.
“So Mia, how’s school going?” I asked as my mother drove back to my grandparent’s house. I was trying to break down the wall that she had built up between the two of us for some reason. Not once had she directed a single word in my direction. It had all been for Justin.
“Oh, I dropped out,” she perkily replied, like it was something to be proud of. She jumped out of the car as soon as the car was in parked and opened up Justin’s door, hiking her shirt up a little higher to reveal a flat stomach that had a large tattoo etched onto it.
“Please talk to her,” my mother said in a low tone. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but she just showed up one day looking like that and informed us that she had dropped out of school. Apparently, her mom wouldn’t let her come home, so she came to us, and Gerald just couldn’t turn her away. You’ve turned you’re life around, maybe you can push her in the right direction.”
I was surprised that she thought I could guide anyone in the right direction, and in a way, I think it was a back handed compliment. Probably the only kind I would ever get. “I can try. She’s probably going through some rebellious stage. You guys have always put pressure on her to be the best. Maybe she just couldn’t deal with it any longer.”
“Pressure? We never did such a thing. All we ever wanted for you two was the best.”
“Whatever,” I replied as I slid across the back seat. “Are you coming in?”
“No, I’m feeling a little jet-lagged, and I’m not sure I can deal with that at the moment.” She tilted her head towards Mia who was now running her hand up Justin’s chest. I could tell he was uncomfortable and it actually made me laugh a little. “Would you mind bringing her by the hotel later? Maybe find something to entertain her for a bit.” Basically, she was asking me to babysit Mia. I really didn’t want to, but I figured I could at least be nice for once.
“Yeah, sure.” She peeled out of the driveway as soon as I shut the back door, kicking up gravel as she sped away. Mia didn’t even blink at being left behind. She was too busy trying to molest my boyfriend.
“C’mon, lets head in to see if my dad’s here.” I grabbed onto Justin’s elbow a little forcefully and Mia followed behind us closely.
I could tell today was going to be a long one with Mia’s constant chattering, and I wouldn’t be able to get rid of her soon enough. But I would be the good daughter for once and entertain her for the night, I wasn’t sure exactly what she liked to do for fun, but I had a good guess that Justin would be able to.
**********
“This place is no fun. I feel like a third wheel, and the only hot guy here is taken,” Mia pouted as she batted her eyelashes at Justin who took a long sip of his beer.