Evicted Read online

  By Traci Sek

  Copyright

  Copyright 2020 by Traci Sek

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted into any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

  This teen fiction is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and the trade-marked owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission.

  The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  This book is licensed for your personal use only.

  This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with, thank you for respecting the author’s work

  A New School

  Ugh another school, another year, I thought to myself as I sat in a new classroom full of strangers for what felt like the tenth time this year.

  Ever since my mother died two years ago, my sister Kate and I moved all over with our father. He lost all sense of reality and couldn't hold down a job for more than a month. In turn, we were evicted from one apartment after another.

  "Good morning, class! Please open your textbooks to page 142 and let us begin," the tall, slender woman says as she looks around the classroom.

  The teacher, also known as Mrs. Richardson, hands me a battered textbook, and I open it before sliding down in my seat and pulling my black hoodie sleeves over my hands. I have zero school supplies. My dad hates shopping and seems to not give a shit about himself or us. I haven’t had new clothes or shoes since my mother died. My goal this time around is to pass with flying colors, if I lasted that long, and I just needed to pass quietly without being noticed by anyone. I gave up making friends a long time ago. There was no point. Eventually, my dad would get us evicted again, and we would have to pack up and move.

  "Hey, I'm Gia."

  Looking to my right, a girl with long brown hair and glasses holds out a piece of paper to me. Leaning close, she whispers, "You look like you could use this. Here."

  "Thanks," I say hesitantly as I take it from her, placing it gently down on my desk.

  "No problem," the girl whispers back with a big smile on her face.

  I grab a pencil from the top of my ear and begin writing the notes off the blackboard. I'm not going to lie— I’m so lost. Changing schools made me feel like I was always jumping through time. I didn't know what I had learned versus what I hadn't, and it was all a blur. When class ends, Gia turns to me again.

  "So, what’s your name?” she asks.

  “Jessa,” I mumble.

  “Nice to meet ya.”

  “Likewise.” I watch as people file one by one out of the class.

  “So where did you move from?"

  This girl is relentless, but she seems nice.

  "Just on the other side of town. We just moved here two days ago." I fold up the piece of paper, slide it into the book, and reluctantly stand up from my seat.

  "Oh, wow, that's cool. What class do you have next?"

  I reach into the front pouch of my hoodie and pull out a wrinkled piece of paper containing my new schedule and look at it.

  "Looks like biology."

  "Really? Me too! Come, I'll show you the way."

  I follow her out into the hallway. If I wasn’t in such a foul mood, her bubbly personality would lift my spirits.

  "So I noticed you don't have any school supplies," Gia points to my hands, hugging my book against my chest.

  My stomach jolts at her words, I don’t want anyone to know that I can't afford school supplies, or that this was my fifth school in two years. I quickly made up a lie.

  "Yeah, my dad has been so busy with work and the move, we haven't had time to shop. Maybe one of these days..." Shrugging my shoulders, I force a smile and try to change the subject. "So, what's our biology teacher like?"

  "Oh, you know the usual happy go lucky science geek who's got plastic skeletons all over the room and lives in a lab coat." She smiles.

  I can’t help but snicker. As we walk into the classroom, kids are already sitting at their desks chatting with each other. Some claim their spots on top of their desks while others stand around huddled into small groups. Immediately Gia is recognized.

  "Gia over here!" one guy yells from across the room.

  "Follow me," she says with a wave.

  We walk up to a group of people: two boys and a girl. A guy with blonde wavy hair wraps his arms around Gia and gives her a soft kiss. Gia reciprocates and turns back towards me.

  "Everybody, this is Jessa, she's new here. Jessa, this is my boyfriend Alex, this is Julia, and this is my best friend, Spencer."

  I wave and smile at them as they are being introduced. Each one holds up their hand in response. I meet Spencer's chocolate brown eyes, and I feel my heart skip a beat. He’s devastatingly handsome with short dark brown hair, a slight tan, medium build, and just a little taller than me.

  "Here, Jessa, you sit next to Julia." Gia gestures towards a seat by the window.

  Julia is tall and thin with long black hair and cat-like olive-green eyes. Everything about her screams bitch. I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt, though. I look towards the spot where Gia is pointing, and everyone is staring at me. I quickly thank Gia, take one more glance at Spencer, and sit down. When I think no one is watching, I steal a few more glimpses of him. I just can’t help myself.

  The bell signals the end of the period, and everyone rushes to the door in an unorderly fashion. I watch as Spencer gathers his things nonchalantly and strides to the door. Immediately he’s met by two girls with long blonde hair. They giggle at him and wrap their arms around him.

  "He's president of the student body; everybody sucks up to him to get what they want." I jump at the sound of Gia’s voice. Where did she come from? I tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear and force myself to look at her.

  "Who Spencer?" I ask, trying to act oblivious.

  Gia laughs. "Come on. I saw you staring at him when I introduced you. I might not know you yet, but I know when someone thinks a guy's hot, you were practically drooling." She giggles.

  I could feel the heat rise on my cheeks. I was never good at these situations, and I don't know what to say to Gia?

  "Don't worry, I won't tell. Now come on, let's get lunch."

  Lunch. Now there was something I was looking forward to. I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon. My stomach growls fiercely to remind me—God, how I missed my mother. The occasional times my dad forced himself to go shopping, he would only buy beer and a loaf of bread. Then he would come home, sit on the recliner my mother gave him for his thirty-fifth birthday, and fall asleep watching reruns.

  "So is lunch free here?" I ask.

  Gia laughs again. "Of course, it is. Why?"

  "Well, at my old school, it wasn't, so I was just making sure."

  Another lie. I’m starting to hate myself for all the lies, especially to Gia, who’s friendly and trying to be my friend. I hate my father for making me this way. We arrive at the cafeteria, and right away, the smell of food makes my mouth water. I follow Gia to the line and wait behind what seems like a thousand kids. All the varieties of food are lined up down the metal counter. Just looking at all the food makes my stomach rumble, and I quickly grab it, hoping no one heard. Only take what you need, I think to my
self, even though I want to eat everything. I grab a slice of pizza, an apple, and some milk.

  I follow as Gia leads the way to a table in the back, and I recognize the others from biology and more new faces. The knot in my stomach is back, or maybe it’s just from being hungry. I can’t tell. One person I don't see, however, is Spencer, which leaves me feeling disappointed. Why on earth was I already feeling disappointed? Sitting down at the long narrow table, I pick up the hot slice of pizza and bite into it. I savor the excellent salty tomato taste, and I think about my sister enjoying a warm meal as well. We probably won’t have a chance to eat again until tomorrow.

  "So," Gia begins. "Tell me all about you." Her face is cradled in the palm of her hands like she’s in kindergarten, ready to watch a cartoon.

  "Not much to tell," I say through bites of pizza. For once, this is true.

  "Oh come on, there's got to be something! How long were you at your old school? What’s your favorite hobby? What's your last name?"

  Oh, Lord! Twenty-one questions. So much for me sliding under the radar. Can I handle this? Just stay calm, Jessa, I tell myself.

  "Well, I have a sister named Kate, she's in eighth grade, a dad named Roy, and I’m sixteen years old. I was at my old school for a while," I continue with hesitation. "My last name is Miller, and that's about it."

  "See. Now that wasn't so bad!"

  I smile. “And what about you?”

  She straightens up in her seat and wipes her mouth with a napkin before replying, “Well, I’ve gone to school here my whole life, I love tennis, and my favorite band is Paramore.”

  “Wow, that's, uh very specific,” I chuckle.

  “Sorry. I just love meeting new people and getting to know them.” Her bubbly smile is genuine, and it makes me feel at ease.

  "I’m going to empty my tray. I’ll be right back," I say.

  I get up and head for the trash cans. As I walk, I take in the scene around me. Most of the students have gravitated into particular groups. Some play hacky sack, while others laugh hysterically at whatever the other is saying. Something was different about this school than the others, but I couldn’t put my finger on it yet. This school is where I need to stay, where I want to stay. I’m jolted from my thoughts as someone bumps into me. The empty milk carton on my tray flies up into the air, before landing on the floor, and the other person's food. I’m in shock and total embarrassment. I look up to see Spencer in front of me.

  "I’m so sorry! I didn't see you," he says with his phone in one hand and tray in the other.

  "No, no. It's ok. I wasn’t looking where I was going either." I quickly say.

  Our eyes meet and hold for a moment before he starts to speak. "Jessa, right?" he asks as he bends over to pick up the mess.

  "Yeah, that's me, biology, haha." Oh my God, did I just say haha? I bend over to help him pick up what was left of the mess and proceed to the trash can. He follows close behind me. Keep it together, Jessa. Don’t think about how incredibly hot he is. It’s no good. I can’t think of anything else...

  "Well, if you need anything, or want anything, I'm student body president. I can get you what you want," he says with a smirk.

  I want you, my brain screams, and I mentally scold myself and roll my eyes at him. "Oh, gee, thanks, but no thanks. I'll gladly decline that gracious offer."

  He looks confused as I start to make my way back to Gia.

  "Hold on!" he says, and I stop and turn around, pulling at the hem of my sleeves again.

  "Let me start over. Maybe I said that wrong. I'm here if you have any concerns."

  Now his face looks genuine.

  "Thanks. Do you always use that line on all the girls?" I ask sarcastically.

  "No, it's just a persona I use. That's how the ladies treat me, so I figured why not give it back? But I see you're not that type of girl."

  "No, definitely not," I announce.

  "Well, that's good to hear, and it’s actually refreshing."

  We reach the table where Gia was and sit down.

  "Hey, Spencer!" At the end of the table, a blonde-haired girl wiggles her pointy fingers at him, attempting to be flirty. He mimics her wave and sits down next to me.

  "See what I mean?" he whispers in my ear. The sensation sends chills down my spine. I simply nod, but I’m dying inside. He even smells good.

  "We can just be friends," I say pointedly, and I mean it. I think?

  "Sounds good to me," he answers with a boyish smile.

  ***

  After school, I head over to pick up my sister Kate. Once I finally spot her in the large crowd, I jog over and embrace her in a tight hug.

  "So, how was it?" I ask her.

  "It was ok... nobody really talked to me, but I'm sure it will pick up," she answers with a smile.

  "Yeah, you'll make friends in no time."

  "Do we have to go home?" Kate asks, looking down at her feet.

  My heart sinks a little.

  "Yes, Kate, we do, but I promise I'll do everything I can to keep you at this school. No more moving." I assure her, and pray it’s the truth.

  Kate gives me a skeptical look.

  "I hope so Jessa, I can't take it anymore," she says in a tone that breaks my heart. All I can do is wrap my arm around her shoulder as we continue to walk home.

  The little apartment we rented is in a community district with other units as well. Most of them look decent from the outside, but not ours. Our apartment seems to look the worst. The complex is a long building with four different apartments, all squashed together: white shingles hang from the siding, and most of the screens are ripped or missing entirely. The whole apartment was dark, drafty, and downright crappy.

  Our apartment has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a small living room, and a kitchen. It's not like our apartments before were much better, but this one is, by far, the worst. Roy didn't even look at it before he took it. He passed a sign on the street, waited for the landlord to come, shook hands, and bam, we were moving in. Like my sister, I also shudder at the fact that we have to go home.

  "Do you think we should unpack this time?" I ask Kate.

  Kate sighs. "Probably not."

  I decide right here, that enough is enough. This is not what our mother would have wanted. Looking at Kate, I reply, "no, we are going to unpack." Kate narrows her eyes at me.

  "I'm serious! This time, I'm going to make it work for both of us. I'm old enough to work now, I'll get a job, and everything will be okay."

  Even I had to force myself to believe my words.

  "Yeah, okay," Kate says as we enter our dungeon apartment.

  The Dance

  Kate and I share a small room, which is fine since we only have one double bed and some clothes that fit in our small closet. We lost most of our trinkets and furniture from the last eviction. For the next hour, we unpack the few boxes we have that lay scattered across the house.

  "Girls, I'm home!" We hear Roy call slamming the door so hard I think the walls actually shake.

  We come down the stairs reluctantly to find Roy holding a paper bag of take-out.

  "Here," he says as he holds the bag towards us. "Dinner."

  I look at Kate, who seems stunned, and her face matches my expression.

  "Well, it isn't going to eat itself," he continues sarcastically when neither of us reaches for the bag.

  Kate grabs the bag first and peeks inside: two cheeseburgers with a pack of french fries to share. She hands one to me and divides the fries.

  "What's this for?" Kate asks as she pops a french fry into her mouth.

  "What do you mean?" Roy asks incredulously. Once again, oblivious to the fact that he was a deadbeat father.

  "Well, you never bring home food. So, I was just wondering."

  I try to stifle a laugh and give her a nudge. At first, Roy is angry, but he switches to his tired mode within seconds. He then sighs.

  "Just go eat and get out of my face," he snarls at us.

  "We need school supp
lies," Kate continues ignoring the last comment.

  "I know Kate," he snaps, which makes both of us jump.

  "Do I look like I'm made of money? No. When I get my first paycheck, I’ll get you some things."

  "But," Kate begins. I quickly take her by the arm and pull her towards the bedroom.

  "Forget it, Dad," I yell.

  When we enter the room, I push Kate towards the bed and gesture for her to sit.

  "What the heck is wrong with you?"

  "What? I need school supplies, Jessa. And I am sure you need them too."

  "Yeah, but we were lucky to get dinner tonight. You know how Dad snaps. Don't push your luck next time."

  Kate just rolls her eyes and starts devouring her hamburger. I follow Kate's lead and wonder when we will get this lucky again?

  We get up early the next morning and get ready to leave for school before our dad wakes up. We like avoiding contact with him at all costs. I drop Kate off at school and then head towards mine. The atmosphere is totally different today. No one's staring at me, which means I can get in and out without a fuss. That’s all I’ve ever wanted since my mother died, normalcy. I mean, I couldn't be the new girl forever, right? I make my way towards Geography, the class I met Gia in yesterday. I still haven’t come up with an excuse for why I still didn't have school supplies. I guess I could just wing it.

  "Hey," Gia yells from across the room, smiling. I wave back shyly as my eyes dart across the room to find a back-row seat.

  Instead, Gia gestures for me to come over towards her. It isn't exactly the back row, but I don't want to disappoint my only new friend. I travel over to her slowly and take the empty seat.

  "Hey," I say, trying to avoid eye contact.

  She must take pity on me, as I hear her rip a piece of paper from her book and place it on my desk. I feel my cheeks flush and quickly put my hands to my face to try and hide it.

  "Thanks," I say as I suppress the urge to fidget in my seat.

  "No problem. So the school is having a dance tonight. I don't know if you heard, but you should definitely come, you know, get to know more people."

  I hesitate. "I don't know."