A Baker's Dozen- Chap. 7

Instructions

October 31, 2022: Waylen “Hey, ladies.” I said, scooting closer to a group of girls by the snack bar at the high school. They made disgusted faces and hurried away, whispering about the ‘creepy tech nerd’. It was all I could do not to sigh. Oh, the joys of being a friendless high schooler. If only Olivia’s popularity could rub off on me through some psychic twin connection. Alas, that wasn’t how it worked in high school. “Hey, Liv!” I called, jogging over to Olivia, who was at the photo booth taking a selfie with her best friends, Callie and Grey. “Yeah, Waylen?” She said, lowering her phone and smiling at me. “Would you happen to know if Madison Brown came to this party?” I asked sheepishly, my cheeks flushing. Olivia giggled. “Ooooo.” Her friends teased, grinning at me. At least some people didn’t act like I had a contagious disease. “Of course she came, since she’s walking towards you right now!” Olivia whispered, pointing to the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life. Madison Brown. “Hi, Olivia!’’ She said, flipping her wavy blonde hair. She was dressed as a stereotypical pirate, with an eyepatch and a hook on one hand. “You look gorgeous, Maddie.” My sister told her, and I silently agreed. “You already know Callie and Grey, and I’d like you to meet my twin brother, Waylen.” Madison laughed. “Oh, I know who you are. Killer jazz pianist, amazing at computer stuff, phenomenal trackster…you have a lot to your name, Waylen Randolph.’’ My dark eyes widened slightly as I stared at the girl in front of me. “You…you actually pay attention to that stuff?” My voice was filled with awe and disbelief. “Obviously. Do you think I care about the rumors about you when all I see is…..” Madison trailed off, blushing. “Maddie!” Someone shouted over the loud music. It was Maddie’s freshman sister, Sophie. “Mom’s here to pick us up!” “Already?” She groaned. “Oh, fine. Coming, Sophie!’’ She grabbed a napkin from a nearby table and scribbled something on it with a pen she had produced from her pocket. She thrust it at me and said, “See you later, Waylen.” With that, she turned around and left, hurrying towards the exit. I worked up my courage and waved at her retreating form before glancing at the napkin. My jaw dropped, and I showed it to Olivia, who raised her eyebrow teasingly. “You’ve just got yourself a girlfriend.” She said with a smirk. Madison’s phone number was scrawled onto the rough surface of the napkin. It was barely legible, but I could still make out what it said. Maybe Olivia was right and Madison wanted to date me. All I knew was, girlfriend or not, she had given me her phone number and I was going to use it. Just as I was about to dial her number, my phone, with its iconic Stevie Wonder ringtone, rang. The caller was Mom. I quickly answered it. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?” I uttered, holding it to my ear. “I need you guys to come home. Now. I already picked up Allie and Ren, so you can just go straight home.” Her tone was so urgent that I didn’t dare to question her as I answered and hung up. “Where’s Blaire, Liv?” I asked Olivia, who pointed to a corner on the other side of the gym. I nodded and continued. “Ok, so, Mom says we have to come home right away. I dunno why, but she sounded serious, so-” “Say no more. Let’s find Gabe and Ben.” A moment later, Blaire came rushing over to us, her phone in hand. Before she said anything, Olivia put a finger to her lips. “We know, so let’s go.” Gabe and Ben came up to us, and we walked towards the truck, exchanging concerned glances. When we finally arrived home, Mom was standing in the driveway, wringing her hands anxiously. Her eyes were puffy and red, and her hair was messier than usual. “Mom! Are you ok?” Blaire yelled, hopping out of the truck as soon as she parked. I quickly did the same. “Everyone else already knows……but I just got a call that Mimi died, due to old age.” She choked out. Mimi was her mom. “Oh…” Blaire murmured sadly, rushing to Mom's side and putting a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. “Wait, what happened?” Gabe asked, jogging towards Blaire, Mom, and I. Olivia and Ben followed right behind him. “Mimi died.” I said quietly. Those two words had a profound effect on my siblings. Gabe’s hands flew to his mouth, and tears welled up in Ben’s eyes. Olivia let out a sob, hugging Mom. “Let’s go inside.” Mom said between the cries of her children. I collapsed onto the couch as soon as I got inside, my own tears threatening to break free. For once, the house was quiet. The younger kids had gone to bed already, Ren and Mason were stretched out on the floor, and Allie was nowhere to be seen. Olivia curled up next to me, not even bothering to change out of her costume. “Are we still going to do our movie night?” Mason uttered, his voice hoarse. Ren lifted her head and glared at him.