Chapter 4 Wendy

I slowly open my eyes. “Day 2 of having a roommate. How exciting.”

The sun was already in the blue sky. I check around my room, forgetting what I was supposed to do. I get up and drag myself to the bathroom. 

Today, a quick walk, shopping with Amber, and something.  What was that something again? I walk downstairs, heading to my brother’s old room. I grab the nearest clothes and walk back up. 

I walk towards a closed door, knocking before entering. No response, he must be sleeping still. I walk in quietly and place it on the closest surface. I check the bed, it was neatly done. Where’s Lucas? Oh crap... 

I run out of the room yelling out his name. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hear any response. I dash to the kitchen then the living room then back to his room, nothing. I lost him already. After one day of living with him, I lost him. I slide my back down the wall thinking why do I even try. 

“Are you okay? Did something bad happen already?” I slowly look up to see Lucas staring at me with a worried look. 

”Where the heck did you go? I spent years looking for you.” I say, shaking him. 

”I was in the bathroom. I thought if I wake up really early there’s no need for a line. And then I noticed you were still sleeping so I took a walk outside” He says. How can I be so dumb? How could he be so dumb? Of course, he would walk in his pajamas. 

”There are over 5 bathrooms, including the basement in this house. There’s no need for a line. AND you’re sweating in your PJs. You’re going to stink” I say, acting like I wasn’t concerned about him. 

Out of nowhere, a voice speaks. “Who is this?” I stand up from the sudden voice. Mom and dad didn’t tell me they came home and Amber and Eric know not to come in unless invited.

I look over to see the maid of the house. 

I like to give her day-offs so she can see her kids. She doesn’t want to bring them here since she doesn’t want them to be a mess in the house. Of course, I wouldn’t mind but she wants her husband to take care of them once in a while.

”Victoria! You’re here early. How’re the kids?” She puts her hands on her hips. 

“It’s almost 10:30 right now. So don't avoid the question. Who is he? Your parents are strict about boys and you know that.” 

I let go of Lucas. ”I know. But they won’t mind if they find out I made another friend.” I give her a shy smile. 

“Wendy, my job is to take care of the house and you. I know you have a hard time making friends and all but what will Eric think if he sees you replacing him?”

“You think I would replace him? I would never. That dramatic king has been crying about me leaving him alone with Amber too much. It’s getting annoying. There’s no way to replace that.”

“It’s Eric. He made the whole house dirty just to find his Airpods.”

“Everyone knows Eric. He’s those kinds of kids, you know? The kids you want to smack when they whine too much. But yet you still love their personalities.”

“If you love him so much then why is there another boy here? A boy that Eric might not be fond of.”

“Him?” I point at Lucas. “This is Lucas. A fellow friend of mind. It’s like we’ve been friends since forever,” I give her an awkward smile.

“No need to lie. I can tell by the way he looks and smells. It smells like your shampoo.”

“I forgot to mention he’s living with me. It must’ve slipped my mind,” I scratch the back of my head.

“It must’ve. It’s good to meet you, Lucas. If you need me, call me. My number in the phonebook. Just look for Veronica L.” 

 Lucas nods. Quietness enters the room. 

“We need to get ready for the mall. Victoria you get a day off, you need to spend time with the kids. Lucas get changed, we have a long day ahead of us,” I command as I push Lucas away from us. “ Bye, Veronica”! I give Victoria one last smile before shoving him up the stairs. I hear her let out a giggle before leaving the house. Her only job is to clean up Eric’s mess after all. 

It took me 10 minutes to look for up-to-date clothes and 20 for him to shower and put them all on. For me, it felt like years. He didn’t have to shower but, apparently “first impressions last forever”. It’s not like ours was as great anyways.

“The princess is done. I should put on her shoes since it took her TOO LONG!”

“Oh shut up. You take longer than me.”

“Yeah yeah yeah. It’s not like you have much to do. All you gotta do is dump shampoo on your head then bam. All nice and clean”

We walk towards the garage. I open the door and in the corner of my eye, his mouth becomes wide enough to fit a house. “Close your mouth before a fly goes in there.”

As spoiled as I could be, all I wished for is to spend time with my parents rather than some random cars I’m not going to drive. If I sell them then my parents will think I’m a greedy daughter who wants perfection. I love them and all but they’ve brought me 5 cars. Each one for Hey-we- can’t-be-there-for-you-so-have-this car. 

I remember when I was 16 I told my parents that I wanted to buy my own car but they were like, ”Oh no you don’t. Let us spoil you till our last breath.” I can’t believe that they spend their time finding cars for me and not for me. 

         I tilt my head to see Lucas still with his open. “How can you afford this? I mean this is a whole lot of money.” 

I sigh, ”I didn’t buy it. It was a gift that I can’t return. I would say they’re nothing special but the look you’re making says otherwise.” 

I walk to the first car I ever got which was this red SUV that I got when I first got my driver’s license. Out of all the four other cars, this one is special.