Cloud Walking

swim up from my throat. Instead, I gave my mother a pained smile. “Sure thing,” I replied with a nod. My mom smiled back, also a little painfully. I knew she felt bad for saddling me with parent duty so much. But we didn't really have any other options.

    “Thanks, sweetheart.” She sounded so tired and I noticed there were a few more wrinkles around her mouth and eyes than had been there before. My mom wasn't old. She was only eighteen when she had me. But being stuck playing single mom to two kids before you're forty will suck your will to live like no other.

    “How's school going?” she asked me. She still hadn't walked into the room. I knew she had to leave for work, but was trying to do the good mom bit by acting interested in my life. But I knew, as well as she did, that she was too tired and too busy to put much effort into it. So the pretending was seriously unnecessary.

    “Fine,” I answered shortly, giving her another fake smile. My mom looked relieved that a more in depth conversation wasn't required.

    “Just throw a pizza in the oven. Don't forget, Kaitlyn's bedtime is...”

    “9:30. Yeah, I know,” I said. Her having to tell me was ludicrous. I knew Kaitlyn's bedtime better than she did, considering I was the one tucking her in most nights and had been since the child was six years old.

    “Okay then. See you tomorrow,” my mom said hurriedly, blowing me a kiss. I could hear her talking to Kaitlyn in the living room over the noise of the television. I gathered my homework and went out to join my sister.

    Kaitlyn barely acknowledged me when I sat on the couch. She was engrossed in iCarly or Victorious, or whatever tween show she was watching. I pulled my World History book onto my lap and tried to focus on reading the chapter we had for homework. I was sure we'd have a pop quiz tomorrow and I wanted to make sure I aced it. Grades were important to me. I didn't let anything get in the way of me and my 4.0 GPA.

    My phone buzzed on the couch beside me. Looking down I saw a picture of Danny sticking his tongue out and his eyes crossed flash on the screen. I couldn't stop my goofy smile. I had taken that particular picture two months ago at lunch. And I loved it. It was the Daniel that I missed most when he was being that other Daniel that I didn't like so much.

    Let's see which Daniel I'd be talking to this evening. Ignoring the phone call wasn't even an option for me. Of course I'd answer it. I always answer it.

    “Hey,” I said, making a motion with my hand at my sister to turn the volume down on the TV. She rolled her eyes at me but did as I asked. Barely. I still had a hard time hearing Daniel on the other end.

    “Hey, Rach. How's it goin'?” Daniel asked, his smooth, deep voice like liquid honey in my ears. He was using his charming sex voice. He wanted something.

    “What do you need, Danny?” I asked in annoyance. Why couldn't he just call me to talk? Why did it always feel as though having a normal conversation together was impossible anymore?

    Daniel's chuckle seemed forced. “Why do you think I need something? Can't I just call to hear your voice?” he said smoothly and I couldn't help the way my insides bunched up. If only he really meant that.

    I sighed. “Because I know you...and I know you need something. So just spit it out already,” I said in exasperation. Irritated with myself for being so swayed by him. Even more irritated with him for swaying me.

    “Okay, you got me. Do you have our Chem notes? We have that huge test tomorrow and I think I left my binder in my locker.” I leaned over to rifle through my book bag, pulling my Chemistry folder out. I had already been studying for our test for over a week. I knew the material inside and out. Of course, Daniel had procrastinated.

    “Yeah, I have it. Do you need help studying?” I found myself offering.

    “Would you really help me? Rachel, baby, you are the best! I'll be there in fifteen. I'll even bring some Krispy Kreme crullers you love so much,” Daniel said happily. I sighed. He had called me baby. And he was bringing me crullers. If I didn't have the overwhelming urge to throttle him, I'd be tempted to jump his bones as soon as he showed up.

    Who was I kidding, even though I wanted to throttle him I still wanted to molest him. Very, very badly.

    “Get the chocolate glazed ones,” I told him and he laughed.

    “Of course. As if I'd come with anything else. Be there in a bit,” Daniel said