Lainey

"I'm pretty sure that's not how you do that," I say as Owen pours powder cheese into a pot of boiling noodles.

After he came back to get me and after I came to the realization that a damn wish is the reason I'm in this dilemma. Even if Owen doesn't believe it.

Owen had to go the grocery store so I went with him. Shopping with him was a weird experience.

Seeing what laundry soap your sworn enemy uses makes you think differently about them.

But I guess he's not my sworn enemy anymore, he's more of an ally. Someone I'm going to have to get along with because we are stuck together.

And if I'm being honest, since we left my house we haven't argued, we've bickered and teased each other, but we haven't been outright evil to each other.

"What do you mean," Owen asks slowly, drawing out each word.

"When you're making box mac and cheese you don't add the cheese till after the noodles are done," I exclaim.

Owen glances at me then back to the pot, "What do you mean, I've been doing it this way since I was eight."

I laugh and the sponge slips from my fingers and into the soppy water, "God, your mac and cheese must be horrible."

Owen glares at me and I go back to washing the dishes, "Do not criticize my cooking till you try it."

I simply hum in response. Outside a car door shuts and a few moments later the front door opens.

"Hey, sweetie how are you?" Owen's mom says as she walks in.

How do I know you ask?

She looks like his clone, but in woman form. She has the same eyes, nose, and mouth, the only difference is the hair. While Owens is more fluffy than curly hers is kinky curls peppered with white.

"Hi Ma, how are you?" Owen replies.

I silently put the sponge down and move out of the kitchen to lean against the wall. Owen's mom hangs her bag up and Sadie walks in.

Owen takes the pot off the stove, "I'm doing good, Sade's blood sugar is a bit low again," His mom responds.

Owen drops the spoon into the pot, "Then why didn't she come home," He says coldly.

Sadie glares at Owen and his mom takes her hair out of the low bun it's most likely been in all day, "She wouldn't listen to me," His mom says with a look towards Sadie.

As I watch her I notice her name tag says Ally.

Sadie throws her book bag down, "I can take care of myself, I don't need babysitters." Before Owen can respond she holds her hand up, "Before you say a damn word I made fifty dollars in tips."

Tips? From their last argument, she wasn't allowed to work. From his mom's uniform, I know exactly where she works.

She works at Sally's diner, not too far from here. I'm sure I've seen her since it's one of Trey's favorite places to eat after school.

"Watch your language, little lady" Ally scolds.

Sadie slams the fifty dollars on the counter and storms out, "I'm going to take a shower," Sadie yells.

"Maybe it will wash off your pour-piss attitude," Owen throws back.

Sadie tightens her fist and slams the bathroom door. Ally takes two bowls out of the cabinet and spoons mac and cheese into both of them. "I don't know what has gotten into her," Owen says.

His mom laughs, "Teenage hormones."

Owen grabs another bowl and spoon while his moms not watching, "Well I never acted that way."

Ally smiles, "No, you always take care of us."

Owen smiles, "Is it alright if I eat in my room?"

"Of course, I'm going to watch TV anyway," Owen's mom says.

Owen nods and I follow him to his room. He takes a seat on his bed and I sit down at his computer. Owen takes his bowl and spoons out half of the mac and cheese into my bowl.

We eat in silence till both of us have finished. "It kills me to say this, but that wasn't half as bad as I thought it was going to be," I say, breaking the silence.

Owen smirks, "Wow, are you complimenting me?"

I sigh, "Hardly, I could still make it better."

Owen snorts as he picks up our bowls. When he comes back into the room he flops on his bed and starts to look at his phone.

"I know it's none of my business—"

"Then don't ask it," Owen says, interrupting me.

I sigh and continue, "I thought Sadie wasn't working."

"She's not," Owen says dryly.

Instead of taking his hint to drop the subject I continue, "But how did she make fifty dollars in tips?"

Owen glances at me, "Some days after school she goes to dinner and plays music on the piano they have there."

A small smile dances on my lips, "So you both play an instrument."

Owen sits up, "And that's my cue to take a shower since someone is in a nosy mood."

Despite his attuite I laugh, "You know you don't have to be so secretive."

Owen gives me a dry smile, "Stop pushing, Lane."

Before I can say anything he leaves.

Lane, that's the second time he's called me that.

I thought the first time he did that it was by accident.

I guess not.

~~~~

Owen

Lainey and her questions, why can't she just let some things go? I get that we're going to be spending a lot of time together, but that doesn't mean I have to tell her every detail about me.

When I get back to my room Lainey is studying my bookshelf. "What book is your favorite?"

Again, more questions. "The Hunger Games is pretty good," I say, forcing my voice to sound somewhat nice. If we are going to be stuck together then I can at least try to be nicer.

"That's such a basic answer," Lainey complains.

I shrug, she doesn't need to know what my favorite book is. I mean my friends don't even know I own a book let alone an entire shelf.

"So do you have a plan on how to 'undo your failed wish'," I ask, quoiting what Lainey told me on the way home?

She nods, "Tomorrow you are going to take me to Maizes, and we're going to convince her you can see me."

I stare at her in stunned silence. Did she think what she just said through? If I tell anyone they'll think I'm crazy.

"Are you shitting me," I ask.

Lainey swipes her hand through the air as if what she just proposed isn't a big deal and quite stupid. "Relax she won't think you're crazy, she believes in all kinds of weird crap."

"What kind of weird crap?" I ask.

"You know aliens, ghosts, people being able to predict the future. You know, shit like that," Lainey says with a glare. "This will be more exciting for her than anything," She adds.

I scoff and she lets out a long sigh, "She'll believe us, and if she doesn't then will make her."

"And how do suppose we'll do that?" I ask in a sweet voice, as if I'm talking to a baby.

Lainey looks at her nails, "I will tell you some personal information that you could never know unless I told you."

I roll my eyes and Lainey flashes a smile, "Just trust me."

As if I had any other choice.

I hope y'all enjoyed it!