Adeline Parker didn’t wake to birdsong or sunlight. Instead, her brother, Peter, was belting out Rihanna’s “Umbrella” in the shower. Rolling her eyes, she checked the clock: 6:18 AM. A groan escaped her lips, mentally cursing him as her alarm wasn't set to go off for another 12 minutes. She sat up, offering a silent prayer to the twelve minutes of sleep stolen from her, then swung her legs over the side of the bed.
She grabbed a random t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, heading towards the bathroom to wash up and get dressed. “PETER!” she yelled, banging on the door. “Get out of there, I need to get ready.” She continued her assault on the door, refusing to relent. “One minute,” came the muffled yell from inside.
After an agonizing minute, Peter swung the door open, nearly colliding with her. “Oh, sorry Addy, I didn’t see you there.” Peter said, unfazed. “You never do,” she mumbled under her breath. “What was that?” he asked, straining to hear her. “Nothing,” she lied with a forced smile. “Now excuse me,” she attempted to push past her surprisingly broad brother.
He grabbed her arm. “By the way, you’re having dinner at Avengers Tower with me tonight.”
“Err, no I’m not. I have dance,” she replied, yanking her arm free and crossing her arms. “I’m sorry Addy, but you have to. Mr. Stark requested your presence—more like demanded it, so there’s no getting out of it.” Peter sighed, looking dejected. “Why does he even want me there? I’ve never met him, I’m not some genius inventor, and I can’t design anything.” She narrowed her eyes at her brother, who looked nervously.
“Well, it’s because of the INTERNSHIP!” he exclaimed suddenly. “Yeah, he found out I have a little sister and wanted to meet her. I told him you had dance, but he wouldn’t listen.” He explained. “Ugh, for heaven’s sake, Peter. Just so you know, I’m not going to make this easy on you.”
“Please Addy, just behave. Be there at 7.” Peter said before retreating into his room, closing the door behind him. “Ugh, I make no promises,” she sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Why me?” she muttered as she turned to finish getting ready for school.
//
Walking into John Adams Middle School, Adeline headed for her locker. As she was opening it, two hands covered her eyes. “Guess who?” A laugh bubbled from her lips. “Cruella de Vil?”
“Oh, come on Ads, let that go already. It’s been three months.” She responded with a wicked grin. “Never. You subjected yourself to this when you dyed your hair white, weirdo.” She ruffled Noah’s white hair.
Adeline did have friends—shocking, right? Not hundreds, but enough to keep her busy and happy. She had her gang, her select group of trusted, oldest friends. There was Riele Downs, the feisty, occasionally terrifying (when she was mad) African-Latina who was Adeline's first female friend, passionate about swimming and annoying teachers. Then there was Alexander Richardson, the Texan boy known as the 'mom' of the group, always the target of Addy’s teasing, with nicknames ranging from ‘Cowboy’ to ‘Ranger Rick.’ And finally, Noah Flynn—Adeline’s first proper friend (Peter didn’t count). They'd met during recess when Noah helped a distressed five-year-old Adeline who had fallen over, promising her his chocolate milk at lunch. They’d been inseparable ever since. They all were.
“Come on Ads, I’ll do anything.” Noah pleaded. “Hmm, okay then. I want $100,000 in cash, a new TV, and Ian Somerhalder.” “Yeah, no.” Noah replied, rolling his eyes. “Worth a shot,” Adeline shrugged. Suddenly, the school bell rang, signaling the start of first period. Groaning, Noah turned to her. “I’ll see you at lunch, love you,” he said, blowing her a kiss. “Love you too,” she replied, pretending to catch the kiss and swoon as she headed to Biology class.
Before Adeline knew it, it was lunch. Walking into the cafeteria, she spotted her two friends sitting at their usual table by the window. She made her way towards them. “Ugh,” she sighed, plopping into a chair next to Alexander. “What’s wrong?” the blue-eyed boy asked, knowing she was upset. “I was supposed to have dance for seven hours tonight, but I have to go to some stupid dinner at Avengers Tower with Peter, so I’ll only get three hours. I’m going to have to make up the lost hours over the weekend.” She explained sadly.
“Oh Addy,” Alex sighed, rubbing her arm for comfort. Then he blurted out three words that Adeline would never forget: “SUCKS FOR YOU!!” He slapped her arm, laughing. “Oww, thanks for the support, Ranger Rick,” she mocked, rubbing her arm to soothe the pain. “HEY!” he shouted. “I thought we had a deal.” “Well, that deal only lasted one day, Mr. Texas,” Adeline retorted, mimicking his Texan accent. “Ugh, I’m just done with you.” Alex said. Noah, who had watched the whole ordeal, laughed at his friends’ usual antics.
“Uh oh,” Alex mumbled when he saw an angry Riele heading their way. “Hurricane Downs is approaching.”
Riele stormed toward her friends, slamming her tray onto the table, making everyone flinch. “Hey Riele, how are you?” Alex asked nervously. “Shut it, Richardson.” Riele snapped. “Yep.” He sighed while chewing on a carrot. “Mrs. Diaz is the worst teacher in the world. She gave me detention for telling her she forgot to shave her moustache this morning.” She exclaimed angrily. “Now, after school, I have to clean her whole classroom. ON MY OWN. Ugh.”
“Well, that sucks. I remember when I had to clean Mr. O’Brien’s room,” Noah said. “Ew.” All four of them shivered, remembering the most disgusting room in the school.
“Anyway, movie night at mine on Saturday?” Riele questioned. “Hahahahahahaha, we would love to, however Addy won’t be able to make it as she has to go to dinner with Peter tonight, missing dance so she has to make up for it the weekend.” Alex explained while laughing.
“Damn Ads, I feel sorry for you.” Riele said. “Yeah, I know it sucks, but next Friday we have our monthly sleepover to look forward to.” Adeline responded, bouncing with excitement because the squad sleepovers were always the best time of the month.
“Yes!” all four of them cheered. The four friends spent the next thirty minutes talking (mainly gossiping) about people and teachers in their school, finishing their lunch except for Adeline, who barely touched hers.