Not really, but according to his dad, it was enough. That was one of the reasons why he blew hot and cold with me.
I heard a huff from behind me and turned to see Cooper storming away. Luckily Selene didn’t notice because she was caught up looking at the cover of a book, but things changed after that. He was even icier with me. He wouldn’t even stay in the same room as me and whenever I entered a room, he made an excuse and left.
Even when my mom got us together to put up the Christmas tree, everyone danced around each other, but no-one actually spoke to each other. My mom tried to get us into the festive spirit, but Shawn worked more and more and barely came home before ten pm and Cooper was either at practice or with Jan, who’d changed her hair color to her natural brown color which made her look more pixie-like than before.
Christmastime was fast approaching, and I distracted myself from everything Coop with caroling, painting the set for the school Christmas talent show, and visiting Zane. Two days before school finished for Christmas break, I was out shopping with Lish and Selene when I spotted a shirt featuring Cooper’s favorite band. I picked it up and decided to get him it to try and bridge the gap between us.
“Who’s that for?” Lish asked as I walked over to pay for it.
I glanced at her as her eyebrows rose while she waited for me to answer. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I was worried that she’d overreact, so I lied.
“It’s for Zane; he really likes this band.”
She nodded at me and I could tell she didn’t really believe me, but I went ahead and bought it anyway. Selene joined me at the counter as I picked up a studded belt buckle that I knew Zane would really like.
As I paid for my purchases, I noticed both Selene and Lish looking out the window. My eyes followed theirs and I spotted Jan and Cooper standing across the street, with Shawn and my mom. I wanted to run and hide, but there was nowhere I could go. It was either go out the door to face them or hide in the store until they were gone.
Lish and Selene began walking towards the door, but I stood rooted to the spot as I watched Cooper slide Jan’s hair behind her ear as he leaned down to whisper something. I couldn’t make my feet move and I watched as my mom and Shawn climbed into the SUV, leaving Cooper and Jan standing at the curb.
I watched a moment longer, able to see them clearly despite the small flurries of snow that were falling. Just as I was about to move, Cooper looked across the street and right into the store. His eyes widened slightly as he saw me standing frozen and, for a moment, he just stared at me in what looked like longing. Jan tugged on his arm and he turned away, walking along the sidewalk without looking back.
I closed my eyes and gave myself a mental shake, before walking to the door and out into the flurries of snow with my two best friends. We began walking in the same direction as Cooper and Jan and I was praying hard that we wouldn’t meet up with them, but I had a gut feeling that we would.
As we waited to cross the street, I fidgeted with my bag and took out my cell, seeing a text from David to our group chat. He was bringing a friend, Marty, to the dance on Friday and he wondered if I wanted to be Marty’s plus-one since the other girls were taken.
I quickly replied that I’d be delighted as the crosswalk changed and the girls walked ahead of me. I was still replying as I crossed the street when a body slammed into mine, shoving me back a few paces as a car screeched through the stop sign. I stumbled to the ground, My back slammed hard into the curb and I winced as my head hit a metal pole causing me to see spots.
“JESUS, BAILEY, ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL YOURSELF?” Cooper yelled at me as he pushed up from the ground next to me. Lish and Selene appeared by my side while Jan stood next to Cooper. I stared up at him confused before looking at the floor and saw my cell, which had slipped from my grasp as he slammed into me, crushed to pieces on the street.
“You broke my cell!” My mutter caused him to glance back as he stood up and he glared down at me.
“Yeah, but you’re alive, so you’re welcome!”
He stepped over me and was about to walk away when a police officer stopped him and began speaking to him. Another officer appeared at my side and asked me what happened, but when it became clear I didn’t know, she checked me over, dismissed me, and said that she would give me a ride home.
“Cooper is her stepbrother,” Lish informed the officer and she nodded at me.
“Righto. Two seconds.”
She walked over and spoke to her colleague who leaned close listening to her as I stood and gathered up my shopping bags. I was shaking as I glanced around. As I waited, I noticed my legs and ass were freezing from where the snow and icy water had soaked through my jeans.
“Come on. We’re going to take you and Mr. Christie home.”
“What, together? Doesn’t he have his car?”
The officer must have thought I was an idiot, but the thought of sitting in the back of a police cruiser with Cooper filled me with so much dread.
“Yes, together. We need to speak to your mom and stepfather, explain what has happened.”
Selene and Lish nodded as I told them that I was okay and would be going home, but my heart sank and my knees shook as they led me to their squad car. Cooper and Jan walked behind me, and I could hear them arguing about us getting a ride back together. Eventually, the female officer, Officer James, turned to Jan and told her off.
“This boy just saved his stepsister’s life; we need to take her home to make sure she is looked after and you need to respect that. He’s given you his car keys, so why don’t you go get his car and follow us?”
Jan nodded and we both climbed into the back of the squad car sitting as far apart in the confined space as we could. The officers climbed in and we began the drive home. All the way I tried to avoid looking at Cooper by turning to look out of the window, but I could feel his stare burning into my back all the way home.
When the officers climbed out, my mom appeared on the steps and gasped as she saw Cooper climb out of the car. The door was opened for me, but I didn’t want to get out. I wanted to run away as Shawn appeared on the doorstep, glaring at Cooper and me with narrowed eyes.
“Hello, officers, how can we help you?”
My mom broke the tense silence and I shrank back as Shawn’s eyes turned glacial.
“There was a bit of an incident today and we thought we’d better drop these two off so we could speak to you both.”
My mom’s eyes widened, and I wanted to turn and run away, but I couldn’t. I had to face whatever was coming.
“May we come inside?”
My mom nodded, before muttering,
“Of course, come on in.”
Shawn led the way to the living room and offered the officers a drink as everyone sat down. I sat on the farthest seat, wincing as a sharp pain shot through my back.
As soon as we were seated the officers began speaking, explaining why Coop and I were brought home in a squad car and I shrank further and further back as Shawn glared over at me. He was like a snake and I could sense he was coiled ready to spring.
“So, in short, your son is a hero, and Bailey here needs to make sure she’s paying more attention when she crosses the street.”
“Well done, Cooper,” my mom said, as Shawn nodded along.
The officers stood and wished us well before leaving. I just wanted to go to my room, but as soon as Shawn and my mom saw the officers out, they argued all the way back to the living room. I couldn’t make out their words, but I could see Cooper’s spine stiffening as they neared the room.