Four of a Kind Part 9

A few of us grumble and I reach for the fruit bowl. If it was up to the rest of us, we would always end up eating dinner by like 4 o'clock, always starving after school. We tried it for a while, but we end up hungry again by bedtime, looking for extra sandwiches or lunch food to fill our stomachs again.

Mom tilts her head back in despair, but when she looks back over at us she's smiling. "So, I've got big news."

"We're moving back!" I kick Rhiannon under the table.

Mom is unfazed. "No, but I suspect even you will like this news." Rhiannon looks unconvinced, but she carries on. Even Dad is paying attention now. Convinced I know it's coming, I do my best to keep my expression neutral. "So, I've talked to your friend's parents and..." She pauses dramatically, watching all of us. My mouth twitches is the tiniest bit when her eyes lock on mine, but I'm not sure she notices. "We invited a friend of each of yours to come spend Thanksgiving with us this year. Everyone will stay for two nights and we are so excited to get to see everyone again."

"Everyone?" Reece asks. "Who's coming?"

From there my parents go on to list off who they've won over, to convince them to let their kids to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with us instead of with family. One of Reilly's best friend's is coming, but not the other because his parents didn't think it was appropriate that he spend a weekend in a big slumber party with a house full of girls. Two of Reece's friends will be here too. I'm surprised to learn that my parents asked Elise to come as well as Nadine, but her parents had already made plans to spend Thanksgiving out-of-state with her grandparents, so that was a no go. And Rhiannon's best friend from middle school, Marybeth is also coming. I didn't realize they still talked. But with how much Rhiannon is keeping to herself now, or even before we moved, I'm not sure who she was hanging out with before we left. This makes as much sense as anyone else, and the news even gets my most stubborn sister smiling.

My sisters are all talking excitedly over one another while Dad's goes back to cooking. Once again, Mom catches my eye, and raises her eyebrows in an obvious question. I shrug guiltily. Mom rolls her eyes, but doesn't seem mad. Even though she told Nadine's mom not to say anything to her, she had to have known this was a possibility.

"I may be pushing my luck here," Reece says, grabbing everyone's attention. "But how would you guys feel about us having a party on the Friday or Sat.u.r.day night after Thanksgiving? Nothing big," she adds, although my parents already know all too well that anything involving having all of our friends in one place is automatically big. When you start with four kids, adding anyone else in can add up. "But I'd love to introduce Aditi and Aly to a couple of people I hang out with here now."

My parents look at each other, and I'm surprised when they don't immediately say no. "We'll think about it," Dad says, only temporarily ending discussion.

I'm not sure if it would be weird having Nadine meet Kent, Jen, Frank and Rosie. She'd probably like them, but either way, having five whole people over to one of my sibling's parties would be a new record for me.

"Fine," Reece says, not knowing when to take the absence of a no for an answer. "But remember that we did nothing for our birthday this year, so that should be taken into consideration."

"Noted." Mom nods, and that's that.

I pull out my phone and start texting Nadine to make plans. We still have a few more weeks of school to get through first, but I'm determined to make the most of the time she'll be here.

Would it be too much work to have her mom drive her computer up here with her?

I take almost two hours to talk myself into what I want to do next, but in the end I text Kent.

Reagan: Hey. What are your plans for Thanksgiving weekend? Also, I'm going to need everyone else's number :P ***

It's been a few weeks now, but it still feels weird heading out of cla.s.s each day to track down my newfound lunch buddies. They've given up on doing much outside anymore now that it's colder, and every day seems to bring a new spot to sit down and wait out the lunch period together after eating in the cafeteria.

Today, we all ate the lunches that our parents packed for us and then disappeared into one of the stairwells where we've all hunkered down on the floor, hoping not to be discovered by any teachers. Another group of kids is sitting on the stairs above us, but their voices aren't much more than murmurs.

So far, no one has brought up my text, asking who would be around on Thanksgiving weekend to maybe come over. My parents haven't even approved the idea of a party yet, but I'm already sure that Reece will win this round. And if she does, I want to be ready with people of my own to invite.

As everyone's talking about some gossip surrounding people I haven't met yet, I flip through my math textbook, preparing myself for a quiz at the end of the day. I should have taken Rhiannon up on her offer to help me study because I'm sure she's already got this in the bag.

"Oh, hey, Reagan. Totally meant to tell you, but I am around on the night of Black Friday, if you're having people over still." Rosie comes to my rescue without even meaning to, mentioning my party so I don't have to.

I perk up right away, closing the book in front of me with no concern for saving my place. Who was I kidding? I wasn't absorbing any new information anyway. "Oh yeah? That's awesome." I try not to look too conspicuously at everyone else group, hoping someone else will volunteer the same information without things getting uncomfortable.

Instead, Frank, Jen and Kent all share looks with one another, and my heart sinks. If only Rosie will be able to come, this whole party thing just got a lot more awkward. I probably shouldn't have risked inviting any of them.

"I'm with my dad that weekend," Kent explains. "Nothing for sure yet, I'm going to see if I can get back in time. But he lives a couple hours away."

"No big deal," I say. "Seriously, no stress. I figured I'd throw the idea out there. I get that everyone's usually busy for Thanksgiving."

"No, no. I want to come. It would be cool to meet your friends from home, or even more of your sisters." He gives me a conflicted smile. "And when I brought it up to my mom, you know she was all over the idea of my going into the Donovan house. Like I would act as an undercover reporter or something. I have no idea why she's so excited."

"Well, let me know. Not a big deal either way."

Frank mumbles something about his parents being weird on holidays, and Jen says she isn't sure yet. I look down at my lap, wishing I'd still had my textbook open so I could have something to pull me away from this discussion. I'm betting Rosie wishes she hadn't spoken up because going to one of my parties without any of her friends probably isn't her idea of a good time.

Lunchtime pa.s.ses in stilted conversation. When the bell rings I'd love to just disappear for the rest of the day, but of course now most of us have drama cla.s.s together. So I'm stuck, continuing to hang on to the edges of their conversations as we make our way to cla.s.s. And then sit with them, like I usually do now, on the floor of the cla.s.sroom as Mr. Sullen starts his lesson.

Today, our drama teacher has decided that he wants to do an in-depth exploration of emotion that involves the entire cla.s.s acting as a group. We all fake cry, fake laugh and fake fall in love as one blob of students. It's a little easier to get out of my head when I know everyone else in the cla.s.s is worried about their own performance and not looking at mine.

I open my eyes after acting out a dramatic death scene, I find Kent watching me. But instead of feeling self-conscious, I can't help but giggle. This cla.s.s isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm still definitely going to fail-despite the eighty-three percent we got on our first group performance-due to a complete lack of acting ability, but there is now a small chance I won't humiliate myself before that happens.

Drama cla.s.s ends in a flurry as the bell rings. Mr. Sullen announced that he had run out of things to talk about, almost ten minutes before and had left the cla.s.s to their own devices as he started in on grading people's papers, making dramatic eye contact each time he turned to a new one, silently announcing to the whole room whose cla.s.s test he was grading at any given time.

I slide my backpack up over my shoulder and try to go back and put my shoes on, which we all had to take off coming into the room today. Kent is hovering by the cla.s.sroom door, looking at me but trying to act like he's not. My heart flutters, curious what it is he's waiting for. I look behind me but none of our other friends are still in the room, and I know Ken's next cla.s.s is on the other side of the building so he should get going. But I could swear he's waiting for me I take a step toward him, when Mr. Sullen calls out. "Reagan, do you have a minute?"

My breath leaves me in a huff. So much for getting one-on-one time with Kent. He looks over at both me and the teacher and leaves the room without saying a word.

"Yes?" I ask, looking down at my feet as I approach my teacher. Mr. Sullen has easily been my favorite teacher so far in Fairview, but sometimes his friendliness can be intimidating. I never know how I'm supposed to treat him, but always default to respectful student mode even though I'd love to be one of the students who can joke and laugh with him like some of the others.

Even now, when he's smiling at me, I worry I've done something wrong. There has never been a good reason to be called to stay after cla.s.s. At least until drama. In the couple months I've been at the school, Mr. Sullen has called on nearly everyone else to talk to him for a few minutes after cla.s.s at least once, and a couple of the kids multiple times. I do not understand what the rhyme or reason to any of this is, and when I ask Jen or Frank after they stayed to chat, they both shrug it off like it's no big deal.

"You can relax," he says with a soft chuckle. "Although, I'm guessing that telling you to relax usually has the opposite effect. I'd have loved to talk to you sooner since I've known mostly everyone else since last year, but I got the impression you wouldn't be comfortable." I look up but am not sure what to say. He's dead on. "I don't mind." Okay, I mind a little but I'm not about to confess that. I'm just desperate to know what it is he wants to talk about. If anyone had told me what this chat is supposed to be I could've prepared myself somehow.

"So, how are you liking Fairview so far? There was a lot of attention when your family first moved back, but it seems like things have calmed down now."

If I'm being honest with myself, I hadn't thought about it in at least a couple weeks, maybe longer. While going to things like the Halloween festival, or even just walking around in town can sometimes lead to more staring than I'm used to, especially if I'm with any of my family, no one has said anything about the Fairview Four in a while. The newspaper has even backed off, something I like to think Kent is at least a little bit responsible for.

"It's been good," I say at last, because it has been. But I realize that's a boring answer, and for some reason this is a teacher I don't want to think I'm boring. Even though I kind of am. "The attention hasn't been that bad, I guess. And my mom loves it here. I know I'm pretty lucky that I have three sisters in the same grade, built in friends in a new school."

Mr. Sullen nods appreciatively. "Grat.i.tude. I can appreciate that." He waits, and I know he's expecting me to say something else but I have no idea what.

"Did you live here before?" I ask. "Back when we were born." I'm not sure why that's the question that tumbles out of my mouth, but more and more I've been wondering about when we first lived here. And my mom living here before that. It's something I barely thought about growing up. We watched the doc.u.mentaries and new segments, which always featured a bit about the town. But it never seemed like a place that was part of my history. Not until I moved here.

"Yes, actually. Fairview High was my first and only teaching job. So I believe I was teaching English back when your mom went to the school though I don't think I ever taught her myself. And when her pregnancy was announced, it was all anyone around here could talk about. It's safe to say quadruplets were the most exciting thing that had happened to us in a while. And when you all came out looking exactly the same, it was big news. Though, from your perspective I can see why maybe, not so much. From a lot of other people's perspectives as well."

"Yup. I never understood what the big deal was. We're basically double twins. No one gets this excited about twins."

"I have some theories. But! That is not why I wanted to talk to you today. I'm sure you've talked about the anomaly of your birth more than enough to last a life time. I just like to occasionally make a point of getting to know my students. And now that includes you." He must see me glancing at the clock because he adds, "Don't worry, I don't have a cla.s.s fifth period, and can write you a note if you need one. The people I work with are pretty used to my doing this. Of course, this is entirely optional."

Staying to talk to a teacher sounds a lot more appealing if it means I get out of math cla.s.s. "I should text my sister to let her know I'll be a few minutes," I say.

"You're close with your family then."

"Hard not to be."

"Fair enough. I never know where to start these conversations if I don't have a jumping off point. And I'll be honest, I don't know much about you beyond your family. You've been quiet so far."

I blush, feeling weird that he's noticed me at all. I'm used to being the least recognized Donovan sister at school. If someone's not busy mistaking me for one of my sisters, they've definitely noticed them more than they've noticed me. Rhiannon is always the one who gets the best grades, Reece is the one who makes the most noise, and people tend to flock to Reilly without her even trying. I'm usually just so-and-so's sister. Which I'm fine with. "Not much to know about me, anyway."

"Well, I'm sure that's not true. What made you opt into take drama cla.s.s?"

I give him a long look, trying to figure out if he's teasing me. He has to have heard what happened, but he's still smiling politely and waiting for me to respond.

"Wasn't working out in biology cla.s.s," I say, and know immediately that it sounds like a stupid answer. "And I knew I needed an art credit." Probably not the most artistically driven reason he's ever heard.

"Can't draw or play an instrument, I take it?"

"Zero talent whatsoever." Fairview requires that each of its students graduate with at least one art credit, and drama is the only one that doesn't require any actual ability to begin with. I had planned to take art next semester and suffer through a few months of terrible drawings and crafts, but now I'd need to switch that out anyway in order to make back my missing science credit. "Not that acting is really my strong suite either."

"Want to know a secret?" Mr. Sullen asks.

"Always."

"Your actual acting ability counts for literally none of your grade. It's all right there in the syllabus, but we don't advertise that part. For many people the acting is the fun bit, but it's not what we're grading you on." Mr. Sullen holds a finger up to his lips to emphasize our little secret and I grin.

"That makes me feel a little better."

"Happy to help. Well, I've kept you long enough for now. But let's do this again sometime, shall we?"

I nod and head for the door shortly after, note in hand to explain my tardiness for math cla.s.s. I'm not sure what to make of what just happened, but it's hard not to feel like if Mr. Sullen was trying to get to know something interesting about me, then he was probably left feeling pretty underwhelmed.

Chapter 14.

It looks like today is my turn to walk home by myself. Over the course of the last hour, I've gotten messages from all three of my sisters telling me they won't be around the end of the day. Rhiannon, once again, is already at home. Reece and Reilly apparently have better things to do than just go home and start their homework.

I take my time gathering all my stuff into my locker. The weather is starting to get beyond the level of cold that I'm okay with and I'm in no rush to get outside. Hopefully, once December rolls around, Dad will take pity on us and start swinging by the school after last period to pick us up. At least those of us who want a ride would have the option. But Dad swears up and down that the middle of the afternoon is his most productive time of day, and to be fair we do usually find him locked in his office when we get back from school, if he hasn't started cooking dinner yet.

A lot of other people seem to be hanging around after cla.s.ses today though I can't guess why. If there's something going on that my sisters are involved in, I'm already a little b.u.mmed that they didn't decide to tell me. But no one seems to be doing anything in particular, and I know Fairview has a lot of after-school activities. I just don't choose to get involved in any of them. Not my thing.

The gym is the loudest spot in the whole school, with the basketball team practicing on one end of the gym, and a few girls playing volleyball on the other. The bleachers are about a quarter full of people hanging around and watching the athletes. It's only by chance I catch sight of a familiar face during my cursory glance of the room. Reilly is sitting by herself near the top of the bleachers, watching the volleyball game. She's not even on her phone. Instead, she actually seems to be enjoying volleyball. But it seems weird that she would stay after school just for that. And since I have nowhere better to be, I step inside the gym, sticking to the wall so I don't get in anyone's way before I reach the bleachers and climb up.

Reilly spots me as I'm maneuvering up the steps, and immediately blushes. Something I don't see her do often. Why on earth did she feel weird about my finding her here?

I almost wish I hadn't stopped in because she clearly doesn't want me here.

A voice in the back of my head has to wonder if she's here just so she doesn't have to walk home with me, but even I can admit that that is crazy.

"Hey," Reilly says, giving me a big smile that I don't quite believe.

"Hey." I sit down beside her. I'm already here, and it would be weird to leave now. "Did not expect to find you here." I say, tilting my head toward the game. Reece is the only one of my sisters who has any interest at all in sports. If anything, I'm surprised she's not here too, potentially even playing volleyball. Though she'd probably have the same issues getting on that team as she did with soccer. Reilly doesn't say anything right away, and pointedly looks away from me. "You're not avoiding me are you? Did I do something?"

Right away, Reilly looks back at me, concern in her eyes. "No, no. Not at all. This will sound so stupid and I don't even know why I didn't just tell you. I'm just hanging out with someone after-school, and she's on the volleyball team so I had to wait."

It takes me a second to figure out why she would feel weird about having plans after cla.s.ses. It happens a lot. I look over at the volleyball game and try to figure out who it is she's talking about, but don't have any ideas. Reilly's mentioned some of her new friends already, but I haven't been able to put any names to faces yet. An idea dawns on me. "Oh. Do you have a date?"

Now Reilly's face is beet red, and she seems to be trying not to stammer out a response. "No. No dates."

"Okay, so why are you being so weird?"

"I'm not being weird," Reilly says though there's no denying her behavior at this point.

I grin, finally getting it. Reilly hasn't dated much, but when she likes someone she turns into a fl.u.s.tered, stammering romantic. "You like someone." I don't even bother to ask. She definitely likes someone.

"Shut up." She's smiling but there's more to her expression than merely being excited about meeting someone new. "I haven't told anyone here yet," she explains.

Oh. So she like someone and is clearly loving being around them. But if no one here knows she's gay, then there's a good chance that the girl she likes might not feel the same way. But it seems like there's an obvious solution. "Why not tell? You were out back home and seemed happy with the decision. You've been out for like two years."

Reilly's smile disappears, replaced with worry. "At first, I didn't want to be known as the gay one. But then I started to get to know people and started imagining the worst. But this isn't a big city. I wish I knew how people here are about stuff like that."

I want to say who cares what people think, but I know if I were in her position, I would absolutely care. Any more attention drawn to me would be entirely unwelcome. And being the subject of rumors and scrutiny would be Reilly's worst nightmare. She's already making friends here, and I can see why she wouldn't want to risk that.

But I hope it wouldn't be a problem. Some kids back home were occasionally a.s.s holes, but for the most part it was a nonissue. At least for the people who mattered. "So. You're hanging out with this girl and just trying to get an idea of if it might go anywhere?"

Reilly throws her hands up in the air. "I don't even know what I'm doing. I just like being around Sasha. It probably won't go anywhere, and I worry I'm going to end up as that lesbian girl who has a crush on her friend who ends up being straight. But when she asked if I wanted to study together after cla.s.ses, I couldn't say no."

"Will there be other people there?" I ask, really hoping that this ends well for my sister. She shakes her head in response.

Even if Fairview ends up being the most progressive small town ever, there's already a shortage of people our age to choose from, and Reilly will have a harder time of it than any of us. Except maybe me, since I can't seem to ask out a guy even if I do like him and know he's single.

But now that I think of it, I don't know that he is straight. And I should know better than to make a.s.sumptions.

s.h.i.t. One more thing to worry about.

Just then a loud whistle sounds from the floor, ending the volleyball game. Girls on both sides clap enthusiastically before departing. "I guess that means I should go," I say, knowing I'm about to become an unwelcome distraction in a situation where Reilly is already stressing. I stand up and get ready to go.

"You can stay," she says. I can't tell whether she wants me to stay or go. But I remember how I felt back at the haunted house when I had a chance to be alone with Kent. And how it felt having him touch me, even mostly by accident. If there's a chance of that happening for my sister, I don't want to be the one to get in the way.

"Next time," I say already stepping down to the next level of the bleacher. "And there will be a next time. You're a Donovan. You're irresistible."

"Something you should remember some time," she says before sticking out her tongue.

"Good luck."

I take off as fast as I can without tumbling down the steps and drawing attention to myself and I'm back outside the gym doors in less than a minute. But I can't help but pause, pretending to check my phone so I can wait to see the girl that has my sister swooning. It's almost a full minute before someone strides up the bleachers towards her. The girl is tall and black, with curly hair tied back in a tight ponytail. I can't tell much more from her without getting closer. But all I really need to understand is the way that my sister is smiling as she approaches. I force myself to go, but silently continue to wish Reilly luck as I make my way out of the school.

Chapter 15.