Some Things Never Change by Jesse Griffin (good book club books TXT) 📖

CHAPTER 1

Juliette

Of course we have to move. Why not? Mom got remarried to some cop in Memphis. She got married and I was still a single teen parent. Wonderful. As if on cue, Rose began crying. I turned around in the passenger seat where I sat and reached for her bottle. "Shh, don't cry Roza. Momma's here." Placing the bottle in her mouth she took it in her grasp. I took that opportunity to shove a baby blanket under the bottle in case her arms got tired. I sat back in my seat correctly with a sigh.
"She's your mistake. You shouldn't have gotten pregnant. They make something called condoms, though you shouldn't have had sex in the first place." Mom rambled on.
"Shut up, I get how you feel. You're not the one giving up everything to take care of her. I could have put her up for adoption but guess what! I didn't so get the hell over it. Did you even tell Jack about Rose?"
"Of course. When we get there he wants to talk to you. Are you going to be okay with Rose in the guest room or would you rather let her sleep in your room?"
"She stays with me." With that I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

***

"Juliette, wake up sweetheart. We're here." Mom said as she shook me awake.
"Where's Rose?" I asked sleepily.
"In your room, lying on your bed asleep. Jack's already helped me unload everything. You can go upstairs and unpack while Jack peaks with you. I really hope the two of you get along and bond over this."
I sat up some and stretched before nodding and stumbling sleepily toward the house where a blond, balding guy stood with a heart warming smile.
"Juliette, It's good to finally meet you. I've heard some wonderful things about you."
"Thanks. Where's my room?" He gestured for me to follow him into the house and I did. On the second story of the house we came to my room. It was a dark purple with intricate designs draw in black. Laid on the  bed, Rose was fast asleep, her natural light tan contrasting with the stark white sheets. "What ever you were going to say I don't want to hear." I walked over and picked her up of the bed where she jerked slightly but remained sleeping.
"You'll end up hearing eventually. Get Rose ready to be dropped off at daycare and get ready to sign-up for Memphis Central High. It's the middle of October and your education is important."
"Oh great, you're one of those freaks." I muttered and said in a clearer tone, "What ever We'll be ready in ten." With that he left and I grabbed Rose's diaper bag and pulled out the three bottles and her formula. I opened each bottle, dumped two scoops of formula in each,and filled them with water before replacing the tops and shaking them up and down to mix it. Replacing them in the bag I picked Rose in one arm suprting her neck though she doesn't need help at a healthy six months.
I carefully took the stairs making sure to hold Rose at an angle that she wouldn't fall out of my arm. Passing Mom I said, "I'm ready. Let's just get this over with." She nodded and pushed the door open for me and we walked over to her car where Jack was waiting the back door open. I set the bag in the floor and carefully lowered Rose into her car seat and strapped her in; siting next to her and buckling myself in. I pulled out my iPod, which had been in my pocket since the ride here, and turned it on. I listened to Rocket to my heart

by Scene kidz and let Rose squeeze my finger.
The daycare was about 10 minutes from the house. We went in and some secretary had me fill out a god-awful amount of paper work. Rose began crying when I gave her to the 'teacher' Ms. Blickar. "I'll be back to get you soon Roza." I said sadly. I didn't want to leave my little girl but I also didn't want to be stuck in that house all day.
The high school was about ten minutes away from the day care. We walked into the office to be greeted by and aging lady  with stiff looking blond hair. I know I can't say anything being a bolnd myself, but is there a limit to how many blonds are aloud in on place at any given time? "Welcome to Memphis Central High School. Officer Lenter." She greeted. "I hope you're not her for one of my students."
"Not this time Mary. I' here to sign-up my step daughter."
"Wonderful." She looked at my Mother and me and shook each of our hands. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Principal Mairten. If I could get you to sign a few things I'll find a class schedule for you. What classes were you taking at you're last school?"
"Child Care and Home Repair and Maintenance. Spanish II and French II. Algebra II and Mathematics II. World Lit. and Business English. Biology and Chemistry. Social Civics and World History. I took all of these within the course of a year. I did take some others like Photography but they weren't as important." I replied.
"I'll see how closely I can match this with a new schedule and have a student with most of your classes come up to show you around." She gave me a smile and turned to Mom. "There is a fee for the gym equipment since that is required all four years here, but other than lunch there are only minor things you'll have notice about. When you finish filling that out give it to Mrs. Leard and she'll have a copy of her schedule." With that she left and Mom filled out the information and I signed the few pages I was supposed to.
I gave the papers and the twenty dollar fee to Mrs. Leard and in return she told me to wait for someone to come up and gave me my schedule. "You'll be riding the bus home." Mom said and left with Jack. Nice pep talk Mom, real nice. I walked out into a larger part of the school I'm guessing was its commons.
A few minutes later a Hispanic girl with beautiful dark curls falling over her shoulders and eyes to match the color came over to me.
"Are you tha' new chica?" She asked pulling down her bright pink shirt.
"Yes. Juliette."
"Maya. What's your schedule?"
"Mathematics II, Social Civics, Latin I, World Lit., Chemistry, French II, and Drawing Landscapes."
"We're in second block and we both have that and World Lit. and Chemistry and Drawing Landscapes." She turned on her heel and began walking, her stilettos clicking on the linoleum. I quickly followed so I could hopefully learn my way to class.
There were four different halls leading from the commons and we took the second. "This is 200 Hall. All but your language classes are on this hall." I nodded and she came to a stop in front of a wood door with a small rectangular window. As she opened the door, the teacher stopped talking and looked at us expectantly. "Mr. Krister, this your new student." When she said 'this is' she combined the two to make a really weird  sounding word that still seemed like she was saying 'this'.
"Yes well, let me see your schedule." With that he beckoned me forward and I complied as Maya took her seat in the back of the class next to a nerdy looking guy that seemed uncomfortable. While he looked my schedule over I took that chance to observe the room.
There was only one seat left next to a guy who looked somewhat like Maya. His hair was slightly waved but not as curly as hers. He scrutinized me without any expression. "Take a seat next to Mr. Alverez in the back of the class." He ordered handing me my schedule back.
Grudgingly, and for what reason I don't know why, I walked to the back of the class and sat next to him. "Demario!" Someone whispered. There was a movement in my peripheral  vision. "¿Ves algo que te gusta o simplemente soñar despierto?"

It sounded like Maya. The only problem I had with this was I knew exactly what she was saying. Do you see something you like or just daydreaming?
"Cállate Maya. ¿Por qué no te vas a tornillo José otra vez?"

He replied. That voice was so...captivating and hypnotic... I knew what he said too though. Shut up Maya. Why don't you go screw José again?
 Why do I get the feeling they're talking about me? Maya laughed and Demario, I'm guessing that's what his name is, replied, "Just not in my room this time please?"
"Will do D. Will do."

Demario

The intercom buzzed followed by the principal's voice calling Maya, my twin sister, up to the office. Why?  Who the hell fucking knew! I leaned back in my chair and felt the cool metal of the gun pressed to my side shift slightly. I hadn't been caught with it yet and didn't plan to any time soon.
I zoned out from what Mr. Krister was saying. Social Civics was not my best class but I was managing. I had to if I wanted to keep Maya and our psychotic Mom alive. At least she wasn't always like that right? Well, Papi's death affected all of us in a lot of ways but whatever.
Not too long after she left, Maya returned with a good-looking blond chica. Her hair fell over her shoulders like a golden halo. I sat up in my sea as I watched her. She looked like some one who had been described may times before...but who? Who the hell told me? Our eyes met momentarily as she glanced around the room.
"Mr. Krister, this your new student." Maya said waiting to be told she could sit. Our eyes met and she gave an amused smile at the attention the I was giving the mystery girl. I rolled my eyes at her and she flipped me off. I sat back chuckling but still watching Blondie.
"Yes well, let me see your schedule." Mr. Krister ordered and shyly she handed it to him as Maya turned to take her seat. The new girl took her time to look around the room this time. Of course she would be sitting next to me seeing as it was the only seat available. She seemed like she was just another rich bitch forced to move but there was something else...Most rich bitches wore mini