The Summer of Our Discontent by Jacquel May (online e book reading TXT) 📖

house, saying, "Don't say anything if the reporters want to shove their microphones into your faces."

 

"Well, the last thing I need is to be plastered all over Harrison Creek for being friends with the Bully Punisher," said Mara.

 

"Exactly," said Stuart as he went into his house.

 

"Funny," said Pearl as Mara drove the cart away from Stuart's house.

 

"What?" said Mara.

 

"Stuart says Jackie needs to dump Trevor and Grace," said Pearl.

 

"And she will, as soon as we tell her the truth about them," said Mara. She shuddered, knowing that while Jackie was friends with Trevor and Grace, Jackie also hung out with her, Stuart, Irene, Pearl, and Tanya. Jackie needed to know where her allegiances laid. There was no way she was staying with the Bullies, not where it counted.

 

* * * * *

 

"Oh, so that's how this is, isn't it?" said Irene as she walked into the room. She found out that Trevor, Grace, and Jackie were holding a "We Got Rid of Tanya" party. That angered her more than anything they had done. "You wanted to get rid of Tanya, didn't you?"

 

"What's it to you?" said Trevor.

 

"Just wait until your father finds out," said Irene.

 

"You would dare!" Grace snapped, but she knew that Irene wouldn't hesitate to tell everyone in Harrison Creek that Trevor would celebrate his sister's disappearance instead of being concerned for her safety.

 

As the confrontation between Irene and the Bullying Trio continued, nobody saw a video camera behind them, recording everything...

 

* * * * *

 

Shara knew it was a bad idea to get her hopes up.

 

After all was said and done, (meaning the road trip from San Francisco to Harrison Creek was completed and Shara's family was at her grandparents' house) she found herself standing in the middle of her mother's old room. A simple country rag rug adorns the floor in the room. The walls were a  soft amber color with a border of deep amethyst along the top and bottom. The scent of autumn leaves is noticeable, until the unexpected breeze from the open window dissipates it.

 

Shara wore a black long-sleeved shirt, a pair of blue shorts, and a pair of high-top Converse sneakers. After the excitement of coming to see her grandparents died down, she went upstairs to the bathroom to take a much-needed shower.

 

After the shower, she got dressed and went to the kitchen in search of some food. After several hours of eating fast food, Shara wanted to eat a meal that wasn't dipped in fatty oils. Hopefully, her grandmother would have some fresh fruit in a basket for her to eat.

 

But there was no such luck, as Janine noticed her eating an apple and said, "Don't fill up on just fruit, because we're having dinner at our new house tonight."

 

"Why not?" said Shara. "I'm tired of fast food. Plus, the food we ate on the road was disgusting and unhealthy. Can't we eat some real food?"

 

"And what new house?" said Aaliyah. "You never told me about a new house!"

 

"You're right," said Janine. "It was supposed to be a surprise."

 

"Mom, you do know I hate surprises," said Shara. "Why are we moving to a new house in the first place?"

 

"Well, I was against her buying a house here, but she refused to listen," said Shad. "She's always thinking for herself and not thinking about this family as a whole. I mean, what's so wrong about us living in an apartment?"

 

"Well, the kids are growing up and I know that Shara and Aaliyah don't need to share a room anymore," said Janine.

 

"What are you talking about, mom?" said Aaliyah. "Shara and I have always shared a room since we were kids. What's so wrong with us sharing a room now?"

 

"Well, according to these rules made by the people who run the city, children over the age of 12 are not to share a room with their younger siblings," said Janine as she held up a pamphlet, "which I think is fair. Besides, I don't think there's anything wrong with Shar and Aaliyah getting their own room."

 

"But what about their sisterly bond?" said Shad. "Isn't sharing a room supposed to make you feel...closer?"

 

"Not a chance in Tinbucky," said Janine. "You and I both know that Shar needs her own space and Aaliyah needs to learn how to keep up with her own toys and not rely on Shar to clean up for her. There's nothing wrong with the girls getting their own space."

 

"But Janine," Shad began, yet Janine cut in by saying, "You'll thank me someday. Now let's go see the new house, shall we?"

 

 

"This is going to be a nightmare," Shad said as the kids nodded in agreement.

 

* * * * *

 

"Would you look at this place!" Janine shouted as the family got out of the car and walked towards the house. "Isn't it grand?"

 

"If you say so," said Shad. "Providing that you got the house at a steal."

 

The small one-story house in front of them looked old-fashioned and in average condition. The interior was done in colors that remind you of a tropical forest. The yard is small and overgrown with wild plants. Not particularly the kind of house that a family of five would be living in for the next few years.

 

Of course, the house was located in a community known as Sandy Court. Sandy Court was a gated community, where houses could run up to $100,000 for purchasing, usually by the upper middle class. Shara was completely unsure how her mother could have gotten such a place like that for less than $5,000. Unless it was a scam, that was.

 

"Well, don't you want to see what's inside?" said Janine. "I know I do."

 

"Sure mom," said Aaliyah, who was still unhappy about having to get her own room.
Shara found herself walking into her new room. The small, rectangular bedroom has coordinating metal furniture. The floor is covered in a gray carpet and the walls are covered in a forest green wallpaper. Light is provided by several wall lamps scattered all over the room. The room is done in murky colors and looked  old-fashioned. Among the first things one notices walking in are several stuffed animals in a corner and a well-stocked bookshelf.

 

"Well, this isn't too bad, even though the room could use a bit of work," Shara said to Jacquel on the phone. "But how and why my mom decided to buy a house here is beyond me."

 

"Ah, who knows," said Jacquel. "Anyway, I've got some bad news."

 

"Like what?" said Shara. "You've been transferred to Kehillah Jewish High School and you won't be attending St. Francis High School? That's so unfair!"

 

"You wish," said Jacquel. "My dad's job is sending him to Forks, where he'll be staying for at least four and a half years. Guess who has to move?"

 

"Wow," said Shara. "Things just got interesting."

 

"Yeah, I wish," said Jacquel sadly. "I just don't understand why I have to leave San Francisco. I'm not the one with that job, you know."

 

"I see what you mean," said Shara. "But let's leave the business work to the experts, shall we?"

 

"OK," said Jacquel. "Enough about me. What about you? What's your new place like?"

 

"Well, I can't say that I like it, because that's being dishonest," said Shara. "However, I hate my new room, as it looks more like a prison cell than an actual room."

 

"Ooooohhhh, that sucks," said Jacquel. "Well, at least my dad's smart enough to rent a small house, seeing as he's not just going to jump in and buy a house he might have to leave behind in a few years. But who cares?"

 

"I know," said Shara. "Right now, Maddy's gone to Fairfield and Scott's gone to Victorsville. Who knows what Kelsey is up to, now that her father's being sent to Montana. How did we end up separated when we swore to remain together?"

 

"Well, I honestly don't know the answer to that question," said Jacquel, but Janine said, "Shara, you need to come to the front door and meet the new neighbors!"

 

"Yeah, yeah," said Shara, but in all honesty, she really didn't want to meet her new neighbors, not when she looked out the front door and saw two people handing her parents missing child posters instead of greeting them properly...

 

* * * * *

 

While Shara was exploring her new house, Irene, Stuart, Mara, and Pearl were in the city park. They were talking about Tanya's disappearance and how it was affecting the city. Various social groups and gangs were blamed for her disappearance, which was tearing the city apart.

 

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I must say things around here are beginning to look bad," said Irene.

 

"You think?" said Mara.

 

"I bet they're hypocrites," said Stuart. The girls glared at him. "No, I mean it. One day, people in this city don't like Tanya. Now, they're "concerned" about her safety. I'm shocked no one has called them out on their hypocrisy yet."

 

"Oh they will," said Pearl. "Already people on Facebook are saying that Tanya was kidnapped by people who like bullies, people who would do anything to keep a bullied person hidden from the world and not let them escape or get help..."

 

"OK, that's enough of that," Mara said to Pearl. Pearl was notorious for overexaggerating, especially when it came to worst-case scenarios. "We already have problems dealing with bullies and people who like bullies, so we don't need any unnecessary issues."

 

"Indeed," said Pearl. "But you should all read this." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a letter. The letter said:

 

"Hello Mara, Stuart, Irene, and Pearl, I heard that you all made it through middle school; congratulations! However, I must warn you of the things that are yet to come:

 

"Your friend Tanya has disappeared, and I am the only one who knows where she is. Don’t tell her family that she has disappeared and don’t contact the police. I will know if you do.

 

"If you want to see her again, you must do the following things: I have set up a scavenger hunt all over the city, a hunt where you must look for information leading to the recovery of your friend. The game will begin in a few hours.

 

"Also, a new girl is coming to town from another state and she must not know that Tanya exists. You are never to be friends with that girl! She has already exposed me once, and she'll gladly do it again if she gets the chance.

 

"Pearl the Alien must remain “Pearl the Alien”; her origins are unknown, and they must remain that way. There will be no snooping around the city in search of her identity; and if I find out that you have been looking for her family, you will be very sorry for your actions.

 

"Jacalina Gilmore and Grace Gifford are not to be trusted. If you are friends with them, you must end the friendship immediately. No exceptions!!! (Also, Trevor Shinnok is a disgrace to his family, so you must see to it that he is severely punished for his bullying and stupidity.)

 

"A new girl is coming to live with Reeves family. Her name is Mina Mushashibo, and she is from Tokyo, Japan. You are to treat her with respect and dignity. Do not mention Tanya in her presence, or you will be severely punished.

 

"Remember, the scavenger hunt begins at the crack of dawn, so it's best that you get some sleep now, as you might not get the chance to rest for the duration of the hunt. Also, remember my rules and follow them to the letter. If you break even one of those rules, things will be bad for you. I hate to see bad things happen to you, since you are nice children.”

 

"Well, this is insane," said Stuart as they read the letter. "Like who does that person think they are?"

 

"It's like Tanya being missing is some sort of game," said Irene. "Well, if it is, I don't find it funny!"

 

"Should we call the police?" said Pearl.

 

"We can't," said