‘Johanna

I was finding it hard to concentrate in class. Periods came and went and all I could think about was SOAM.

And more than that,my mom.

I’d hate to see her sad. I mean, sometimes I get the feeling that she blames me for Dad walking out the door that night, because they were arguing about me but I love her.

She’s my mother.

But another man in the house? Nope. Not happening.

I eyed the clock across the classroom and thank God the bell rang just then.

I’d already put away my books so I just grabbed my bag and went out the door.

I noticed Ruby hovering behind me slightly but I just shrugged it off and made my way to the food trucks.

Passing by the grade twelve’s classes I noticed Shawn standing at the 12A door with his hands in his pockets. He smiled at me and I couldn’t figure out if I should too.

Were they spying on me? I shrugged it off and with the food trucks in sight I started run-walking,a stupid grin on my face as I thought of all that food waiting for me.

I was so close untill I noticed a familiar mop of brown hair standing in line.

I groaned. Seriously? Do they have to be everywhere?

I was just turning around when a thought struck me. I quickly spun on my heel, determined to convince him in my plan but he wasn’t anywhere in sight.

I looked around, turning whichever way until I found him talking to Christina on the soccer field.

I scrowled.

I marched my way over there, fuming. Not only is her appearance annoying,but she stole my boyfriend.

In a matter of seconds I had linked my arm with his and staring at her with a deadly glare I was sure would have her killed.

“Hey James”

“Uh…hey”,he said. I couldn’t blame him. Just yesterday I was angry as fuck and throwing insults at him then I was crying and sobbing and now we’re linking arms? He must be thinking this girl is crazy.

“Hey Johanna”, Christina said,hand on her hips with her signature smile.

“Nice to see you here”,she continued.

I snorted. She just ruined my day .

“Yeah whatever. James I need to talk to you”, I said and started pulling him away. I led him to a tree at the far end of the school.

“I think my mom has a boyfriend”, I said matter of fact.

“Okay?”, he said completely and utterly confused. He tossed his can of cold drink from hand to hand and his eyes flickered and I noticed he would rather be anywhere else.

I scoffed,I was getting annoyed with him.

“I’ll help you with your Spies On A Mission thingy if you help me spy on my mom”.

His eyes widened.

“What?”,he asked sounding shocked.

“It’s no big deal”,I tried assuring him.

“It’s a violation of privacy”

“Like sneaking into my room last night wasn’t”.

He ran his hands though his hair.

“I’ll see what the others have to say”.

“I’m asking you, not the whole team. This is our secret.

He looked at me in disbelief, “You’re nuts”.

“I’ve heard it a million times before”.

“Okay fine”,he extended his hand and this time I shook it,a smile erupting on my face.

“Meet me at my house. I have a feeling she might do what she did yesterday and leave right after in a pretty little dress”.

I linked arms with him again and we started going in the direction of the rest of the school.

“Another thing,stay away from Christina Molope”

“Why?”

“She’s like a….a lion. She sits quietly in the grass and waits for poor James to come over and then she strikes. And dig her claws into your chest”,I extended my hand and slammed it into his chest.

“Trust me, by the time we’re done we’ll have a common interest; hatred for the Molope girl”.

He scoffed,”By the time we’re done you would have made me your puppet”.

I laughed and tapped his arm,” That’s and enticing idea”.