Better Than Picture Perfect Read online

  So I repeated, “I’m sorry.”

  I dashed away from them only to run straight into my four sisters. We were a close family, but at this time, I wanted to be alone. It was my fault our house was no longer a safe haven. It was a mess, and I had to face the music. I sank to the floor and sobbed when they wouldn’t move.

  “I knew Mom and Dad shouldn’t have left you and Shelby alone. What? Did your little broke boyfriend do this?” Sloan uttered, making me look back at her.

  It wasn’t how she said what she said. She should be angry. I messed up. And it wasn’t that she had the audacity to say what she said to me. She should be mad. I messed up. It wasn’t that she got her facts totally right. I mean, I messed up. She needed to say what she thought. The problem was that if she had all facts right, she wouldn’t go around accusing the wrong person.

  “Why do you think it’s him?” Shelby asked her, knowing that’s what I was wondering.

  Sloan rolled her eyes and Slade piped in, “We remember seeing them all cozy at the food kitchen we volunteered at.”

  “It’s not impossible. Desperate people do crazy stuff,” Sloan added.

  Sloan was angry. Slade and Shelby looked concerned. Yuri knelt down and put her arm around me. I knew she felt my pain.

  “Girls, we need to talk to your sister,” my mom came in the room and said.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Yuri said as she hugged me.

  Shelby extended her arm and pulled me up. “I can stay if you want me to.”

  “Shelby, did you hear your mom?” my dad said, giving her no choice.

  “Just say the word, and I can stay if you want me to,” she whispered.

  “No, I’m fine. Well, I’m not fine, but I gotta deal with this.”

  Shelby was about to leave, but my dad said, “Wait a minute, you know what, hold up. See, I thought the two of you guys were supposed to be together. What happened?”

  “It was my fault, Dad,” I said.

  I didn’t want to go into all the details, so I knew I needed to hurry up and get to the point, or I was going to make it a lot worse.

  “And don’t you leave out anything, Ansli,” my mother said, giving me that lawyer eye.

  She was an interrogator. That’s what she did for a living. Almost a human lie detector test. So, for the next twenty minutes, instead of worrying about my consequences, I shared everything.

  “So not only did you let a boy in here we never gave you permission to hang out with in the first place, but you befriended a girl who was homeless, and you let her stay here while you took him back to the homeless shelter?” my dad repeated for clarity.

  “I didn’t think that she would steal anything.”

  My mom disappointingly said, “Of course you didn’t. You didn’t think at all.”

  Still confused, I said, “But I wasn’t gone that long. And I knew Shelby was on her way back.”

  “You know what, just go to bed. I can’t even deal with you right now,” my mom demanded.

  My parents said I couldn’t drive the car. My dad started taking off his belt like he wanted to spank me. Of course he didn’t, but they were pissed. I couldn’t get in my room fast enough, but Shelby had to come through the bathroom that we shared.

  “I don’t need you to grill me. I know it was stupid,” I told her, holding out my arm.

  Shelby came closer, “I’m just glad you’re okay because whoever helped her take stuff from our house could’ve hit you in the head and still done the same thing.”

  “Even if you were here?”

  “Yep, they could’ve beat both of us. Though, I wouldn’t have let her tail come in here trying to make people have pity on her.”

  “Hugo told me. I can’t believe she had help to steal from me? Wait until I see her.” Processing what Shelby was saying, I went from being angry to being grateful. I hugged my sister so tight. “If anything would have happened to you … I’m already feeling terrible that the house is trashed, but you, Shelby. Oh my gosh! And they know where we live. They might come back.”

  “Don’t worry. The police are all over this, but if you have any idea who did this, you need to tell.”

  I so hoped that Hugo would pick up the phone. I knew he said it was prepaid, and he wanted me call when I got home. On the first ring when he answered, “Hello?” I just started crying.

  “What’s wrong? Did you get into an accident?” he asked.

  “No! Katera stole from me. When I got home, my house was wrecked. It’s a mess Hugo, and I think I know who did it.”

  I went on to tell him that when I dropped her off before, I saw suspect looking thugs. That day Katera explained to me that they were a gang hanging out near homeless people, taking advantage of them, threatening them, and making them take advantage of citizens.

  “You can’t just tell your dad. You’ve got to have some proof. They need to be picked up and locked up so they can’t hurt anybody.

  “My dad knows all kinds of people. I mean, he is running for mayor.”

  “You don’t want to awaken the undertaker do you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You figure it out.”

  “They could kill him?”

  “With bad people, you want to be sure you accuse the right folks. When people are down on their luck, they’ll do anything. Murder wouldn’t be out of the question, that’s all I’m saying.”

  Boy, was he scaring me, but I knew there had to be a way to help people in need so that they wouldn’t do desperate things. I was determined to turn this horrible thing into something positive. Katera and her crew needed help more than ever. Jail wouldn’t hurt either.

  Somehow after cleaning up, meeting with investigators, talking to insurance adjustors, picking out new items to replace what was taken, and being grilled over and over and over again by my parents, I made it through the weekend. I hated that I lost my car privileges for a while. My sister Slade was excited. She had gotten her license, and my parents hadn’t bought her a car yet. Now she was able to drive mine. I wasn’t mad at her; it was my own fault. Still, it seemed weird being driven to school by my younger sister. Shelby told me I could’ve ridden with her, but she had to go in early, and I wasn’t trying to do that.

  Now I was at school. The first person I had to find was Hugo, and like a great boyfriend, he was waiting for me in the parking lot, which was more than I could’ve hoped for. We didn’t have to waste a second. And not caring that my younger sisters were looking, I leapt right into his arms.

  “Are you going to introduce us or what? I remember we saw him last time, but he only met Dad,” Sloan called out.

  “He knows Shelby,” I said.

  “No I feel like I know all you guys,” he said. “Slade is driving now, and she’s got the beautiful face and voice.”

  “Oh wow, stop it,” Slade said.

  Hugo continued, “Yuri, you look just like Ansli. I could kiss you, thinking you’re my girlfriend.”

  “Watch it now. I’m not your girlfriend,” Yuri said as she stepped back.

  “He’s joking,” I said to my little sister.

  “I know, I’m just telling him I’m not you. Even, though he is kind of cute,” Yuri laughed and said to the side.

  “So who am I?” Sloan curled up her lips.

  “I don’t know. Uhm … ”

  “You didn’t tell him anything about me?” Sloan said with her hand on her hip.

  “Trust me. I did,” I said to Sloan.

  “I’m just kidding. You’re Sloan. The one she admires for being able to articulate her thoughts like none other.”

  “Really? You said that about me, Ansli? Thanks girl!” Sloan said.

  “Look, y’all have to excuse us,” Hugo said, taking my arm.

  “Yeah, we have to get going,” I winked and said to the three of my siblings as they followed us in.

  Hugo and I were both thinking alike, as we both squeezed each other’s hands really tight. We didn’t have much time before sc
hool was going to begin, and Dr. Garner, our principal, was already guarding the front door. Usually he was anywhere but on bus duty. Why this morning of all mornings was he on the look out?

  “Sharp girls! Come here,” he waved us over.

  I let go of Hugo’s hand.

  “What? You’re embarrassed about me or something?” Hugo asked in a salty voice.

  “This man knows my dad. I’m already in trouble. Don’t take it personal,” I said, not wanting to argue with him, but needing him to chill.

  “You all okay? I heard there was a big incident at your house this weekend,” Principal Garner inquired.

  Was there anything this man didn’t know about what went on with our family? Sure I got that people were trying to brown-nose because it looked like my dad was going to win the election, but nothing was a sure thing. Yeah, he was running against two idiotic opponents who, in my opinion, paled in comparison, but voters still had to turnout. Maybe this is what folks did to ensure their alliances and make sure they were in good standing just in case their candidate won.

  “Yes, sir. There’s nothing to report,” Sloan said just as irritated as I was at the question.

  She waved her little finger in the air, and as if they were her entourage, Slade and Yuri followed her into the school.

  “Hold up, Ansli. Is this guy bothering you?” Dr. Garner said, referring to Hugo.

  “Why did you ask if I was bothering her?” Hugo asked, completely offended.

  I put my hand on his chest. “No, sir. This is my boyfriend, Hugo.”

  “Your boyfriend? Your dad knows about this?” Dr. Garner questioned.

  Getting upset Hugo said, “Sir, why is that any of your business if her father knows?”

  “I’m not talking to you right now,” Dr. Garner snapped.

  Trying to calm the situation, I said, “He and my father are friends so … ”

  “So, that gives him the right to ask personal questions?” Hugo said under his breath. “He’s the principal, but he’s not your dad.”

  I opened my eyes real wide. I hoped Mr. Garner hadn’t heard my boo. Though Hugo had a point, was this something worth fighting?

  “You wait right there.” The principal stepped to the side and motioned for me to follow him. “I know you’ve been spending time with some of our students who are less fortunate, but I didn’t mean for you to take that to the extreme. Some students aren’t necessarily the best match, you know, boyfriend material. In this day and age, I need to be careful of what I say, but you’re right. As your dad’s friend, the fact that he trusts you guys to come to my school when there are others in the city he could’ve had you girls attend, I’m protective. And because you got close to Katera, I believe she was the one responsible for ransacking your house.”

  “So you do know all the details.”

  “Your dad and I talk. I mean, he’s concerned. I know from Katera’s file that this is possible.”

  “Have you seen her here today?”

  “No I haven’t, but the police were called. They do plan on questioning her. You need to be careful with the company you keep.”

  “Principal Garner, one of the candidates for the murals,” a secretary from the office came over the walkie-talkie and said to our principal, “is in the office waiting for you, sir.”

  “Murals? What murals are we getting?” I asked as a thought was coming to my mind.

  “We’re getting some in the gym, in the cafeteria, and in the front hallway. So, we’re interviewing several artists. It’s going to be pretty nice.”

  “How would one go about being considered?” I asked.

  “Oh, you paint now?”

  “No, but he does,” I said, pointing at Hugo.

  “Absolutely not. I’m not dealing with a hot-head with something this important. This isn’t chicken-scratch I’m expecting to see on these walls. We’re paying good money.”

  “And shouldn’t a student have the right to apply? I mean isn’t that fair? Don’t you think all of the board members and great citizens of this school district would appreciate the principal at least considering a student before dismissing it,” I probed.

  “If he’s interested, tell him to let me see his work.”

  “Okay, great,” I said pumped, like a bicycle tire being filled with air.

  “What were you telling him?” Hugo walked over and said to me once Principal Garner was gone.

  “Oh my gosh. He’s got a job for you!”

  “A job for me? I’m not working for him. He’s a jerk. You didn’t need to make him think that. I was okay. He knows my situation, and thinks I’m a hoodrat. He can think whatever he likes.”

  “No, no, no. They’re doing murals in the school. They’re hiring an artist. You can get paid.”

  “What? You’re trying to give me more charity like you did with your dad? I thought we talked about this, Ansli. If you can’t accept poor, broke me, then what are we doing here? Always trying to make me come up and stuff.”

  “If you don’t have any aspirations and think it’s wrong for your girlfriend to try to help you when you’re clearly probably better qualified than anybody they’re considering, then you’re right. What are we doing here?”

  I walked the heck off. I was okay that he was going through, and I wasn’t looking down on him. I just wasn’t trying to be with a loser.

  “Hey, wait up! Wait up! I didn’t mean to be so cruel,” Hugo caught up with me and said. “I don’t want a girlfriend who is not satisfied with who I am.”

  “What’s wrong with me being proud of who you are? My dad didn’t get a chance to possibly be the mayor because he sat back and has been passive all his life. No, he went for his dreams. He networked. He met some of the right people. I’m learning how to be more like that because it’s not inwardly in me like some of my sisters. I’m trying, but opportunities don’t just always come. You have to go after them. Sometimes you have to be a little humble so you could convince the decision makers to give you a chance.”

  “So, what? I didn’t handle the principal right?”

  “Well … no,” I said when there was no other way to say it.

  “I don’t even know what to submit.”

  We got to my first class, and I saw that I had a substitute teacher. I just felt like I needed to get away and really help Hugo not blow this opportunity. I decided to do something crazy.

  I turned to him and said, “I still have my set of keys. I know you’ve got some sketches, or we can work on something real quick that we can turn in.”

  “I don’t want to get you in trouble like this. Skipping school? You’re not even supposed to be driving your car. If your dad finds out you skipped school with me, he’ll never really give me a chance.”

  “That’s just a risk I’m willing to take. Besides I need your help with something.”

  “I need your help with something too,” he said when we got to the car. He wouldn’t go to the passenger side. Instead, he followed me over to the driver’s door, threw my purse and backpack inside, and placed his lips on mine.

  “We can’t be gone too long. We need to hurry up and go. There’re cameras in this parking lot.”

  “But you taste so good. I don’t want to let you go,” he said before kissing me again, this time with his tongue.

  We went to the place where he was staying. He ran inside. My body so wanted to run in with him to finish what we started in the school parking lot, but I stayed put. Shortly, he came back out with some sketches and a worn art kit.

  “I can show him these,” he stated with pride.

  Rightfully. The work I was looking at was stunning. I knew more about photography than drawing, but his lines, arches, coloring, and overall pieces were spectacular. He was talented.

  “I’ll sketch out a couple other things I’m thinking can go inside the school, but I’m not ready to go back just yet,” he said to me as he stroked my cheek.

  “Well, you sketch,” I said, thinking I wanted to help my fami
ly. “I need your help anyway.”

  I couldn’t remember all the turns I’d taken when I took Katera to the place she was staying. I didn’t want to ask Hugo where I should be going because he was so into his work that he wasn’t paying me any attention. I knew he would be mad at me if he knew what I was trying to do.

  “This is it!” I said, finally excited.

  “This is what? This is an abandoned warehouse.”

  “People stay here.”

  “I thought you were taking me someplace where you and I could have some fun.”

  “No,” I told him. “I got my family into trouble, and I’m going to find the trouble and turn them in to the police.”

  “Did you hear me when I told you these people are dangerous?”

  “But it’s not night time. I’ve got to take some pictures and get the evidence. I did hear you. I can’t go around accusing people when I’m not sure,” I said.

  Tire marks led all the way to some old storage units. I got out of my car against Hugo’s wishes. Unfortunately, there was a padlock on the doors.

  “We got to get back, or we’re not going to make it in time for our next class. Come on, don’t you hear the motorcycles?” he said.

  We got in the car and drove off just before they could catch me snooping. Even with two big padlock storage units hiding what was behind the doors, I was certain it had our stuff and much more.

  “Promise me you’re not going to go over here anymore by yourself,” Hugo said to me as we headed back to the school.

  “I won’t, but I’ve got to catch them when the garage is up.”

  “You got to let the police catch them when the garage is up. You’re nobody’s P.I., and you might think you’re all inconspicuous, but you stick out around there. I don’t want to be worried about you, too much else is going on, and I’m not trying to fight.”

  “Right,” I said, grabbing one of his sketches. “So let’s get back to the school, get this back to Dr. Garner, and get you this gig!”

  He was grunting, and I didn’t know what that was all about. I just wanted him to be excited and believe in himself as much as I did.