12

                                    

                                          
Caley
                          
A week after we started The Sorceror's Stone, the library started remodelling in the children's section. As a result, a temporary children's section sat 10 feet from our table, bringing loud kids that used to stay on the other side of the library. Tyler and I read the Chamber of Secrets in the back behind the shelf of old westerns and paperback romance novels, sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall. Nobody came to this part of the library, and Tyler and I could discuss house elves and Moaning Myrtle undisturbed. 
                          
With the exception of my daily visits with Tyler, life was uneventful. I woke up and went to school. I talked to Tyler at school, but remained aloof to the rest of my classmates. After school, I went to the library and did homework until Tyler came. We read Harry Potter. We talked about Harry Potter, amongst other things. At seven, Tyler drove me home. I ate dinner, showered and went to bed. I followed this routine every day. 
                          
Once at dinner, my mom complained that I was never home. 
                          
I set down my fork and replied, "I go to school and I go to the library. I'm not, like, going to parties and getting wasted or anything. What's the big deal?" My snarkiness was uncalled for, but I didn't back down. I usually didn't, and I hated that about myself.
                          
She said, rather calmly, "It feels as though you're avoiding me."
                          
"I'm not. Sometimes I just want to be alone. That's a normal thing."
                          
Madeline decided to chip in, "But you're not alone, are you? You're hanging out with that cripple baseball player right? Tammy told me-"
                          
I kicked her under the table. "Tammy doesn't know what she's talking about."
                          
It was mom's turn to slam down her silverware. "You're seeing a boy? And you didn't tell me about it?"
                          
"Mom! I'm not "seeing" a boy! I made a friend. Is that okay with you?"
                          
"Of course, honey. But you have a family here. I'd like if you were home more often to be a part of it."
                          
I scoffed. "Family? What do you know about family?" I pushed my chair back and headed for the door.
                          
"Caley, where do you think you're going?"
                          
"A walk."
                          
I stepped out the door and onto the sidewalk. It was just starting to get dark. Neither my mom nor Madeline tried to follow me. I walked around the block a few times to think. I should've gone back to apologize, but apologies were never a strong suit for me. I went home and we acted as if nothing had happened. That was that.
                          
///
                          
I like to think Tyler and I talked about everything, but I didn't talk much about my family. He told me about his. He has younger, seventh-grade twin sisters named Kathy and Katy. The Thompsons go to church on Sundays and have Mexican food for dinner every Tuesday. I liked hearing stories about his sisters' dance recitals and his mom's crochet club. 
                          
Even when the children's section was finished and the picture books were moved away, along with the kids, Tyler and I remained in our spot on the floor behind the paperbacks. Sometimes, I think it might have felt more like home than my house down the street.