Chapter 3 What Is The Worst That Can Happen

Jasmine 

The sound of my alarm makes me groan loudly. No! It can’t be that time already. I switch it off and pull the covers over my face. I can’t be bothered moving, plus today is the day that Cody is coming to stay. Meh! Why does the world hate me? I sigh, toss the covers off me and get my ass out of bed. I will shower later. I make my way downstairs for breakfast before I get changed. The closer I get to the kitchen, the more I hear my mom talking to someone. I have no clue who, because my dad would already have left for work. Stepping into the kitchen, my question is answered. 

Cody! 

He is sitting with my mom, having coffee, laughing and chatting. What the hell is he doing here? It is only six-thirty a.m. There is no need for him to be here at this time. 

“Why are you here at this time?” The annoyance is evident in my voice.  

Cody laughs. “Good morning to you, too, sunshine. I see you are still cranky in the morning.”

He is talking but isn’t looking at me directly. He is too busy looking me up and down. I regret coming down here in only my shorts and a strappy tee, nothing else. 

“Shut up,” I groan, going to grab a coffee. 

“Jasmine, there is no need to be so rude.” Mom lectures.

I don’t respond to her. I pour a coffee, grab a banana and a yoghurt for breakfast. I hesitantly sit with them at the breakfast bar. I don’t acknowledge Cody. 

“Did you sleep all right, sweetie?”

I smile and nod. “Yeah, not bad, thanks.”

“Good, well, I need to get myself ready and wake Lily. Please do not kill Cody while I am gone.” She laughs.  

“I can’t make any promises.”

My mom and Cody look at each other and laugh together. God help me! I hate that they get along so well; it makes everything worse for me. The moment my mom is out of earshot, Cody turns to me, a smirk on his lips.

“You look good in those shorts.”

“Cody, go and fuck yourself. Seriously, why are you here at this time?” I snap, my jaw tight.

“Because my mom had to leave early to get to my grandma.”

I don’t understand why he needs to come here and stay. I am sure his mom could have found someone else or let him stay alone. Then again, I wouldn’t trust leaving Cody alone at home. Cody would trash the place. 

“How is your grandma? Is she okay?” I ask.

Yes, I hate Cody, but I like his mom and Grandma. 

“She will be okay. She had a fall and broke her leg. She needs some help for the next couple of weeks.”

“At least she will be okay.” I smile. 

He nods and returns the smile. “Yes.”

I turn away from him and return to my breakfast. I can feel him still watching me. He is such a damn perv! He needs to get his hormones in check before I end up slapping him one. I ignore his stares. 

“Can I grab a ride to school with you? My car is in the garage until tomorrow.” He asks.

“Walk.”

“Aww, come on now, don’t be like that. I am only asking for a lift, nothing else,” He protests.

“Fine! But if you say one wrong thing or annoy me, I will throw you out without even thinking about it while the car is still moving.” I warn.

He flashes his charming smile at me. “I promise to behave,”

A smile that works on mostly everyone, but not me. I know what is behind that stupid smile. I finish my breakfast and head upstairs to get myself ready. I wash and slip on a pair of jeans, a tee and a hoodie, my vans to match. I usually do my make-up before school, but this morning I can’t be bothered. Mascara and lip gloss will do. I pull my hair into a high ponytail. That would do me. I don’t have the energy this morning. 

I return downstairs. Lily is putting on her jacket to go to school.

“Jasmine,” she beams the second she sees me.

“Hey, Princess, are you ready for school?”

“Yes,”

She loves school and is a smart little cookie for her age. I know she gets that from my mother, she is very intelligent. My dad is too, but not on the same level as my mom. I take after my dad more than my mom in that way. 

“Well, enjoy, and I will see you later.”

She rushes over to hug me. I crouch to her level and hug back.

“Cody said we can all colour later, can we?” She asks, eyes wide.

He did? Since when did Cody like kids? He had better not go back on his word, or I will kill him. 

“Sure thing,” I say, kissing her cheek.

I say goodbye to Lily and my mom. 

“Bye, Cody!’ Lily calls through to him. 

“Bye, princess.” He calls back.

They two headed out, and we will need to as well because I don’t want to be late. Cody comes into the hallway.

“I am leaving, so if you aren’t ready, you can walk.”

“I am ready to go.”  

Damn it! I was hoping he wasn’t, and he would have to walk. That would make my day. I groan, grab my things, and head out to my car. Cody is hot on my heels. It is tempting to drive off before he had a chance to get into the car, but he was too quick. He probably knew what I was thinking. I hate that he knows me so well, but that is what happens when you are best friends for as

long as we were. 

I put my music on, louder than needed, because I don’t want to talk to him or hear his stupid, perverted remarks. I start the car, and we are soon on our way. A couple of minutes in, he reaches over and turns it down.

I slap his hand away. “Hey! My car, my rules, leave it alone.”

“Calm down, I want to ask you something.”

“What?” I snap.

“Are you coming to the party this weekend? The one at Kevin’s?”  

“I haven’t decided yet,” I reply with a shrug.

I enjoy a party like everyone else, but sometimes I can’t be

bothered with them. It depends on how I feel when the time comes. 

“You should come, your friends will be there.”

“I will wait and see how I feel.” I turn my music back up.

Cody laughs and shakes his head, taking his cell out. At least if he is on that, he is not annoying me. I pull up outside the school. I can only imagine what people are thinking. Why is Cody with me? Everyone knows we aren’t friends anymore. 

“Thanks for the ride, can I get one back with you?”

“Whatever.”

He climbs out. I wait a minute before I get out. I smile when I see my friends waiting for me. They are looking at me all in the same way, wondering why Cody is with me. 

“He is staying with us for the next couple of weeks,” I complain.

Becky laughs. “Hopefully you don’t end up killing him.’

“Why is he staying with you?” Katie asks.

“His mom is away taking care of his grandma. She didn’t want to leave him alone, so she asked my mom to take him in, and of course, my mom said yes.” I reply with an eye roll.

“Well, this should be interesting,” Bridget giggles.

“I wouldn’t use that word to describe it. More like torture.”

My friends give me a sympathetic look before we all stroll inside. I am glad that they feel my pain. What is the worst that can happen?