Chapter 4
Over the next few days, my driver never showed up again.
The Quinns seemed to have completely forgotten about it. Nobody bothered to arrange a new one for me.
I didn't bother mentioning it. Every day, I just rode my bike down the hill, actually kind of enjoying the freedom.
Everything was pretty great, except for one thing.
Sometimes I'd bump into Frank while biking down the hill.
Andrew had been swamped lately, so Frank was the one taking Nora to and from school now.
The day Frank found out I was riding my bike down the hill, he looked extra pissed.
Every time he spotted me on the road, he'd gun it just to blast me with exhaust, making sure I got a mouthful of fumes.
"Yo, hillbilly! Pick up the pace, or you'll be late," Frank hollered at me.
This time, Frank leaned out and shouted at me, full of mockery.
Nora was snickering in the passenger seat, clearly enjoying the show.
I let out a sarcastic laugh right back at them.
As Frank floored it to overtake me, I seized the moment and hurled my water straight through their wide-open window.
"Damn it, Summer!" Frank roared, totally losing it.
I splashed the rest of the bottle right in after, not holding back.
"Ah!" Nora screamed.
Frank's angry cursing and Nora's high-pitched screams echoed all the way down the road.
At least that got the idiot to quiet down for a bit.
That day, just as I stepped out of the school gates, I caught sight of Andrew's car parked nearby.
I was planning to steer clear, but Nora suddenly came up to me, giggling.
"Summer, looks like Mom and Dad are kicking you out again!" Nora sneered.
"What is it now, the third time? Or maybe the fourth? Seriously, how do you always manage to be so unwanted?"
I stopped and gave her a frosty glare. "What?"
Nora just kept smiling smugly, not saying a word, practically bouncing as she hopped into the car.
I shot her a sharp look, only to lock eyes with Andrew.
"Summer," he called out to me.
I quickly looked away.
Keeping my head down, I headed straight for the bus stop.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Andrew's face darken.
On the way to the bus stop, I kept replaying Nora's weird comment in my head.
Couldn't figure it out for the life of me.
Whatever, I gave up thinking about it.
Who knew what was going on in her head this time?
Ever since I got back, Nora's been making snide, passive-aggressive comments behind the Quinns' backs, but I never let her get away with it.
As if I'd let her mess with me.
Then I caught sight of Andrew standing by the front door.
As soon as I appeared, he fixed his gaze on me.
Honestly, I was kind of taken aback.
Was he actually waiting for me?
Without thinking, I asked out loud.
But Andrew just stood there, acting like he didn't even hear me.
Not going to make a fool of myself, I just slipped past him without a word.
But then he abruptly stubbed out his cigarette and said sharply, "Summer, drop that sour face already. We don't owe you anything. If anything, you owe us plenty."
I stopped in my tracks.
Oh, so he was here to lecture me.
I let out a dry laugh.
Keeping my face blank, I walked right past him.
I turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.
The next moment, I got smacked right across the face.
Edward's angry shout followed right after.
"Kneel, you dirty bastard!" he barked.