Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 7

Gramps had loved the wild life before and was interested in all kinds of animals. He had always liked snakes the most. When he had been still alive, he'd gotten tarantulas and snakes in the house lurking everywhere -- well, lurking in cages anyway -- and he'd let Tommy and me pet them. But when he'd passed away three years ago, Grams had to sell them to pet shops and the zoo because she couldn't possibly take care of all of those wild pets.

The only one she'd kept was Gramps' favorite parrot he gave her named Cookie, for chrissakes.

"Baaak, Keller stupid! Keller stupid!"

"You are a stupid bird," I muttered, ignoring Cookie while I made myself a sandwich I could eat while driving. When I was done, I grabbed a bottle of water and stomped for the garage door.

"Baaak, Keller big hips! Keller fat!"

I gasped, turning around to face Cookie. "What did you say, you miserable bird?" I hissed.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" I heard Grams call out, walking toward the kitchen, seeing me snarling at her precious bird. She saw my stare and looked at Cookie, then back at me. "Don't mind Cookie. You know he's just like that."

I pointed a finger at the bird. "That bird is a pain in the butt. He made rhymes and said my hips were big!"

Grams shook her head, looking at me as if I were delusional. "Birds can't say that."

"But Cookie can -- I swear, Grams, he's an evil parrot!"

Okay, I did sound kind of loopy, but the bird snapped every nerve inside of me that I didn't really care if I was crazy or not.

"Go on," I commanded the bird. "Say something bad about me."

Cookie cocked his head to the side. "Baaak, Keller pretty! Keller nice!"

Grams laughed joyfully, clapping her hands. "He's a sweet thing, isn't he?"

I gaped at Cookie, blinking. What in the world? Was he some kind of mutant bird or something? First, he insulted me, and now he was showering me with compliments? I'd kill that bird with my bare hands!

"Baaak, Keller nice! Keller nice!" He tilted his head to the side again, beady eyes blinking at me. If birds could smirk, then Cookie could.

When Grams shook her head at me one last time and cooed at her parrot, she went back upstairs and took a nap.

By the time I knew she was out of earshot, I shot Cookie daggers with my eyes and shook my fist in the air, saying, "I am going to murder you!"

"Baaak, Keller stupid! Keller stinky!"

Stupid bird.

?????

When I got to the student parking lot, I saw Viv being dropped off by her dad at the front steps of the school's entrance. I parked my old yellow Camaro, and got out of it. Viv saw me immediately and waited at the steps where every student was heading inside the brass oak doors. Mr. Lennox honked the car horn in greeting and I waved, smiling at him.

As soon as I reached Viv's side, she frowned as she stared at my hair. "What did you do?" she asked, gesturing to my head with a disappointed hand.

"What now?"

But just thinking about romping around made me blush profusely. Great.

When we got out of the restroom, all the students said Viv and I were looking good, especially the guys. Frederick came toward us in three long strides, sporting his backpack and his books in one hand. "You look great, Keller," he said, winking at me.

I snarled at him.

"Always giving sweet expressions," he complimented with a grin.

"Where's Michael?" Viv asked casually. Too casually. I growled lowly. If Viv heard me, she didn't act like she did at all.

"You know he's fashionably late all the time," Frederick said, shrugging nonchalantly, while hi-fiving a guy who passed by. "He'll be coming soon. Why do you ask?" he queried airily.

"Oh, nothing."

They began to burst out laughing.

I rolled my eyes and walked with heavy feet on the wooden floor. I wanted to put my things in the locker and head to prayers already, sitting far away from Frederick and Viv.

I'd get the balcony area so they couldn't see me. Or if they did see me, then they'd already be sitting on the lower area, too late to come up and sit with me. Ha. That was perfect.

I quickly looked over my shoulder, seeing Viv raise a brow, crossing her arms, while I saw Frederick grinning widely as he placed his hands behind his head with the books clutched in them. What the hell was the matter with those two? And why were they staring like that at me? Why was everyone starting to look at --