A Life Like Mine

by Jorie Saldanha

  “Ash?”

  “What, Adam?” I looked over at him. We were right in front to the police station.

  “Can I hold your hand?” He looked so scared.

  “Oh, stop it you big baby! Stop trying to be so cute. You’ll be fine. I know you’re scared, but come on. It’ll be over before you know it.” I was scared for him, but I was trying not to show it.

  “Okay,” He and I walked into the station. Adam went over and approached an officer. I couldn’t hear what he said, but the officer suddenly got very edgy. I saw Adam point to me, and the officer walked over to me.

  “Do you know that boy?” He asked. The way he said it made me feel like I was in the movie The Terminator.

  “Yes, I do. I came here with him. Is there a problem?”

  “Come with me.” He took my arm and started dragging me towards Adam.

  “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” I asked angrily.

  “You and this boy are going to be questioned,” He said.

  “What?” Adam and I asked together.

  “This boy was involved in a serious crime and he’s going to be questioned. Since you’re with him you too will be questioned.”

  “Wait, she didn’t do anything. I came here to confess so I could get this off my chest and feel better about it,” Adam admitted. “She didn’t do anything.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” The officer said. We both went into different rooms. I didn’t see Adam for a little while, and I don’t know what they asked him. I got carried into a bright room with couches and furniture. It looked nothing like one of those questioning rooms from NYPD Blue. Let me say that this was nothing like what I had expected. The police dudes were nice and none of them had one of those phony New York accents. It was all very smooth, and not at all pressured. I just wanted to know where Adam was located because I was supposed to be there to support him. Man, what a lousy job I’d been doing, huh?

  “What’s that boy’s name, Miss?” The officer asked me.

  “Adam Jonathan Houston,” I answered, “And please, call me Ashley. I’m Ashley Benson.”

  “All right, Ashley. How long have you known Adam?”

  “Well, I’ve known about him since fifth grade, but I got to know him about a week or two ago,” I replied calmly.

  “Has this boy done anything to hurt you?” The officer’s tone was serious.

  “No!” I was shocked. “Why would he want to hurt me?”

  “Is there anything that he’s done in the past week that you would find suspicious?”

  “No, he asked me to come with him today so he could turn himself in. He stole a lot of money a while ago. He returned the money, but he wanted to finally be free of the burden.” I said.

  “And Adam told you all this?”

  “Yes. He told me this the other day.” I was getting really frustrated. “Is there a point to these questions?”

  “I’m sorry, Ashley. I can’t disclose anything to you. Seeing that you don’t have any information, I’m going to let you go home now. There’s no reason for you to stay here.” The cop started to escort me out.

  “Wait a second. I know that what Adam did was really awful, but he returned the money. He might have to do a little community service, but why would he have to stay here?” I stopped the officer from walking me out.

  “I told you that’s classified information.” The officer started walking me out again.

  “Why does he have to stay here? What are you not telling me? You might as well just tell me because I’m going to find it out from him anyway. Besides, if I don’t hear it from you, I’m going to hear it from someone else.”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Tell me. I might be able to get some information out of him for you. He and I are getting really close, so he might be able to tell me stuff that you won’t get out of him,” I pleaded.

  “Well, we wouldn’t be able to rely on you that much because he has obviously been lying to you.”

  “What?” I practically spit out.

  “He never turned the money back in.”

  “What are you talking about?” The hairs on my neck seemed to jump up at attention. I was frozen with fear.

  “That boy that you said didn’t do anything, never returned the money. He’s a criminal and he has serious charges against him. I’m surprised his name hasn’t surfaced earlier. I’m sorry, but that’s all that I can tell you. It’s time for you to go now.” The officer began to usher me out.

  “Wait. What? He never returned it? He had to have returned it. Why would he lie about something like that? Why would he turn himself in if he supposedly never gave the money back?” I started babbling.

  “Well, as you said, he was feeling guilty. That might have been enough to get him to come back.” The officer practically shoved me out of the station. I didn’t know what to do. Why had Adam lied to me? What if he hadn’t? What happened to all of that money?

  “Wow,” Keri said after I had finished my story.

  “I know. What do you think actually happened? He hasn’t been in school today, and I’m worried that he might be in some serious trouble.” I bit my thumb.

  “He told you he turned the money in, right?” Keri asked me.

  “Right.”

  “So, did he tell you how he gave it back?”

  “He said he gave it to Lena and that she…Oh no!” I ran off looking in the cafeteria for Lena. She was to blame. I bet that she did this! She was the one who stole the money! As I started to get angrier, I spotted Lena. She was sitting with Liz and Jill.

  “Lena?” I tapped her shoulder.

  “What do you want, Skank?” Lena turned to me.

  “Why are you addressing me with your name?” I asked.

  “Clever. Is there are reason that your odor decided to come over and ruin my appetite?”

  “You stole that money didn’t you?” My eyes stared at her.

  “What are you talking about?” Lena’s smile faded.

  “Adam took the money. When he decided he needed help he gave you the money to return. You never returned it did you?” I could tell Liz and Jill were puzzled, although whether they were just showing their regular faces, or were genuinely confused is unknown.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I suggest you go back to your group of unwanted freaks, and leave me alone with my friends.” Lena turned back.

  “No. How did you spend the money Lena? You didn’t get a car, so how did you spend it since money is all you really care about?” I turned her back to face me.

  “I didn’t spend any stupid money.”

  “Yes you did. I know it. You’re so pathetic. The only way that you can get a guy is by manipulating him, and making him think he’s going to go farther with you than you let them. You’re practically a prostitute without the sex. You’re just a tease.” I was furious.

  “Don’t talk to me like that!” Lena slapped me as hard as she could. “I’m not a prostitute, and I never will be. So, don’t accuse me of being things that I’m not.”

  “Don’t slap me!” I slapped her back. I know that was a really childish thing to do, but come on, she just slapped me! How was I supposed to deal with that? I guess the civilized thing to do would have been to walk away, but no I’m not smart enough for that. If I were, I would have gotten myself out of what I was about to do.

  “You’re such a twit! And you know what?” Lena stood up.

  “What?” I stepped closer to her.

  “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.” Lena turned back and grabbed her bowl of chili. She turned back to me, and before I could stop her, she had dumped the entire hot dish all over my hair!

  “You witch!” I started clawing at my hair as everyone was silently watching. Why do I always get myself into things that end up sticky, slimy or both and with a ton of bad publicity? Because I’m stupid! That’s why!

  “That’s what you get for accusing me of stuff in front of my friends.” Lena crossed her a
rms.

  “There’s nothing I said that wasn’t true. And you know what? I think you deserve a little piece of the pie!” I reached over Lena and grabbed the first thing I could before anyone could stop me. I smashed the blue cupcake into her smug face. “I’m sorry, you’re not on a diet are you?”

  “Thin people like me don’t need a diet like you fat people.” Lena took a mustard bottle off the table and started squirting me with it. I tried to fight it off, but her aim was surprisingly good.

  “Ugh! You’re an idiot!” I pushed her. “Now I’m glad I’m not you!” I started wiping my hair.

  “You’re just the same as me. You would have walked away a long time ago if you weren’t.” Lena swiped some pudding off of a tray and smashed it onto my shirt. I stepped back looking at myself. I was about to say something, but I was interrupted.

  “Food fight!” Big Al threw his mystery meat at Liz’s head.

  “Like ewwww! This is so not cool! You ruined my extensions!” Liz yelled. Everyone started to hurl food at each other. It was carnage. I couldn’t believe what I had started. Well, Big Al officially started it, but Lena and I were the ones that put the idea into his head. Food was crazily being flung everywhere. I was getting all types of food over my clothes, but the worst was someone’s tuna crashed right into my face. It was truly a disgusting thing to eat, but now I had it all over my face. Lena had, by this time, been pelted with food, so much so, that she had retreated into the bathroom to clean herself up. I didn’t really want to talk to her. What if I had been wrong? What if Lena had really never gotten the money, and I had attacked her for no good reason? Why did I always charge in first and ask questions later? I stomped over to the bathroom as I dodged the food being launched. I reached the bathroom where I saw Lena trying to clean herself off.

  “Don’t even come near me. I’m not in the mood to continue. I have a major fashion emergency.” She took a paper towel and started wiping off her shirt that was stained with a rainbow of different foods. She practically had a buffet on her boobs.

  “I’m sorry, Lena. I was wrong. I never should have just gone up to you and accused you like that,” I admitted

  “What? You’re apologizing?” Lena stopped cleaning for a moment in astonishment.

  “Yes. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions like that,” I answered.

  “Well, for once you’re actually making sense. I don’t know why you’re starting to make sense, but I like it. What made you apologize?” Lena looked up at me.

  “I was wrong.”

  “Duh! I know that, but why?” Lena took off her shoe and started to clean it.

  “I didn’t know for sure that you had taken that money. I’m not even sure what I know right now. I never should have said that to you until I was certain though.” I shrugged my shoulders.

  “Yes. You’re right for once.” Lena seemed to be wanting more from me.

  “What more do you want me to say? I’ve apologized. Isn’t that enough?” I asked.

  “No.”

  “Why not?” I searched for an answer in Lena’s eyes.

  “Because you still have a lot more apologizing to do. You did a serious wrong to me. I deserve better.”

  “Well, I think you’re going a bit far, Lena,” I said.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are,” I protested.

  “See there you go again.”

  “What are you talking about?” I asked.

  “You were starting to make sense, and then you go and ruin it by being wrong.” Lena put her shoe back on, starting to clean the other.

  “Wait, what?” I asked.

  “You are seriously stupid.”

  “Don’t insult me, Lena.”

  “But it’s so easy.” Lena smiled.

  “Not now. What more do you want from me?”

  “Where did you get the idea that I even know Adam? Who are you even talking about? Adam who? That guy that I went out on one date with?”

  “Yes, Lena. I’m talking about the Adam that you went on a date with. You know him because he’s Jon Houston from fifth grade,” I answered.

  “Jeez! Did everything happen in fifth grade?” Lena threw her hands up in the air.

  “Yes, that’s not the point though. Did he ever give that money to you to return?” I inquired.

  “What do you care?” Lena was so obstinate.

  “I care a lot. Did you get the money from him to return?”

  “What money?” She asked.

  “The money that he stole from your Dad’s bank. Seriously, stop being so thick. I know that you know what I’m talking about.”

  “That’s what you’re asking me about? That money he stole in fifth grade?” Lena laughed.

  “What?” I questioned.

  “Where would you get information on that? Why would you even care?”

  “I just do! Will you please answer me?” I was getting frustrated.

  “Yes he did,” Lena said as she started to leave the bathroom.

  “And?” I wanted to stop her.

  “That was the best shopping spree I ever had.” Lena giggled and ran away.

  Chapter 7

  The Weekend

  Ring! Ring! I woke up to the annoying sound of the phone. What a way to wake up on a Saturday morning! That was not what I had been hoping for at all. Saturdays were sacred to me. This was the day that I would sleep in until noon and party past midnight. This was, obviously, the day after Friday. This meant that Saturday was the day that was spent reflecting on what wild things had been done the night before. Those moments that were so cool yesterday now seem totally humiliating, and every time I thought about it I wanted to slam my head up against a wall. I always found this day to be the most fun because it wasn’t tainted with the thought that school was only hours away like Sunday did.

  “Hello?” I asked sleepily.

  “Ash, aren’t you up yet?” The voice sounded annoyed.

  “Well, I am now. Who is this?”

  “It’s Keri! You didn’t recognize my voice?”

  “It’s early! What do you expect from me?” I defended myself.

  “It’s 11:30 in the morning!”

  “My point exactly. I got up half an hour earlier than I had wanted,” I replied with yawn.

  “You are sad. Anyway, have you turned on the TV yet?” Keri changed the subject.

  “Yes, Keri. I was watching the morning cartoons in my sleep,” I answered sarcastically.

  “Turn it on then. This is important.”

  “To who? You or me?” I inquired.

  “You! I could care less, but then again…just turn it on already.”

  “Okay.” I ran over to my desk to turn on my TV.

  “It’s channel 5.” Keri read my mind.

  “But it’s the stupid news!” I said about to flip the TV off.

  “Don’t you dare turn it off. The next story is going to knock your socks off!” Keri scolded me.

  “How would you know?”

  “I just do!” Keri said.

  “But how do you know?” I didn’t back down.

  “Shhhh! The news anchors give you a small preview of the day’s news before they actually tell you the stories. Duh! Now be quiet! I think they’re about to start.”

  “Why are you watching the news now anyway?” I was grumpy. It’s almost annoying to you that I won’t shut up isn’t it? Well, believe me it’s something that I need to work on.

  “Listen!” Keri silenced me.

  “Good Morning, America! We’re back on WTV news. I’m June Ardsley.”

  “And I’m Bill Saxon.” The news anchors were way too jolly. How can they be so happy? Have you ever noticed how even if the news anchors are on at 5:00 AM they’ll still be peppy? It’s almost sick! I’ve always wondered if news anchors actually do only wear the top half of the suit, and just have underwear underneath the desk. People always joke about it, but you’ve got wonder if it’s really the truth.

  “
Today we bring you live coverage from the city of…” When the female anchor said my city’s name I was knocked out of my daydream. It didn’t knock my socks off, but it definitely got my attention.

  “This story has been long in the making hasn’t it, June?” Bill the anchor said.

  “Indeed it has, Bill. A minor from this region stole a large sum of money a few years ago in this small city. Two days ago this minor went to the station and turned himself in. Nothing is known for why the boy did turn himself in, and why he waited so long to do it,” June reported.

  “Well, perhaps it was a change of heart.” Bill interrupted.

  “Certainly. Now we have a remote on location at the station with one of our own WTV reporters at the scene. Jessica, are you there?” June sounded irritated. I wonder if she was going to go All Pro Wrestling on Bill while the camera was on the other reporter.

  “Thanks, June. I’m here at the Police Station. It is alleged that the youngster stole money from the Bobbins Savings and Loan Company. There’s been a lot of commotion since he turned himself in.”

  “Youngster? Who says youngster?” I asked Keri through the phone.

  “Shhhh!”

  “It has been reported that the boy came to this police station in late afternoon two days ago. He came with a female companion who appeared to be his age.”

  “That’s you!” Keri screamed.

  “Shhhh!” I said.

  “Here we have the daughter of the store owner, Lena Bobbins. Lena, what have you to say about this event?”

  “Hey, what are they interviewing her for?” I said.

  Keri didn’t reply.

  “I just want to say shame on you! You think you’re so smart. Because of you my daddy didn’t make as much money as he could have which has made us poor!”

  “Right! And Elvis still lives!” Keri snorted.

  “You poor thing. Have you suffered much because of this boy?” Jessica asked.

  “I didn’t get anything for Christmas or my birthday.” Lena lied.

  “Well, that’s truly a…”

  “And as for that girl he was with…she’s a professional prostitute.

  “Excuse me?” Jessica gulped.

  “She’s that boy’s sex object. It’s sickening really. I’ve known this boy all of my life. I knew what he had done, but he blackmailed me into not saying a word. And…”