Page 57 of Mine

ROSIE:

Can we talk today? Miss you.

I typed back a quick reply and grabbed my bag.

My mom was waiting for me at the kitchen table, car keys in hand.

“Ready?” she snapped, her eyes narrowing at me.

She was still bitter, purely because I had worried her so much. I couldn’t understand it, because whenever I thought of that night with Cal, I realized it was so worth it.

Mom pushed the chair away as she rose, her blue eyes piercing into mine. “Keep away from Cal, for your own good. I can't force you, but I am trying to help you. Now get in the car, please.”

I nodded glumly.

I can’t keep away from him if I try.

Nothing compared to him, ever.

We left the house and my eyes searched the road, just in case Cal was waiting for me. Disappointment filled my stomach when I saw that he wasn’t there and I slouched into the passenger seat of my mom’s car. We rode in silence until she dropped me off outside school.

“I’ll pick you up after school.”

“Mom, I—”

“No, Gretchen. You don't get to say anything about this. Until you learn how to behave like an adult, we will treat you like a child.”

She leaned over me, opening the car door, signalling for me to get out.

I climbed out and watched her drive away.

Jeez, she was truly pissed.

I don't get it—I'm safe.

It clearly didn't matter; this was her way of dealing with it.

I followed the throng of people making their way painfully slowly to school, and I searched for the face I needed to see more than anything.

No sign of Cal.

I spotted Sienna leaning on her car, wrapped in a winter coat. She waved wildly when she saw me, and I trudged over to her as she held her arms out.

“Hey, are you okay? I texted you, called you, with no reply! Were you with Loverboy?'” Her eyes rolled playfully as she spoke, her arm linked with mine as we strolled into school.

“It's complicated, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you. My dad took my phone from me…” I explained with a loud sigh, as I unhooked my black leather bag from my shoulder. The sound of a basketball being bounced resonated through the hallway, cut my sentence short, and I pursed my lips.

“No shit—why?” Sienna exclaimed; her eyes wide as she peered at me with surprise.

I understood—I’m not the rebellious type.

I pulled my books out and slammed my locker shut as I turned to face her. “I spent the night with Cal, and I didn't tell my parents where I was.”

Sienna made a face as she placed her hands on her hips and peered at me curiously. “Okay, who are you and what have you done with Gretchen? You're a real rebel now!”

She said this proudly at first, but her expression changed when she saw the sadness in my eyes.

“Luke went to my house and of course, I wasn't there,” I muttered, ducking as I narrowly missed the basketball that was still being tossed around.