WARNING: Profanity within.
“Hello?” Lauren knew who she would hear from the name on her phone’s display. Despite that, she was still too thrilled to hear Wyatt speak her name to note the odd catch in his voice or the unusual way he framed it in a question. “Hey, Wyatt!”
“Hi.” There was a pause on Wyatt’s end. “I love you.”
Lauren’s lipped curled in a smirk. He couldn’t see, of course, and there was no else around, but she couldn’t help it. “I love you, too!” she answered. It was a little unusual for him to start a conversation like that. He must be leading up to something good.
It turned out he only wanted to tell her something. They must have shared the same thought, because he spotted her from a distance as she approached the stone wall near the greenhouse.
“Nice shirt.” Lauren was sure she hadn’t seen him wear that one before.
“It’s, um, Captain Marvel. The Marvel Captain Marvel, not the DC…” Wyatt trailed off.
Shut up and tell her.
Lauren smirked at him. The psychic thing affecting the school and surrounding areas was strange. It was strange and annoying and amusing and wonderful and horrifying, sometimes all at once. Mostly it was wrong. People weren’t meant to hear each other’s thoughts. You were supposed to be safe and alone inside your own mind.
“Obviously you’ve got something to tell me,” she quipped.
“I kissed Mia.” His statement was short and flat. There was little emotion in it. There was no preamble, no wind up to warn of the incoming pitch, no preparation in his head. It was just there. Raw information. It took time for her to process it.
“What?” she asked quietly. Then in a louder voice, she repeated the question. “You did what?!?”
“I kissed Mia.” There it was again. He started babbling something she wasn’t interested in hearing.
“I’m not doing this.” Lauren was furious. How could he do this to her? She hopped from the wall where she was sitting and started walking toward the dorms.
Wyatt called her name. He ran after her. “Listen to me!”
I don’t want to hear another word! Sure, she could say that. She turned on him. “Why?! Give me one good reason why I should listen to you!” She was always giving him chances. Why was she always giving him chances?
“Because I'm not lying to you.”
“Great! So it's OK if you kiss Mia as long as you tell me the truth about it?”
“What? No!”
“Taylor was right. I am not a doormat!” Lauren turned to resume her escape.
Wyatt called after her. “You said you'd listen!”
She spun around to face him. “I said I would listen to what you had to say before I listened to what you had to think! I didn't say I would listen to how you're cheating on me!” She spun back around just as quickly.
He ran after her again, this time stopping in her path. “Stop!”
“Don’t get in my way, Wyatt,” she warned. Leave me alone... Please just leave me alone. Deeper down, even though she wouldn’t admit it, she didn’t want him to leave her alone.
“I didn't cheat on you. It was... we were talking and we both... we...”
You don’t kiss someone else if you think you’ve found you’re soul mate.
Wyatt looked down. His voice was quiet. “Strike three, huh?”
Lauren clenched her teeth and closed her eyes realizing that he might be right. But... Did that really matter? This wasn’t baseball.
He stepped aside, and she left. Why did she leave? She wanted him to stop her, and he did, but then he let her go.
She fled to her room, ignoring a call from him on the way. By the time she reached her room, she couldn’t hold the tears back any longer.
****************************************
Later the same night.
Roach and Brook were with Wyatt, but Roach had earned his right to be there. Lauren wanted him there. Brook was a friend. Stay or go, it was Brook’s choice. She no idea what she was going to say until she stopped in front of Wyatt, and the angry words came flooding out.
“You're a pig. You're a jerk. You told me I was your soul mate. You're so full of shit.”
Wyatt was avoiding eye contact with everyone, his jaw set and his face red.
Lauren wasn’t thinking at all. She was just allowing the words to flow. She still wasn’t even sure what she was saying until she said it. “I don't need you. I can take care of myself. I'm fucking fabulous, and I don't need you!”
Only then did she stop. Roach is so right about swearing.
“You're right.” He conceded, both in words and in thought.
I am?
“I’m just a fuckup. That's all I'll ever be.”
Damn right, I’m right!
Roach winced visibly. Don't play that card, Wyatt. Don't go victim.
Lauren smirked at Wyatt. You’re as pathetic as Mia. “You deserve each other.”
Obviously hearing Roach’s thought, Wyatt flipped Roach the bird.
Lauren paused long enough to ensure she had his full attention back before going on. “Do you really think I'm going to put up with this kind of shit? Do you think you can walk all over me?”
Wyatt was quiet, "No."
“I AM NOT A FUCKING DOORMAT!” Even Lauren was surprised as she yelled at him. She didn’t plan on yelling at him. She didn’t plan, well, anything. For a brief instant, she wanted to apologize, to take it back, but then the instant was over.
“I know.” Don’t think.
“Good.” She hid her uncertainty behind a veil of smugness.
“Done?”
“I think so, yeah.” I don’t know, but I’ll stop for now.
Wyatt simply nodded. Don’t think. He walked off, carrying his electric guitar and amplifier for whatever reason. It was the first time Lauren noticed that he had them.
Lauren watched his back as it receded, and her uncertainty bubbled to the surface. Did I do the right thing?
Roach spoke up, “You did the right thing.”
On the Rocks
Re: On the Rocks
“Oh come on. Can you ever party enough?"
And that’s what got me here.
They had let the matter rest for a few days. For those days, Peyton walked on egg shells, waiting to be called down to the office, worried about what would happen.
“Are you aware of the school’s policy on alcohol, Miss Meredith?”
Not especially? Maybe I should just nod.
“First and foremost, we’re going to notify your parents.”
Fair enough. My mom’s gonna holler. Lots.
“You’re lucky in that this is your first strike.”
Note to self: Buy halo polish later. Being good pays off.
“But even as such, you’re on in-school suspension for the next three days.”
The worst kind of suspension ever.
“You’re also being assigned to 10 hours of community service, which if I’m reading this right, you’re currently helping out at an elementary academy for young meta-humans,” thank you Henry. “Volunteering at habitat for humanity,” Henry again. “And the clean-up-the-beach program in Talos.” That one is all me. I need more halo polish.
“I just don’t understand.” Don’t look at me like that. Disappointed. I know you’re disappointed. I am too. Really, I’m sorry. Mr. Hererra shook his head, but shrugged his shoulders, saving the worst blow for last.
“I’m surprised, Miss Meredith. Surprised and disappointed. This is the last time I’m going to ask. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”
Yes! It wasn’ me. I don’t drink. Lauren called and she was drunk as a skunk and in Talos and I wanted to help, and I had to help! She was hurting over Wyatt and did something stupid and something bad could have happened to her, Mr. H. She’s young and pretty and alone and I’m fast and I was half way to Talos by the time she hung up. What was I supposed to do? She’s my friend. I got her back to her room, and I gave her my scrunchii for when she threw up, and trust me, she threw up lots! I found the bottles in her backpack, I just wanted to get rid of them, that was all, make sure she didn’t drink any more and make sure she didn’t get in trouble. Wine coolers are carbonated. I don’t do well with carbonation when I speed, and the RA busted me with a broken Bartles and James and a half filled bottle of vodka. I took a breathalyzer and it proved I didn’t drink anything! I wasn’t going towards my room - I wanted to get it off campus. I didn’t do anything wrong, Mr. H, but how can I tell you what happened? How can I rat out Lauren? Her parents will make her go home. They’ll pull her from the school like they said if she screwed up again. Peyton swallowed hard and shook her head.
“No sir.”
“Then I have no other choice. From this moment on, consider yourself on probation for the semester, and that means I better not see you in this office again. For the time being, we’ll let you remain on cheer squad, but rest assured one minor infraction and you’re benched. Lastly, we’re still debating on if you’ll be allowed to attend the homecoming activities.” Peyton visibly winced with the last statement. Not homecoming. Make me miss prom, make me miss every and any other dance, but not homecoming. Not my senior year. Please? Her eyes pleaded but Mr. Hererra didn’t relent. “We’ll be presenting your case to the student judicial council and will heavily consider their input. I highly recommend you watch your step from this point forward.”
“Yes, sir.” Peyton stood up to leave.
“Peyton?” Mr. H. asked, leaning his elbows on the desk and steepling his fingers. She turned back to face him.
“Kids sneak out. They drink, we’re not oblivious to the way the world works, and all of us were teenagers once too. I get that. But I don’t get this. Your father is an alcoholic, is he not?” Peyton nodded. And my brother is an addict. “I’m concerned. Do I need to be concerned?” It. Wasn’t. Mine. Deep down she hoped he knew that.
“Not about me.”
“Do I need to be concerned about someone else?”
“If you do, I’ll let you know, sir.” I'll let you know.
And that’s what got me here.
They had let the matter rest for a few days. For those days, Peyton walked on egg shells, waiting to be called down to the office, worried about what would happen.
“Are you aware of the school’s policy on alcohol, Miss Meredith?”
Not especially? Maybe I should just nod.
“First and foremost, we’re going to notify your parents.”
Fair enough. My mom’s gonna holler. Lots.
“You’re lucky in that this is your first strike.”
Note to self: Buy halo polish later. Being good pays off.
“But even as such, you’re on in-school suspension for the next three days.”
The worst kind of suspension ever.
“You’re also being assigned to 10 hours of community service, which if I’m reading this right, you’re currently helping out at an elementary academy for young meta-humans,” thank you Henry. “Volunteering at habitat for humanity,” Henry again. “And the clean-up-the-beach program in Talos.” That one is all me. I need more halo polish.
“I just don’t understand.” Don’t look at me like that. Disappointed. I know you’re disappointed. I am too. Really, I’m sorry. Mr. Hererra shook his head, but shrugged his shoulders, saving the worst blow for last.
“I’m surprised, Miss Meredith. Surprised and disappointed. This is the last time I’m going to ask. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”
Yes! It wasn’ me. I don’t drink. Lauren called and she was drunk as a skunk and in Talos and I wanted to help, and I had to help! She was hurting over Wyatt and did something stupid and something bad could have happened to her, Mr. H. She’s young and pretty and alone and I’m fast and I was half way to Talos by the time she hung up. What was I supposed to do? She’s my friend. I got her back to her room, and I gave her my scrunchii for when she threw up, and trust me, she threw up lots! I found the bottles in her backpack, I just wanted to get rid of them, that was all, make sure she didn’t drink any more and make sure she didn’t get in trouble. Wine coolers are carbonated. I don’t do well with carbonation when I speed, and the RA busted me with a broken Bartles and James and a half filled bottle of vodka. I took a breathalyzer and it proved I didn’t drink anything! I wasn’t going towards my room - I wanted to get it off campus. I didn’t do anything wrong, Mr. H, but how can I tell you what happened? How can I rat out Lauren? Her parents will make her go home. They’ll pull her from the school like they said if she screwed up again. Peyton swallowed hard and shook her head.
“No sir.”
“Then I have no other choice. From this moment on, consider yourself on probation for the semester, and that means I better not see you in this office again. For the time being, we’ll let you remain on cheer squad, but rest assured one minor infraction and you’re benched. Lastly, we’re still debating on if you’ll be allowed to attend the homecoming activities.” Peyton visibly winced with the last statement. Not homecoming. Make me miss prom, make me miss every and any other dance, but not homecoming. Not my senior year. Please? Her eyes pleaded but Mr. Hererra didn’t relent. “We’ll be presenting your case to the student judicial council and will heavily consider their input. I highly recommend you watch your step from this point forward.”
“Yes, sir.” Peyton stood up to leave.
“Peyton?” Mr. H. asked, leaning his elbows on the desk and steepling his fingers. She turned back to face him.
“Kids sneak out. They drink, we’re not oblivious to the way the world works, and all of us were teenagers once too. I get that. But I don’t get this. Your father is an alcoholic, is he not?” Peyton nodded. And my brother is an addict. “I’m concerned. Do I need to be concerned?” It. Wasn’t. Mine. Deep down she hoped he knew that.
“Not about me.”
“Do I need to be concerned about someone else?”
“If you do, I’ll let you know, sir.” I'll let you know.
If cheerleading was easy, they'd call it football.
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Lauren Lombardi
- Member
- Posts:309
- Joined:Tue May 17, 2011 9:30 pm
Re: On the Rocks
Quiet music from her MP3 player’s dock startled Lauren from her fitful sleep. On instinct, her hand shot out to silence it, hopefully before it woke Taylor. Lauren tended to sleep lightly, so she kept her alarm on a low volume. Even so, there were days Taylor would roll over in her bed and grumble about the ungodly hour at which Lauren usually woke up.
She stared up at the dark ceiling as worry settled back in. As of the time Lauren had gone to sleep, Dee still hadn’t come back from last night’s game. Shanna had said Dee had her own ride back to campus, which might explain why she wasn’t on the bus, but Lauren had scoured campus after the game and camped out with Brodi in front of Dee’s room for what? An hour maybe? A call to Dee’s phone had rung until voice mail picked up. Since Dee had avoided her all day, Lauren hadn’t left a message. Brodi’s calls were similarly ignored.
The large gym bag by her desk caught Lauren’s eye as she climbed from her bed. She had planned to go skating this morning, but she knew she was in no frame of mind for it. A year ago, there wasn’t much that would have thrown her concentration, but she didn’t train constantly like she used to. Admittedly, she didn’t have issues like this back then, either. She didn’t really feel like a run. With nothing to occupy her mind, it would be free to wander. Of two choices, neither was good.
She pulled up the forecast on her phone. Overcast, with a high in the 60’s, and the sun wouldn’t be up for some time. Hardly outdoor weather, but the treadmills in the gym didn’t appeal to Lauren unless she had no other choice. She threw on her sweats, hoisted her gym bag, and left.
In the hallway, just scant feet away on the opposite wall stood the door to the room Dee and Amy shared. Lauren stared at the door, but no sooner thought of knocking before she remembered the “ungodly hour.”
Mr. Liebross, Jimmy that is, wasn’t at the rink. Since Lauren had been coming less frequently, she found him doing the same. Lately it had been even odds as to whether he would be there. Lauren sighed, as she looked around. She had been half hoping she wouldn’t be completely alone.
In the locker room, Monday night repeated itself over and over in her head. Every detail that Lauren should have seen now stood out in excruciating, vivid clarity. In hindsight, the signs were obvious, and she felt stupid for missing them.
Lauren was too preoccupied that night to recognize what was happening. She knew Dee didn’t like shopping and was nervous. What if Dee didn’t have fun? Shopping was supposed to be fun. She also had to tell Dee about Wyatt. All night long she replayed words from Dee and Roach in her head. Dee doesn’t date. Dee doesn’t date. Dee doesn’t date… Peyton did this right? Casual relationships that never got serious? You could even call them dates, but going on a date didn’t mean you were “dating.” The dressing room was the hardest part. When Dee invited her to stay, Lauren nearly choked. It's no worse than the locker room, or getting changed in front of Taylor, she assured herself. It was awkward, though, and Lauren felt like she was intruding somewhere she shouldn’t. She had to avert her eyes when Dee wasn’t looking.
Rationalizing. That’s what she was doing. Rationalizing. She knew it. She was good at it. Lauren had no idea how long she had been sitting on the locker room bench with her head in her hands. She checked the time. There was still way too much left.
She picked an older routine that she hadn’t performed in a while, something she would have to focus on to remember, difficult enough to require attention and robust enough to be the start of a half-decent workout. Lauren set her feet in a basic “T” position and started the music on her MP3 player. As the intro wound up, she wondered if she would find Dee safely in her room when she got back. Lauren gritted her teeth as she realized she had missed her mark.
With the music reset, Lauren tried to clear her mind. She went through the elements of the routine in her head one-by-one. She started the music, and pushed off at the right moment. It started off simple enough. A three-turn, a spiral, and another three-turn were followed by a bit of stroking to set up for a flip jump. No, it was supposed to be a salchow! Lauren recovered from her near trip and let her momentum carry her to the edge of the ice. It was supposed to be a salchow, and you don’t use the pick in a salchow.
She knew the routine. She had pictured it in her head correctly, but she couldn’t keep her focus long enough to remember even the first four elements correctly. If she couldn’t stop worrying long enough to get through one routine, it was going to be a very ineffective workout.
Figuring she needed to give her mind room to wander, Lauren pulled up the music for a routine that she could perform at rote, recent and practiced enough that she didn’t need to focus. It didn’t help. Halfway through she was making mistakes again.
She kept wondering if Dee was hurt or in trouble somewhere. Lauren thought back to her own recent inglorious meltdown and hoped that if Dee did something reckless, someone like Peyton would be nearby. Lauren tried to remind herself that Dee was pretty strong and could take care of herself.
From the way Dee was avoiding her, the glare at the game, Dee being benched, and the reactions of Roach and Brodi, Lauren also knew that Dee was hurting. Really hurting. That kind of hurt could make you vulnerable.
But there was nothing to be done now. It was better to move forward and see what the day would bring, because worrying about it wouldn’t make it any better. Easier said than done, and during the next routine, Lauren found her legs going one way and her body going the other right before she wound up sliding across the ice on her butt.
Sitting on the ice with her knees hugged to her chest, it occurred to Lauren yet again that if anything happened to Dee, it was her fault. Lauren knew she was responsible for it.
If a basic routine wasn’t going to work, then forget it. Lauren picked a playlist at random and just started skating. Power stroking through fast circles around the rink, slowing down to work in some footwork here and a jump there, she just… moved. In perpetual motion, she kept her body churning like her mind. As much as she preferred a distraction, that obviously wasn’t going to work. Instead, she just let her mind loose to wonder. As much as she knew she should feel guilty, all Lauren could do was worry and hope.
She stared up at the dark ceiling as worry settled back in. As of the time Lauren had gone to sleep, Dee still hadn’t come back from last night’s game. Shanna had said Dee had her own ride back to campus, which might explain why she wasn’t on the bus, but Lauren had scoured campus after the game and camped out with Brodi in front of Dee’s room for what? An hour maybe? A call to Dee’s phone had rung until voice mail picked up. Since Dee had avoided her all day, Lauren hadn’t left a message. Brodi’s calls were similarly ignored.
The large gym bag by her desk caught Lauren’s eye as she climbed from her bed. She had planned to go skating this morning, but she knew she was in no frame of mind for it. A year ago, there wasn’t much that would have thrown her concentration, but she didn’t train constantly like she used to. Admittedly, she didn’t have issues like this back then, either. She didn’t really feel like a run. With nothing to occupy her mind, it would be free to wander. Of two choices, neither was good.
She pulled up the forecast on her phone. Overcast, with a high in the 60’s, and the sun wouldn’t be up for some time. Hardly outdoor weather, but the treadmills in the gym didn’t appeal to Lauren unless she had no other choice. She threw on her sweats, hoisted her gym bag, and left.
In the hallway, just scant feet away on the opposite wall stood the door to the room Dee and Amy shared. Lauren stared at the door, but no sooner thought of knocking before she remembered the “ungodly hour.”
Mr. Liebross, Jimmy that is, wasn’t at the rink. Since Lauren had been coming less frequently, she found him doing the same. Lately it had been even odds as to whether he would be there. Lauren sighed, as she looked around. She had been half hoping she wouldn’t be completely alone.
In the locker room, Monday night repeated itself over and over in her head. Every detail that Lauren should have seen now stood out in excruciating, vivid clarity. In hindsight, the signs were obvious, and she felt stupid for missing them.
Lauren was too preoccupied that night to recognize what was happening. She knew Dee didn’t like shopping and was nervous. What if Dee didn’t have fun? Shopping was supposed to be fun. She also had to tell Dee about Wyatt. All night long she replayed words from Dee and Roach in her head. Dee doesn’t date. Dee doesn’t date. Dee doesn’t date… Peyton did this right? Casual relationships that never got serious? You could even call them dates, but going on a date didn’t mean you were “dating.” The dressing room was the hardest part. When Dee invited her to stay, Lauren nearly choked. It's no worse than the locker room, or getting changed in front of Taylor, she assured herself. It was awkward, though, and Lauren felt like she was intruding somewhere she shouldn’t. She had to avert her eyes when Dee wasn’t looking.
Rationalizing. That’s what she was doing. Rationalizing. She knew it. She was good at it. Lauren had no idea how long she had been sitting on the locker room bench with her head in her hands. She checked the time. There was still way too much left.
She picked an older routine that she hadn’t performed in a while, something she would have to focus on to remember, difficult enough to require attention and robust enough to be the start of a half-decent workout. Lauren set her feet in a basic “T” position and started the music on her MP3 player. As the intro wound up, she wondered if she would find Dee safely in her room when she got back. Lauren gritted her teeth as she realized she had missed her mark.
With the music reset, Lauren tried to clear her mind. She went through the elements of the routine in her head one-by-one. She started the music, and pushed off at the right moment. It started off simple enough. A three-turn, a spiral, and another three-turn were followed by a bit of stroking to set up for a flip jump. No, it was supposed to be a salchow! Lauren recovered from her near trip and let her momentum carry her to the edge of the ice. It was supposed to be a salchow, and you don’t use the pick in a salchow.
She knew the routine. She had pictured it in her head correctly, but she couldn’t keep her focus long enough to remember even the first four elements correctly. If she couldn’t stop worrying long enough to get through one routine, it was going to be a very ineffective workout.
Figuring she needed to give her mind room to wander, Lauren pulled up the music for a routine that she could perform at rote, recent and practiced enough that she didn’t need to focus. It didn’t help. Halfway through she was making mistakes again.
She kept wondering if Dee was hurt or in trouble somewhere. Lauren thought back to her own recent inglorious meltdown and hoped that if Dee did something reckless, someone like Peyton would be nearby. Lauren tried to remind herself that Dee was pretty strong and could take care of herself.
From the way Dee was avoiding her, the glare at the game, Dee being benched, and the reactions of Roach and Brodi, Lauren also knew that Dee was hurting. Really hurting. That kind of hurt could make you vulnerable.
But there was nothing to be done now. It was better to move forward and see what the day would bring, because worrying about it wouldn’t make it any better. Easier said than done, and during the next routine, Lauren found her legs going one way and her body going the other right before she wound up sliding across the ice on her butt.
Sitting on the ice with her knees hugged to her chest, it occurred to Lauren yet again that if anything happened to Dee, it was her fault. Lauren knew she was responsible for it.
If a basic routine wasn’t going to work, then forget it. Lauren picked a playlist at random and just started skating. Power stroking through fast circles around the rink, slowing down to work in some footwork here and a jump there, she just… moved. In perpetual motion, she kept her body churning like her mind. As much as she preferred a distraction, that obviously wasn’t going to work. Instead, she just let her mind loose to wonder. As much as she knew she should feel guilty, all Lauren could do was worry and hope.
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Lauren Lombardi
- Member
- Posts:309
- Joined:Tue May 17, 2011 9:30 pm
Re: On the Rocks
WARNING: Profanity within.
Driving around with Brodi all afternoon after class and coming up empty had taken its toll. Lauren was exhausted. One moment, she was leaning against a tree tossing pebbles into a lake in Steel Canyon, and the next she was startled from slumber. She didn’t remember dozing off, but she had the vague feeling that her phone had buzzed. She pulled it from her pocket to check for messages, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Diya is back.” Those three words from Brodi woke her more fully than any stimulant could.
She started texting back even as she struggled to her feet. “Thank God! Is she OK???”
“Roach and her seem to be. They’re in the Caf.”
“Do you think I should try to talk to her?” Lauren held her finger over the send button. Maybe that wasn’t a good idea. She tapped out an additional question. “I should probably leave her be, huh?”
“No time like the present.”
That was all the encouragement she needed. She started for the train while she pecked out her last message. “OK... Wish me luck?”
“Just relax.”
Just relax? Yeah, right. Sometimes texting was annoying. What did he mean by that? “I'll try.” She slipped her phone into her pocket and broke into a sprint.
The ride was interminably long. Lauren was at the doors well before the train came to a stop and through them before they finished sliding apart. She ran to the school and across campus, stopping short of the cafeteria. Leaning against a corner outside, she waited to catch her breath and hoped her heart would quit pounding so hard it might leap into her throat.
It was now or never. Lauren took one last deep breath and crossed the distance to the cafeteria entry. Roach and Dee were eating. Roach was facing the entry, and Dee had her back to it. Lauren stopped in the doorway, not at all certain any longer that this was a good idea. Her insides were in knots and her head was swimming. Now or never.
Roach paused mid-chew as he looked at Lauren. His nose wrinkled and he made a quiet grunt as he gestured with his head, jutting his chin towards the door.
With a fork half-way to her mouth, Dee looked over her shoulder. “Oh. Uh. Hi.”
“Hi.” Lauren knew she should say something more, but her mouth was suddenly dry. Instead she nodded a greeting to Roach and approached the end of the table.
Roach simply grunted and continued shoveling food into his mouth.
“I promise I have a reason for eating in the caf rather than Westy's.”
Lauren didn’t know if Dee was simply trying to be conversational. Standing at the end of the table, with Dee only a few feet away, Lauren wanted to hug her, take her hand, something, anything to express how relieved she was. She was pretty certain it would be received poorly, and with Roach watching, she defaulted to simply standing there. “I’m, uh, I’m glad you’re back.”
“Um, thanks.”
Lauren tried to get a read on Dee. Leaning heavily on the table, Dee looked weary, like she hadn’t slept since she went missing. What she might be feeling aside from that was a mystery.
“Was that to me or Diya?” Roach asked.
Lauren almost rolled her eyes, but caught herself in time. “That was to Dee.” She paused before adding, “But if I’m going to be honest…”
Roach interrupted in his usual fashion, “Well, fuck you too.”
“Hey! You could let me finish...”
Roach slathered some mashed potatoes onto a hamburger. "I never let a girl finish."
“Roach!” Dee admonished him.
Lauren shook her head, but she was thankful for the banter. She had expected hostility, for everything to feel weird. But this was typical Roach, and typical Roach helped relieve some of the tension.
“Oh, right. That did sound off,” Roach admitted.
“Yes,” Dee answered. “Yes it did.”
“For what it’s worth, Roach? I’m glad you’re back, too,” Lauren admitted. She knew Roach had also gone out looking and assumed he had found Dee and brought her back. If so, Lauren was grateful to him.
Roach only grunted as he shoved his hamburger-potato concoction into his mouth for a bite.
“Though maybe less glad than in Dee's case.” Lauren managed to summon up a smirk, but Roach quickly quashed it.
“So the order of progression is Wyatt... then Diya... then me.”
Dee kicked him under the table, but with that everything was awkward again. Of course, that was also typical Roach, and Lauren knew she should have expected that. She tried to shrug it off. At least she was reminded of why she was there, but her stomach twisted up again.
Lauren tried to start working her way back towards the reason she was here. “You're both OK, right?”
Dee claimed to be. Roached was concerned about having bird flu after being attacked by crows, whatever that was about. It was time for another now or never moment. It came out less confident than Lauren had planned. “Can I, uh, sit? Or would you rather I be elsewhere?”
Roach didn’t even look up as he answered, “Diya’s call.”
Lauren watched Dee as she chewed on a bite of her salad with a thoughtful expression. Before answering, Dee glanced at Roach. “You can stay.”
Lauren let out a breath she didn’t realize she had held and took a seat on the bench on Dee’s side of the table but at a respectful distance.
Brook’s drone – Lauren had a hard time thinking of the drone as Brook ever since Roach made her consider it – strolled into the cafeteria. There was the usual round of hellos, through which Lauren tried to wait patiently. Finally, she just jumped in. “Roach? I owe you an apology. For the other night. For everything I said. And Dee?”
“Yeah?”
“I owe you an even bigger apology, but I'd like to talk about that sometime just the two of us, if that's OK?” Lauren knew that might be a bold request at this point, but she was willing to risk it.
Much to Lauren’s disappointment, Brook’s drone clunked down on the bench between the two girls while Dee was thinking. “I think... anything that needs to be said can be said in front of Roach and Brook.” She glanced to Roach and received a nod in return.
A part of Lauren started to feel annoyed. She felt like Roach was supervising their entire interaction, that his approval was needed for everything. But a larger part of her realized that Dee needed just that, that the last thing Dee wanted was to be alone with her right now.
Lauren sighed quietly. “I’d really rather not have an audience.” As much as Lauren hoped she could talk to Dee alone, she prepared for the fact that she might have to make her apology rather publicly. If that’s what it would take, then she had to do it.
Dee didn’t answer, and Lauren started to think she wasn’t going to budge. Lauren drew in a breath to begin when Roach interjected, “Dee... Five minutes? I can eat hamburger outside.” Lauren simply blinked. Was Roach really going to cut her some slack?
Dee looked to both Roach and Brook. "You don't mind?"
“You only got five minutes,” Roach warned.
“Make it count.” Brook advised through her drone.
“We're not waiting more for Sweet Valley.”
“Thanks, Roach.” Lauren meant it, despite his jab. “You too, Brook.”
Dee watched them leave. “Thanks, guys.”
Lauren meant to make the most of the next five minutes. She felt like she had started a program on the wrong foot, and those precious minutes would determine whether or not she could salvage her performance. Only this time she had completely alienated the judge. With a pang of regret she acknowledged any chance of pulling off a win was long gone.
Once she was reasonably sure they were out of earshot, Lauren started talking. “I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am... or how relieved I am that you're back. I was so worried.”
“I'm sorry for running off... That was... dumb.” Dee stabbed at her salad.
“Hey, I've been there.” Lauren thought back to that Thursday night again with a bit of embarrassment. “Luckily, Peyton had my back. I'm glad Roach had yours.”
Lauren was about to continue when Dee interrupted her. “I don't know what all you have to say, but can I say something first?”
“Oh. Sure.”
“What you did made me feel like shit. And... I'm allowed to say that. It needs to be said. Maybe I could have said some stuff earlier but... Monday was a shitty night.”
Lauren nodded, only to receive a matching nod from Dee. She wanted to quip about Dee being in her head, just like before. After all, Dee had just said exactly what was on her mind.
“You're right. I treated you like crap. I had no idea what Monday meant, and... You know what? Even that's not an excuse. It doesn't matter what Monday meant. I shouldn't have done that. I have absolutely no excuse. I hurt you, and there's nothing I can do to undo that. All I can do is apologize.”
Dee nodded. "Thank you."
Lauren still had no idea what was in Dee’s mind. Dee was still leaning on the table, as if it was the only thing holding her up, but at least she was talking. “I'm sorry, Dee. I am so, so sorry.”
“I know. And... apology accepted, I guess? But...that doesn't make it all better.” Dee sounded as tired as she looked.
Lauren tried to smile a little, but it just came out as a smirk. She dropped it, hoping it didn’t come off the wrong way. “No, it doesn't. Maybe time will help... If you'll give it to me?”
“I don't want to be mad at you. But I don't know what'll happen with ‘time.’”
Caught off guard, Lauren wondered about that. That’s what people said. It seemed like the right thing to say. She sure didn’t expect to make an apology and have everyone suddenly act like nothing had happened. It would take time, right? Time to earn back her standing with Dee, with Roach, with Brook, with everyone, assuming it was even possible.
“I don't know... Injuries heal. Things that were broken mend...” How do you answer that? “I could throw more metaphors at it.” Lauren tried another smile, but it still felt forced and off kilter.
“No, I think we're good on the metaphors.”
“I just wish…” Lauren began.
A shout from outside the cafeteria carried on the air. “One more minute!”
Dee shot a glance back over her shoulder. Lauren turned to see Roach outside, pointing at his watch. She cupped her hand so as not to be shouting at Dee and called, “Thanks, Roach!”
“I just wish I had known.”
“I...” Dee glanced to make sure Roach was still out of earshot. “I didn't... realize... or acknowledge anything... until you said you were back with Wyatt. And I think that's what hurts most of all. Because he's a fucking douchebag. I'm sorry, but...”
“Dee? I want to tell you something.” It was something Lauren should have admitted when it first happened. If you have to something to say, you should just say it.
“Hmm? Do you have time before they come back?”
“I’ll try.” Lauren glanced over her shoulder. It seemed to be clear for now. “The other night?”
“Which one?”
The butterflies were coming back, but Lauren ignored them. This time, she was going to let Dee know. It couldn’t possibly change things, but Dee deserved to know. “In your room.”
“Uh-huh.”
“When I saw... your neck...” Lauren gestured to the general area where her own neck met her shoulder. When she spoke again her voice was quiet. "I was jealous."
Dee thought it over. She seemed to be missing Lauren’s reference, but then it clicked. “Oh!”
“Honestly? When he gave me the chance? I don't know if I was running to Wyatt... or away from you... And not because I wanted to run away from you, but because... I was jealous.”
“Well... I don't think the reason matters. It had the same result either way.”
Lauren nodded. “It did... And I wish I could take it all back.”
The nervousness was disappearing, but it left a hollow, painful void behind that Lauren wasn’t entirely prepared for. It hurt worse than losing Wyatt, probably because she could be angry at Wyatt for what he had done. Dee didn’t do anything wrong. Lauren had messed everything up, and she had done it before she and Dee ever really had a chance to get started.
Roach’s voice sounded from behind them. “This episode of the 'L-Word' is done.”
Lauren turned to see Roach in the doorway. There was more she could say, more she wanted to say, but all of it would have to wait. Some things weren’t meant for other ears.
Though Lauren expected it, no one asked her to leave. She felt awkward, and what little laughter she could muster at the usual banter was often forced.
Lauren thought about leaving several times, but there was nowhere else she would rather be.
-- My thanks to Diya, Roach, and Brook for the in-game RP and to Diya and Roach for their review.
Driving around with Brodi all afternoon after class and coming up empty had taken its toll. Lauren was exhausted. One moment, she was leaning against a tree tossing pebbles into a lake in Steel Canyon, and the next she was startled from slumber. She didn’t remember dozing off, but she had the vague feeling that her phone had buzzed. She pulled it from her pocket to check for messages, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Diya is back.” Those three words from Brodi woke her more fully than any stimulant could.
She started texting back even as she struggled to her feet. “Thank God! Is she OK???”
“Roach and her seem to be. They’re in the Caf.”
“Do you think I should try to talk to her?” Lauren held her finger over the send button. Maybe that wasn’t a good idea. She tapped out an additional question. “I should probably leave her be, huh?”
“No time like the present.”
That was all the encouragement she needed. She started for the train while she pecked out her last message. “OK... Wish me luck?”
“Just relax.”
Just relax? Yeah, right. Sometimes texting was annoying. What did he mean by that? “I'll try.” She slipped her phone into her pocket and broke into a sprint.
The ride was interminably long. Lauren was at the doors well before the train came to a stop and through them before they finished sliding apart. She ran to the school and across campus, stopping short of the cafeteria. Leaning against a corner outside, she waited to catch her breath and hoped her heart would quit pounding so hard it might leap into her throat.
It was now or never. Lauren took one last deep breath and crossed the distance to the cafeteria entry. Roach and Dee were eating. Roach was facing the entry, and Dee had her back to it. Lauren stopped in the doorway, not at all certain any longer that this was a good idea. Her insides were in knots and her head was swimming. Now or never.
Roach paused mid-chew as he looked at Lauren. His nose wrinkled and he made a quiet grunt as he gestured with his head, jutting his chin towards the door.
With a fork half-way to her mouth, Dee looked over her shoulder. “Oh. Uh. Hi.”
“Hi.” Lauren knew she should say something more, but her mouth was suddenly dry. Instead she nodded a greeting to Roach and approached the end of the table.
Roach simply grunted and continued shoveling food into his mouth.
“I promise I have a reason for eating in the caf rather than Westy's.”
Lauren didn’t know if Dee was simply trying to be conversational. Standing at the end of the table, with Dee only a few feet away, Lauren wanted to hug her, take her hand, something, anything to express how relieved she was. She was pretty certain it would be received poorly, and with Roach watching, she defaulted to simply standing there. “I’m, uh, I’m glad you’re back.”
“Um, thanks.”
Lauren tried to get a read on Dee. Leaning heavily on the table, Dee looked weary, like she hadn’t slept since she went missing. What she might be feeling aside from that was a mystery.
“Was that to me or Diya?” Roach asked.
Lauren almost rolled her eyes, but caught herself in time. “That was to Dee.” She paused before adding, “But if I’m going to be honest…”
Roach interrupted in his usual fashion, “Well, fuck you too.”
“Hey! You could let me finish...”
Roach slathered some mashed potatoes onto a hamburger. "I never let a girl finish."
“Roach!” Dee admonished him.
Lauren shook her head, but she was thankful for the banter. She had expected hostility, for everything to feel weird. But this was typical Roach, and typical Roach helped relieve some of the tension.
“Oh, right. That did sound off,” Roach admitted.
“Yes,” Dee answered. “Yes it did.”
“For what it’s worth, Roach? I’m glad you’re back, too,” Lauren admitted. She knew Roach had also gone out looking and assumed he had found Dee and brought her back. If so, Lauren was grateful to him.
Roach only grunted as he shoved his hamburger-potato concoction into his mouth for a bite.
“Though maybe less glad than in Dee's case.” Lauren managed to summon up a smirk, but Roach quickly quashed it.
“So the order of progression is Wyatt... then Diya... then me.”
Dee kicked him under the table, but with that everything was awkward again. Of course, that was also typical Roach, and Lauren knew she should have expected that. She tried to shrug it off. At least she was reminded of why she was there, but her stomach twisted up again.
Lauren tried to start working her way back towards the reason she was here. “You're both OK, right?”
Dee claimed to be. Roached was concerned about having bird flu after being attacked by crows, whatever that was about. It was time for another now or never moment. It came out less confident than Lauren had planned. “Can I, uh, sit? Or would you rather I be elsewhere?”
Roach didn’t even look up as he answered, “Diya’s call.”
Lauren watched Dee as she chewed on a bite of her salad with a thoughtful expression. Before answering, Dee glanced at Roach. “You can stay.”
Lauren let out a breath she didn’t realize she had held and took a seat on the bench on Dee’s side of the table but at a respectful distance.
Brook’s drone – Lauren had a hard time thinking of the drone as Brook ever since Roach made her consider it – strolled into the cafeteria. There was the usual round of hellos, through which Lauren tried to wait patiently. Finally, she just jumped in. “Roach? I owe you an apology. For the other night. For everything I said. And Dee?”
“Yeah?”
“I owe you an even bigger apology, but I'd like to talk about that sometime just the two of us, if that's OK?” Lauren knew that might be a bold request at this point, but she was willing to risk it.
Much to Lauren’s disappointment, Brook’s drone clunked down on the bench between the two girls while Dee was thinking. “I think... anything that needs to be said can be said in front of Roach and Brook.” She glanced to Roach and received a nod in return.
A part of Lauren started to feel annoyed. She felt like Roach was supervising their entire interaction, that his approval was needed for everything. But a larger part of her realized that Dee needed just that, that the last thing Dee wanted was to be alone with her right now.
Lauren sighed quietly. “I’d really rather not have an audience.” As much as Lauren hoped she could talk to Dee alone, she prepared for the fact that she might have to make her apology rather publicly. If that’s what it would take, then she had to do it.
Dee didn’t answer, and Lauren started to think she wasn’t going to budge. Lauren drew in a breath to begin when Roach interjected, “Dee... Five minutes? I can eat hamburger outside.” Lauren simply blinked. Was Roach really going to cut her some slack?
Dee looked to both Roach and Brook. "You don't mind?"
“You only got five minutes,” Roach warned.
“Make it count.” Brook advised through her drone.
“We're not waiting more for Sweet Valley.”
“Thanks, Roach.” Lauren meant it, despite his jab. “You too, Brook.”
Dee watched them leave. “Thanks, guys.”
Lauren meant to make the most of the next five minutes. She felt like she had started a program on the wrong foot, and those precious minutes would determine whether or not she could salvage her performance. Only this time she had completely alienated the judge. With a pang of regret she acknowledged any chance of pulling off a win was long gone.
Once she was reasonably sure they were out of earshot, Lauren started talking. “I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am... or how relieved I am that you're back. I was so worried.”
“I'm sorry for running off... That was... dumb.” Dee stabbed at her salad.
“Hey, I've been there.” Lauren thought back to that Thursday night again with a bit of embarrassment. “Luckily, Peyton had my back. I'm glad Roach had yours.”
Lauren was about to continue when Dee interrupted her. “I don't know what all you have to say, but can I say something first?”
“Oh. Sure.”
“What you did made me feel like shit. And... I'm allowed to say that. It needs to be said. Maybe I could have said some stuff earlier but... Monday was a shitty night.”
Lauren nodded, only to receive a matching nod from Dee. She wanted to quip about Dee being in her head, just like before. After all, Dee had just said exactly what was on her mind.
“You're right. I treated you like crap. I had no idea what Monday meant, and... You know what? Even that's not an excuse. It doesn't matter what Monday meant. I shouldn't have done that. I have absolutely no excuse. I hurt you, and there's nothing I can do to undo that. All I can do is apologize.”
Dee nodded. "Thank you."
Lauren still had no idea what was in Dee’s mind. Dee was still leaning on the table, as if it was the only thing holding her up, but at least she was talking. “I'm sorry, Dee. I am so, so sorry.”
“I know. And... apology accepted, I guess? But...that doesn't make it all better.” Dee sounded as tired as she looked.
Lauren tried to smile a little, but it just came out as a smirk. She dropped it, hoping it didn’t come off the wrong way. “No, it doesn't. Maybe time will help... If you'll give it to me?”
“I don't want to be mad at you. But I don't know what'll happen with ‘time.’”
Caught off guard, Lauren wondered about that. That’s what people said. It seemed like the right thing to say. She sure didn’t expect to make an apology and have everyone suddenly act like nothing had happened. It would take time, right? Time to earn back her standing with Dee, with Roach, with Brook, with everyone, assuming it was even possible.
“I don't know... Injuries heal. Things that were broken mend...” How do you answer that? “I could throw more metaphors at it.” Lauren tried another smile, but it still felt forced and off kilter.
“No, I think we're good on the metaphors.”
“I just wish…” Lauren began.
A shout from outside the cafeteria carried on the air. “One more minute!”
Dee shot a glance back over her shoulder. Lauren turned to see Roach outside, pointing at his watch. She cupped her hand so as not to be shouting at Dee and called, “Thanks, Roach!”
“I just wish I had known.”
“I...” Dee glanced to make sure Roach was still out of earshot. “I didn't... realize... or acknowledge anything... until you said you were back with Wyatt. And I think that's what hurts most of all. Because he's a fucking douchebag. I'm sorry, but...”
“Dee? I want to tell you something.” It was something Lauren should have admitted when it first happened. If you have to something to say, you should just say it.
“Hmm? Do you have time before they come back?”
“I’ll try.” Lauren glanced over her shoulder. It seemed to be clear for now. “The other night?”
“Which one?”
The butterflies were coming back, but Lauren ignored them. This time, she was going to let Dee know. It couldn’t possibly change things, but Dee deserved to know. “In your room.”
“Uh-huh.”
“When I saw... your neck...” Lauren gestured to the general area where her own neck met her shoulder. When she spoke again her voice was quiet. "I was jealous."
Dee thought it over. She seemed to be missing Lauren’s reference, but then it clicked. “Oh!”
“Honestly? When he gave me the chance? I don't know if I was running to Wyatt... or away from you... And not because I wanted to run away from you, but because... I was jealous.”
“Well... I don't think the reason matters. It had the same result either way.”
Lauren nodded. “It did... And I wish I could take it all back.”
The nervousness was disappearing, but it left a hollow, painful void behind that Lauren wasn’t entirely prepared for. It hurt worse than losing Wyatt, probably because she could be angry at Wyatt for what he had done. Dee didn’t do anything wrong. Lauren had messed everything up, and she had done it before she and Dee ever really had a chance to get started.
Roach’s voice sounded from behind them. “This episode of the 'L-Word' is done.”
Lauren turned to see Roach in the doorway. There was more she could say, more she wanted to say, but all of it would have to wait. Some things weren’t meant for other ears.
Though Lauren expected it, no one asked her to leave. She felt awkward, and what little laughter she could muster at the usual banter was often forced.
Lauren thought about leaving several times, but there was nowhere else she would rather be.
-- My thanks to Diya, Roach, and Brook for the in-game RP and to Diya and Roach for their review.
-
Lauren Lombardi
- Member
- Posts:309
- Joined:Tue May 17, 2011 9:30 pm
Re: On the Rocks
A few lights illuminated Spanky’s Boardwalk, one of them flickering as if trying to decide if it should be on or not. Sunset had come and gone nearly two hours ago. Even though it was Friday night, the beach was deserted and the shops were already closed. Evening’s chill was settling in, and Lauren shivered despite her jacket.
She clumped up a set of wooden steps, noting a couple that rocked just enough to be noticeable for want of renailing, and began to meander along the pier. Those loose boards were fitting echoes of Lauren’s thoughts. She was trying to figure out how to get her life back into some semblance of order, but for every board she was trying to nail back into place, two more seemed to pop loose.
Breaking up with Wyatt had gone poorly. She wanted him to understand why it had to be done. She wanted him to know that they could maybe try again once she had things better figured out. But right in the middle of it, Wyatt walked away. At that moment, Lauren knew this breakup was the last one.
One board up. Lauren was done with relationships for now. They were too complex and took too much effort. Wyatt was emotional and reactionary, though. Lauren was probably going to need a lot of nails over the next few weeks.
The hardest part would be working with him on the cheer squad. Lauren knew she could work with him regardless, but Wyatt?
Cheer squad. Another area Lauren was going out of her way to not make any friends. Peyton had been snapping and shooting glares at her for days. Lauren was itching for a fight, and Peyton was simply a convenient target. It wasn’t that Lauren was mad at Peyton that night... Well, yes she was. She was angry at Wyatt, angry at Chase for knowing Peyton couldn’t be in the homecoming court, angry at Peyton for telling Chase, and angry at finding out through the “rumor mill.” Most of all, Lauren was angry at herself. And Peyton was convenient.
Flash forward to a while ago in Founder’s on another dock where Lauren had nearly been kicked off the cheer squad. Instead, Peyton had only benched her for part of the week. Looking back, Lauren knew she had been given a reprieve. Peyton probably should have kicked her. Homecoming was next week, and in the short run the squad would likely do better.
A strong breeze blew in from the water. Closing her eyes, Lauren turned her face into it and let fingers of wind brush through her hair. She thought back to a night months before she came to Westbrook. A mild snowstorm was building up for the following day, and Lauren and several of her friends were out skating on a lake. The wind that blew up was much stronger then than the ocean breezes Lauren was feeling now, but she had done the same thing. She had turned her face to the wind and just let her hair blow behind her.
Everything was so much simpler back home. She had a select group of very close friends. Gossip was mostly harmless. No one really had to watch what they said or to whom they said it. Training was one-on-one with her coach, and being involved in an independent sport was so much easier than being on a team. Even math, Lauren’s academic nemesis, made much more sense when she was learning one-on-one.
More than ever before, Lauren wished she had never come to Westbrook. Stupid mutations causing stupid powers messing up her whole life and making her move here. Thinking that way wouldn’t solve anything, though. Daddy always said you can’t change the past. You can only learn from it and move forward.
Maybe it was best to move forward back home, then. She didn’t really have trouble with her powers. Sure there was an occasional minor mishap, a broken door handle here, some singed clothes there. Wyatt could get on with his life. Peyton wouldn’t have to keep shuffling the squad around, even though Lauren never wanted her to. And Dee...
Lauren looked up to the sky only to find it was still overcast enough that no stars were visible. Dee wouldn’t have to be reminded what happened every time the two girls ran into each other in the halls or elsewhere on campus.
It would be best for everyone, right?
She pulled her phone from her pocket and noticed the time before hitting the speed dial. If she didn’t head back, she’d have even more trouble from missing curfew.
Her parents picked up the phone at near the same time. Lauren liked that they tried to do that whenever she called.
“Mom? Dad? Can you come down Sunday? I want to come home.”
She clumped up a set of wooden steps, noting a couple that rocked just enough to be noticeable for want of renailing, and began to meander along the pier. Those loose boards were fitting echoes of Lauren’s thoughts. She was trying to figure out how to get her life back into some semblance of order, but for every board she was trying to nail back into place, two more seemed to pop loose.
Breaking up with Wyatt had gone poorly. She wanted him to understand why it had to be done. She wanted him to know that they could maybe try again once she had things better figured out. But right in the middle of it, Wyatt walked away. At that moment, Lauren knew this breakup was the last one.
One board up. Lauren was done with relationships for now. They were too complex and took too much effort. Wyatt was emotional and reactionary, though. Lauren was probably going to need a lot of nails over the next few weeks.
The hardest part would be working with him on the cheer squad. Lauren knew she could work with him regardless, but Wyatt?
Cheer squad. Another area Lauren was going out of her way to not make any friends. Peyton had been snapping and shooting glares at her for days. Lauren was itching for a fight, and Peyton was simply a convenient target. It wasn’t that Lauren was mad at Peyton that night... Well, yes she was. She was angry at Wyatt, angry at Chase for knowing Peyton couldn’t be in the homecoming court, angry at Peyton for telling Chase, and angry at finding out through the “rumor mill.” Most of all, Lauren was angry at herself. And Peyton was convenient.
Flash forward to a while ago in Founder’s on another dock where Lauren had nearly been kicked off the cheer squad. Instead, Peyton had only benched her for part of the week. Looking back, Lauren knew she had been given a reprieve. Peyton probably should have kicked her. Homecoming was next week, and in the short run the squad would likely do better.
A strong breeze blew in from the water. Closing her eyes, Lauren turned her face into it and let fingers of wind brush through her hair. She thought back to a night months before she came to Westbrook. A mild snowstorm was building up for the following day, and Lauren and several of her friends were out skating on a lake. The wind that blew up was much stronger then than the ocean breezes Lauren was feeling now, but she had done the same thing. She had turned her face to the wind and just let her hair blow behind her.
Everything was so much simpler back home. She had a select group of very close friends. Gossip was mostly harmless. No one really had to watch what they said or to whom they said it. Training was one-on-one with her coach, and being involved in an independent sport was so much easier than being on a team. Even math, Lauren’s academic nemesis, made much more sense when she was learning one-on-one.
More than ever before, Lauren wished she had never come to Westbrook. Stupid mutations causing stupid powers messing up her whole life and making her move here. Thinking that way wouldn’t solve anything, though. Daddy always said you can’t change the past. You can only learn from it and move forward.
Maybe it was best to move forward back home, then. She didn’t really have trouble with her powers. Sure there was an occasional minor mishap, a broken door handle here, some singed clothes there. Wyatt could get on with his life. Peyton wouldn’t have to keep shuffling the squad around, even though Lauren never wanted her to. And Dee...
Lauren looked up to the sky only to find it was still overcast enough that no stars were visible. Dee wouldn’t have to be reminded what happened every time the two girls ran into each other in the halls or elsewhere on campus.
It would be best for everyone, right?
She pulled her phone from her pocket and noticed the time before hitting the speed dial. If she didn’t head back, she’d have even more trouble from missing curfew.
Her parents picked up the phone at near the same time. Lauren liked that they tried to do that whenever she called.
“Mom? Dad? Can you come down Sunday? I want to come home.”
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