Infinity

Chapter 6: Eleanor

We walked out of the school in silence, but it was the good kind, not the awkward kind. Though i tried to hide it, i was internally panicking at the thought of going home. My dad was gonna be so mad... But of course, if i stayed out longer it would be even worse. Besides, where would i go? I don't really have anyone right now except for him and mom... Even my brother has someone. I wish he'd come home, he'd know what to do. But he didn't even know what was happening. No one knew. No one could know. Bad things would happen if they did.

As we stepped outside, I cringed slightly as i looked around the parking lot, wondering if my dad would be waiting there. It seemed like something he might do. Immediately, i forced myself to make a straight face. I'd had my fun, and Mason had been nice, but good things didn't last long and i didn't want to get to close to him. I couldn't take any more betrayal, any more pain. I mean, he was friends with Josh. Everything that happened today will probably just fuel his obsession with me. I don't need that.

"Hey, are you okay..?" Mason said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked up quickly and nodded once, face straight.

"I'm fine. Are you sure its okay for you to give me a ride home?"

He smiled and nodded quickly, leading me across the almost empty lot to an old looking red pickup truck.

"No question about it! I insist." He said, grinning and opening the rusty passenger door to a worn out but clean interior. I smiled slightly as i got in, the smell of cologne, coffee, and Mason.

"Thank you"

"No problem!" He closed the door and walked around to the drivers side, and after a few attempts he got the car started.

"Sorry about that" he said, looking embaressed as he pulled out of the parking lot. I chuckled, shaking my head quickly.

"It's fine" i said softly, staring out of the window.

"So um... where do you live?"

"2134 Washington Avenue"

He nodded and drove down Main Street, and soon we were driving into the wealthier neighborhoods. Mansions, perfectly groomed yards, gorgeous gardens, BMWs and Ferraris everywhere on either side of us. I looked over at Mason, who was looking around slightly shocked as he continued down the road.

"I can't believe you live here... I'm jealous" He said, laughing.

"Don't be" I murmured, sitting up straight.

"Could you please stop here?"

"We're a block away though..."

"My dad'll get mad if he sees me getting out of some guy's car after coming home late. He's a bit overprotective."

Mason nodded, pulling over at the corner. I opened the door and turned to him, smiling. It felt weird, smiling so much in one day.

"Thank you so much, for everything" I said, starting to get out of the car.

"No problemo!" He said, grinning. "Anytime." He looked like he was going to say more, but then seemed to cut himself off. I got out of the car, closing the door and walking down the street quickly. I gripped my backpack straps tightly, anxiety and dread starting to fill me up. I walked up to one of the biggest houses in the neighborhood. I walked up the driveway, around the circle and up the front stairs of my house. I took a slow, deep breath, and opened the large oak doors and stepped into the front room.

No one was there. So far so good.

I started walking up the steps, hoping the oriental carpets would muffle my footsteps enough so my father wouldn't notice. Of course, i wasn't so lucky.