𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔢𝑣𝔢𝔯 ꨄ︎

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ sᴇᴠᴇɴ

We pulled up to a place with big letters engraved in the wall that spelled 'Minors Correctional Facility'. Garner, Arlo and I got out of the car and walked into the building.

"Hello and welcome to MCF! Is there anyone you would like to visit or sign in?" The front desk lady asked our principal. 

She looked at us and saw me staring at the floor and Arlo looking around the place with her mouth agape. I noticed when I picked my head up to look at her and I nudged Arlo to look at the lady. All three of us stared at each other as she smiled at us. We smiled back to make it less awkward.

"Actually, I'm here to sign in these two." He corrected

"Are these two..?-" she asked, as if she were expecting us.

"Arlo Reed and Oliva Stammer. Yes they are." Garner finished.

"And are you a relative? Parent or Guardian? If not, we need to at least have consent from them that they know they're here." the lady asks.

At that point, I blocked out their small talk. I knew my dad wasn't going to be happy with what's going on right now. But it's not like he'd answer the phone. He works twenty five-eight. 

I heard distant voices, coming from the phone that sounded like Arlos parents. They sounded beyond mad. It's all my fault this happened anyways. They should just take me. He's only a part of the plan because he wanted to be by my side while everything was happening. I appreciate him for that. But look where it got him.

After I heard 'goodbye' I looked up. I knew it was my turn to either face the consequences or get rejected by my own father. 

Principal Garner hands me the phone and I dial my fathers number in. It rings about five times until the phone speaks 'Please leave your message for (528) 937- 42-' I hung up.

 As disappointed as I was, I knew it was bound to happen. Garner told us to pretend that our parents gave us both 'okays' that they knew we were here.

……… About an hour later, we finished paperwork and they finally let Arlo and I in. Not to say that I was excited to be there, but it was better than staying beside the man that put us in here in the first place. 

As we walked through the doors of the main area, I already had a bad feeling. It looked similar to the juvie area you would see on tv. The same lady from the desk showed us around. From the main area to the cafeteria to the rooms to the courtyard back to the main area to show us the way to our room. The rules are that the rooms are by gender but she noticed how miserable we looked so she let us share a room for two.

"This is where you guys will stay for the remainder of your time here. I guess you don't have stuff to unpack so I'll just get your guys uniforms! Stay here, I'll be right back." She instructs.

We nod and sit on the unclaimed bed. No one spoke for a good minute but I had some things to get off my chest so I turned to Arlo to rant but he got to it first.

"So.." he mumbled, "this wasn't part of the plan huh?" still not looking at me, he finishes.

"Arlo I-" I tried to explain but he had more to say.

"Man and here I am so gullible to believe this plan would work but I should have known! Sticking up for you has done nothing but given me strike after strike and now look at us! At some Minors Correctional Facility?!!" He shouts, finally getting up and walking out his anger.

I was trying to apologize, but he's blaming me for his actions that I had no control of.

"You didn't have to be here! I told you i didn't need saving but you want to be Mr. Fantastic and show everyone how great you are so you stay by my side! I love you for that and I'm so grateful but this is why I tried so hard to push you away! Don't you get that?! You say I need to fight my own battles and proceed to fight them for me! I just need space when things like this happen. I want you to limit yourself from being around me when I get worked up no matter how much I convince you. It's for your own good." i explain, voice cracking. I hate when people I love have to struggle along with me, that's why I never tell my business.

"You want me gone? I'll give you gone." Arlo said. With that, he walked out.

"Arlo! Not what I meant!" I called out. 

I walk out to catch up to him to explain but the desk lady catches me.

"Where are you going?" 

"Arlo walked out. I need to find him." I responded. Walking past her. Or, trying to.

"No. We have security that can find him. Right now, you need to change before we mix you up with a guest." She instructs.

I exhale a big breath of worry. If they don't catch him, he'll be let out as a visitor. I seem selfish saying this but I need him here. I can barely do it now, how can I withstand triple the time? What the both of us said was foul but it's the truth. We both have our wrongs and that's why we work so well together. We learn from each other and grow together. I need him as much as he needs me even if he doesn't know it yet.
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974 words