✺ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 ✺- Josh Kiszka

Part 29

I leaped from my spot on the couch, Josh instinctively unhooking his arm from around me and sitting up as I did so. The tension in the air was suffocating as I made my way quickly past the kitchen and over to my stunned mother.

My heart was slamming in my chest and I felt my breath quicken.

I opened my mouth to begin my plea, but I couldn't get a word out.

'What in the hell is going on?" She asked me, looking consistently with wide eyes from the three still on the couch to me. In my hurry, I hadn't looked back at Violet, but I was certain she was just as terrified as I was.

"Mom we were just-" I started, but was once again interrupted.

"What? Having boys over in my house without me even knowing?" Her tone was angry and almost hurt.

"We weren't doing anything," I assured awkwardly, "just watching a couple of movies, and then they were going to head home." My voice was barely above a whisper, I felt like a cowering dog after being yelled at for tracking mud in.

"I sure as hell hope you weren't doing anything," She retorted, keeping the same angry tone evident in her voice. My mother was typically a calm woman, rarely needing to raise her voice or become angry, but when she needed to, she could become the most intimidating person imaginable.

I hesitated, not able to find the right words that could fix the mess I was in. My mother had dropped her bags on the hall floor and was now rubbing her hands over her face as if searching for the right words to say herself.

"I'm so sorry," Was all I could manage to pathetically peep out. She removed her hands slowly and gave me the most 'pissed mom' look she could possibly muster. I felt myself shrivel under her glare as she let out a deep sigh.

She turned her gaze from me to Violet and then to the boys, and I instinctively looked over my shoulder at them as well. All three had stood up from their spots on the couch and were now awkwardly shifting their weight from one leg to the other as my mother eyed each one up and down.

"Violet," My mother said in a sharp tone as she made her way to the end of the kitchen. I followed quickly behind her, staying a few safe feet back.

Violet shrunk under the sudden attention brought onto her, but couldn't manage any response.

"Does your father know you're still here?" She asked. She had been referring to her younger brother, my uncle James. "And that you're with a boy neither of us has met?" she added, her stare directed to Sam, who was now uncomfortably pulling at his fingers.

Violet shook her head hesitantly in response, dropping her own stare onto the floor.

My mother let out another sigh, putting her hands over her face again.

When she finally gathered whatever thoughts were brewing in her mind and pulled her hands away, she looked much more relaxed.

I glanced up at Violet, who was staring at my mother in utter fear, unsure of her next actions.

I watched as my mother's attention drew over to Josh, then to Sam.

"Boys," She started, pausing just long enough for me to work up a nervous sweat in anticipation of what she would say next. "I apologize for the startle, but I'm sure you can understand my frustration."

The two looked at one another for a fleeting moment before nodding politely.

"I am very sorry," Josh started, causing me to close my eyes in anxious anticipation. "I hope we weren't imposing, we had no idea it would be an issue."