The Hostages (ON HOLD)

Chapter Four

Walking up to the telephone, I just stood there for a moment thinking about the lecture my mom was about to give me. I looked down and saw that my hands were shaking, and I could tell by the expression on the girls face that was on the phone next to me that she could sense I was nervous also.

"It will be fine. I remember my first time having to call my parents to tell them that I had got locked up but no matter what they say or do. They won't be mad for long.", she said with a half smile.

I shot her a weak smile and picked up the phone. Dialing the number was nerve racking. I felt my stomach twist into a knot but I had to get this over with because a pretty girl like me didn't deserve to be here. I heard the phone ring, ring, ring, and ring.

"She wasn't going to pick up!", I thought as a single tear started rolling down my face.

Her voicemail came on and I nearly lost it. Fighting back the tears was the hardest thing I had to do, at the moment.

"Mom, this is Erica. I got a-a-arrested for shoplifting today. Please come get me! I'm scared and I know I did a stupid thing by stealing. I don't know what I was thinking but please come get me!", I said as I became hysterical.

Putting the phone back onto the hook, I turned around and took a deep breath as I wiped away the tears. Walking over to the officer and explaining my situation; the lady assured me that everything was going to be fine and that my mother should call back soon, and bail me out.

I nodded my head because I really needed to hear those words. She handed me my pink suit and told me to go change. Once I was in the suit, I walked out and handed her my clothes. She rubbed my back a little before escorting me to my cell. We stood at the cell door that I was about to be staying in if my mom doesn't bail me out soon.

"Open A1.", she said into her walkie-talkie.

Just like that, the door slides open and she nudges me in. I walked in and turned around giving her a scared look.

"You will be fine, sweetie.", she said with a smile. "Close A1".

I dropped my things on the corner of the bed and took a seat. The girl that was sitting on the top bunk jumps down and sits right beside me. She looked like she hadn't slept in a month. Her hair was dry and dead looking. She had a very pretty face but she looked like she needed a good spa day.

"I'm Audrey. What did you do to get in here?", she asked.

"That's a pretty name. I'm Erica and I got arrested for shoplifting with a few of my friends. It was pathetic now that I look back on it.", I said in a weak voice.

"Thank you. Don't worry to much. I'm pretty sure you will be out of here in no time. Just don't ever come back here. This is my tenth visit to this piece of shit and I don't want to see a pretty girl like you come back here.", she said with a smile.

"I hope I never come back here again. I think I'm just going to lie down and try to clear my head, if you don't mind.", I said.

She smiled and climbed back to the top bunk, and I attempted to rest which was a complete fail because of the bed was completely uncomfortable. I kept thinking about how my mom is taking all of this. She's probably flipping out right now about how her daughter could shoplift. I don't even know why I even shoplifted. I guess it was the thrill that it gave me. I've done it before but I guess I got cocky and didn't think I was going to be caught.

I wonder if Connor and Rex is still here or have their parents already bailed them out. Were they scared like me? Were they seperated? Did they get lucky and get put in the same cell together? So many questions rushed through my mind at once and for a split second, I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown.

Until the door slid open and the officer said my mom had posted bail. I was relieved but also terrified because I was in shape to be lectured.

"Close A1", the officer said.

She escorted me into a changing room and handed me my bag of clothes. I was fully dressed in less than a minute. I didn't want to spend another second here. I handed the officer the bag and we walked to the front where my mom was waiting. If looks could kill, I would've been dead the second I seen her. I could tell she was pissed and I couldn't blame her because if I was in her shoes, I would be pissed too.

I felt the tears coming when we walked outside and headed for the car.

"I can't even stand to be around you right now. What possessed you to steal? Why would you even feel the need to steal? You know you could've asked me for more money.", she said through gritted teeth.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I was stupid for even stealing and I promise you it will never happen again! I have learned my lesson. Please don't be mad!", I said with tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Erica, I'm not mad at you. I'm just disappointed in you.", she said.

I felt my heart drop when she said that. Why do parents say that shit? That hurts the most knowing you disappointed your parents. The car ride home was complete silence and the tension was unbelievable. I couldn't wait to be back at the house just so I could sleep the rest of this horrible day away. She probably already disconnected my phone but I really didn't care at this point.

After twenty minutes of staring out of the window not even knowing what I was looking at - we pulled into the driveway. I took a deep breath and grabbed all my belongings and ran into the house. I bursted out into tears as I was running up the stairs. Once I was finally in my room, I threw myself on my bed and cried myself to sleep.