Redwood High 2

Chapter 9

Apparently the administrative staff at West will be doing their very best to find the vandals and punish them. It's been a week and I haven't heard of anyone being suspended or expelled.

We were currently in math class. Our teacher wasn't here (bless) so we had a substitute who was sitting in the teacher's chair eating Pringles. I was sitting next to Carol and Zoe, but Zoe had Austin next to her. I often thought that they were dating but I guess both were too shy to admit it. I knew they were. They had to be.

"The DECA trip is in two weeks and I still have no idea what I'll be doing for my individual professional selling's event. I'm supposed to market an innovative education tool that'll be used to teach first to third graders."

"That's cool," said Zoe.

Carol laid her head on the desk. "Throw me into Niagara Falls."

Carol turned to me. "How's not being single?"

I smiled. I wasn't expecting that. In all honestly, these past couple of weeks have been great. He made me laugh until I cried and his kisses. Don't get me started.

"How is being fuck buddies with Ethan?" I asked.

"Lol what are you talking about? Mary would be jealous of my virginity, that's how much of a virgin I am."

Zoe snorted.

"I heard that!"

"Bouncy house kink," I whispered.

I asked to go to the restroom and made my down the hall when I saw Riley sneaking out of the side doors. It wasn't like her to ditch. She was as focused on school as I was, maybe even more.

I slowly followed and looked out through the glass doors. I saw Riley getting in a car with Todd and Ryan. Ryan pulled out baggies from his packet. Oh no. Not Riley. They drove away and I stood staring at them until the car vanished around the corner.

***

I got a call later that night.

It was 1 in the morning. I was just getting into bed after watching Disney movies. That was my Friday night.

My phone rang at 1:24 am. It was Riley. When I answered she was hysterical.

"GRACE HELP ME PLEASE!"

"Riley? Riley, are you okay?"

"No please come get me I'm scared. Please!" There was some static and then I heard laughter. "NO!" Riley shouted.

"Oh my god," I muttered. I jumped out of bed and grabbed the car keys that were hanging by the door. I had my permit and was a pretty decent driver but I still had work to do. That didn't matter. I looked at Riley's recent tweet and saw that her location was in Glenville. It was the part of town with the big mansions and rich people. I also knew that there was a party going on.

I drove as quickly as I could not even caring for the speed limit. I knew I should've. What good was I to Riley if I wounded up in jail?

I made it to Glenville in twenty minutes time and drove to Orchard Street. Sebastian was invited and was talking about it so I knew where the party was. He chose not to go. Smart.

I parked the car and ran into the house. There were bodies everywhere. Dancing or standing around, drinking. Red cups were everywhere. People were kissing and groping each other in the living room. I found Todd who looked crazy.

"Grace! Have you seen Riley? She was supposed to be by me but people told me she left with Tom Kensington."

My blood went cold. Tom Kensington was a senior who was charged with battery against his ex girlfriend but managed to slip by with a slap to the wrist. And based on her phone call... I ran upstairs. I opened every door shouting Riley's name. I found two couples having sex and another set of people doing body shots. But no sign of Riley. Todd was trailing up after me. I turned to him.

"Even if she came with you, you were supposed to keep an eye on her! She was your responsibility! She is only a sophomore! You already put her to some heavy shit and you go and lose her? I got a panicked call from her!"

"Fuck!" he shouted and ran downstairs.

I followed him and saw Tom talking to a group of girls. I walked to him and pulled him by his shirt.

"Listen here you little shit, if I find out you did anything to Riley, I will make you wish that you were never born. Where is she?" I yelled.

"Easy," he grinned. "She's fine. You are very sexy on the other hand. Want to hang with me later?"

I sneered. Pig."  I brought my knee up and kneed him in the groin. I walked outside and turned the corner where I saw a broken Riley hobble from the backyard of the neighboring hosue.

"Riley!" I shouted.

"Grace!" she sobbed running towards me. "You came."

I hugged her. She smelled of weed and alcohol. "What happened to you? Are you okay? Do you need a doctor?"

She shook her head. "No, not me. But this girl does."

***

I dropped off Vanessa in the hospital. I stayed until the police arrived and gave them my statement. I found her on the street on the way home from work and brought her here. They tested me for drugs and I cam out clean. They sent me away after an hour.

I made Riley wait in the car. I turned on the car and drove home. She was sleeping at our house.

"Where do your parents think you are?"

"Your house."

I sighed and drove home. I didn't fail to notice the blood on her knuckles or her arms. It wasn't a lot, but it was there.

When we got home I made her take a shower. Whatever happened I knew she needed time to talk about what happened. I wasn't pushing it. I laid in my bed and closed my eyes.

Ryan was going to wish he was never born. I was telling Aunt G