Little Girl and Tall Boy

Chapter 4

I know, I know. It's been months since I posted anything, and this chapter is pretty short. I'm really sorry.

My dear readers, I need your thoughts with everything. I'm in college and I'm in the middle of the numerous hell weeks. Finals is fast approaching so please please be patient. Thank you :) <3

     Dedicated to all of you who are reading this

Colt was too drunk but he remembered that we went by the party to say hello -  to every person we passed by. It was a little irritating that Lewis almost punched him to sleep.

When Colt finally decided to sleep, we all decided to let him sleep at the opened rear of Lewis' old red pickup truck.

"Your Toyota Hilux is still alive!" I remembered how Colt exclaimed upon seeing the vehicle. He looked like he won the lottery.

I was looking out, watching the starry night, when Tyler's head fell on my shoulders. He was sleeping peacefully beside me while Lewis drove silently.

Tall boy's soft hair covered most of his forehead, and his head kept bobbing up and down because of the shortness of my upper body so I shifted my position.

"Can I put my feet up?" I asked Lewis who nodded in response. He looked so tired.

I lifted my legs and crossed them underneath me while holding Tyler's head in place. It made me a little taller - maybe this is enough. I placed Tyler's head back on my shoulder but he still looked uncomfortable.

Thankfully, kind of, Lewis was driving down a bumpy road. It caused us to jump a little in our seat and made Tyler slouch in his.

"All snug," I heard Tyler mumble when his head fell on the curve where my neck and shoulder meet.

I smiled and closed my eyes.

The windows were all opened, letting the cool breeze in. We were all sweaty when we got out of the house so the wind felt pleasant. 

I leaned my elbow on the window sill and placed my head on my hand. Everything seemed peaceful. No loud music, no pig-like sweating teens, no guy making me knit, and no confessions.

That was the first high school party I went to, and I don't think I will attend another again. It was a bit scary. It was like all convicts were let loose. Besides, I don't really like crowds and I usually keep to myself so parties have never been and, I think, never will be my thing.

My eyes widened in realization. "What time is it?" I mumbled to myself. Taking out the cellphone my dad gave me, I looked at the time.

For the nth time this week, I felt my heart beat quicken. My parents are going to kill me.

My dad was sitting on his wooden chair outside our house when Lewis dropped me off. Dad didn't talk until he shut the door behind him.

"No texts," my dad started, "no calls! Not inside any rooms! You could have died!" He threw his hands up. I have never seen more silver strands scattered in my dad's hair.

We were in the middle of the happy-looking living room. My dad standing straight while I cowered. How ironic.

I was shamefaced, "Dad, I'm so sorry. I completely forgot-"

"Forgot!"

Wrong way. "It completely..." I trailed, slipped out of my mind. What am I to say? I'm never good at these things; I get tongue-tied in situations like these. I have never been scolded like this. I'm exhausted and I don't know what to say.

"Completely what?"

I let out a sound of defeat.

"Where were you?"

Gulping, I slowly looked at him. "I was with friends," I started explaining - leaving out the part that I was dragged, "They were supposed to give me a lift but they had to stop by a house party because they promised they would."

One look at my dad would scare Hitler away. Right now, I'm getting ready for the armageddon my father's rage will bring because I know I'm doomed. "I stayed out of everyone's way, didn't touch any drink or anyone, and I'm not going to any parties in the future."

I could just read his thoughts: You better not, young lady.

"Another friend went and picked us all up."

"That Lewis boy?"

I haven't thanked Lewis enough for dropping Colt and Tyler before me, and for walking me to the front door where my father was waiting for me.

"Yes, sir."

My words hung on an invisible thread in the air as I watch my father brood. I can just think of so much punishment I'd be getting.

"You are not to hang with those friends again until I meet them. I thought you had good choice." He shook his head. "Go to your room."

I looked at him for a moment, waiting for anything else. Maybe I'm grounded, or my chores are doubled?

"You're grounded, and you are to babysit your cousin for a week starting tomorrow."

Oh no, not my cousin. "Mom's sister's little girl?"

"Yes, your Aunt Kari's Ariel."

As I walk up the stairs and headed to my room, I gulped, feeling bile from my stomach rise up.

Don't get me wrong - I like kids. When we hadn't moved here yet and I had spent a summer here, I volunteered to babysit the kids. I was the first one to babysit Ariel. She was 4 then but she was already very cunning. She hated my guts. Still hates it, I'm guessing.

It's been 6 years. It was my first and last time to babysit little girls. I don't even want to think about it right now. This is the worst thing that could happen.

I'll be spending a week in hell.