Escaping RiverCreek

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Aftermath

After getting dressed and escorting Tara home, Cory stands there along the street, making sure she's safely in her bedroom before he heads home to get a little bit of rest.

He's still feeling unlike he ever has before in life. His mind is wrapped around a bit of regret over what occurred, but his body is on cloud nine. The entire walk home, he's torn between the two as they battle for control.

Observing as Cory walks away, Tara stands there in her window, nervous over the worry about the change she knows is coming.

God, I was so stupid! Can't change that now, but maybe it won't be that bad.

After he's out of her line of sight, she changes into something comfortable. Curled up on the bed, she slides under the covers, falling asleep with a smile on her face, reminiscing.

Sneaking back to his house, Cory decides to take off running when the snow begins to fall again. His main concern now is keeping his promise to Tara. When he reaches his window and crawls back through, he quickly shuts it, gets undressed down to his boxers, and climbs into bed.

"Oh, man, I can still smell her," he says in a low tone as her scent lingers on the pillow.

With his eyes to indulge in the memory, he passes out until the late morning hours.

"Cory, son, it's going on eleven. Time to get up," his mother calls, cracking open his door.

Stirring from his pillow, he barely picks up his head, grunting at his mom.

"Ugh, go away, Mom. It's Sunday!"

She cackles for a moment. "Come on. Rick's done called twice for you. That means to get up and get moving, or else." She shoots him an evil glare as he flops back over on his bed.

Less than two minutes later, she sneaks back into his room with a pitcher full of cool water. From the edge of his bed, she lets him have it. The effect is almost instant when the water lands all over Cory. After he sits straight up, his mother makes a dash for the door, laughing the entire way.

"Not funny, Mom!" he yells, tossing the blankets off.

Grabbing his clothes, he quickly gets cleaned up and changes his bed linens. By the time he's getting ready to head out to the kitchen, Rick calls for him again.

"Cory, phone!" his mom yells from the living room.

"Coming," he responds, coming down the hallway.

Taking the phone from his mother's hand, he's quickly greeted. "Hey, Rick, what's up?"

"Yo, meet me at the point. We gotta talk!"

Cory, trying to keep a straight face, simply says, "Yeah, sure. Be there in a bit."

Rick hangs up, and Cory goes over to place the phone back on charge when he's stopped by his mother.

"I have something to ask you, and I want the truth."

"Uh, yeah, Mom." Cory is wide-eyed, facing away from her.

"Did Tara have a good time here last night?"

Cory's eyes transform to the size of an owl's when he hears that question.

"Uh, it was fine. We just talked. She was upset about her friend from back home giving her a hard time."

He can hear his mother huff.

"Do you think I'm that stupid, son?"

Cory tries to keep from cringing as he turns around. "No, Mom. I swear, that's all that happened."