𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐨, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫

𝟗: 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

"Elizabeth Violet Young!"

Her full name echoed through the room the moment she stepped inside her house. She barely had a chance to breathe before her father began scolding her. She closed the door and set her bag down. "Yes?" she asked, confused.

"Don't play innocent," her father snapped. "We know what happened at school!"

Elizabeth sighed and walked into the kitchen. "I told you that Walter boy was a bad influence. First, he breaks your heart, and now he's in a fight with a boy you just went out with?" Kassidy scolded.

"Yes, I understand. Cole's a bad influence. Can I go up to my room now?" Elizabeth said. "Do you see the disrespect?" Kassidy turned to Jeremy.

"Elizabeth," her father sighed, approaching her. "You're coming home late, getting in the middle of fights, and drinking? This isn't who you are."

"Well, I haven't been myself since my mother died. I'm so sorry," Elizabeth said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Elizabeth..." her father began, but Kassidy interrupted him. "You shouldn't be allowed to see that Walter boy. In fact, you shouldn't see any boy without our permission. The boys you choose are clearly not the right ones."

Kassidy turned to Jeremy. "We should arrange for her to meet Jenna's son from Lockwood. He's a very respectable young man."

"I'd rather eat shit than date someone from Lockwood," Elizabeth retorted as she turned away.

"Wait, young lady, we're not finished!" Kassidy shouted. "What else is there to say? Or do you just enjoy scolding me?" Elizabeth countered, silencing Kassidy, and then continued walking upstairs.

She grabbed her overnight bag and began packing it. Elizabeth had planned a sleepover with Grace after school, knowing home would be tense. Although she knew her parents would likely forbid her from going anywhere, she decided she wouldn't bother asking for their permission. If they saw her as a troublemaker, she might as well act the part.

Her phone rang, and she saw Grace's name pop up on the screen. Elizabeth answered, holding the phone to her ear. "Hey, I'm about to head out. Just waiting for the right moment," she told Grace.

"Are you sure it's okay not telling your parents?" Grace asked. "As long as you're comfortable lying to yours," Elizabeth said.

"Absolutely, I'm fine with it," Grace agreed.

"Plus, I found some wilderness camp pamphlets on the kitchen counter, so I'm past the point of fear now." Elizabeth said.

"Okay, well, my mom ordered pizza and wings, so hurry up before it's all gone," Grace said.

Elizabeth chuckled. "Got it. See you in a few. Love you," she said, hanging up the phone.

With her bag packed, Elizabeth headed downstairs. She noticed her parents weren't in the living room or kitchen. She went to the dining room and peeked out the window to see them on the back porch. Seizing the opportunity, Elizabeth wrote a note about where she was going and pinned it to the fridge with a magnet before leaving the house.

__

"Thanks for letting me stay over," Elizabeth said, expressing her gratitude as Grace painted her nails while they sat on the bed. This was part of their girls' night tradition: painting each other's nails, watching scary movies, and eating a bunch of snacks. It was girlhood to them.

"I just didn't want to be home tonight because, well...you know," Elizabeth added.

"Of course, don't worry about it," Grace responded, focused on Elizabeth's nails. "Okay, what do you think of Mango Flame?" she asked.