The Rhodes Method

sixteen

Don't bring me to tеars when I just did my makeup so nice
Heartbreak is one thing, my ego's another
I beg you, don't embarrass me, motherfucker
--- Please Please Please, Sabrina Carpenter

OCTAVIA RHODES

Damien leaves at exactly eleven forty-two at night.

Logan's out drinking with his friends, Myles has been asleep for hours, and Vince is hidden in his soundproof office. It is the perfect time to escape.

Of course, I can't follow him. Damien takes his car. So he leaves me no choice but to call Reid again.

He picks up on the first ring. "Tavia?"

"Can you pick me up?" I whisper into my phone. Then I add, "Oh, and don't tell my brother."

The conversation is quick. I explain to Reid that I'm coming with them to Mason's apartment whether he drives me or not. I feel bad for using Reid (because the ultimatum is that if he doesn't drive me, then I walk at night by myself) but there's nothing else I can do. Luckily for me, all Reid does is chuckle into the speaker and promise he'll be here in ten.

I leave my phone at home after I receive Reid's 'I'm here' text. Then I throw on a black hoodie, and I am gone.

Tonight, the night is heavy. There are no stars seen for miles.

Reid parks a few houses down. He smiles at me as I hop into the shotgun.

"Hey," he greets me. "I haven't seen you in a while."

We saw each other last night. I was drunk and probably dumb and sad. I can't remember what I told him exactly.

"Hey," I end up responding. "Is Damien there already?"

"He texted me. Check my phone while I drive."

I do. Damien has sent him three texts.

The first: 10 minutes away, hurry up

The second: where are you

And the third, my personal favourite: octavias not coming so don't respond to her calls

I smirk and set down the phone. Reid glances at me and then back at the road.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing important," I laugh. I stare out the window before my eyes meet his. "Were you friends with Mason?"

"Not really. Damien knew him better."

"Oh," I say.

We settle into a silence that I do not know what to make of. Reid drums his fingers on his steering wheel and shoots me looks while I look for my words.

Eventually, he lets me know, "My family owns a small place near the beach."

I turn to him. "Hm?"

"We all go down in the summer, but my parents are on a business trip over the next few months, so I was wondering if you wanted to go down with me."

I blink. "Actually?"

"Yeah."

I laugh emptily. "I don't think I'll have time this summer. I have a bunch of competitions next year for ice hockey that are the real deal, so I have to train for them. Besides, uh, I think most of our time will be busy with this whole thing."