This is the first time I'm bringing home more than one friend, and we're going to remove someone from the household - what a fun friend activity. I walk in front, with Zach behind me and the others behind him, up to the door. I hesitate for a moment, but I quickly unlock it before Zach has the chance to once again encourage me.
I've made this decision.
Nobody is in the immediate view downstairs, and I guide my friends inside. Wow, it feels comforting to finally be able to say that - my friends, my friends. Once everyone is inside and I've the door, it dawns on me that I don't know if mom and Chad are home.
"Mom!" I call out.
"Yes, Allison? Home so soon?" her voice sounds from upstairs. Not a moment later does she appear leaning on the balcony, smiling at me before noticing the three guests, "Oh my! Who are they?"
Oh great, this is not what we're here for!
"They're my friends..." I mutter. A bit of a downside to having friends over, I guess. I've never gotten the chance to feel this humility, "But I can introduce you to them later-"
"Hi Megan! Long time no see!" mom goes on. Megan replies back formally with a chuckle.
"Mom, cut it out! Where's Chad-"
"He's upstairs," she quickly dismisses before turning to Evan and Zach, "And who are you two?"
Evan and Zach reply - thank God, Zach didn't call himself Allison Par.
"Nice to meet you two! How long have you all known each other?"
"Mom!" I shout, "Now's not the time!"
She looks at me startled.
"Why not?"
"Because I need to talk to Chad."
"Then go do so while I get to know your friends."
"No! I need you to be there, I need my friends to be there!"
"What is this about?" she asks, abruptly sincere.
My mouth opens to let it all out, but something holds my voice back. I'm hesitant to call it fear, but it probably is. Fucking hell, why am I still nervous? Why am I still terrified!? Fear masking itself as patience! I close my mouth and say softly:
"It's... it's serious... And we all need to be here to hear it."
To that, she seems to realise something is up. She calls Chad down.
"I'm coming!" he shouts, and a few moments later I can hear his footsteps thunder through the house.
To me and Zach the sound of the devil's footsteps permeates the house. I know Zach experiences the same thing, I know it. With each step, my stomach gets more and more twisted, like it's trying to trap my voice. The fear gurgles up by the second.
How should I say it?
Where do I start?
What if I don't make it to the end and break down halfway?
Would mom still be convinced?
Will she even believe me at all?
How will Chad react? Will his mask slip or can he gaslight himself out of this as well?
What if he doesn't care? What if he resorts to violence? Maybe we should have a phone on standby, or is that too much? I don't know anymore. My mind is going blank.
"So, a lot of folk here today," Chad remarks cheerfully, "What's up?" he asks mom.
I look up and into his eyes from across the room, he looks back at mine. Without shifting a muscle in his face, his eyes command and pierce through mine. My legs start feeling weak. The questions I asked myself just now echo through my head, in his voice.
YOU ARE READING
The Swap
Teen Fiction"Where am I? This isn't my room. Wait, this isn't my voice, either! This isn't my body!" Allison Par is a timid girl. She just moved to a new town and her mom started dating a new man. Allison just wants him gone, but she's too terrified to speak up...
