Entanglement of Time

Chapter 8: Lawbreakers

Summary: Jill and Kirby finally get their asses out of Atlanta to check on everyone, and Amber and Jill get up to some petty crime shenanigans much to the disapproval of Kirby.

⚠: Petty crimes, stealing, evading the police, suggested underage drinking, and smut.

CRIMES PORTRAYED WITHIN THIS CHAPTER ARE FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
DO NOT COPY ANY CRIMES PORTRAYED.

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The shrill clang of the school bell echoed through the hallway, signaling the end of another day. Students shuffled out of their desks, conversations bubbling up like a stream breaking free. Tara slipped her book into her backpack, zipping it shut with a practiced motion before swinging it over her shoulder. The bustling tide of classmates surged toward the doors, some heading to the student parking lot, others to the cafeteria for bus dismissal, and a few toward the front of the school for rides.

Tara found herself drifting with the crowd, her mind already elsewhere. She decided to hitch a ride with Amber today. Sam was likely busy, and spending time with Amber might give her the chance she needed to get hold of that phone—her ticket to uncovering Richie's texts and potentially stopping the chain of events she knew too well.

With a resigned sigh, she stepped out into the warm afternoon sun, the light casting a golden hue over the student parking lot. The faint scent of asphalt hung in the air, mingling with the faint, familiar aromas of fast food wafting from nearby cars. Tiredness seeped into her bones, and she quickened her pace, scanning the rows of vehicles for Amber's unmistakable truck.

Finding it parked in its usual spot, Tara approached the vehicle, noticing that Amber wasn't there yet. She hesitated for a moment, then opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat. The truck was warm from sitting in the sun all day, and the faint scent of leather and Amber's subtle vanilla air freshener filled the space. Closing the door behind her, Tara slung her backpack to the floor between her feet and pulled out her phone, her fingers typing a quick message to Sam.

Heading home with Amber. Should be back around seven or eight. Let me know if you need anything.

Satisfied, she leaned back in her seat, her gaze wandering out the window as the minutes stretched on. The quiet hum of the truck enveloped her, a sharp contrast to the chatter and laughter still emanating from the lot. She was just about to check her messages again when the driver's side door opened. Amber climbed in with her characteristic fluidity, her expression softening when her eyes landed on Tara.

"You catching a ride with me today?" Amber asked, reaching into her back pocket to retrieve her phone. She placed it carefully into the well-worn mount on the dashboard.

Tara smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, I just texted Sam about it. You're cool with that, right?"

Amber smirked, her gaze lingering on Tara for a moment longer than usual. "Of course I am. Mi casa es tu casa," she quipped, her tone light and teasing.

They chuckled softly, the sound filling the small space. Despite the laughter, Tara couldn't help but think of how different things felt now compared to the original timeline. Back then, Amber had been a constant presence in her life until the slow, subtle shift—likely when Richie entered the picture. Amber had grown distant, her warmth replaced by a coldness Tara hadn't understood until it was too late.

Now, though, things were different. Amber hadn't pushed her away, and Tara clung to the hope that their intervention had been enough to keep her from spiraling into Richie's manipulative orbit.