1974 || 5SOS

Chapter 10

Scarlett

The morning light crept through the cracked blinds, casting thin stripes across the room. I stirred awake, the soft sounds of the world outside blending with the warmth of bodies beside me. The faint scent of whiskey and the lingering echoes of last night's laughter hung in the air, but it was the jarring ring of the telephone that pulled me from the remnants of my dreams.

I blinked a few times, trying to remember where I was. The bed felt impossibly small as I turned my head to find Luke sprawled out on one side, his hair tousled and a peaceful expression on his face, while Ashton lay on the other, a hand resting carelessly on my arm. A wave of warmth washed over me, mingling with the unease brewing in my stomach.

The phone rang again, a shrill sound slicing through the calm. I shot up, heart racing as reality came crashing down. "Oh no, oh no," I muttered, realizing that whoever was calling at this hour had to be important—or worse, my mother.

"Just ignore it," Ashton mumbled sleepily, cracking one eye open, his voice thick with the remnants of last night.

"I can't," I whispered urgently, not wanting to disturb the fragile peace of our tangled morning. "It's my mom. I need to answer it."

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the cool floor against my feet, and fumbled for the phone perched on the small table. My hands shook slightly as I picked up the receiver, the weight of my mother's expectations pressing heavily on my chest.

"Hello?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the knot tightening in my stomach.

"Scarlett! Is that you?" My mother's voice crackled through the line, sharp and demanding. "I KNEW IT! I thought you said you were going to church! How are you on the phone if you're at church?"

I sat up quickly, feeling the adrenaline kick in. "I'm sick, Mom," I lied, glancing at the two boys still sprawled on my bed, their faces peaceful and unaware of my predicament. "I couldn't make it."

"You're sick? Are you resting and drinking lots of water!" she snapped, her tone filled with worry. "Because you know people expect you to help at church. You need to be responsible."

"Yes, I know, I'm sorry! I'll be there next week, and every other day they need me, I promise," I reassured her, trying to keep my voice steady despite the growing anxiety in my chest.

"Are your friends there with you?" she pressed, her voice taking on that familiar motherly tone that suggested I was about to be interrogated.

I paused, weighing my words carefully. "Just my roommates. Don't want to get anyone else sick." It was the safest answer, but I felt the lie twist in my stomach. I added a fake cough at the end to try and make it more believable.

"Alright, you better not be skipping church for wild friends," she warned, the concern evident in her voice.

"Yes, Mom. I promise," I said, trying to sound sincere. I could feel the weight of Ashton and Luke's presence beside me, a reminder of the freedom I was still grappling with. "I'll call you later, okay? I need to go back to sleep."

"Fine, but you call me if you need anything," she replied, her tone softening slightly. "I love you."

"Love you too, Mom," I said, hanging up the phone and taking a deep breath.

Hanging up, I felt the grip of my mother's expectations ease, if only for a moment. Here, with Ashton and Luke, I didn't need to be the Scarlett she thought I was.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," Ashton teased, his voice husky and warm. "How was your phone call? Were you confessing your sins?"

I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile. "More making extra sins I'll have to make up for later."