Tainted → Justin Bieber

SIXTEEN.

THIRD PERSON.

Lacey sat on her bed, her legs crossed and her fingers instinctively playing with the ends of her hair. It's been almost three hours since she'd came home and got yelled at for going to that party on Midland Avenue. She had time to sober up and though she was still pissed, her anger had simmered down some. She still couldn't believe Justin ratted her out. Her biggest question was why? After he smiled in her face and told her that he would cover for her, he didn't. He betrayed her. She wished that she could go over to his house and give him a piece of her mind right now but seeing that it was three in the morning, she knew that he would most likely be sleeping.

Lacey was pulled away from her thoughts at the sound of her bedroom door opening. In stepped her father, taking her by surprise. She sat up straight at the sight of him, averting her gaze to the floor. Whenever she received a lecture, it was usually from her mother, never her father. She didn't know how well this one would play out.

"I thought you'd be asleep," he breathed as he took a seat on the edge of her bed. "I'm glad that you're not because we need to talk."

Lacey sat in silence, feeling awkward in her fathers presence. She was taken aback that he actually wanted to talk to her. It's been a while since they've talked.

"For one, I want to apologize for yelling at you earlier," he cleared his throat. "It's just that your mother and I want the best for you. Being on that side of town will do nothing but ruin you."

"You guys always say that," Lacey uttered in a quiet tone. "But you never tell me why. I've been over there more times than you guys have and nothings happened to me."

"There's nothing over that way besides hormonal teenagers who throw parties at any given opportunity, take drugs, and disturb the peace. Being on that side of town has ruined her sister and she's gotten herself into a situation that she will never be able to get herself out of. That's why you haven't seen her in the past three years."

"What do you mean she's gotten herself in a situation she can't get out of?" Lacey asked.

Her father sighed and told her, "Your mother and I have decided that it's better if you don't know. We just don't want you following in her footsteps. We can't keep you from doing what you want to do but we only hope that you will oblige by our rules. You'll be better off if you do."

The blonde rolled her eyes. She wished that her family didn't keep secrets from her. Maybe she wouldn't rebel if they were honest with her and told her things, if they made her apart of the family again.]'

Her father got up from her bed and leaned over her, kissing her on her forehead. "Good night princess, I love you."

Lacey gave a fake smile as she watched her dad leave her room. The minute the door closed, she fell back and heaved out a huge breath that she didn't realize she was holding. She shut her eyes and tried her best to fall into a sleep. That way, tomorrow would come soon, as well as her conversation with Justin.

--

By three that afternoon, the temperature had risen by a lot. These were the days Lacey wished she had a car. She'd get to drive in an air conditioned car opposed to walking home from work in ninety degree weather.

She walked down her street with her earphones plugged in her ears, listening to her favorite singer,
Ed Sheeran. As she neared Justin's house, she immediately became angry all over again. The incident from last night was the only thing that she was able to think about all day at work. Her co-worker Brian had to constantly repeat orders to her and when he asked her if something was wrong all she seemed to picture in her mind was Justin standing before her parents, snitching on her. Nevertheless, she answered with a small no and continued working.