The Devil's Pawn

Chapter 24

“You’re kidding.” Erica said with her eyes wide with surprise. “You’ve absolutely got to be kidding me right now.”

                I stared at the food before me, not making eye contact with any of people around me. All four of them stared in shock at my news. I bit my lip nervously, shaking my head regretfully, “I’m completely serious.”

                “So she didn’t find out about the party?” Fits asked, confused.

                “She didn’t know why I was going to over there, but she knows that I was there.” I mumbled quietly.

                “I…” Trenton shook his head in disbelief next to me. “I’m sorry, Tay…”

                I shrugged it off, trying to ignore the stupor my mother had sent me in, “It’s not your fault. We were both being loud. I shouldn’t have even had anything to drink to begin with.”

                Tanner whistled softly, “That majorly sucks ass. She’s driving you to and from school too? Aren’t you eighteen yet?”

                I nodded, “Yes, but where would I go? And I have college in my near future. How would I pay for that without her help?”

                “Get a job?” Erica suggested.

                “It would take three jobs to get through the first year, at least.” I mumbled. I dropped my cheek into the palm of my hand, sighing. “I just have to wait the punishment out. Eventually she has to forgive me, right?”

                “Eventually…” Fits mumbled. “So no more Friday nights for you?”

                I shook my head, “Nope.”

                “And you can’t come over to my house for ‘projects’ again?” Erica frowned slightly.

                “She wants to talk to your parents before I ever go over to your house, and even then, she wants you to come over to mine first. That way she can watch over us and make sure we’re working.” I said.

                Erica frowned, “That’s so lame.”

                “Tell me about it.”

                Trenton wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me against him. I leaned my head on his shoulder, knowing this would be the only time we would get to talk to each other. Erica and Fits exchanged a look, but I didn’t pay attention to the meaning.

                “We’ll sneak you out.” Tanner suggested

                I snorted, “You don’t know my mother. She’ll know if I go to the bathroom. There’s no way I could sneak out.”

                “Nothing’s impossible.” He smiled encouragingly.

                I shook my head, staring at my food once again. “Let’s just drop the subject. I thought you guys should know since I can’t do anything for a while.”

                “What if we pretended to kidnap you?” Fits offered.

                Erica slapped him upside the head, “And what would happen when her mom finds out she’s still going to school? What kidnapper lets the kid go to school?”

                “She could just ditch…”

                “This is Taylor, Fits. Not you. She’s not going to ditch school.”