Troubled | alex turner

fifteen

autumn chloe radford

Christmas was getting closer and closer. You could tell by the lit trees, fat Santas crowding all the department stores, and the sales within them of course. Christmas carols filled the air, and it seemed like we only needed a sprinkle of festivity to forget about the bank robbery.

Weather was chilly in Boston. That was the only good thing about this time of year. I've learned to only appreciate cold weather. So here I was, with the bunch of pussies that liked to call themselves the razor roses. Sitting in the garage, we were all wrapped up in thick blankets and wooly jumpers, with maybe two cheap ass heaters. The garage door was shut to keep us warm.

"How are we supposed to do anything in this fucking weather," Leo huffed. He was still grumpy because he hadn't received anal in some time.

"Take your anger out on Drew, not us," Luke laughed, running his hand through his quiff. I sat in between him and Taylor. For some reason, that little shit was unbelievably warm. "What the hell, Luke," I muttered.

"Some people have warmer blood than others," he winked, and I rolled my eyes.

"Don't be grumpy," Taylor smiled, pulling on my cheeks. "I'll call Alex if you want me to."

"For God's sake," I laughed.

"Why haven't I heard about this before?" Luke asks, and Leo points at him in agreement.

"Because it isn't important," I sighed, and shifted to find me an organic cigarette and lighter.

"As opposed to?" Leo asks, looking at me and waiting for me to complete his sentence.

"The trial," I say rubbing my hands together before I lit up my cigarette. They all looked at me, giving me approval to continue with what I was saying. I inhaled. "We planted it on the CEO right?"

"Yeah," Leo smiled.

"Great idea too," Taylor winked and I winked back.

"They really do suspect him and so he's going on trial for his alleged robbery," I sigh and take another long puff.

"Fucking hell," Luke breathes.

"Do we really want to do this Autumn? Blame an innocent man?" Leo says quietly, fumbling with his fingers.

I rolled my eyes. "You could really use an oral, Leo," I laughed, and everyone shook their heads at me. Most specifically Leo.

"I'm serious," Leo says sternly.

"So am I," I said and tapped off some of the ash that was forming. "Honestly, Leo. We have to let him take the blame. We can't spend our lives in jail or community service or whatever shit they expect us to do. We're much smarter than that. I can't leave mum-" I stopped myself. "You see what I mean."

Leo looks around, then looks at me. He nods. I rip the blankets off me and a harsh breeze smacks me in the face. "I'm off, see you in school."

"Bye!" They all exclaim as I walk off to my motorbike. I was in three layers and yet I was still cold. A white top, a flannel and a leather jacket. This was the only time of year where I wore a helmet, so it could keep my ears warm.

The engine roared after I placed my black helmet on which protected me from the wild slaps of wind that I typically felt as I rode through Boston. I went to the nearest Target to buy a couple things.

Before I knew it, I was at the checkout with a handful of stuff for Mum and Dad. "Sixty five dollars and fifty cents please," the lady at the till smiled, and I handed her a hundred dollar note. I waited to receive change and a receipt.

My eyes flicker to my wrist watch only to see that it was half three; sunset was only an hour away. Gotta love the winter time. She hands me the change and receipt. "Thanks," I half smile, and hang the bag on my cycle before driving to the hospital which was ten minutes away.

I ring Penny at a red light, whilst putting in her earphones. "Hello, Penny," I say, first thing as she answers the phone.

"Hi, Autumn. How are you? Wasn't expecting your call-"

"Yeah I get it, Pen. You wanted to go home, and I'm sorry but I just have to see them. I know you have to see your family because of the holiday season and all that shit-"

Penny coughed uncomfortably. I knew she hated it when I swore, because it was such a profanity or something but I really couldn't care less. "Not a bother, come by Autumn. They aren't at their best but I'm sure they'd love to see you," She says politely.

"Right, see you in ten," I say and end the call as soon as the traffic light turns green.

A few minutes pass, I've parked my motorbike and am walking towards the rehab centre. The sunset is at it's very beginning. The sky was filled with red, light blue, orange, lilac and yellows that were extremely faded and grey; it was only the beginning and soon enough the colours will brighten with time.

I use the lift to go to the second floor and go straight to Dr Penny Turner's (M.D) office. There she is, in her chair with Alex opposite her, looking like she was getting rid of him. I knocked on the door, "Hey, Pen."

"Hello, Autumn," She smiles, "I'll take you to your parents," she says, and I stare at Alex. Great: he knows. I follow her, and mum and dad are unconscious. She says that they will be for a while, and I should leave my stuff there.

As I am about to leave, she stops me. "Autumn, I do need to talk to you about something," She says, looking dead at me.

"Ok, cool," I say casually, "text me."

"Not about your parents, Autumn. About you," she says and I automatically sigh. What could she possibly want to say to me? I nod and she continues. "You're in your senior year, Autumn. Almost eighteen, and this comes with a lot of responsibility, and you deserve a bit of a break from that. Especially for the holidays."

"I don't remember ever celebrating christmas or new years. There's no need to start," I reply.

She sighs. "I understand, Autumn. We don't make a big deal of new years or christmas, either. We have a very small get together, and I would very much enjoy it if you would stay with us for the holidays."

I roll my eyes. She thinks I can't handle anything at all. "I'll think about it, Pen."

"Please Autumn," She pleads, and in the corner of my eye, I see Alex. More time with Alex? Why not.

"I'll join you after the holidays. Let me know the rest later," I say, and step in the lift. This really was going to be a Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year.