Bending The Rules

Mel

I push open the door to Quick Trip, pulling my hood up over my face. I go to the beer and grab it, then go to the counter. I know it's stupid. But I have to keep the people I love safe. "Cigarettes."

"No offense ma'am, but aren't you too young?"

I smile at him and slip a knife from my pocket. "Nope. I'm the right age. And I said cigarettes. Now."

The man had gone pale as soon as he saw my knife and he nodded. "H-how many?"

How many would Alex want? A lot. Definitely. "Fifteen. Hand 'em over. Then let me walk out." He grabbed the cigarettes but hesitated. I clench the knife in my hand and stare at him, my eyes angry. "Hurry up or the knife will be the least of your worries."

The man gulps and gives them to me, and I smile and turn on my heel, leaving Quick Trip and starting up Nate's car again. Then, I'm on the road.

I heard the police sirens and I pulled over, fidgeting as I roll down my window. "Ma'am, you're speeding."

"I'm aware." His eyes lock on the beer and I scowl. "What?"

"Out of the car Miss."

"Over my dead body." And with those words, the officer opens the door and begins to pat me down. He finds the knife in my pocket, and my pistol in my boot. "Get your hands off!"

"Search her car," the officer grunts as he looks at his friend, holding my arms. My jaw drops and I try to wriggle away.

"You're violating my rights! Illegal search and seizure! This isn't fair!" I begin yelling at the officer, especially when he pulls out the beer and cigarettes. I growl a little as he looks at me.

"We're taking you to the station young lady."

"Don't you dare fucking say that to me!" I'm still screaming, even as the officer leads me to the door to his cop car and tries to force me in. "This isn't fair! None of it is! You aren't even asking what my story is!"

"Did you steal 'em?" He pauses his shoving and I nod. "Get into the police car. Now."

"No! I'm not your obedient little-"

I'm cut off as he finally shoves me into the car, and I see an all-to-familiar truck pull up. Then a guy with blonde hair hops out. "Officer wait. That's my sister. She's only seventeen. Our parents are out of town. I need to have her back home."

"Well, she'll be in the local jail. You can get her out I guess." He shrugs and I look at them through the window, bending over and trying not to cry. I'm a failure and I've put them all in trouble.

"Okay. I'll follow you there officer. My sister is a softy. She won't last long in there."

"See ya then kid," he nods to my brother and gets into the car. I stare at my brother, and Nate who has joined him. My brother looks hurt, and I swear the look almost kills me.

***

A few hours later, I'm home. Jason is really mad. "Melissa Frey, you gave me a heart attack! Why do you even need the damn things?"

Nate is at home, but I don't want to be talking about this. I look at him as tears streak my cheeks and I ball my fists. "You don't need to know why, you just need to know you're safe, and you're mom and dad's favorite. It's always Jason this and Jason that. Never Mel. Never. You don't know what it's like!" I slam my palms on the table and I hear the garage door open. Our parents are home.

"Mel-"

"I'm going to take a shower." I disappear up the stairs and into the bathroom, closing and locking the door. As soon as I'm in the shower, I begin crying, because no one can really hear me crying in the shower. They also can't tell that I was crying.

I sit like that, under the stream of water as I cry my eyes out, curling into a little ball.