Guilty As Charged

Chapter 7

I was up all night, thinking of what I had dreamt of when I took a nap the night before. I couldn't get it off my mind. Could Derek have the potential to kill someone? I just met him, it just wouldn't make sense at all. I sighed, rolled out of my bed and took a shower. It was already 5 A.M, I had to get ready for school. Once I finished my shower, I turned on my desktop to see if I received an email back from Derek, which I did.

I was nervous to read what he had said, so I took a breath and opened the email.

To: Tabitha
From: Derek
Time: 5:08A.M.

Hey, sorry I couldn't get to you yesterday, I had a lot of work to do for my classes. I hope you can understand. I will see you here shortly for our walk to school.

-Derek

I smiled as I read the email. It was short but sweet. I knew that he had homework. I then realized I couldn't let him know about the dream. I then took a moment to write back.

To: Derek
From: Tabitha
Time: 5:14A.M.

Hey! Sounds good! No worries! Homework is always a first! I can't wait to see you guys!

-Tabitha

I hit the send button and finished getting ready. I tried to cover my eyes with eyeshadow to hide the fact that I was up all night and grabbed my sunglasses, placed them in my purse, and ran downstairs to have my bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios.

There sat my Dad, worn and tired from the night before, he looked over at me, "Hey Princess," he smiled at me, his tired smile, "Do you need a lift to school today?" he offered, politely. I shook my head, "No thanks, I'm just going to walk with Beatrix and two of our new friends. Maybe another day?" I say as I grabbed my bowl and poured myself a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. I hate blowing him off like this but I also don't want to blow off my friends either.

"No problem kiddo, I'm sorry I haven't been around much. The office is insane at this time of year and Mrs. Baxter has been up to my ass this past week." My Dad said softly and let out a low yawn, "Here's some money if you change your mind and want to take the bus home." He said as he handed me a five dollar bill.

The Mrs. Baxter? The suppose Mrs. Baxter works with My Dad?! Am I hearing my father right?! I hope she doesn't fire my father because her daughter got suspended because of me. I didn't want to tell him. Not yet anyway. I couldn't bear the thought of him losing his job. He was the breadwinner. I'm not even 16 to get a job yet. If he loses his job, we could go homeless. I couldn't bear the thought. My father deserves a promotion at least or a new job elsewhere. Anywhere but being horsed around by Mrs. Baxter.

I sighed and took the money, not that I needed it but just for his and my own safety, "I love you dad. Don't ever forget that." I say as I gave him a big hug. He returned the hug, "Love you too princess." he says as he placed his coffee mug in the sink. He gave me a smile and wave, "I'm off to work now, call me if you need anything." I gave him a smile back, "Will do dad." I say as he walked out and Beatrix walked in.

"Whoa, has your dad gotten any sleep?" Beatrix whispered to me as my dad leaves. She always worried about my dad but I just nodded. "What do you expect? He works with Andrea's mom," I say as I took a bite out of my cereal, "I just found out." I said, honestly. Beatrix's eyes widen, "Say what?! Your dad works with the bitch who gave birth to another bitch?!" she exclaimed. I couldn't blame her, I would be in her shoes too.

I nodded, "The worse part is that she has been up to his ass lately and I'm hoping she doesn't know about Andrea's suspension was because of me," I sighed, "What have I done?" I asked as I looked at Beatrix. Beatrix just looked at me, long and hard, "Just hope your dad doesn't get fired." She gave me a big hug. I smiled, "That's what I was thinking," I say as I placed my bowl into the sink, "Derek wrote back to me."

Beatrix smiled, "And? What did he say?" She asks eagerly. I could tell she couldn't hold off her excitement. I turned to her, "He couldn't get back to me because of homework." I say then I remembered the dream I had last night, "Bee, I had a dream last night, well, more like a nightmare." I say biting my lip. "What happened?" She asks as she got close to me, "I promise I won't say anything." I didn't know if I should tell her. She is my best friend after all but this was absurd, it was only a nightmare. I then held out my pinkie finger.

"What? What are we eight?" Beatrix laughs and I just stared at her right in the eye, "You have to pinkie promise me that you cannot say anything to anyone, your parents, Alex, and especially Derek." I said coldly. She then realized how serious this was. She holds up her pinkie finger, up next to mine, and said:

"I promise."

I then latched my pinkie with her pinkie.