Diamond Names (ON HOLD//EDITING)

Fourteen

Before long, the pizza box was filled with crumbs and leftover crusts. The room seemed quieter than normal. Then again, everyone else in the building would probably be asleep by now.

Julia took in the scene around her. Liam was deep into a science fiction novel while Allie sat next to him, braiding Eva's curly brown hair. Miles finished his last piece of pizza, and Kristen took a sip from her coffee mug.

The door swung open after a minute and Tyler entered, smiling. "Alright, let's get down to business," he announced.

Everyone quieted down and moved back into their usual circle.

Tyler rubbed his hands together mischievously. "We're coming up on our third week of classes, and our fifth meeting is next week. I'm sure most of you know what that means." He glanced over at Julia. "Tonight we'll start planning for our first heist."

The kids celebrated as loud as they were able. Miles and Eva high fived; Liam and the other girls cheered.

"What do you mean by heist?" Julia asked, growing slightly concerned.

Tyler shrugged. "Just think of it as your...initiation into our group." The smirk on his face was growing bigger by the second.

Kristen laughed to herself as she took another sip of coffee. "Come on, Tyler, let the kid have a little fun."

"We're gonna steal something!" Allie whispered excitedly. Everyone shushed her repeatedly.

Julia felt all the color drain from her face. "We're going to what?"

Miles groaned. "Nice going, Hurvey."

"Sorry! I got excited." Allie rolled her eyes.

"Wait, wait." Julia turned to Tyler. "We're going to steal something? That's my initiation?"

"Relax, Castle." Tyler placed a hand on her shoulder. "It will only be something small. Nobody will notice it's missing."

"I'll notice," Julia muttered under her breath.

"It's standard procedure," Tyler said. "If you successfully complete the heist objective, you'll be allowed to attend the start of classes party Brenway Hall hosts every year."

"Party?" Any color that had returned to Julia's face immediately disappeared. The party...

"Oh, shit!"

"Only the top students are allowed in, but I've got some pull there," Tyler continued, in an attempt to reassure her. "I'll be allowed to get you in."

"No, I've-I've got to go. Now." Julia jumped up and ran out.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

How could she forget about the teachers' party? She looked down at the jeans and graphic tee she was wearing. This was not how her mother described "casual". But she didn't have time to change...it would have to do.

Julia sprinted across campus to the main administrative building and down to the teacher's lounge. She could hear classy jazz music playing behind the door. She groaned and looked down at her clothes as she realized, with dread, that she was entirely underdressed.

Slowly she knocked on the door, her cheeks burning. She was never going to hear the end of this.

After a minute the door swung open. Mr. McLennon stood staring at her, with his tie slightly crooked. He was a bit tipsy.

"Julia! How nice of you to join us!" he slurred slightly.

Julia smiled weakly. "Hi, Mr. McLennon."

Emory came into view at the other side of the room, dressed in a floor length black gown. She locked eyes on her daughter. "Julia."

She was angry - Julia could tell just by her tone of voice. She watched with dread as her mother looked her up and down.

"You're late."

Julia looked down at her feet. "I know. I'm sorry."

"And this is not what I meant when I told you 'casual'."

She sighed. "You weren't exactly specific..."

Emory crossed her arms. "You stand there and accuse me, but where were you at the time?"

"I-" Julia stopped. Was it really smart to tell her mother that she had been with Tyler? She knew questions would be asked regardless. She never liked Tyler, anyway. Besides, the Light's Men was a secret group. Mentally she felt relieved.

"I was in the library doing homework and lost track of time," she lied, trying to sound as guilty as possible. "Really, I'm sorry."

Emory showed no emotion on her face. Julia held her breath, waiting for the verdict.

"The party is almost over, and you have classes tomorrow. You can just go back to your dorm and finish your work." She began to turn away.

Julia scoffed. "That's it?" she asked. 

Emory turned around, her eyebrows raised. "Excuse me?"

"I may have been late, but I showed up, didn't I? I did what you asked. And maybe I didn't dress appropriately, but half of the teachers here are drunk and won't remember the outfit I wore."

Anger flashed in her mother's eyes. "Don't take that tone with me." She spoke clearly and slowly. "I told you to go home."

The room had grown steadily quiet. Several of the people present had stopped talking - and drinking - and were listening in on their conversation.

Julia sighed and turned away. "See you in class." She stormed out and the door slammed loudly behind her.

Author's Note:

Ouch.

I really have nothing else to say.

While my mom is my teacher, she's not nearly as stuffy...or famous, for that matter. I've never gone to any fancy teacher parties so this story is more dramatic. 

Sorry it took so long to update; writer's block sucks. The next few chapters (if I ever get them published) will be about the upcoming heist. Will Julia be successful? Will she be able to go to the secret party? Stay tuned!

Please remember to vote, comment, follow and share! Thanks xmxjxj

Song: One Mint Julep by Ray Charles (Saving Mr. Banks)