Chasing Stars

The Meeting

Gerard was escorted over to me and with every step I shrank a little further into my seat. I hoped it would swallow me whole. Gerard pulled up the seat next to me and sat down. I could feel his eyes on me and if looks could kill, I'd be with my mom right now.

"Rylynn, it looks like you ran away one other time. Is that correct?" The cop said from behind his desk. I nodded unable to find my voice. "In New Jersey?" I nodded again. "How did that turn out?" I knew I had to speak at this point and it was killing me.

"Not to well," I muttered. The cop nodded again gaining my eye contact.

"Here's the thing, I should be turning you over to a judge, this isn't the first time you've runaway and you ran from a police officer." I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I bagged them not to fall. "I think you're probably a good kid that did a stupid thing and well I called the other police officer that saw you last time, just to see if anything was left out of the report. He has convinced me to let you leave with your dad." I heard a sigh of relief from next to me. "Officer DePre said you tend to do stupid things, that you push your parents to the limits. He also said you are a good kid, one that would know when you've gone to far. One that has done a lot for your home community and he has no doubt that you'll go on to do great things. All that being said, I must ask how do you know Officer DePre?"

"He was my mom's best friend," I said softly.

"Well I'd thank him next time you see him. I'd also keep in mind that this is the last time you'll be saved by Officer DePre. Next time you are looking at going in front of a judge and community service at the very least. Keep both feet in line, got it?" He asked. I nodded. He stood up and assisted me in standing and removed my hand cuffs.

"Thank you officer," Gerard said extending his hand. They shock hands. Gerard gripped my upper arm to led me out as we were escorted to the front. As the large doors shut, Gerard's hand did not loosen. No words were spoken and I knew I was in some serious shit. Gerard led me to the car and opened my door, not releasing his grip until I was fully seated. He slammed my door shut. I sighed, placing my seatbelt on. We pulled onto the highway heading back towards the house. The tension was beyond thick.

"I'm sorry," I muttered barely above a whisper.

"Is that all you have to say?" he said with venom.

"I'm really sorry," I attempted only to receive a glare.

"Try again," Gerard said still pissed. I sighed in defeat.

"I fucked up okay, I know. I did something I shouldn't have and I'm trying to apologize for it."

"You could have died! You could have been kidnapped! God Rylynn you had me terrified!" he shouted.

"I know. I have no excuse," I said looking at my feet.

"Is this all because you didn't want to go to school?" I was silent. "You got pissed that I said no so you decided to take it upon your own volition to do what you wanted? God Rylynn, what the fuck where you thinking?" He was yelling at this point and I couldn't blame him. We pulled off of the high way and on to the main road that led to the house.

"I wasn't thinking," I said quietly in reply.

"Well that much is evident," he shouted. "What was your plan? Huh? Skip school and what, go to the movies? The mall? Go do drugs?" I was quiet to his questions. "Runaway? Leave me worried? Wondering if you're alive or dead?" I let the questions be shouted with no retort. No anger, no anything. I laid my head back against the headrest and closed my eyes. His questions and accusations continued as we pulled into the garage. He shut the car off and turned towards me. I allowed my head to roll to the side.