Senior Year

Chapter twenty three: punishment

The drive home was very silent. I didn’t say one word to them. I sat in the back of Brian’s car as he drove to our home. I felt a mix of emotions. I felt scared, nervous and guilty.

          I felt it was my fault and only my fault. Joe lost his job because of me. I felt as if everything that was going on was totally my fault and only my fault. Everything is a disaster now. Joe lost his job, I’m not a loud to go to prom with Harry, my parents hate me and everyone at school looks at me as if I’m a freak. I just wanted to start the whole school year over. I mean yes, I love Joe but I probably would have never went out with him if I knew all of this would happen.

          My stomach churned as I felt the car park. My parents got out of the car and slammed the doors shut startling me a little. I hesitantly got out the car. My parents were already in the house. I slowly walked in and closed the door. I heard my mom tell me to come in the kitchen. I threw my bag in the floor and walked to the kitchen. Brian was sitting on the stool next to the island while my mom was leaning against the countertop near the stove. I walked in and stood near the sink. There was an awkward silence in the room.               

          “Charlotte, you’re a beautiful girl. You could have any guy. Why your teacher?” My mom asked with a hurt voice. I simply shrugged.

          “Was it for good grades?” She asked.

“No. I would never do that.” I said.

          “Then why Charlotte!? I thought I raised you better this!” She exclaimed.

“I don’t know mom! I don’t know; it kind of just happened!” I yelled as more tears fell down my face. I felt guilty that they were so pissed off at me but I was pissed off at them too. I wish I could just start everything over, but I realized I can’t, and nothing would fix this.

          “Charlotte, we are doing our fuc-” Brian stopped himself.

“Look, you aren’t to see him ever again. If I find out you’re associating with him, I will make sure his ass goes to prison. I’m a lawyer, I can make that happen so don’t test me.” My mom yelled soon stomping out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

          “Your mother and I decided grounded until graduation so far, meaning no prom.” Brian said. Before I could say anything, he walked away. I stood there upset at what just went down. I honestly never knew I could make my mom this upset.

          I shook my head as I shed a tear. I went upstairs to my bedroom. I shut my door and sat on my bed. I stared at my dress which was hanging on my closer door. Immediately, I felt bad for Harry. I have to turn him down for prom now unfortunately. I wiped my tears and grabbed my house phone dialing Harry’s number. The phone rang a few times before I heard Harry’s raspy voice.

          “Hello?” he answered.

“Hey, um I need to talk to you about prom.” I started.

          “Are you okay? You don’t sound like yourself.” He said.

“No, I’m not actually. I can’t go to prom with you.” I blurted out.

          “Wh- what do you mean you can’t go?” he asked.

“Look, I can’t talk. I got to go.” I quickly said and hung up. I threw my phone on my bed. I wiped my face as I felt tears fall down. I felt my breathing get heavier as I sniffled.

          I started to calm down a bit, until my door busted open. Brian and my mom walked through.

          “Give us your phone.” My mom demanded.