The Bet

That's the one

The loud screeching of the tires is still ringing in Lucas' ears as he and his friends pile out of the car to inspect the damage. The whole front of the car had smashed into, and ran over, a large section of someone's fence, knocking over their mailbox and ruining their lawn in the process. "Shit shit shit." He mumbles underneath his breath, taking his anger out on the closest tire as his friends laugh hysterically in the background. He knew this was the moment he really messed up.

It was close to 3 a.m. so whoever owned the house was more than likely sleeping. However, there was no way in hell they didn't hear the loud noise the car made when he rammed into their front gate and over their precious mailbox.

As he's shushing his friends to be quiet, the front door swings open and out steps an older man with a phone pressed to his ear.

"Wait right there!" He calls out as the boys scurry off, leaving Lucas there alone.

"You there." He points to Lucas, "What's your name?"

"Lucas, sir. Lucas Friar." He answers reluctantly. He knew there was no getting out of this one.

"Friar?" He raises an eyebrow. "Sheriffs kid?"

He nods his head, rolling his eyes slightly. "That's the one."

—

Lucas rubs the sleep out of his eyes as he makes his way down the hall to the bathroom. Last night was a blur, he could barely remember anything, and he wasn't sure if the parts he did remember actually happened. But there was only one way to find out.

After getting ready, he shuffles down the stairs into the kitchen to find his mother and father both sitting at the table. Usually they were already gone, or at the very least on their way out of the door when he gets downstairs. Today however, they were sitting silently, just waiting for him.

"Sit." His father instructs before he has the chance to dart out.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you could've gotten in?" He raises his voice only slightly, but clenches his fist as he speaks. "You should be grateful Mr. Jefferson didn't press charges!"

"Dad, I'm –"

"I don't want to hear it, Lucas." He interrupts. "You could've gotten killed, you could've killed someone...you damaged $1000 worth of that man's property. Count your lucky stars that you're still sitting here and not somewhere in a morgue or a jail cell."

"I know it was stupid –"

"Stupid doesn't begin to cover it, young man." He snarls. "We thought you were over this little reckless phase you were going through but clearly that's not the case. You have officially lost all privileges and you will pay Mr. Jefferson every penny."

"Me? I don't have that kind of money." Lucas stammers, looking to his mom for backup but she just sits there silently, drinking her coffee. "Where am I supposed to get $1000?"

"I suggest you get a job." His father quips, standing from the table to rinse out his dish. "I also suggest you get a move on it before you miss the bus."

"The bus?" He looks to his mother again but still no reaction. "I have a car –"

"Correction. You had a car. Now you have a bus to catch."

♡ ♡ ♡

"So what's the plan for after school today, Luke?" His best friend, Zay asks. He wasn't apart of last night and for that Lucas was thankful. He knew Zay would've stayed behind with him and as much as he hated those other guys for leaving him, he wouldn't wish that for him. Lucas' father might've been strict but Zay's father was 10 times worse.