Run

Chapter 8

"What exactly do you think you're doing skipping school AND bringing a boy over while we're out?" Wyatt asks sternly.

I open my mouth to defend myself but am swiftly cut off.

"What are you wearing?" He asks with immediate horror crossing his face.

"You," Kieth points at Cedric, "Out."

I quickly jump in front of him before Kieth can grab him, "Stop! Leave him alone."

"Kit," Wyatt shakes his head sternly.

"You, young lady, will be dealt with shortly," Kieth pushes past me and grabs Cedric by the arm.

"No!" I try to grab Cedric's other arm but Wyatt grabs me, holding me back.

"Kit, it's okay." Cedric quickly offers a consolatory smile  before being escorted away.

I try to push Wyatt away but he's too strong. Kieth returns before Wyatt lets me go.

"It isn't what you think," I immediately defend.

"Oh it isn't?" Kieth asks sarcastically, "So you weren't just trying to sneak a teenage boy up to your room."

"Not for what you think!"

"Kit," Wyatt looks almost sympathetic, "You're smarter than this."

"He was helping me." I frown.

"With what?" Kieth asks skeptically.

I kick my duffel bag towards them, "I tried to leave last night."

They both look at me with a mixture of anger and disappointment.

"Cedric convinced me to come back and talk to you guys." I could feel myself getting even more upset, "And you just kicked him out!"

"What made you think that leaving would solve anything?" Wyatt asks with annoyance.

"Everyone would be happier then!" I retort angrily, "You said it yourself," I confront Kieth, "All I do is agitate and ruin everything."

"Well hold on a minute. I never said that," Kieth defends himself.

"Kit," Wyatt ignores Kieth's efforts, "He didn't mean that. We want you in our lives, otherwise we wouldn't care so much!"

"Cedric is the only reason I didn't keep going," I state firmly.

"Kit, I understand that you feel close to him, but you literally just met him." Wyatt rationalizes.

"I just met you." I point out.

They look frustrated but so was I so I didn't feel much sympathy toward them.

"I'm sorry that we haven't made you feel at home, but we're trying here." Wyatt looks rather sincere.

"We need a little effort from you too," Kieth spoke softly.

I cross my arms with frustration.

"I've never done this before," I state calmly, "I've never been part of a real family."

"We didn't really have a conventional childhood either," Kieth smiles.

"We're also in new territory," Wyatt admits, "We take in troubled boys and they are much different than you. We really don't want to screw this up but we have no idea what we're doing."

I sigh. I really haven't been fair to them.

"How about this," Kieth offers, "We unground you as long as you promise to help us with dinner every night. You can also see Cedric, but it has to be in this house and he's not allowed in your room."

I furrow my eyebrows. I didn't like their assumptions that Cedric would try anything. We were friends, that's it. But I suppose if it makes them happy, I can agree to their terms.

"That sounds fairly reasonable," I nod.

"Good!" Kieth smiles brightly.

"One more thing," Wyatt quickly adds, "No more skipping school and you have to ride with the guys. Stay where they can see you, no more wandering around with Cedric."

"That's like three things," Kieth points out but Wyatt only gives him a look.

"Whatever, fine." I reluctantly agree.

I felt like this was a good compromise. I suppose I understood their reasoning. but at the same time, i didn't like it.

That evening I helped with dinner. Wyatt made sure that I worked alone, mainly because there was still a lot of tension between Micah and I. I briefly thought about apologizing.

"How's your boyfriend?" Micah remarked as we all sat down for dinner.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Noticed he wasn't at school either."

"How's your face?" I asked calmly, " Noticed it's uglier than usual."

He scoffed at my comeback. Yeah, it was lame but what else could I say? 'Go fuck yourself.' Not exactly couth.

"Not at the table," Wyatt warned.

"So she gets to skip whenever she wants?" Micah asked in annoyance.

"Stop whining." I roll my eyes.

"That's not fair!"

"Yeah, that's sort of messed up." Ben agreed.

"No," Kieth answered, "She's going to school. And don't act like none of you had problems adjusting.

"Well, yeah, but we were always punished."

"Trust me, I'm being punished." I grumbled.

"That's such bullshit." Micah continued to complain.

I gave him a flat look and bit my tongue before I said something offensive.

"I'm going to bed," I stated flatly, "I'm not patient enough for this."

Kieth and Wyatt looked like they would rather me stay but knew that this was probably the best option.

The next day I woke up a little later than usual. I got ready and sat down at the counter to wait for the guys. I listened to some music but before long it was 7:30 and then 7:45.

I went to go check for their cars and sure enough they were gone.

"Why am I not surprised?" I sighed to myself.

I knew that Kieth and Wyatt were off somewhere too, they always were. Well, I have a few options.

I headed for the workshop just outside the garage. I could walk to school and get there in time for 3rd period. I grabbed a bucket, gloves, spray paint, and a screwdriver. Maybe I could talk to my teachers about what happened.

I headed out to the stable and began to do my chore. Maybe I could even ride a horse all the way to school and get there a few minutes late. I filled the bucket halfway full of manure and then added some water, making sure to mix with the shovel.

I'd never ridden a horse to begin with, didn't want to risk injury. I carried the bucket and my other supplies into the house, careful not to spill anything. Hmm. I could take a nap?

I easily found Micah's bed and lifted the covers.

It's amazing how far a bucket of runny horseshit can go when you have revenge on your mind.