Promises

Chapter 3

I arive at my ratherly small house ten minutes later. It is now 5:20. Here is goes. I tell myself.

As soon as I step in the door, I see my mom. She is still in her work clothes, and she is just standing there. Whatching me.

Fear suddenly stucks me, knowing what she could do to me. When I was only five I figured out that my mom wouldn't hesitate before she beat the shit out of me.

"Mom, I can explain," I say, panic obvious in my voice.

"I was hoping you could," She responds. She walks over to the table and sits down. I drop my bags by the door, and walk over with caution.

"I know I'm late, but that's only because I..." I stop. I suddenly relize that telling her I got detention for talking and having an outburst will only make this situation worse.

"I got a... Detention." I say in almost a whipser.

"Detention? For what!" she yells.

"I—I wasn't paying attention in class," For a moment it is so hard to read her. I can't tell if she's mad, angry, sad, dissapointed, about to stranlge me.

She walks toward me, then stops and grabs my arm. She tightens her grip on me.

"Don't let it happen again." She says slowly. After one more second, she walks past me, and goes to her room.

That's it? I wonder. I don't know.

***

After doing the rest of any homework I had left, I lay down in my bed with the lights still on. My bed is right against my window, so I decide to peak out, like I do every night.

I sigh.

How much longer do I have to deal with being so lonely? Why can't I meet someone like me yet?

After a second more of looking out my window, I notice a tall female figure walking up to our porch.

Wait, is that the teacher from detention?

She rings the door bell. Out of curiosity I decide to get up and see what's happening. Why she's here.

"Go back to bed, Laurel," My mom says in a harsh voice.

"Wh— Mom, I think I know the lady that just rang the door bell." I tell her.

"Laurel, now!" she yells.

She had never used such a harsh tone with me before. I stand for one second, puzzled, then hurry back into my room for the night.

***

I awake the next morning with all these questions in my mind.

What was that lady doing here?

Who is she?

What did she want?

I know it's useless to ask my mom about it, she'll just yell at me again. It makes me wonder: What's had my mom so on edge lately?

Maybe it's work. Or me. I don't know.

After hiting the snooze four times, I finally get up and get ready.

***

My walk to school takes me only seven minutes today, and I know because I am counting. The perks of having no life.

I go into my home room and take my seat, when the brunette, whose name I can't remember, sits next to me.

"Hey Laurel," she smiles.

"Hi," I reply.

"So I'm just assuming here, but yesterday was your first day in detention right?"

"Yes. I had never been before, and I don't plan on going back anytime soon." I explain. She laughs, and I laugh too. What I said wasn't even funny, but her laugh was contagious.

"Well, me either. But maybe we could hang out outside of detention."

"Oh, I don't really..." I don't want to sound rude by saying, "I don't want to." But I dont want to sound lame by saying, "My mom would never let me."

She pouts her lips a little. "Please? You seem nice, and I think it would be cool to hang out with you."

Well, you clearly don't know me that well. I'm one of the lamest people you could hang out with.

"I don't really know." I'm not making eye contact with her anymore.

"Come on! There's a small get together at some seniors house this weekend, and I can invite a friend." she smiles.

"We're friends?" I ask more dryly than I entended. "No, I mean, I'm like... lame, and... socially awkward." I finish, giving her a half smile.

"What can I do to change your mind?" she asks.

I consider it. I mean, she really wants me to go for some reason. I don't no. No. Maybe. For sure, no.

"Okay," I say finally. "Fine."

"Yay! We are going to have so much fun! Here, I'll give you my number."

"Oh, I... I don't," How do I tell her that I, as a sixteen year old girl, don't even have a phone? "My phone was taken away. Because of detention." I lie.

"Oh, well, how about I just pick you up around six at your house?" she suggests.

I'd never be able to sneak out. Ugh. Why'd I agree to this anyway?

"How about after school on Friday we just go to your house get ready, then go?" I ask. Either way, I'm getting in massive trouble.

"It's a date!"