The Rebels

Chapter 8

River handed me a helmet and straddled the bike. I put the bulky helmet on my head and it was heavy! Dang.

I used River's shoulders to help keep my balance as I got onto the bike behind him.

I slipped my hands around his waist. I could feel his slight abs through his shirt.

Okay, nerd boy, I see you.

"Hold on, Ivory." He said and used his foot to put the kick stand back up. He revved the engine and we took off.

I felt the wind whip through my hair and I felt free.

It was exhilarating. My face hurt from smiling so wide, but I didn't care.

"This is great!" I yelled over the sound of the engine. I don't know if he heard me, but I don't care.

I didn't ask how he knew where the Wesley's house was as he pulled into the familiar driveway.

I saw Elliot's face in one of the windows. He turned around and yelled something over his shoulder.

Mr. Wesley stormed out of the house.

River cut the engine. "Wait here for a minute," I told him as I slipped off of the bike.

"Ivory!" His face was red and there was a huge vein popping out of the side of his neck.

"What?" I snapped back. Just like that he ruined my good mood.

"How dare you! You disappear this morning and pull up on the motorcycle of some delinquent boy!" He roared. How ironic. I live in a house full of delinquents and he's worried about my nerdy friend.

"Um, I went to school early, but forgot my phone and this delinquent probably has a higher IQ than you do." I narrowed my eyes at him. I have no idea if that is true or not.

"You should have left a note or something. You just can't just leave the house whenever you want to, Ivory!" I rolled my eyes at him.

"You are not my father!" I screamed at him. Who does he think he is? I may live in his house, but that does not make me his child.

June came out of the house in her apron. "Ivory, where were you? I was worried."

"Are you sure that if I tell you, you won't yell it from the rooftops?" I turned and snapped at her.
Dramatic? Maybe a little, but the Wesleys were no different than any of my foster families. They just want money from the State. They don't really care.

She flinched. "You know that I didn't mean it like-"

I cut her off. "All you foster 'mothers'" I put finger quotes around the word. "are the same. You want to fix me like I'm broken and when that doesn't work all you will do is look forward to your check at the end of the month."

She took a step back like I hit her. "You are not broken, Ivory." June whispered.

"Whatever." I bit out. I stormed inside. I went through the kitchen where the boys were just staring at their breakfast.

I stomped up the stairs and into my room. I left my phone on bedside table.

I made my way back downstairs.

"You need a ride to school?" Blake asked as I stepped back into the kitchen.

"No, I'm fine." I said to him and rushed back outside.
I feel closer to Blake ever since our talk in the park. I can see us being friends.

I was able to accept River a lot easier because I don't live with him. He isn't supposed to be my 'family'.

He was awkwardly sitting on his bike as Mr. Wesley glared at him from the front porch. I walked back up to River, ignoring Mr. Wesley shouts for me to come back.