After the Shooting

Chapter 20

           Memorial Day Weekend (Five Weeks Later)

       Obviously, we can't go stay back home after the fire. We decided to move out of Seamore and into Huntington. It's a little while away but it was worth it. Although we're not entirely settled in yet, we still have our family over. I miss Ethan, Kayleigh, and Minda. I haven't seen them since prom night.
       Beep! Beep! A car horn honks.
I have a feeling I should go see who's there so I do. Ethan, Kayleigh, and Minda all get out of the car. I run up to them and we have this big group hug. Ethan and I make out in front of our friends. It feels good. This is what I've missed.
"Ugh! Stop with the PDA!" Scoffs Kayleigh.
"Says you!" I sass.
See, right now, what I see is Kayleigh making out with Nat, just like it used to be. I can't help but smile at what I'm witnessing. I've always thought they were a cute couple. We then laugh and hug each other.
"I believe you're forgetting someone." Minda smiles.
I embrace Minda so tightly.
"I missed you guys! How's school?" I ask.
"Feels emptier since you left." Says Minda.
Ethan and Kayleigh agree. The gate swings open. Georgia comes running out and greets my friends. Oh yeah, did I mention? She's home for break so finally, a period to catch up with my sister after this crazy year. My friends hug Georgia like she's their family.
     "How's school, Georgia?" Asks Minda.
     "Busy,' she nods,' and you guys?"
     They all look at each other.
     "Uh...doable." Minda laughs.
     Ethan and Kayleigh agree.
     "Well, c'mon to the backyard,' Georgia gestures,' you guys are a part of our family!"
      A few hours later, when it gets dark, Ethan and I sit on the grass, watching the sunset. Finally, some time where we can be alone and catch up.
     "How do you like it here?" He responds.
     "It's good, I guess." I nod.
     "You guess? What? You got a guy who's better than me?" He smirks.
     "What? Of course not! You're the only thing that would make this place better!" I exclaim.
     We then look deep into each other's eyes. We kiss each other yet again. We start rolling around on the grass. We don't even realize it.
     "I miss you." I confess.
     "I miss you too." He smiles.
      "So, I don't mean to bring this up but what about your dad? He would never let you come all the way to Huntington by yourself. Especially to see me." I say.
      "Right, about my dad. He's in jail now." Ethan winces.
      "What? I'm so sorry!" I apologize.
      "No, no, it's better that way, trust me. He deserved it." He assures me.
      Well, there's no denying that.
      "So, wait,' I say,' if you're not living with your dad, where are you staying?" I ask him.
       "My aunt has a place in the next town over from Seamore." Ethan explains.
        Bright headlights nearly blind us. We turn and see big Ford truck. That can only be one family: the Wrights. Ethan and I see a muscular, short woman with brown hair step out and a heavier, tall man wearing a Make America Great Again hat step out. And what do you know? I was right; it's the Wright's. They make their way to our front door and ring the doorbell. Ethan and I head inside from the back and act like everything's fine.
"Naomi!" Mom exclaims.
Outside are Mrs. and Mr. Wright. Mrs. Wright holds a cake and smiles at me.
"We're so sorry about everything that's happened between Scarlett and you. So, I baked you this fresh cake from ingredients in our farm." Smiles Mrs. Wright.
How dare she show up to my house? How does she even know where my house is? I could throw this cake at Scarlett's mom right now, honestly. But I want cake and have respect unlike their demonic daughter so I'm not going to do that.
"Thanks." I smile, taking it out of her hands and placing it on the dining room table.
"What did you need to talk to our daughter about, guys?" Mom asks, getting right to the point.
"Look, Scarlett is truly sorry for what she did. It was not okay at all. And we are too for our daughters great, great sin. But anyway, Scarlett really wants to talk to you in juvie. Will you do it, Naomi? If you want, Carol and I wouldn't mind bringing you along for the ride." Explains Mr. Wright.
That's something I didn't mention. Scarlett got thrown in juvie for her crime, obviously, and sending nudes to Ethan.
"Can I just talk about this with my mom first?" I ask.
I close the door in their faces.
"I hate those people!" I shout at the top of my lungs.
The whole house turns to face me.
"Sorry, go back to enjoying the party." I chuckle.
      "You don't have to go, baby. It's only if you want to." Mom reminds me.
      I wonder why Scarlett would want to talk to me.
     "Hi, sorry for the wait. But, fine, I'll go talk to your daughter. But I'm driving with my mom." I say.
     "Deal." The Wright's say.
In juvie, Scarlett waits for me in a cell. It's funny seeing her in an orange jumpsuit. Her parents stand behind me and my mom stands a good distance away from them.
"Can you guys please leave?" I ask the parents.
They all follow my wishes and leave. I wouldn't want them to see how mad I may get with her.
"Okay,' I sigh,' what do you want?"
"Look, I know I already apologized and you probably don't want to hear my bullshit. But I'm so sorry. I never should've done that." She apologizes.
"What do you mean by that? The racism? The fakeness? The backstabbing? The hurt? The publicly humiliating me? The threatening me? Or, oh yeah, the burning my house down?" I ask.
"Naomi." She sighs.
"What? What did you want to say so bad?" I ask.
       "I'm sorry, I really am. You were the best friend I ever had. Will you please forgive me? I miss you and I really want another chance." She begs.
       So, this girl does all that to me and still expects me to forgive her? Yeah, not happening. I simply just get up and leave, not looking back.