3:00 A.M

~9~

The next morning I woke up panting again. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing to calm myself. I was soaked in my sweat. I ran my fingers through my hair and huffed getting up to begin my morning routine. 

Going through the morning courses very slowly, I got ready a little late than usual. While wearing my glasses I heard a roar of an engine and a car speeding off. I rushed to my window to see my dad's car rushing out of my sight. Furrowing my brows in confusion I jogged downstairs to be met with my mom's angry face. 

"Where the hell have you been? What were you doing up there so late, Ash Henderson?" My mom snapped at me. I frowned looking confused as hell. She never bothered to even talk to me before rather than being this angry. And i don't even know what I've done wrong. "What's wrong, mama? I was just getting ready for school. And it's not late. I still have 15 minutes before school starts." "You're dad stayed late this morning just to meet you! You know how punctual he is! But you.. being the ungrateful brat you are, took forever to come downstairs. You know we can't afford for him to get late. 10 dollars will be deducted from his salary now! You good for nothing brat! Get out of my sight this second!!" She shrieked with anger. "Mama! How was I suppose to know that? You could've come upstairs and tell me about this. He always goes off to work before I wake up. How could've I possibly known today will be different?" I was so frustrated and anger at the second that I just wanted to run away from here and take Mason and Jacob with me. Somewhere far away from here. I scrunched my face in annoyance. 

My mother just stared at me with so much anger that I felt my heart sink. This was the first time anything like this happened. I don't understand why was she making such a big deal about 10 dollars. To say we were loaded was an understatement. I know I haven't met my dad in forever and I felt very upset knowing that I couldn't meet him today but I didn't know he was waiting for me. It's not like some revelation will come to me from the sky telling me that my dad is waiting for me today and that I should hurry up. I rolled my eyes at the thought. 

My mother inhaled sharply and pointed her index finger at the door. "Leave." she snapped. I didn't need to be told twice. I could feel the anger rushing through my veins. My nostrils flared up and I clenched my jaws gritting my teeth. Clutching my school bag tightly in my left hand, I dashed towards the door and slammed it loudly with all the force I could muster. I somehow managed not to break it. I started making my way in the opposite direction as the bus stop. I took out my phone and texted Jacob.

<<< Skipping the first classes. Meet me at the spot. -Ash

>>> On my way. Wait for me.  -Jake

Next I texted Mason.

<<< Meet us at the spot.  -Ash

>>> Have a test in the second class, won't make it before that. Sorry. Just don't take it too far and take care. Best of luck (:  -M 

<<< Ohlright. Good luck to you too ((:  -Ash

I huffed at the thought of not having Mason there but nonetheless I had Jacob with me. I slipped my phone inside my bag and ran to the secret place. It took me 4 minutes to get there and when I did, i felt the adrenaline pumping through my body. 

Our secret place was an abandoned building with a garage. It was hidden from the town inside the forest so no one ever came across it. Me and the boys , i mean me, Mason, Jacob and River, found this place when we were 11. We were trying to have a dangerous adventure by wandering in the forest on a winter night and stumbled across this place while hiding from the sounds of the wolves howling.  Since then this place has kept us safe and secure and made us felt like home. With River and my money and Jake's and Mason's amazing skills and muscles we renovated the top most and the second apartment of this building. It looked superb from the inside while the outside remained the same so that no one can find out about this. We also renovated the garage from the inside and left the outside as it was. We keep the garage closed all the time. The top apartment had 3 bedrooms, one lounge, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen with a balcony attached to one  of the big bedrooms. The lounge had a white and grey theme with white walls and grey couches and a small wooden table in the middle above a mat. At one side it had a white wardrobe and in front of the couches was a wooden table with an LED TV on it.