Life Of The Party × CH

10

The next morning, dad woke me up early, claiming he wanted to talk to me before he goes to work.

I got up and headed downstairs, still in my pajamas.

I found dad in the kitchen, drinking his coffee while reading a newspaper. As soon as he noticed me there, he left the paper on the counter, looking at me.

"Devin," he started, setting a tense tone.

I walked up to the cupboard and took out a box of cereal. I looked at him, indicating that I was listening.

"I know this is your summer before college and I don't want to restrict you of anything," he said.

"But?" I asked, opening the fridge to get some milk.

"But," he sighed, watching me as I poured cereal then milk into a bowl. "I don't want you around Calum Hood."

I looked at him. I had known all along this was coming, ever since dad caught me in Calum's car last night. "Dad," I said, almost humorously, "Calum's a good kid. You said it yourself. Why can't I hang out with him?"

"I've changed my mind," he said. "He does drugs and drinks alcohol all the time. He's been to the station more times than I have."

"We both know that's not true," I look at him, taking a spoonful of cereal.

"Devin," dad warned, "I don't want to argue with you. I don't want you near him. He's a bad influence."

"But he's a friend of mine," I argue.

"I know he is," dad nods, trying to show me he understands. The truth is, he understands nothing. "I know he's your friend, but lately he's been getting himself into a lot of trouble with the law, and I don't want the same for you. He'll understand if you explain it to him."

"Calum can't get me to do anything I don't want to," I say, trying to defend myself.

"I know, sweetheart. But I don't want you near him," dad says sternly. "Are we clear?" he asks, looking at me with a harsh stare, making me rethink my argument.

I remember my summer rules and how I have already somehow broken them. "Yes," I say, "we're clear." Maybe this way I'll be able to focus.

×××

After dad left and I finished my cereal, I called up the girls and made plans to meet up with them at the Coffee Club Café.

Half an hour later, I arrived with my scooter.

I got a table outside, under an umbrella, and waited for Lola and Stella. They showed up together five minutes later.

"Hey girl," Lola greeted me with a hug, "How was your night?" she smirked. I immediately knew she was referring to my night with Calum.

I hugged Stella before sitting back down. "You guys planned this, didn't you?"

"We have no idea what you're talking about," Stella said. "We haven't planned anything." But her smile gave away the truth.

"You guys left on purpose so I could be alone with Calum!" I said.

"We didn't leave for that purpose, per se," Lola tried defending herself and Stella. "I left because I wanted to be alone with Michael."

"And I left because I have a curfew," Stella added.

"You guys still left me alone with Calum," I remind them. "Not cool."

"Oh c'mon," Lola protested. "You aren't seriously following your stupid rules, are you?"

"So what if I am?" I ask, "They're good for me."