Air Catcher

Champagne, Cocaine, Gasoline, and Most Things In Between

(Language warning)

Alyx's pov

"Mom?" I called as soon as I got home instead of running to my room and staying there until dinner.

"Hey, sweetie, I'm in my office!"

I took a deep breath and searched my mind for something that would comfort me. I had never gotten a detention before and I had no idea how she would react. Chances are I'd get grounded or just yelled at a lot. My hands wouldn't stay still. They fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, my hair, and twisted around themselves.

"What's up?" My mom asked when I stepped into her office.

I squeezed my backpack strap. "Well... um... I- I kinda got a- got a detention." I stared at the ground.

My mom laughed.

I looked up, confused.

"What did you do? Should I be mad?" She asked.

"I- I don't know.... The assistant principal found Tyler and I... kissing at school."

"Nothing... else, right?"

I shook my head vigorously. "Of course not."

She laughed again.

"I'm not... in trouble?" I asked.

"No. No, you're not. I did the same thing in high school and I think detention will be more than enough of a punishment. It's not a big deal. Just don't let it happen again, OK? At least don't get caught." She smiled.

I was still amazed I wasn't going to be locked in the house for a month. "Yeah..." I shook my head. "Yeah, of course, Mom. Thanks." I sped out of the office and up to my room, hoping Tyler wasn't in too much trouble.

Tyler's pov

My mom was furious. When I told her I got a detention she was pretty calm and I almost got away without telling her why. But I didn't. That was one awkward conversation. She started yelling at me and telling me Alyx was a bad influence and such. Then she decided to take matters into her own hands if I didn't do 'what's best for me'. She grounded me for three months. No phone, no ukulele, no Josh, no Taco Bell, and absolutely no Alyx. I didn't say anything, just walked up to my room and sat on my bed. I pulled my knee up to my chest and just thought for a long time.

The Panic! concert was coming up in just few weeks. This could either be a way to get out of something I didn't really want to do, or it could be missing out on something that could potentially be fun. I wasn't sure which.

____________________

The next day at school Alyx and I exchanged stories. I told her I was grounded and she told me about how her mom didn't really care. She felt bad for me and I could tell she was still worried about what my mom thought of her.

"Here's the real question," I began, searching for anything to take her mind off of it. "What are we going to do about the concert?"

"I don't know... I guess we just won't go." Her shoulders sagged further.

"Hey, you can go without me. You care about it a lot more than I do. Or..." I trailed off. "Or I could still go."

"You're suggesting sneaking out?" She raised her eyebrows and gave me a look to make sure I knew she thought it was a stupid idea.

"Maybe..." I wasn't so sure anymore.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble we'll get in for that?" She crossed her arms.