You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter Nineteen: Fall

The boys form a wall across my front door, looking like a security detail against Mom's white Greek columns and climbing ivy. They look intimidating enough to scare off anyone with bad intentions.

I slip off my heels in the grass, letting the cool blades sink between my toes. The few extra seconds are enough to slow my racing heart before I make the long walk across the yard.

"The guy's lucky he didn't get out of the car to walk you to the door," Steve says, stepping aside just enough for me to reach the porch.

"It's one-fifty, Tia." Nick taps an imaginary watch on his wrist. There isn't actually a watch there, but that doesn't stop him from making his point.

I glance at Torri. "And your official comment?"

"I second both of their comments." His lips curl into a smug grin.

I sigh dramatically and squeeze past them.

"Boys, it's been a night. I need to sit down before my feet file for divorce. If I'm about to get lectured, can it at least wait until I change?"

Steve motions up and down my body. "Getting out of that contraption will probably improve your mental health."

"You three are what's hurting my mental health, not the dress."

I stomp up the stairs before any of them can answer.

Ten minutes later, I'm back in my favorite sweatpants and an oversized pullover. My makeup is washed away, and the girl from homecoming has disappeared. Tia is back.

The theater room is empty.

Of course.

Their voices drift in from the backyard. I pour myself a cup of coffee, grab my favorite blanket, and head outside.

The fire crackles in the pit while Jim, Steve, Nick, Torri, and the rest of the troublemakers sit around it, replaying the night's events. I settle into the corner of the outdoor couch, wrapping the blanket around my legs and deciding to stay quiet for as long as humanly possible.

If they're discussing my punishment, I might actually lose my mind.

Thankfully, Jim is the center of attention.

"I'm telling you," he groans, "my date was an idiot. I'm never taking Tina anywhere again."

Everyone laughs.

"Tia, you know it's sad when nobody recognizes my own sister." Jim points at me. "I told Tina you were my sister, and she argued with me for thirty minutes. Thirty! Eventually I just let her think I was flirting with some random girl because it was easier. She actually got mad at me for talking to you."

I laugh into my coffee.

"Athena officially retired tonight. It's kind of flattering that nobody knew it was me... and kind of depressing."

"You didn't look like you," Steve says immediately.

Everyone around the fire nods.

"You looked like a sixteen-year-old model," he continues. "I didn't like it."

"You hated every second of it," George adds.

"I really did," Steve admits.

Torri doesn't say anything, but the tight look on his face tells me he agrees with every word.

I shrug.

"Well, Athena is gone now. Phillip seemed to enjoy her while she lasted. I think Athena's little mystery is what won him Homecoming Lord."