The Ride of a Lifetime

9. Forgiven

The knock on the door tears me away from my novel. I chucked it on the couch and made it to the door as my mum peers from the kitchen.

"It's my friend, we're doing a project for school." I call, opening the door.

Lachlan gives me a small wave, a blue shirt and shorts adding to his whole innocent nerd appearance. I smile, ushering him in.

I let him greet my mum before dragging him upstairs. Max, on his way to the bathroom, sends a questioning look.

"None of your business." I warn jokingly, closing the door and pulling out the materials and giant piece of paper I picked up from my way home. Not exactly caring what I said possibly implied, I settled down to business.

Lachlan stands awkwardly next to my desk. A mess had already been sprawled on the floor. I raise a brow. "Care to join?" The scissors dangled from my fingers.

He seems slightly weary of such a weapon being in my grasp, chuckling nervously before joining me on the floor.

I worked in silence, not exactly looking for small conversation. Soon, the poster was done and looking fabulous. At least fabulous in what my careless hands could achieve. Lachlan really had the patience for little details.

We stepped back to admire our work. Random flaps and decorations poked from different sides of the paper. It was eye-catching, for sure.

"That was worthwhile." Lachlan comments. I give him a side glance, grinning.

"Well, we're done here. Did you drive or.." I didn't get to finish, instead my stomach plunges miles beneath the ground when a bang hits my window. Avoiding Lachlan's confused and somewhat fearful stare, I clench my fist tightly.

"Do you want me to check that?"

"No." 

He shrinks back suddenly. The hostility was not planned to be aimed at him. 

Bang.

I sighed loudly, making my way to the window. Lifting it open, I bite my lip as I peer down below. For a second I thought it was a legitimate prank from the neighbours before I catch a still figure in the shadows.

Not given the chance to tell Lachlan to stay where he was, he was already at my side, following my gaze.

Javis' neutral expression turns quizzical and dark, glancing between Lachlan and I. An odd, unwelcome sensation of guilt pricks at me.

"Go away." I manage to say.

"What?" Lachlan looks at me.

"No, not you. Go away." I repeat, knowing I didn't make the command any clearer. Keeping my glare on Javis, I could sense his anger from all the way here.

What right does he have to be mad anyway?

"Come down." I snorted at his order.

"Who are you? Stop wasting your time and prank some other house." I looked in surprise at the threat in Lachlan's voice. Geez, I trained him well.

Nevertheless, I push him gently back into the room. "It's alright. Go home, I'll bring the poster tomorrow."

He couldn't protest as I impolitely usher him down the stairs. Opening the front door, I was relieved to see a parked car.

"Thanks a lot. You did much more than your share." I smiled in what I hoped was in a reassuring manner. He begins to say something but decides against it, giving up and hopping into his car.

I watch as he revs the engine and drives off, tyres crunching the dirt. Then my ears perked at the sound of footsteps. For a second I consider slamming the door shut and calling it a night.