Judged

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven 

"Hudson asked me to pick you up," Declan replies. 

"Wait, you know Hudson?" I ask with a confused look on my face. Hudson had never mentioned knowing anyone named Declan. But it's not like I really kept track of Hudson's friends anyways. 

"Yeah, he's one of my best friends." 

"Oh." 

"You didn't know that?" He wonders. I see a trace of shock on his face. Shock that I don't know who my brother's best friends are, maybe? 

"Um, no. I didn't know that," I reply. He looks away, scratching the back of his head nervously. 

"Are you ready to go?" he turns his attention back to me. 

"Yep." 

We start to walk in the direction of the street, when Zach sounds from behind us. I completely forgot he was even here. Declan and I turn around at the sound of his voice. 

"Hey fucker, you gunna uncuff me or what?" he asks, pointing to the cuffs with his free hand. 

"Sure thing buddy." Declan turns, heading in Zach's direction. Relief floods Zach's face. What? No! 

Declan stops just a few feet short of Zach, standing directly over a storm drain. He pulls the cuff key out of his back jean pocket, and holds it up like a prize. Just as quickly he drops the key and pretends to fumble to catch it before letting it fall into the storm drain.

I can barely contain my laughter, and cover my mouth to stop myself. Zach attempts to stand up, but is still restrained by the cuffs. 

"NO!" He screams, now furious. "What the fuck did you do that for?" 

"Hmmm," Declan says, putting a finger on his head like he's thinking hard. "I'm going to let you figure that one out on your own." He smiles at Zach before turning to walk back towards me. Zach is shouting every cuss word you can think of at Declan, but he just ignores it. 

"C'mon," he says, gesturing to the street where the cars are parked. I walk behind him down the sidewalk, letting him lead the way to his car. 

I halt in my tracks when I see it. The car is jet black. So shiny that I can see my reflection. The rims are in spectacular shape. The interior looks brand new, but no doubt it's the original interior that came in the car. This vehicle just screams fast, in all it's splendor. I'm practically drooling over it. 

My breath catches in my throat when I notice Declan is making his way around the mustang to the drivers side and is unlocking the door. 

"This is your car?" I ask incredulously. 

He glances up at me and smiles, giving me my answer. 

"It's gorgeous!" I exclaim. He pulls open the door, a wide grin across his face. 

"She's my pride and joy," he says to me over the roof of the car, wiping at a mark on the roof with the sleeve of his jacket. "She really is a beauty, isn't she?" 

"Beauty is an understatement," I scoff, looking over the car once more. He just laughs, before getting into the car, and reaching over to unlock my door. I open it carefully, and slide in. 

I admire the inside of the car too, inspecting the dash and looking behind me into the back seat. The car is spotless. Inside and out. Declan puts the key in the ignition, turns it and the car purs to life with no hesitation. 

I smile at the sound. So what I have a thing for old muscle cars? Sue me. 

"1969, right?" I question. 

"Yup. 1969 Mustang boss 429," he answers. He's typing away on his phone in concentration. Then he puts it on my seat next to my leg, shifts the car into drive and pulls away from the curb.

As we're driving past the school I see Zach, still cuffed to the bike rack, pulling helplessly at the cuffs trying to break free. As funny as it is, I hope he isn't left there for too long. It's really chilly outside, and I'd kind of feel bad if he got hypothermia or something. Like he's reading my mind, Declan silences my worry. 

"Don't worry, I sent an anonymous text message to the tip line. Somebody will be along for him soon," he says glancing my way before turning his eyes back to the road. 

"Why did you have handcuffs in your pocket anyways?" I inquire, furrowing my eyebrows together. 

"My dad is a cop." 

"Oh, that's cool." He just shrugs in response. 

"I keep the handcuffs in the glovebox, but I've never really had a reason to use them," he begins. "And when I saw that guy messing with you, I figured he was a good enough reason." 

I chuckle. "The look on his face when you were dragging him away was priceless!" 

"Really?" he asks excitedly. "Was it a kodak moment?" For some reason this sends me over the edge into a laughing fit. I have no idea why, just the way he said it makes it hilarious. 

I'm clenching my sides, when Declan says through his own laughter, "I'll take that as a yes!" 

After I regain my composure, I feel I owe Declan a thank you for what he did. If he wouldn't have showed up when he did, I don't know what Zach would've done. Maybe he's just all talk, but still. 

"Thank you Declan," I say sincerely. 

"Don't sweat it," he responds, messing with the radio trying to find a good station. 

"So, why couldn't Hudson pick me up?" 

Declan looks taken off guard and instantly stiffens in his seat. "He uh.... had some business to take care of," he looks at me out of the corner of his eye before quickly averting his gaze back to the road. 

"Alrighty then," I mumble awkwardly. I squirm a little in my seat, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. What was Declan hiding that Hudson didn't want me to know? And why hadn't he texted me to let me know he was having Declan pick me up? For all Hudson knew, Declan and I didn't even know each other. Unless Declan had menitioned it to him. But I don't think he knew that I was Hudson's sister yesterday in Barnes and Noble. 

Possibly sensing how awkward I felt Declan broke the silence. 

"So, did you start reading yet?" 

"Yep." 

He looks over at me anxiously, raising his eyebrows. "And? What do you think so far?" 

"You see, I'd love to tell you, but unfortunetly there's a note on the inside telling me to discuss it with you when I finish it. I haven't finished it yet," I say in a teasing tone. Declan has a smirk playing on his lips as he looks at the traffic ahead of us. 

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Author's Note: The video to the side is a song called "No Gold" by Norma Jean Martine and I am currently obsessed with it! It has no relevance to the chapter, but it's a super good song. Check it out! 
What did you guys think of this chapter?? Comment and vote (if you liked it)! :) 
Thanks so much for reading! I'll update soon, promise. :))

-S