Escape

Chapter 4

{AN: Hey guys! So multiple updates today! Trying to make up for the fact that I went to so long without updating! I am hoping to change that! I plan to make updates much more consistent! Please vote and comment if you like it!}

Pierce stays out surfing until the sun goes down. He only comes in when I spend five minutes screaming at him from the shore.

“We need to go inside, it’s time for dinner,” I say as he puts back his board.

“Okay, coming.”

As we walk into the house we all go to change, I throw on my standard jean shorts and black tank top. When I return to the kitchen Pierce and Aspen are at the counter.

“What’s for dinner Arielle?” Pierce asks me.

“I dunno know. What did mother say? Aspen do you want to stay?”

“I don’t think your parents would like that,” Aspen says.

“Yeah, because their opinions have mattered so much to me in the past,” I joke, “besides I’m cooking, so you’re staying!”

“Okay, if you're sure.” He replies hesitantly.

“I’m sure.” I give him a reassuring peck on the cheek.

Then I hear the front door open and my father’s footsteps coming towards the kitchen. When my father comes into the kitchen he sees Aspen and stops. My father’s dark gray eyes and even darker hair are accompanied by his ever-present stern expression.

“What are you doing here?” He asks Aspen, giving him a dirty look.

“Aspen is staying for dinner, Father.” 

“Where is your mother?” 

“In the study.”

My father stalks off in the other direction to find my mother.

All through dinner neither of my parents spoke a word to either me nor Aspen. When everyone is finished Aspen and I sit on the back porch to watch the sunset and escape the hostile environment created by my parents. Through the French doors, we can hear my parent’s conversation. 

“He’s not right for Arielle! He’s probably the one who convinces her to be so irresponsible. We can’t let this continue!” My father is screaming.

“I agree, but there is no way Arielle will listen to us if we tell her she cannot see him anymore. As much as we may hate it she does not care what we think. She is going to do what she wants to do.” My mother’s voice is at a much lower volume than my father’s, but the venom in her voice is still painfully clear.

“We at least need to try. She could get herself killed. You know as well as I do the danger she is going to herself into if she continues the way she does.”

“I agree, but if we push too hard she could pull away from us more.”

“Fine, I’m going to work on some things from the office.” My father’s loud footsteps slowly disappear deeper into the house, my mother’s quiet one’s eventually follow.

 “They can try all they want, it won’t make any difference.” I tell Aspen.

“I know. I should probably go though, it’s almost curfew. Two?” 

I immediately understand his question, he is asking what time he we will meet in the woods bordering the Outside.

“Two.” I agree with a nod. 

I walk him to the door, “See you soon, Arielle.”

“Bye,” I lean in close and whisper in his ear, “be safe.”

“I will.” He reassures me, “You too. I love you, Arielle.” He gives me a quick but passionate kiss. What we do is dangerous, there are no grantees we won’t get caught the moment we leave our houses. Every goodbye is important.

“I love you too.” He leaves and I close the door behind him.