On Our Own

Chapter 36

The alarm would not stop. I kept reaching for the stupid alarm clock but couldn't find the right button. Eventually, I felt around for the plug and yanked it out of the wall even though I knew I should probably get up and get ready for school. It was just for a few more minutes, I convinced myself. I liked the way it felt to be in Ethan's arms, so I wouldn't shower this morning, I would probably have to shower after soccer practice anyway.

Sometime later I heard my phone ring, the first time I ignored it, then the phone rang again, and then again, and finally I woke up enough to get out of Ethan's arms and get my phone. I answered and put it on speaker as I groggily sat back down on the bed.

"Hello?" I answered through a yawn.

"Leah?"

I cringed. It was Jess, and judging by the sun flooding into the apartment, I was late for school.

"Uh yes?" I said as Ethan wrapped his arms around me again.

"I was just wondering when you were going to show up for school, considering you already missed first period."

Had that much time passed?

"Uh I'll be there soon, sorry," I said swatting Ethan off, who pouted back at me.

"You better be, and Leah?"

"Yes?"

"Tell Mr. King that unless he would like me to call his parents, he needs to be here as soon as possible."

My face turned red. "I'll tell him," I said meekly while throwing a pillow at Ethan who dropped his pout and immediately got up and went to the shower.

I guess the potential call to his parents was better than the alarm clock at waking him up.

I sighed and quickly brushed through my messy hair and changed my clothes. I ran to brush my teeth when Ethan left the shower and we both rushed out of the apartment.

"Well that was one way to rip us out of bed," Ethan said.

"Yeah I suppose so," I said wringing my hands together nervously.

"Relax Leah," he said, taking my hand. "It's your old foster mom after all. What's the worst she could do?"

When we arrived at school Ethan's question was answered.

"You both have detention for a week," Jess said.

We didn't even have time to say hello before Jess started yelling at us. Going on and on about how irresponsible we are.

"Look Jess, being late is nothing new for me, just give me my late pass," I said.

Jess stared at me and paused her pacing. She collapsed into her chair and put her head in her hands.

"Yes. that's true. But you used to be late because of my negligence, today you were late because," she paused and looked at Ethan. "God. I don't even want to know why."

I feel my face get red once again. "Jess it wasn't like that, Ethan needed a place to stay so-"

"Just for one night, My parents were out of town and I lost my key, nothing happened I promise," Ethan said cutting me off and giving me a pleading look.

Confused by his behavior but trusting him enough, I just nodded along.

"I will let this slide once, but not again. If you end up in that seat one more time I will have to call them."

After threatening my boyfriend, Jess wrote us passes and we left. Once we were in the hallway and headed to my locker, I asked Ethan about what he said to Jess.