Nowhere Kids

Detention isnt Fun

Zach led me to the library as that's where detention was usual held. As we approached the doors, I saw Eric and Barry hanging out. Brent was a few feet away talking to Courtney.
"Hey guys" Zach said as we approached the boys.
"Hey Zach. Hey Jamie" Eric said with a smile.
"Oh, you two already met?" Zach asked.
"Yup, she's the reason I can't hang out with you guys, but she was just trying to help"
"Sorry about that" I felt bad getting Eric in trouble.
"Don't worry about it" he said.
"I met Jamie as well in English. She's pretty cool" Barry said. I smiled at him and nodded.
"Have you met our friend Brent?" Zach asked, looking over in his direction.
"Yeah, we have history together. That girl doesn't like me though" I said, looking over at Courtney.
"Yeah that's his girlfriend Courtney. I wish they'd just break up already" Eric said.

We all watched as Brent said goodbye from Courtney, kissing her before walking over to join us.
"Hey guys, ready to go?" He asked.
"Sorry Brent, Jamie and I have to stay. Ryan chases me this morning but she stopped him, and now we all have detention" Eric explained.
"Sorry to hear. Good on you Jamie for standing up to Ryan" Brent said, his blue eyes now staring at me. I tried my best not to blush.
"Thanks" I said shyly.
"Let's go Jamie. I don't want to get in more trouble if we're late" Eric pulled on my arm towards the library.
"See you later" Barry called out as we walked into the library. I turned around and waved as they left.

"Okay, so basically we just have to sit in our seats for an hour and not talk. You can read, work, or just sit silently" Eric explained in a whisper. I nodded in acknowledgment and took a seat next to him. The teacher from this morning walked in and didn't look happy. She sat down, facing all of us at the front of the library. I looked to my right and saw Ryan staring at Eric and I, growling. Hopefully we can leave here without any problems from him. I took out my book from English and did some reading.

"Alright, the hour is up. You may go" I looked up from my book to see half the kids had already left. When I looked over at Eric, I noticed he was sleeping.
"Hey, get up" I gently nudged him, waking him up. "Time to go" I whispered. Eric groaned as he sat up, stretching his arms.
"Hour's up already?" He asked. I nodded and put my book back into my bag. Eric got up and followed me out into the hall.

"So what's your plan now?" Eric asked as we made our way to the front door.
"Guess I'm going to walk home" I said with a shrug. I knew my parents were already upset I wasn't home, I couldn't make them wait all night.
"Yeah, same here. I usually hang out with the others, but I'm sure they've all gone home"

We walked through the door and stepped outside. I was ready to say goodbye to Eric and start walking home when I heard a car horn. We both turned to see a blue pickup truck in front of the school.
"That's Brent's truck" Eric told me as he started walking towards the truck. I followed him, curious as to why Brent was here.

Brent rolled down his windows and leaned towards us. His eyes were covered by his sunglasses
"You two want a ride home?" He asked.
"Sure. What about Jamie?" Eric asked me.
"Oh, sure. Thank you". Eric let me in the tuck first. It want a big pickup so I was squeezed between him and Brent.
"So how was it?" Brent asked as he turned down the radio.
"Boring. I slept" Eric said, his arm hanging out the window as we went down the street.
"How about you Jamie?" I blushed as Brent said my name.
"It was fine. I got some reading done"
"Sounds fun"

Brent and Eric talked about different things until we got to Eric's house.
"Thanks Brent. See you two tomorrow" Eric said as he got out of the car. I felt relieved not to be pressed up against the two boys anymore. I shuffled over to where Eric sat, putting some space between me and Brent.

I gave Brent my address so he could find my house.
"Sorry about Courtney this morning" he said after a long moment of silence.
"Don't worry about it. I get it" I said as I stared out the window.
"She's not that nice" I was surprised to hear him admit that, especially since we just met.
"Sorry to hear that" I felt bad I had nothing better to say.

Brent pulled up to my house and I thanked him for the ride.
"See you later" he said as I grabbed my bag and got out of the truck.
"See ya. Thanks again" I smiled and closed the door before walking towards my house. Brent took off before I reached my front door.

I walked inside my house and was greeted by my boxer Beau.
"Hey buddy" I laughed as he jumped up to lick my face. I held him his front legs as he leaned into me, crying in excitement. "Missed you too"
"Jamie? Is that you?" I heard my mom from the kitchen.
"Yeah mom, sorry I'm late. I had to stay  an extra hour" I put my bag down by the stairs and walked over to see her, Beau following closely.
"Did you join a club already?" She asked. I took a seat at the table as I watched her make dinner.
"No, I got detention" I mumbled. Mom stopped what she was doing and faced me with angry eyes.
"Detention? Why on earth would you have detention your first day?"
"I was protecting a kid from a bully" I tried explaining the situation, but she was still upset.
"Just wait until your father hears about this" she said as she continued cooking.
"Whatever. I'm going to my room" I got up and started towards the stairs with Beau still following closely by my side.

I carried my bag upstairs and sat at my desk to do homework. Beau laid my feet as I tried to focus.
"Did I hear you had detention today?" I turned to face my door and saw my dad standing there, scowling with his arms crossed.
"I was just protecting a friend" I defended myself.
"Friend? It's only your first day Jamie. You shouldn't be hanging out with anyone whose causing fights"
"But dad he..."
"No excuses Jamie" dad cut me off before slamming my door shut. Beau jumped so I gently scratched behind his ears until he calmed down.

I didn't want to join mom and dad for dinner, so I waited until they went to bed. I opened the door to my room again so Beau could come and go as he pleased. It was about 10pm by the time I left my room to eat. I snuck down to the kitchen and opened the fridge. I grabbed the leftover chicken and rice and put in on a plate before popping it into the microwave. I stopped the microwave right before the timer finished so it wouldn't wake mom and dad. As I stood in the kitchen, eating my late dinner, Beau sat at my feet begging with his big eyes.
"None for you Beau" I said, gently pushing the large boxer away with my foot. He got the hint and went to the living room to lay on the couch.

I finished eating and placed my dishes in the dishwasher. I carefully made my way back to bed, hoping to stay quiet. Once I reached my room and closed the door, I breathed a sigh of relief. I crawled into bed and pulled the covers over me, thinking of what dad said. I only knew Eric and the others for a day. Was he my friend? Were any of them my friend?