The Dark Side of the Moon

S E V E N T E E N

"Oh my god. I'm dead. Grayson, she's so mad at me!"

Currently, Grayson is racing through the empty streets, probably going way faster than the speed limit, to get me home to my mother who has been calling me for the past hour. Because of the wonderful day with Grayson, I was a bit distracted and lost track of time. My mom is supposed to have work in thirty minutes from now, it being 8:30 right now. The airport itself is thirty minutes away from my house, so she will most likely be late.

I'm so stupid! I forgot that she asked me to babysit Evie tonight. I usually don't have plans or work on Monday nights, so I brushed it off and assumed that I would be there to care for my sister. I didn't account for this amazing surprise date Grayson had planned.

"Crap!" My elbows rest on my knees as I sit bent over, my face in my hands. I've never messed up this badly before. My mother may very well miss work, and she would get into a lot of trouble with the airline if she misses the flight. I called her as soon as I got her messages, and she was screaming at me through the phone, asking why I haven't been answering her. I apologized, of course, but she just told me in a stern voice to get home before she 'grounds me for life.'

I know that I'm 18 and am technically an adult, but I'm still living at home while going to college, so the rules are 'her house, her rules.' She pays for food and shelter, and I work for spending money and extra school supplies.

"She'll be mad at first, but she'll forgive you," Grayson says, attempting to calm me down. His hand is still holding my slightly sweaty one. My heart is beating a mile a minute as I think about how upset she'll be with me. My mom and I don't fight. Ever. Sure we disagree, but we have always had respect for one another and have never gotten into any serious fights. Ever since my dad, she won't do more than raise her voice at me.

"No, you don't understand. She could lose her job! I had one job. Watch my sister so my mom can work to pay for food on the table. I'm so selfish." A headache formed, and I rubbed at my temples while refusing to let tears fall from my eyes. I could feel the tightness behind my eyes, but I ignored it as I beat myself up more.

"She'll make it on time. They'll delay the flight with this weather. And look, we're almost on your street," he says optimistically.

I looked up, and I only saw gray. The rain was so heavy, that I don't even know how Grayson could see two feet in front of him. The heavy raindrops pelted the car, so instead of tense silence, I heard the pitter-patter of water hitting his car at different angles. Grayson makes a turn and I can barely make out my house as he pulls into my driveway.

With a quick thank you, I exit the car and run through the puddles littered through my front yard. I knock on the front door, hoping my mom will answer before I drown in the storm. I'm a shivering mess by the time she opens the door. She sees my quivering form and opens her mouth before closing it quickly and forming a frown as she ushers me inside.

My mom is already in her work uniform, and she has her car keys in her hand and her purse on her shoulder. When she's angry, she seems to age as her frown lines and light wrinkles are accentuated. And right now, she's furious.

"I was going to ask why you forgot your responsibilities to this family, but I see why now. It's him." She stares in the driveway as she sees Grayson's car parked there. He waited for me to get inside before he pulled out of the driveway.

"Mom, it's not his fault. He was so sweet today, so don't blame him." I jump to his defense, attempting to keep Grayson on my mom's good side. If my mom didn't like him... That would cause many issues.

"You've never once forgotten! And once you meet him, you stop spending time with the family, you forget your job at home. You're distracted. He's not a good influence on you. Look at what you're wearing! His clothes, Thea Brooks!" she screams, taking a step in my direction. My eyes pool with tears at her words. She has to know that this was an accident! I would never purposefully make her late for work or neglect my family!