Clementine

v

I grabbed my bag and walked up to the counter, nearing Adrian who was talking to the barista. They seemed to be having a conversation, so I felt bad for interrupting. "Adrian, I have to go. Do you think you can take me home? Sorry, if not it's okay, I can just call an Uber or something," I rambled.

Adrian turned to face at me, "Why what's wrong?"

Furrowing his eyebrows, he looked worried and I felt awful for asking him to take me home when we didn't even get to do any work or make any progress.

He paid the girl and then walked back to the table we were sitting at to collect his things. "It's my parents, they want me to come home right now," I said, giving him some context.

"Huh? Why? Did something happen? I thought you said you were free all of today."

He grabbed his book-bag and we walked out of the cafe before I began, "I know, but they were supposed to be gone for the weekend and I guess they came home early. I kind of got snitched on and they found out about me going to Alec's party when I was supposed to be at home. They didn't know I also left the house today because I kind of never told them. They're super strict so they like to know where I am 24/7."

"Well, whatever, I guess."

"Whatever?"

"Can't you just tell them you're working on school stuff? We've barely even started our project and it's not like we have all the time in the world. Sorry, but it's literally due in a week and a half and we don't have anything done."

I opened his car door and sat down, pulling the seatbelt across my body and placing my bag between my feet on the floor. "Well, we can always do it this week or next after school."

Adrian started the car after sitting down, "Clem, I'm busy. My schedule doesn't revolve around when you're free."

"Um okay, sorry," I said softly.

The car ride to my house was completely silent and I was totally clueless as to why. He didn't even put music on and we just sat in silence. An awkward tension filled the air and it totally contrasted thirty minutes ago when we were in the cafe. We didn't stop talking to each other even once earlier and now not a word was being spoken. Was he seriously mad at me because my parents wanted me home? As if I could control that? I watched the buildings and lights fly past as I sat in the passenger seat feeling angry at Adrian. Who does he think he is?

Despite my anger, I also felt a slow creeping fear swallow me. What were my parents going to say when I got home? I'm so screwed and so in trouble, I thought to myself.

After an awfully long and silent while, we arrived at my house and Adrian parked in the driveway. I grabbed my bag and opened the car door, "Thanks for taking me home, I'll talk to you later I guess."

I got out of his car and slowly started to walk to my front door, not anticipating what was behind it. Then I heard another door open. Adrian was getting out of his car walking towards me, his steps light but determined.

"What are you doing? Are you going to Beau's?" I asked him.

"No. I'm coming with you," he replied nonchalantly as he brushed his fingers through his brown hair, passing me as I stood in the driveway.

"No wait, what do you mean? Why? Go Back."

"Come on, Clem." He waved his hand, motioning me to follow him and I rushed after him. I tried telling him to leave before he caused an even larger mess for me, but my words seemed to pass through him.