Red Converse

Chapter 5: Trouble

Trouble. It seemed to have followed me since I was a kid. I never usually caused it, but I guess things have changed.

I followed Brett into the house with my head down, feeling like a guilty child.

"Take a seat," my brother ordered and I obeyed. The comfy couch felt much better than the school's seating options.

"Concentrate, Peter." Brett sat on a chair that faced me.

He looked very stern and serious, but I saw pure worry in his eyes.

"I need to tell you something." He continued once he saw that I was listening.

I just nodded, wondering what could be so important that he'd make me sit down to hear it.

"It's about Aaron... He..."

Brett was quickly cut off by Ma pushing the front door so hard that it nearly broke off the hinges.

"What's going on?! Why did the principal call me and tell me that my 20-year-old son is wandering around the high school?! I can expect something like that from DJ, but you, Peter, need to pull yourself together!!" Ma yelled as soon as she stepped foot in the house, not even checking to see if I was home to hear her screaming. She was so loud that I'm sure I could have heard it even if I wasn't home. Brett rubbed his face with his hands, and let out a sigh.

"20-year-old son? You mean DJ?" I questioned, trying to understand which son she could be yelling at. I wondered how she didn't remember I was 17.

Ma got silent for a second as if she was taking time to register my words. Then, she sighed and ran her hand through her hair.

"No school for now, ok?" Ma requested tiredly.

I nodded, happy to get out of the place of torture.

"As long as I can still go to the Winter Dance," I agreed, letting the image of Aaron and I dancing together pass through my head.

"We'll discuss that later," she announced with a sad look in her eyes.

"What did you want to tell me, Brett?" I turned back to my big brother. He looked at me, deep in thought.

"Later. I'll tell you later," he grumbled out in a low voice.

I nodded and hopped off the couch. Since the discussions were over, I finally had time to go over to Aaron's house. Already dressed to go out, I made my way towards the nearly broken door. Someone stepped in front of me, easily blocking my path.

"Nope." DJ crossed his arms in front of him.

"'Nope'? What do you mean 'nope'?" I glared at him, confused by his actions.

"No going outside tonight. It's cold and Ma is already worried enough about you."

"Hmmmmm fine," I huffed as I turned on my heels and started going up the stairs.

"And don't even think about sneaking out!" DJ called up the stairs.

I ignored him, knowing I could easily escape like I'd done all the times before.

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My stupid brothers had nailed my bedroom windows shut. I groaned and banged my head against the glass. I plopped down on my bed. I realized I could use my time of imprisonment as an opportunity to plan my proposal. As I scurried around my room, searching for the right materials, my foot hit the corner of my bed and I fell. Lying on the cold wooden floor, I stared at the black suit laying beside me. I guessed DJ or Brett had known about my proposal and had dropped their old suit off in my room. That was nice of them, but the floor isn't a great place to put nice clothes. I hung the suit up in my closet, and continued my project.

This had to be perfect.