The Transtempus Penalty (ERERI//RIREN)

Chapter 24

The day after we had filled out our statements was the day of the Sadie Hawkins, and I couldn't help but be rather shaken up. I had to go on a date with Petra to the dance and act like nothing was the matter, and immediately afterwards, hop in a car and disappear for the rest of the weekend without any explanation. I wondered who would answer the phone when Petra called, and what she would be told upon calling.

One thing less I had to worry about, however, was the god-awful suit I had worn to the last dance, though if I was being honest, the new suit wasn't that much better. It was white with black borders and trim on the lapelles and the shoulders. Unfortunately, it was the last decent looking suit in my size, so it was either that or the brown, and I wasn't trying to look like a defense attorney at a high school dance again, so I seized the opportunity for the more fitting suit.

I freshened up after school and quickly packed my weekend bag, throwing it into the trunk of my vehicle, and returning to the house to finish getting ready for the dance. As the time I'd given Petra drew near, and I was making my way towards the front door, Farlan passed me a small bundle of items tied closed with a rubber band that all fit within the handkerchief wrapped around it.

"Put this in your bag, and don't lose it. Don't look at it or show it to anybody until you're on the road," he ordered, patting me on the back and shifting his lips upwards into a tired smile. "Look kid, you're gonna have to do a lot of thinking while you're on the road, alright, and as your quasi-uncle who has been in similar situations in the past, not with minors, but with self reflective road trips, I'm gonna try and give you something else to think about when the situation with Levi becomes too much to think about. Speaking strictly as a psychologist, if I had my pick for somebody's mind to study next, it'd be yours. Chew on that for a while, and tell me what you think about them apples," he snorted. "And remember, Eren, we're on the same team. If we all can work together and follow the guidelines, we're gonna save lots'a people," Farlan concluded. "And, Eren, remember, don't go making a big scene about this, alright? You'll be back on Sunday, and you can explain everything to them when you get home," he said, seeing me off while I backed out of the driveway and began to drive down the road to Petra's house.

I pulled into her driveway seven minutes early and parked the car, standing from it and walking to the door. I knocked, and almost immediately, the door swung open, revealing Petra in another long, loose hanging, empire waisted dress. She looked lovely, as always, but her expression seemed nervous. "Hey Eren, so, I'm sorry to spring this on you at the last minute, but my father is actually here and he said he needs to meet you before you take me out," she explained, her fair complexion stained with a raspberry colored blush as she ushered me into her house. "I'm really sorry, again," she whispered while she led me towards her living room. I had no idea how to act around Petra's father, as I'd only ever met her mother before. Her father was rather ambiguous up until I saw him sitting in the leather recliner in his living room.

"So, you must be Eren," he said, standing and walking over to me, extending a hand, which I gave a firm shake to before I replied.

"That's me, Sir," I said politely, hoping I still remembered how to schmooze other people's parents from my high school days.

"Now what are you looking to do with my daughter tonight, young man?" he asked sternly. He wasn't a tall man but he was certainly rather robust and sturdy looking. He held himself like he could probably have snapped me in half between a couple of his fingers, and I'd have been lying if I said I wasn't a little intimidated.

"Well, I'd like to take her out to get ice cream at the little ice cream place at the south end of town, Sir. And then I'd like to take her to the Sadie Hawkins dance, if that's alright with you," I said, hoping he wasn't noticing how nervous I was. If it was any other night than that one, I likely would have been far more convincing than I felt that night.