Rebel Girl

13} Playgrounds Were Never Less Fun

© Amber Kalkes 2015

Song: "Black Balloon" By The Goo Goo Dolls

Chapter Thirteen: Playgrounds Were Never Less Fun

 

Sutton ends up driving me home. It was a whole unnecessary fiasco really with Lou coming up with reason why he should be the one to do and her shooting them down casually. It was unnecessary but hilarious. Eventually Sutton must have said something I didn’t catch since I was talking to Calvin because Lou just threw his hands up and gave in.

Of course his defeat didn’t mean he couldn’t keep me there another half hour. He kept kissing me or pinning me to the couch or just wrapping me up in his arms so I not only couldn’t leave but also didn’t want to. It was playing dirty but I can’t lie and say that I didn’t like it. If I’m honest I love how affectionate he is with me, it’s been a long time since someone took the time to be.

“He really likes you, you know.” Sutton says suddenly as we pull out of the underground garage of the boy’s apartment building.

I bite my lip to stop myself from smiling to widely. “You think?”

“I’ve never seen him act like that before.” She tells me before pushing in the lighter on the dashboard of the car. Pulling a soft pack of cigarettes from the inside pocket of her jacket she places on between her lips before continuing. “He’s usually not one for all that touchy feely crap but it was almost like he couldn’t help himself.”

“Are you sure this doesn’t weird you out?”

She raises a brow at me. “Does what weird me out?”

“Being with your brother.”

Sutton’s laugh is a bit muffled from her lips being pursed around the cigarette. She’s about to speak when the lighter pops and she leans forward to grab it. I watch the end of her cigarette light up and smoke billow from the end like a genie from a lamp. I’ve seen my dad do it a million times but for some reason when she does it, it’s hypnotizing. I’m starting to just chalk this up to just her natural star quality.

“Emmy, I’m going to tell you this for what feels like the thousandth time, I really don’t mind. I approve. I won’t stop being your friend just because you’re banging my brother and if you two make this a permanent thing no one will be happier than me. Seriously, It’s not a big deal. Got it?”

“Yeah I got it.”

She sighs and runs the hand not holding the cigarette or the wheel through her hair. “Thank god we got that all squared away. All we have to do now is talk about what to do about that Quinn chick.”

“Stefanie?” I ask with a frown. “What about her?”

“I heard about her hitting you, Emerson. That shit does not fly with me.”

“She didn’t—“

“Tommy saw it.” She says, cutting me off. “He couldn’t exactly get involved since it was a personal problem but he did tell me. Emmy, you can’t let her treat you like that. You have to stand up for yourself.”

“I…I don’t know how.” I mumble feeling pathetic.

“Well figure it out but until then just ignore her. If she comes near you I want you to run away from her, I don’t care what she calls you, just run.”

I wipe my cheek with my sleeve after a tear slips out. “You can’t protect me all the time, Sutton. Its not your job to be my guard dog.”

“It is until you can handle it yourself. You’re not there yet but you’re getting there. I mean look at you, your making out with boys and getting drunk at parties. I’m so proud, I feel like a mama bird or some shit.”