Burnouts

How Do I Get You Alone?

Scene 1: Madison Street

Leo Rylin

"I miss you already," Heather says through the phone.

"I miss you too...I wish I could come over again."

"I'm sorry I got you in trouble."

"I got myself in trouble. I knew she would be mad." And it's still worth it.

"How long are you grounded for?"

I sigh, "A few weeks...but I can sneak out, easy."

"Why bother when I can just come over? I'm still tutoring you, the exam is coming up...perhaps we should double our sessions," I can tell that she's smiling.

"Forget doubling them, I think I need to see you every day."

"I may be able to arrange that," Heather says slyly.

"Leo!" My mom shouts. "Get off the phone!"

"Here she goes again," I groan.

"Be nice to Isabel."

"Tell Isabel to be nice to me."

"Right now!" She shouts again.

"I'll talk to you later, butterfly."

"I'll try to come over tomorrow."

"Good, I'm going to need you to keep me from pulling my hair out."

My mom comes into my room and glares at me. "How many times do I have to say something before you finally listen?"

"I'm not on the phone," I put it on my nightstand. "Are you happy?"

"No phone calls," she picks it up, "no going out, and no friends coming over. Grounded."

"Yeah, well, Heather still has to come over so tell Mr. Krakowski to let her by when she shows up," I say indifferently.

My mom crosses her arms, "oh, I know that you've been sneaking girls right under his nose and lying to him, Leo. So, I have Myrtle from downstairs doing surprise visits when I'm not here. Anytime you don't answer the door— I'm adding a week to your punishment."

"Yes, Nurse Ratched."

"I don't have time to argue with you, Leo. I'm going to be late," she turns away and leaves my room.

I get up and walk toward the door, "I'm going to bed." I wait to see if I'll get a response and when I don't, I close and lock it.

No going out and no friends coming over. Yeah, right.

My window isn't barred.

I climb out of it and onto the fire escape.

I take the stairs up to Zach's floor and see him with Danny and Matt already. Funnily enough, it will take my mom about 3 calls to figure out where I am if she looks.

I knock on the glass, and they all stare in surprise when they see me.

Matt pulls up the window to let me in.

"You have a death wish. Isn't your mom pissed enough?" He asks.

"She's pissing me off too, so who cares?"

"You're going to fuck around and get sent to your dad," Danny scolds.

I sigh, "yeah, whatever. Who brought beer?"

"No one, the girls have wine coolers though," Matt replies.

"That's fucking soda," I roll my eyes.

"Better than nothing."