Page 15 of Mayhem

She giggles. “That’s a lot of pent-up energy for two people. What’s going on there?”

I shoot her a glare. “Don’t make me regret sitting with you.”

She mimes zipping her lips and turns back to the window.

As soon as the bus stops at our stop, I jump up, leaving Hailee and everyone else in the dust.

I thought I’d like the quiet on the way home, but it gave me time to sit and simmer.

How dare he demand I be at his house? How dare he make a scene at my school? What an asshole.

I almost go over there to give him a piece of my mind, but decide against it. That’s what he wants. It might have even been his plan all along.

On second thought, I’ll leave him wondering where the hell I am.

I don’t realize where I’m headed until I’m at the back fence. I huff in frustration.

I can’t even go get my food or items without them knowing.

Why did I have to get involved again? Oh right. My stupid conscience making an appearance.

Instead of going out the fence, I sink down next to it. Hours pass as I sit there, killing time.

It isn’t until the sun sets that I realize that I’ll need to figure out a new hiding place. I’ll need to get my stuff back from the woods.

A little while later, Hailee finds me.

“Here.” She holds out a to-go container with food inside and a fork.

“Feeding me twice in one day? Don’t you know what they say about feeding a stray?”

She gives me a look that says ‘shut up and eat it,’ so I do.

I open the container to find spaghetti inside. The heavenly smell drifts across my nose, making my mouth salivate with the thought of consuming the food.

“I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time.”

She shrugs, taking the seat next to me. “It’s jar meat sauce and some noodles. Nothing special.”

“At least you have hot food to eat.”

She gives me a long look. “You’re right. Why aren’t you at your house, anyway?”

“When Mom’s open for business, I stay far away.”

“I figured. You can hang out at mine for a while. Shelia is at Bingo and Dale won’t be home until at least two in the morning,” she says as she plays with the hem of her shirt.

“What about the others?”

“They run the streets. With no parental figure holding them accountable, they get to do whatever they want. I don’t mind though. That means the house is usually empty.”

I close the container, standing up. “Lead the way then.”

She walks toward her trailer as I fall into step beside her.

“I’m assuming you’re not going to make your way over to the Rockford place,” Hailee states.

“Nope. I have nothing to say to them.”

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