Confessions

Chapter 29

My eyes flickered open and I was tucked under the blankets, I sat up. I looked over to see that Alex was gone. His side was still made up, I hopped out of the bed, opening the door. I heard soft whispers coming from downstairs, as I made my way to the stairs. I looked out the huge window in the hallway, noticing the sun had set already. How long have I been sleeping? I walked down the stairs, walking through the foyer to the kitchen. Jess, Alex and Emma sat on stools with Chinese food surrounding them.

"Hey sleepyhead!" Emma said sweetly, walking over to me. She pulled me in for a hug, her brown eyes smiling.

"You told them?" I looked away from Emma, snapping at Alex. His eyes closed, as he pulled his head to the ceiling.

"Told us what?" Jess asked, her voice unsettled. I sighed, running my hands through my curls.

"Yeah, told us what?" Emma said sternly, going to sit down on the stool next to Jess. I sat next Alex, pulling myself closer to him.

"For fucks sake! What is going on Aubrey!" Jess yelled, as I sighed again. "Did you not get home in time?! I mean I noticed your clothes were different when you were sleeping. What the fuck is going on!" She yelled again, as she fumbled with a fortune cookie wrapper, breaking the cookie and popping it in my mouth.

"Wait what?" Emma asked, as she raised a brow at Jess.

"Chill!" I yelled, taking a second to gather my thoughts. "I made it on time." I said to Jess, then turning to Emma. "My mom gave me an ultimatum last night to be home by eight-thirty in the morning or I was going to New York." Emma's face scrunched up and she shook her head.

"What the fuck.." She said cutting off.

"I am going to New York.." I paused, fighting the tears as they both gasped.

"What No!" Jess said, standing up and walking over to me. A tear slid down my cheek, I pushed it away finally accepting my fate.

"Yes, she got me for drinking and said she could smell me from fifteen feet away." I scoffed, tugging at the ends of my hair. "I tried, she's not going to budge this time. It's like this was the icing on a cake I never even made. She came up with this bullshit reasoning even though my grades never dropped and I haven't gotten in anymore trouble since that fight at school." I said, the sadness finally consuming me.

"Aubrey, let us talk to her! We will tell her we pressured you to drink! You didn't even want to drink!" Jess yelled, grabbing my arm, pulling me in for a hug. I loved her for wanting to save me, but it wouldn't work. My mom has been riding me harder since Alex and I got back together. A lot harder..

"I wish that would fix this, but it's not she isn't going to change her mind. I am not even going to fight her anymore, I can't anymore she's ruining my life and she knows it. She is purposely doing this, I know it." I said harshly, as Jess released me.

"This is complete bullshit, like she never drank as a fucking teenager!" Emma yelled, coughing back tears. She stood up, running over to us, throwing her arms around Jess and I. She pulled us in for a big hug, squeezing us both in her arms. I felt them both crying on me, as I finally broke, the tears emerging again.

"Come here Alex!" Jess said, waving her arm towards us. He wrapped his long arms around us, squeezing. They all pulled back, walking back to their seats.

"When do you leave?" Alex asked softly, his hazel eyes rimmed red.

"I'm sure right after finals, she made that pretty clear. When I know more, you guys will. I promise." I said sincerely, rubbing his large rough hand, smiling softly.

"This fucking sucks! We were supposed to graduate together, live senior year together. Maybe she'll let you come back after the summer!" Emma said hopeful.