Once Upon a Plot Twist

Shaking My Head

Evan

  To say it had been an eventful week would be an understatement. I'd punch a kid all the time if it meant having detention with Gwen every week. Whatever teacher that was supposed to keep an eye on us didn't show up, which meant we had the room to ourselves and a few other students that managed to get on someone's bad side.

  We all ditched sooner or later, meaning that for the time being Gwen and I were alone. I'd love to say that all we did was mess around, but we talked. And I realized, Gwen's not shallow at all. She's very witty and keen, observant of things I didn't notice until she brought them up.

  "Did you know your right eyebrow raises whenever you're shocked?" she asked. It was a Wednesday, and we decided we'd go to a park.

  "And you know this how?"

  "When that dog over there snatched the toy from the little girl, it happened. And when I said I noticed it, it happened again."

  My eyebrow rises habitually, but I try to stop it to prove her wrong. Her face breaks out in a wide grin at my failure.

  "See?" she pesters.

  The last few days of the week, we could barely speak a word to each other. But for what we lacked in words, we made up for in action. Kisses if you wanna get technical... And sex. We both knew it was wrong, but that's probably why we were so drawn to doing it. Rules were made to be broken, right?

  Now, it's the end of a boring Monday. I hadn't seen her much today, but thankfully I was able to get her number. Not sure how it's possible, but we're having quite the entertaining conversation about flowers. I don't realize I'm grinning like a fool until Ryan clears his throat.

  He, Joe, Chris, and I ride in his car, on our way home for dinner with our parents.

  "For socking a kid in the face, there are a lot of rumors milling about you and that Sawyer chick," he says.

  "Yeah, I'm aware," I reply, shutting my phone off and dropping it in my lap. I see Joe lift his head in the rearview mirror at the mention of her. Even Chris is a little intrigued, but he pretends to be more interested in his phone. "I did kind of defend her honor."

  "Evan, whatever happens between them isn't our business. I get that we don't get along with them, but people are saying you slept with Gwen."

  My eyebrow does the thing. Has anyone seen us on our escapades? Do I care...

  "Please, Ryan. Punching Nick in the face and getting him suspended is enough drama for me; you're right. They're nothing but trouble."

  Joe's eyes narrow at me, and Chris swallows a chuckle. I pretend to be oblivious, but they both know I'm lying.

-_-

  By the time we get home, Mom isn't even in the kitchen. I'd think that she'd be done making about five dishes, considering she's a dedicated, world-renowned chef. The kitchen is free of sound, not a clashing pan to be heard at all.

  So we all disperse. Ryan heads upstairs to do whatever Ryan does while Joe, Chris, and I go to our theater room. It's in the most secluded part of our rather large home. You could set off a small firework in this room and probably still won't be heard from the farthest room upstairs.

  I flop into a seat, and don't have a half a second to calm down and compose myself.

  "You didn't actually sleep with another Sawyer did you?" Joe asks immediately. There's a dramatic pause between each word. He only does that when he's livid. Imagine how red his face is when I can't find it in myself to respond fast enough. "Are you insane?"

  "Angie isn't a Sawyer," I manage.

  "Wait, you slept with Angie again?" Chris cuts in.

  "Um... No."

  "Oh for the love of God," Joe mutters. "Who did you sleep with this time?"

  I avoid eye contact and murmur, "Gwen Sawyer."

  "Gwen Sawyer," they both yell.

  "Keep it down, will you?" I hiss. Ryan might actually be able to hear us.

  Joe starts pacing back and forth, making this more stressful than it needs to be. So what? I slept with Gwen. Big deal. If Ryan ever finds out, he'll have to suck it up.

  "Props to you, man. Gwen Sawyer, huh?" Chris dotes on. I know he means well, but I shake my head.

  "Ryan'll be on their asses like white on rice," Joe sighs.

  "Joe, she's different."

  "Yeah? Angie was different too, and what happened to her?" he retorts coldly. "Look man, I know I can't stop you, but I can at least warn you. Be fucking careful."

  It's odd to think that my little brother is scolding me for making lackluster decisions. If the vein on his neck weren't about to burst I'd give him a noogie. So I just nod.

  "Where's Mrs. Matthews when you need her?" Chris jokes, trying to lighten up the mood. He has a point. How are they gonna ask us to be home on time when they haven't made an effort to at least say hello... Or be at home?

  We decide to go upstairs for a snack until they get home. I can tell Joe's irritation is coming more from just me being an idiot; he's hangry too.

  Ryan must hear us coming from the theater room because he marches down the stairs, fresh from the shower he must have just taken. I open the fridge, surprised to see a casserole dish already there with a note attached to the foil it's wrapped in.

This will probably be the last time I cook for you guys for a while, so savor it, you monsters. Your dad and I have been trying to stay together for the sake of you boys, but the spark is gone. I'm so sorry. I love you guys. Be good men for your father.

Love, mom.

  I drop the note on the counter. Ryan and Joe battle for it, and Ryan comes out on top, reading the note with a scowl on his face. Joe reads it from over his shoulder, and their bad moods deepen.

  "Guys, what's going on?" Chris asks worriedly.

  "Mom's gone," Joe croaks, obviously on the verge of tears. I don't blame him. I'd love to cry.

  Ryan puts a caring hand on his shoulder. I grab a set of keys from a hook off the fridge.

  "Where are you going?" Ryan asks, defeated.

  "Out." As I say that, Joe's sad eyes meet mine, and he shakes his head, already knowing where... Who I'm going to.

Me: Meet me in twenty at Dutchers.

  She replies in record time, but I'm already in my car and halfway there by the time she responds.

  Here I thought today would be okay and normal. That I'd being having dinner with my brothers, best friend, and both my parents. It was anything but.

  And Mom isn't coming back.