AN: the picture is what Helaina's wearing
Time passes too quickly, my nerves growing with each minute as it ticks away. By the time 10:35 rolls around- only a mere ten minutes before Shawn's supposed to come get me-, Mom is still up, walking around the house. Dad is already fast-asleep, the sound of him snoring piercing through the wall since his bedroom is right next to mine.
The door opens, and in walks Mom. Her hair is up in a ponytail and her glasses are on, decked out in her pajamas. I pull the covers up to my chin higher, not wanting her to see any of my clothes poking out underneath. I look away from the TV and over at her.
"Yeah?" I ask.
"I'm sorry we had to be so tough with you earlier, but it's the only way. We were scared to see you acting out so suddenly and without any warning." Mom says.
"I know, and I really am sorry. I promise that it will never happen again, and if it does, you can take away my phone for a whole two months." I say.
"Two months? Helaina, we both know that you'd steal it back by then." Mom jokes. "Here, you can take your phone back for the night. I know you're probably not going to bed any time soon, so you can go on it for tonight, and tonight only. Just don't tell you dad."
Mom pulls my phone out of her robe pocket, handing it to me. I smile and thank her, my hand barely reaching out from under the covers.
"Goodnight Mom. I love you." I say.
"Goodnight Helaina, love you too." she says, leaning in and kissing me on top of my head.
"Can you turn my lights off on the way out?" I ask, and she nods.
Mom turns on her heel and walks out of my room, flipping the light switch down as she does so. The room goes dark, the only source of light now being the TV across from me. I wait a few seconds before grabbing my phone and turning it back on. It takes a minute to fully reboot, and I immediately type my passcode in. I open my messages with Shawn and begin to text him.
H: i got my phone back for tonight
H: park a street away from my house and keep your headlights OFF
H: let me know when you're there
I get a text back a minute later.
S: Snap me
H: why
S: just do it
I open my Snapchat and send Shawn a selfie with the words "i snapped you". I press send and he opens it seconds later. He replied back with a selfie and a new text.
S: I wanted to make sure that you weren't your mom
H: wtf
S: I'm leaving now
H: okay, lmk when you're here
I shut my screen off and put my phone down, quietly climbing out of bed. I turn on my fan's light, which lights the room but not enough for mom or dad to see if one of them happens to walk by my room. I walk over to my full-length mirror, studying reflection. I adjust my black skinny jeans, pulling them up a little higher since they lowered while laying down on my bed. I take my red, oversized flannel off of my waist and instead put it on over my gray crop-top, leaving a stretch of my stomach exposed. I grab the black Vans I have next to my closet and slip my feet into them.
I head over to my bed and sit down, taking my shoes and tying them up one by one. I stand back up and grab my brush, combing through my hair one more time before Shawn arrives. I set my brush down back down, and at that exact moment, I hear my phone buzz quietly on my bed. I grab it and see a new text from Shawn.
S: I'm at the end of your street parked at the stop sign
H: at corner of Oak or Washington?
S: Washington
H: okay, give me a few minutes to sneak out and make it to your car
I put my phone in my pocket and turn off the light in my room. I grab my purse and sling it on my shoulder, checking that my keys are inside before beginning to head for the door. I slowly pull my door open and peek my head down the hallway to make sure it's clear, before tiptoeing out into the hall. I head for the stairs and creep down them, cringing every time they creek slightly. When I make it to the bottom of the stairs, I pause again and look around before proceeding ahead.
I make it into the hallway and walk slightly quicker and heavier now, knowing it will be harder for someone to hear me from down here. I get to the door and slowly unlock it, opening it and the glass door. I take a step outside and lock the door, shutting it gently. I look behind me before sprinting down the grass. I don't stop running until I'm sure that I'm out of sight of the house.
By that point, I see Shawn's car parked at the stop sign. He must see me too, because the car starts moving towards me.
"Hey stranger." Shawn says, pulling up beside me. He has the window down and is leaning out of it, smiling at me. "You seem lost. Need a ride?"
"Shut up and let me in the car before someone hears or sees us." I laugh, walking around to the passengers door. I open the door and climb inside, shutting the door behind me. "So, where's the party at?"
"My friend Liam's house." Shawn says, putting his headlights on and beginning to drive. I put my seatbelt on and place my purse on the floor.
"Liam Daniels?" I ask, and he nods.
"Yeah, do you know him?"
"Yeah, we used to be friends in like sixth and seventh grade. We have classes together like every year. I have gym with him right now." I explain. "How do you know him?"
"We're both on the varsity football team at school." Shawn tells me.
"You do football?" I ask him, and he nods.
"Yeah, I'm on offense."
"I'm surprised I've never noticed you before."
"You go to football games?" Shawn asks.
"Doesn't everyone? To be fair, I went for the social aspect and not the actual game." I say, and Shawn laughs.
"Of course you did." he says, and I blink.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask, looking down at my fingers.
"Nothing, I was just making a joke." Shawn says.
"Mhmm." I hum quietly. Beside me, Shawn sighs.
"Helaina baby, please. I didn't mean to be rude, so please don't take it that way." Shawn says.
I look up and nod, not saying anything. I turn and look out the window, watching the other cars pass. We arrive at Liam's house after eight minutes of driving, and the entire two surrounding streets are filled with cars.
"Shit, we're going to have to walk." Shawn curses, pulling up behind a black car next to the sidewalk. Shawn turns off the car and looks at me. "Ready?"
I nod, opening the car door. I step out and grab my purse off the ground, putting it back on my shoulder. I shut the door and turn around, Shawn now right at my side. He grabs my hand and we begin to walk, heading down the street to Liam's house.
"You look really hot, by the way." he says, and I roll my eyes.
"Really? It's pretty cold out." I say sarcastically, and Shawn sighs.
"You're not really still mad about what I said, are you?" he asks.
"I'll get over it once I start drinking." I tell him. "Are you going to drink too, because I don't want to get in a car accident."
"No, I won't drink if you want to." Shawn says, shaking his head.
"Good." I respond.
We're right in front of Liam's house now, standing in front of his driveway. Close to the house now, I can already hear the music blasting inside and the sound of voices mixing with it. We walk up to the house, and the unmistakable stench of weed fills my nose. I cough, my nose scrunching up at the smell.
"God, I don't know how I got high last night. It smells so bad." I say, and Shawn laughs.
"That's because it was a bong, not a joint. Bong's usually don't smell." Shawn informs me.
"Oh."
Shawn turns the knob to the front door and pushes it open, stepping inside. He pulls me inside behind him, holding onto my hand tightly. The second I step inside, the sound of music and voices amplifies and increases by a million, making my head buzz in a good way. I smile slightly to myself, finally glad to enjoy myself and be free.
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AN: next chapter is up! sorry it took kinda long, it's been a crazy week with school so i haven't had the time.
anyways, i wanted to say that i actually have no idea if they have football in canada bc im american so yeah idk! basically even though Shawn's from canada obviously i imagine this story taking place in the USA since that's where I'm from but like tbh it doesn't really matter where it occurs, it can be wherever you want it to be as long as it makes sense lmao.
as always, don't forget to comment/vote/follow me! hope you enjoyed!