by Raathi Chota
“I got a mirror.” I folded my arms.
“Feisty as always.” He winked at me. I rolled my eyes and looked at the officer, who finally opened the cell. He pulled it opened and flicked his wrist.
“Hurry, hurry! Before he does some weird shit again!” The officer rushed out as Levi, Blake, Carter, and Axel walked out.
“You forgetting someone?” Keene asked with a smile.
“No space, sorry,” I said with a fake pout. Jaden chuckled as Keene stared at me. I shifted my gaze to the officer who talked to the guys. I let out a deep sigh as I walked down the hall.
“Hey, err…thanks,” Carter said as he appeared beside me.
“No problem,” I sighed as we walked out of the sheriff’s station and toward the car.
“Thank goodness Bobby was on night patrol.” Levi chuckled as we got in. Carter sat in the passenger seat while the others sat behind us. As I drove, I thought where I’d dropped them off. I didn’t want to play their driver, so I decided to drop them off at the Gunner household. The alternative music brought me back as I glanced down and saw Carter turn up the volume. The familiar smell made me scrunch my nose up as I looked through the rearview mirror.
“Hey, no smoking!” I growled as Axel exhaled at me. They ignored me as the tobacco smell spread through the car. My nails dug into the wheel as my jaw clenched. “I’m not gonna drive until you stop smoking.”
Levi laughed as Blake blew out smoke rings. I let go of the wheel and folded my arms. Out the corner of my eye, Carter threw his cigarette out as he grabbed the wheel.
“What the hell, Miranda?” he demanded as he looked at the road. We swerved a bit as Carter tried to drive while I controlled the pedals.
“You trying to kill us?” Axel asked.
“Are you trying to kill me?” I demanded. I looked out my window and into the side mirror, where I saw Axel throw out his cigarette. I kept in a grin as I looked over my shoulder to see Levi and Blake do the same. “Thank you.” I then put my hands back on the wheel.
“What made you come and get us?” Carter asked.
“I-I don’t know,” I said as my gaze locked on the road.
“Really? I think you know damn well why. I’m sure Jaden would love to see you at his parties again,” Levi said as he leaned forward.
“Never going to his parties again. I mean, look what happened to you guys,” I scoffed as I membered last year when Levi dragged Lana and me to Jaden’s party.
“What are you guys talking about?” Blake asked.
“Just what Jaden said about last year.” Levi smirked. “How she blew the fucking roof off. Do you think they’ll know tha—”
I cut off Levi when I hit the brakes. His head hit against Carter’s seat, and he groaned while the guys laughed.
“We’re here,” I mumbled. They thanked me, then piled out of the car. “Just be glad that you’re friends with Lana and I care about her. Otherwise, I would’ve punched you so fucking hard right now,” I confessed as Levi got out.
“Goodnight to you too, Miranda.” He laughed then shut the door. I turned the radio off and drove in silence. One thing was for sure—Levi and I never got along. Lana tried to make us enjoy each other’s company, but I knew it was never going to happen. I stuck by her because I knew that when he left, I was all she’s had. Well not now, obviously, but there were times when we hung out because we were tired of the opposite sex.
I arrived home safely in the car in one piece. When I entered the house, I wasn’t surprised to see my mother in the same position as earlier.
“Is the car in one piece?” she asked as I took off my coat.
“I’m okay, Mom, and yes, the car is in one piece, but it will have a weird smell, though,” I mentioned and walked upstairs. Mom muttered something under her breath which I didn’t hear. I let out a sigh as I walked into my room.
***
Lana
The springs in my mattress bounced while my ear was on the bed, which meant my pillow disappeared during the night. I let out a groan as I opened my eyes.
“Wake up!” the annoying voice yelled.
“Why? It’s Monday,” I whined. The mattress sank as I felt a weight on it. I turned so that I was on my back to see Levi on my bed in his pajamas. “Levi, no,” I warned as I reached for my glasses. As I put them on, Levi jumped on the bed. He laughed as I bounced. He collapsed right beside me with a grin spread across his face. “Where were you yesterday? You didn’t come home.”
“I hung out at Blake’s place. We were all pretty hungover from the party on Saturday,” he responded. Out the corner of my eye, I saw Dad enter the room, already dressed.
“Well, I better get ready,” Levi said as he got up and walked to my bathroom.
“Use the bathroom downstairs,” I said as he shut the door.
“I can’t hear you because of this one being better,” he said, then turned on the shower. I let out a chuckle as Dad rolled his eyes. I watched as he sat down beside me then placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Get ready. We’re going Christmas shopping,” he said.
“I don’t want to go to the mall with my parents,” I groaned. “Add that to the list of embarrassing things.”
“How is it embarrassing? What list?” Dad questioned.
“Nu-nothing.”
“Lana.” Dad pressed as he looked at me.
“Well, people at school talk, Dad. Especially since you arrested half of them Of course they’ll gossip,” I admitted.
“You think I’m embarrassing?”
“No! No! It’s just…this is high school, Dad. People used to pick on me. There’s always those kinds of individuals at school.”
“Lana, dear, sometimes they only do that because they’re either jealous or raised like an ass.” Dad sighed as he swung my legs over his lap and brought me closer to him as I rested my head on his chest. “And if they still pick on you when you go back after winter break, call me. I’ll whoop their ass, put them in jail, and maybe afterward your mother can help them to the hospital.”
“Why would they be jealous?” I giggled.
“Well, if you look at it…your mom is a doctor, I’m a sheriff, and you have Griffon as your uncle. Obviously, people would be jealous because you have those advantages. Plus, you’re brilliant. Take me, for example. Believe it or not, I was the cool guy back in high school,” he said as I snorted. “I was friendly and very careless like that one friend of yours…that always cleans our fridge?”
“Liam?”
“Yeah, that one…does he get fed at home? Because he ate my doughnuts that I brought home from the station the other day,” Dad grumbled.
“Yeah, Dad, he just loves food.”
“Okay then…well, once I got to college, I became serious about what I want in life. Then when I became a cop, my friends started to say how I was changing, especially since I arrested one of them.” He sighed. “Griffon was one of my real friends who stood by my side. I met your mother, got married the next year, and then a few years later I became sheriff.” He sighed. “What I’m trying to say is…there’ll be people in your life who will bring out the good and bad in you. But stick with the ones who bring out the best in you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I smiled.
“You said used to. What happened?” he asked after a while.
“Well, let’s just say the senior year really does determine who you’ll be graduating with,” I admitted as I stood up.
“Don’t think so far ahead, kiddo. You still got the rest of the school year…which will obviously be a breeze for you.”
“I hope so,” I whispered. From the corner of my eye, I saw a figure clap their hands. Dad and I looked at Levi, who was shirtless in sweatpants with a towel around his neck.
“That father-daughter moment was just so moving,” he pouted. I playfully rolled my eyes as Richard stood by the doorway.
“Ready to go?” he asked, then looked at my appearance. “Let me rephrase that. Everyone out of bed?”<
br />
I let out a laugh and nodded as I walked to my closet and picked out an outfit for the day.
“All right, this is how it’s gonna work. Angie and Jade think we’re all going shopping, but it’s just you two,” Dad clarified as I held my clothes in my hands.
“What about you guys?” I asked. Mom and Jade went shopping yesterday, but I woke up too late and they were already gone. So today had to be the day we go.
“We’re going to watch a football game at a bar,” Richard answered.
“Badass, Sheriff.” Levi smirked.
“Not really, I just don’t want to shop…” Dad whined.
“What if they find out?” I asked.
“Griffon will be there, so we’ll just say that he invited us and we couldn’t let him down.” Richard waved off as he walked into the hall.
“Bobby, just remember…they always find out,” Levi sang as Dad cursed under his breath. I awkwardly stood in front of Levi as he took the towel and dried his hair. He put the towel back on his shoulder, then grinned at me.
“Well, looks like it’s just you and me, princess.”
“Yep.” I sighed, then walked into the bathroom. I locked the door and undressed. I took a quick shower as I thought of the gifts I’d get everyone. I already got Benny a gift, and I’d receive it soon. I turned off the shower and grabbed the towel. Out the corner of my eye, I saw movement. I quickly wrapped the towel around me as I squinted at the person.
“Levi?”
“Yes, princess?”
“What the fuck? How’d you get in? I locked the door,” I groaned as I joined him at the sink counter. I put on my glasses and watched as he gelled his hair.
“Yeah, you need a new lock.”
“Déjà vu,” I mumbled as I gripped on my towel.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Not nothing…someone doesn’t just say déjà vu for no reason. Especially in a situation like this.” I shook my head as I avoided eye contact then grabbed my toothbrush.
“Did someone else see you naked? Was it Benny? Carter? Parker? Keene? Ax—”
“What the hell?” I demanded. Levi let out a forced laugh as he stepped closer. I backed away and hit against the shower door. I bit the inside of my cheek as his hand grazed over my towel.
“Told you I’d find out. Remember you can only be bad for me, princess.”
I pushed Levi off me and glared at him. I roughly opened the door and gestured for him to get out.
“I have a boyfriend now, Levi. Don’t touch me, and in the kindest way possible, fuck off,” I muttered as I pushed him out the door. I slammed it shut and walked to the sink. I brushed my teeth as quickly as possible, then ripped the towel from me. I glanced up and looked at myself in the mirror. I bit my lip as I ran my fingers over the outline of my body. My poor used, damaged body, yet the only person to blame was me.
***
I stepped into the passenger seat of Levi’s Mustang then shut the door. He started the car then dumped his cigarette out. He wasn’t even finished. Except for the music that blared through the car, we drove in silence. Out the corner of my eye, he threw his head back in frustration. He turned down the volume and sighed.
“Look, I’m sorry for what happened earlier. It’s just every year when I came, it would be you, Keene, and me. And it’s not easy to move on. I-I just have to get used to the fact that you’re with someone else now,” he muttered. “I really have to get used it because you’re with Benny Nielson. I mean, him of all people. It would’ve been fine if it were Blake or even Carter. But Benny fucking Nielson.”
“Look, I know you don’t like each other, but you just have to get used to it.” I smiled. “I like him…a lot.”
“Ugh, okay,” he growled, then turned to me. “Nice jacket, by the way.”
“Thanks.” I smiled because I missed the leather jacket.
“I just threw out my cigarette for the whole effect, y’know, because I was pissed,” he said, then took two cigarettes out of his pack. I laughed as he handed me one. I put it between my lips as I lit it then inhaled. “This our song, princess!” Levi cheered as “Howlin’ For You” by The Black Keys played. I laughed as we began to blurt out the lyrics.
***
For the past three hours, we walked through the mall and bought gifts for everyone. I was glad because I got everyone that I needed to get.
“I still can’t believe you bought that,” I said as we walked out of a shoe store.
“It was on sale!” he whined as he held up the black Palladium boot.
“Don’t you already have black boots?” I asked.
“Yeah, but they’re a different shade of black,” Levi said. Since his new boots were all in my face, it caused me to bump into someone. He stuffed the shoes back in the box as I glanced up to apologize.
“Ugh, you,” Kelly said. Her red tips were gone as her ashy blonde hair went over her shoulders.
“My bad.” I sighed, then looked over her shoulder at Jennifer.
“What’s your name?” Kelly asked Levi as she bit her lip.
“Ranger Long Sausage. That’s my stripper name,” Levi said as he dramatically flicked his long hair. Kelly gave Jennifer a weird look then turned to me with a wicked look in her eye.
“I see you have a new guy every week. Wait…you weren’t even dating Benny for a week, and now you’re with him.”
“Lana, you’re becoming such a bitch. Like, not everyone likes you. Saturday night I saw Blake making out with this girl,” Jennifer said.
“As if I care?” I tilted my head as they rolled their eyes in unison.
“How’s our little betrayal, Melissa? That bitch changed.”
“She didn’t change. She just stopped acting the way you two wanted her to.”
“Glad she joined the bitches’ squad along with your other blond friend.”
“She and Marcus are something else.” Kelly sighed.
“Is your guys’ drama gonna have an intermission soon? I need to take a piss, but I don’t want to miss some bitch slapping,” Levi said.
“Shut up, you freak!” Jennifer yelled.
“Damn, who yanked your tampon out too early?” Levi asked. Kelly hit him with her shopping bag.
“Hey, don’t hit him!” I yelled, but Jennifer joined in.
“Ouch! You’re hurting princess’s nipples!” Levi exclaimed as I slammed him.
“Does she even have real boobs th—”
“You guys should come with a fucking warning label,” Levi grunted. We pulled their bags away, and one ripped in two. The boxes fell to the ground, and my eyes widened. I thought it’d be shoe boxes, but no, they were adult toy boxes. Levi and I sniggered as Jennifer went down on her knees and picked up the boxes. Kelly watched her friend in disbelief as we slowly backed away.
“Jennifer, what the he—”
“They’re not for me, okay?” Jennifer blurted out as she held the boxes in her hands. Kelly scrunched her nose up as she looked at Jennifer.
“I can’t have a lesbian friend! What if you fall for me?” Kelly whined and stomped her foot.
“I think we need to go,” Levi whispered beside me.
“Yep.” I laughed as we took our bags and walked out of the mall. We put all the bags in the trunk, then got into the car. While we drove, I told Levi about the time when I kicked Kelly in the face, and he laughed.
“Hey, I need you to drop me off at Benny’s house,” I said as I read the text on my phone.
“Why?” Levi asked as he blew out a smoke ring.
“Well, Melissa wanted to do something competitive, so we’re going bowling. Yippee.” I sighed.
“A double date?” he asked.
“Nah, triple…Miranda and Marcus are coming too,” I said as we drove through the streets.
“Cool,” he mumbled.
“Yeah, err…what are you gonna do?”
“Probably head over to Blake’s place.”
“Cool.”
; Other than showing Levi the directions to Benny’s house, it was quiet, yet the silence was comfortable. We arrived ten minutes later, and I realized everyone else was already here.
“Thanks, enjoy,” I said as I got out of the car.
“You too,” he mumbled. I walked toward the front door and raised my hand to knock on the door. It flew open with a very cheery Melissa.
“Finally!” she said, then pulled me into the house. Melissa dragged me all the way into the living room, where Marcus, Nick, and Benny watched a soccer game. Miranda was sprawled out on the sofa with her phone in her hands.
“YES!” Nick and Benny cheered as Real Madrid scored. Nick teased Marcus, who frowned because Barcelona hadn’t scored yet, while Benny jumped up. He spotted me then pulled me into an embrace.
“You’re a lucky charm. Just when you stepped into the room, they scored,” Benny said as I laughed.
“Lana, who do you think is better? Ronaldo or Messi?” Marcus asked as he pushed Nick away.
“Obviously Ronaldo,” I stated as Benny stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
“That’s why she’s a beautiful girlfriend,” Benny said as he kissed along my neck.
“All right, since this is a shit-ass game, shall we go?” Marcus asked as he stood up.
“Date night!” Melissa squealed as we walked toward the door. Benny and Nick teased Marcus and said that he just didn’t want to see his team lose. I glanced over my shoulder to see Miranda trail behind. Once she caught up, I entwined our hands together, and she looked up.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah…I didn’t have a good night on Saturday. Barely got sleep,” she said, then let go of my hand and walked out of the house. I tilted my head at Miranda’s weird behavior. It must be the fact that Detective Kale questioned Marcus. She didn’t have to worry, though; I sent a message to Marcus, and he said it was okay. Somehow, he acted weird, too.
The triple date at the bowling alley was just fantastic and all in all fun. It turned out Benny and I came second, while Marcus and Miranda came first because they were very competitive. Melissa didn’t care, though, because she said sports were never her thing, even if Nick did all the work.
