Julie's pov

Shane's room

"You wanted to see me?" I ask Shane hesitantly, afraid I'm in trouble but unaware why.

Sensing the motive behind my trepidation, Shane replies, "Relax, Julie, I just wanted to let you know that Mike and I have to work this Saturday so Kimberly will be coming to spend the day with you and Carrie."

"We're in junior high, Shane, we don't need a babysitter."

"She's not babysitting you. She just wants to spend some time with you and get to know you better."

"What if we don't want to spend time with her?" I mumble, under my breath.

Shane clears his throat loudly, warning me to watch my tone.

"Why are Carrie and I being punished? Where are Lisa and Stacey going to be?"

"First off, you're not being punished. If anyone's being punished, it would be Kimberly since she has to spend the day with a moody, attitude laden, trouble-making teen."

"Kind of rude to talk about Carrie that way when she's not here to defend herself but that's your call, Admiral. "

Shane chuckles inspite of himself and shakes his head.

"Anyway, Lisa is spending the day at Megan's for her birthday party and Stacey has a softball tournament downstate."

While we both played on the school's team, my cousin played tournament ball on an all-star team as well. I'm kind of surprised Mike and Shane are letting her go to the tournament, considering what happened at the fundraiser.

"Why can't I go with Stacey to the tournament?" I whine.

"First, you don't have a ride down there. Stacey is going with the team on the bus. Second, I'm not leaving you over an hour away unsupervised. Mike and I won't be able to get down there until after 4 or 5pm."

"What if I can find a ride down there and I promise to stay with one of her teammate's parents?" I continue to whine and plead, "Please Shane?"

"I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that this is open for discussion, Julie, because it's not," Shane warns.

"This is fu... freakin' ridiculous." I was gonna say fuckin' but stopped myself. "For the love of God, Shane, we're old enough to stay by ourselves and I don't want to waste my Saturday by spending it with your stupid girlfriend." I'm so annoyed right now, I don't care that my speech is unfiltered. I start walking toward the door. I'm so done with this conversation.

"Come here." Shane points to the spot in front of his knees, where he's sitting on his bed.

"What?" I say with attitude.

"COME HERE!" Shane repeats slower but louder.

"Uggh!" I walk over and stand in front of him. "Whaaat?" I roll my eyes and huff audibly.

Shane reaches back with his right hand and smacks my left buttcheek hard.

"Ow!" I rub the stinging spot on my bottom.

Shane grabs my chin and holds it firmly in his left hand as he looks me dead in the eyes and sternly says, "I don't know where you acquired this attitude, luv, but return it. Understood?"

"Fine, whatever," I reply, trying to turn and walk away again.

Shane lets go of my chin, grabbing both my wrists and holding them together with his left hand.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me, Julie Elizabeth. I said, do you understand?" Shane reiterates, his right hand spanking my bottom with each syllable.

"Okay. Yes, I get it," I say, rolling my eyes again.

Shane smacks my bottom harshly again, giving me a very cold glare.

"I mean, yes sir, yes sir," I repeat, trying to twist my body from his grip so my bottom is out of the line of fire.

"That wasn't so hard now was it, Julie?" Shane stands, still keeping his hold on me and smacks my bottom once more. Pointing his finger in my face, he says, "You will be nothing but cordial, accommodating, and respectful to Kimberly on Saturday because if I find out anything to the contrary..." Shane pauses, clutching my face again to force eye contact before continuing his threat "...you will find sitting down to be an excruciatingly difficult task. Am I clear, Julie?"

"Yes sir," I manage to growl reluctantly, through my clenched jaw.

"Good, because you will not like the consequences you'll face if you disobey me, Julie," Shane states sternly, narrowing his eyes and releasing his tight grip on my jaw. As I turn to leave, he takes the opportunity to spank my bottom harshly one last time. "I mean it, Julie, best behavior Saturday," he says, as I'm walking out of his bedroom.

Saturday

Carrie's pov

I sigh when I return to the table with our tray of food and see Julie scrolling through pics on her phone while purposely ignoring Kimberly. I wish Julie would just give her a chance. She seems like a really nice person.

I set the tray down in the center of the table and ask, "So, what are you two talking about?"

"Nothin' much," Julie responds, without looking up from her phone.

"I was just asking Julie if there are any movies out now that she would like to see. I thought maybe the three of us could go together this afternoon," Kimberly replies, smiling at me.

"That sounds like fun," I say, in the most upbeat tone I can muster up, hoping some of my optimism will rub off on Julie.

"Yeah sure, whatever. I guess that'll kill a couple hours anyway," Julie mutters, once she finally realizes that Kimberly and I are waiting for her to respond.

At the movie theater

Julie's pov

Carrie and I are in the bathroom washing our hands while Kimberly is buying popcorn and candy.

"Why are you being so cold to her? She's just trying to be nice," Carrie asks me, as I grab a paper towel to dry my hands.

"Because I don't want to be here, Carrie. I'm so fucking sick of Shane treating us like babies all the time and to top it off, now he's constantly shoving his annoying girlfriend down our throats. I'm sick of it and I don't want to deal with it anymore," I reply, both annoyed and frustrated by my current situation.

"Don't you think we should just try to make the most of it? I mean, I know we didn't have a choice about spending the day with her but since we have to, we might as well try to enjoy ourselves."

I roll my eyes in response. Carrie is so happy happy joy joy about everything but I'm just not feeling it right now.

"Let's just go sit down and watch the stupid movie, okay? That's the best I can do, Carrie, sorry."

"I'll take it," she says smiling, as we head to our seats.

About forty minutes into the movie, I'm low key bored.

"I'll be back in a little bit," I whisper to Carrie. "I'm just gonna go to the washroom." I quietly slip out of the dark theater and head outside for some fresh air, hoping it will revitalize me. I see a coffee shop nearby with free wifi and decide to have a latte and check my streaks.

I hadn't intended on ditching the movie at first but now it seems like a good idea. I just need some space. I don't like being forced to spend time with people I don't particularly care for.

I didn't realize how long I'd been sitting here nursing my drink and surfing the web, until I saw I had received twenty-two texts and eight missed calls since I left. I shot Carrie a quick text, letting her know I was okay and that I just needed some time to myself.

It wasn't long before I received a text from Shane that read, I'm going to call you in 2 minutes and so help you God, if you don't pick up.

Yikes, so not pretty. I knew I had this coming but I'm still terrified of hearing Shane's wrath. Sure enough, exactly two minutes after he sent the text, his number pops up on my incoming call. Punctual to a fault as always Admiral. I take a deep breath and try to steady my nerves before I accept the call.

"Hello," I say, in perhaps the most timid voice I have ever used.

"WHERE THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU, JULIE? YOU HAD ALL OF US WORRIED SICK SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENED TO YOU. WHAT IN GOD'S NAME WERE YOU THINKING?"

I hear Shane exhale loudly. The fury in his voice is quite evident.

"I'm sorry, I just lost track of time." Even I know that's a pathetic excuse but I don't know what else to say.

"SAVE IT, JULIE! Now is not the time and Kimberly is the one you should be apologizing to."

I can practically hear Shane's angry body language through the phone.

"Do you remember what I told you the other day? What I wanted from you while spending the day with Kimberly and what would happen if you defied me?"

The disappointment I hear in Shane's voice almost brings me to tears.

"Yes sir," I say quietly.

"TELL ME!" Shane commands.

"You wanted me to be polite and respectful and on my best behavior." I'm so ashamed. I really let Shane down. I didn't think I'd be gone long enough for anyone to miss me, let alone worry about me.

"And what did I say the consequences would be if you disobeyed?" Shane asks coldly.

I swallow hard, remembering his warning.

"I wouldn't be able to sit comfortably for a long time," I practically whisper the words, hoping it will lessen their severity.

"You may think on that tonight, Julie. I will deal with you tomorrow." Stephen King has never penned words more terrifying. A chill runs through my body, hearing Shane's icy tone. "Right now, I want you to tell me exactly where you are and don't move a muscle until Kimberly gets there, at which time you will apologize to her. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir," I manage to squeak past the lump in my throat before my eyes well with tears as the enormity of how badly I screwed up finally hits me.

Shane's room, the next day

Julie's pov

When I enter Shane's room, he tells me to take a seat on his bed.

He shakes his head sadly and quietly asks, "Why, Julie? Just why?"

Hearing the hurt in his voice and seeing the sadness in his eyes, brings me to tears. I keep my head lowered, too ashamed to look at him and face his disappointment. I wipe the tears from my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Shane. I guess I was just angry that you were making me spend the day with her and you didn't even give me a choice."

Shane hears my voice break. Now aware I'm crying, he bends down to gently lift my chin, brushing a stray lock of hair out of my eyes before wiping the tears from my cheeks.

He sighs and asks, "Was it worth it, Julie? Your little disappearing act, scaring us and worrying us that the worst had happened?"

"No, I didn't mean to scare anyone, I just wanted some time to myself." I lamely try to justify my actions.

"You were upset with me and you took it out on Kimberly. I can't tell you how disappointed I am in your behavior." Shane stands and turns his back to me.

His words hurt so much because I can't deny the validity of his accusations.

"I'm really sorry, Shane," I sob, crying harder now.

"Come here, luv," Shane sighs loudly, as he pulls me up and holds me tightly against his chest, letting me soak his dress shirt with my tears. "You know I forgive you, Julie..." Shane rubs my back and kisses the top of my head, "...but I still have to punish you."

Hearing that makes me tighten my grip on his shirt and cry harder. Shane breaks our embrace and holds me at arm's length.

"Let's get this over with, sweetheart. Shall we?"

I nod sadly, knowing I deserve this for causing them so much unnecessary worry.

"You deliberately disobeyed me, Julie. Bend over the bed."

I cringe, hearing Shane unbuckle his belt. I brace myself, anticipating the first stroke as I lay over his bed and grab tightly onto his comforter.

Shane's pov

I was furious with Julie yesterday for defying me and pulling that stupid stunt of leaving the movie theater without permission but since Kimberly broke up with me last night, my anger has been replaced with sadness. She said she wasn't ready to take on the responsibility of raising teenagers and if our relationship didn't have a future, then there was no point in pursuing it any further. Better to break it off before either of us became more attached to each other or the girls became more attached to her, although that seemed pretty unlikely given Julie's and Lisa's animosity towards her.

I know I can't allow Julie's disobedience to go unpunished so I'll put my pity party on hold and deliver her much needed and well deserved discipline. As Julie bends over the bed, I pull my belt through my pant loops, fold it over and begin delivering the first of fifteen harsh strokes to her bottom. After the seventh stroke, I tell Julie to stand and pull her pants down before bending back over my bed. Having a rather guilty conscience, she's quick to oblige, even adding an unprompted, "Yes sir," to my request.

Julie has a hard time holding still now that she no longer has the added protection of her pants to cushion each stroke of the belt. She squirms through strokes eight, nine, and ten, alternating lifting each leg to try and ease her discomfort. I deliver the last five strokes on her upper thighs, knowing she'll still feel these tomorrow. Each slap of the belt leaves a red stripe on the pale sensitive flesh at the crease of her buttocks, the pink color of her spanked bottom showing beneath her thin cotton panties. I hear her breath hitch as she stands and pulls her pants over her sore backside.

"I promise, I'll be nice to Kimberly and give her a chance the next time she's here, Shane," Julie says quietly, with her head lowered, presumably still ashamed of the way she treated her.

"You don't have to worry about that. She won't be coming over anymore."

Julie jerks her head up, my response taking her by surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"Kimberly and I broke up last night," I say matter of factly, not wanting to elaborate.

"I'm so sorry, Shane. I didn't mean to break you two up. I'll apologize to her. She'll understand. Don't worry, I'll make this right, I promise," Julie blurts out quickly, in a panicked tone, running her words together.

I place my right hand on her shoulder as I look her in the eyes.

"Julie, I broke up with her." I see a look of relief wash over her, confirming I'm doing the right thing by sheltering her from the truth. "She was pressuring me to make a commitment and I'm just not ready for that right now. I explained to her I'm not looking for a serious relationship at this point in my life."

"Oh." Julie looks at me sadly.

Knowing we both could use some comforting after what we've been through, I toss my belt on the bed and wrap my arms around Julie, hugging her close. Resting her cheek against my chest, I feel our breathing start to sync as we assuage each other's pain.