"I'm about to get in trouble," I sighed while pulling my back over my shoulder, taking it from him.

"Why?" he frowned.

"You don't think the school would have informed my dad that I didn't show up today?" I asked.

He probably realized that I was right because he looked down at the ground sheepishly while scratching the back of his neck. "Hmm," he chuckled, "Maybe I shouldn't have let you skip," he admitted.

"I'm the one who suggested it. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow," I said while turning around to head to my door.

"Alex," he called out, making me turn to face him, "Just give me a call if you need anything, okay? Anything."

I nodded before waving him bye and going inside. We were out the entire day, it was now six pm and if my dad was home right now, then I was in trouble. I opened the door and walked in slowly, heading to the kitchen first. The place was quiet so I assumed he wasn't home.

I let out a sigh of relief while setting my bag down on the counter and heading to the pantry. "Food!" I grinned while opening it. I grabbed some snacks and closed the pantry, jumping when my mom stood there, arms folded across her chest. "Jesus," I huffed.

"Where were you?" she asked.

That's the first time I've heard her ask that question in a really long time.

"I was out," I shrugged.

"Out where? With who?"

"Why are you asking? You never do," I stated.

"Just because I don't ask doesn't mean I don't notice. You're usually home by four-thirty. Where were you?" she repeated.

"I was out with a friend, relax," I said while grabbing my bag.

"That boy? Mr. Reed's son?" she questioned.

"Yes, mom. Mr. Reed's son," I answered.

"You skipped school today," she pointed out. I turned to her with a sigh. "I'm still your mother. The school is still obligated to notify me," she stood with her arms folded across her chest, her tone stern.

"Glad they did," I replied.

"Alexandria, I don't want you seeing that boy. He doesn't seem to be a good influence on you, I don't want to see him around this house again," she said sternly but I stopped listening at Alexandria.

I huffed while the front door opened and my dad walked in. "Hey, kiddo," he said while walking over to me and kissing the top of my head before setting his stuff down. "What is going on?" he asked.

I didn't want them arguing, so I decided not to say anything, but my mom just put out the platter for herself.

"Your daughter skipped the entire day at school today," she announced. I sat down.

This will take a while.

"Did you?" he asked.

"Yeah, I did."

"Why did you do that?" he asked calmly.

"The same reason I didn't stay here last night," I shrugged.

"You didn't stay here last night? What do you mean?" my mom asked.

"Well, if you two would have taken a minute from the arguing, you would have noticed me walking out at night and not coming back until dawn. I only came back to get dressed for school, but I didn't want to go because last night I was here, listening to you two argue, and I was so exhausted that going to school seemed like something that would drain the life out of me so..." I sighed, "I skipped school. Anything else?" I asked.

They both had no idea what to say, so they stood there, dumbfounded.

"Right, do with that what you will. Goodnight," I said before going up to my room and closing the door behind me, leaning against it with a sigh.

Maybe I shouldn't have said that, but I was so sick of it. I cannot keep up with their constant arguing and act like it doesn't phase me.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

I groaned and shuffled around, screaming into my pillow.

They are STILL arguing, it's almost midnight.

I was tempted to call Carter and go over to his house again, but that's not fair to him. I can't just show up whenever it's practical for me. I lay there, music blasting through my earphones but it still wasn't enough, I could make out their words from the muffled voices.

The music suddenly stopped before my ringtone poured through. I sat up and answered the call without checking who it was. "Hello?" I huffed.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi," I sighed while falling back onto my pillows.

"Again?" he asked knowingly.

"Yup," I replied.

"You can come over if you want." I liked how I didn't have to ask, he just offered. It was very sweet of him. Not to mention it made me feel kind of... giddy.

"Mm, I don't know. I don't want to be a bother," I said.

"You are not a bother, how many times do I have to tell you?" he asked while I heard shuffling.

"It's not fair though. I can't keep coming to you with my problems," I said. He fell silent until I heard what sounded like a door close on his end. "What are you doing?" I asked after a long silence.

"Coming to get you," he said while breathing heavily.

"What?" I shot up and out of bed.

"Come downstairs, bring a change of clothes for tomorrow," he said.

"You're coming over here?" I asked while looking out my window, trying to spot him.

"Sprinting," he corrected.

If he comes over here right now, my parents will be the ones getting the door. And my mom will lose her mind.

I tossed my phone on the bed and grabbed a random backpack I found and shoved clothes in there for tomorrow, taking my toothbrush with me. I grabbed my phone and looked out the window.

He was running over.

He is insane.

I opened the window and stuck my head out. "Carter!" I whisper-yelled.

He's not going to hear that, Alex.

"Carter!" I called out a little louder.

He slowed down and stood there. "Hey!" he grinned.

"Shhh!" I put my finger to my lips.

He frowned and looked at me in confusion. I waved him over with my hand and he hesitantly approached. I dangled my bag and he stuck his arms out. I dropped it and he caught it effortlessly before looking down and smirking. He opened his mouth, probably to give me a snarky comment, but I just glared at him and he kept quiet.

I closed the window and stepped out of my room and went downstairs, acting casual before running out the front door.

"What are you doing?" he asked in confusion. "Nice bra, by the way," he winked, holding my red bra up.

I snatched it from him and threw it back inside, zipping my bag up and taking it from him. "I'm not supposed to be out right now. I'm in trouble," I said as we walked to his house.

"Why?"

"Because I skipped school. And my mom got notified. And now they're arguing."

"Why are they arguing if you already got in trouble?"

I hesitantly looked up at him, "They're not arguing about that, they um- my mom uh- she doesn't think I should see... you."

"And your dad?" he asked.

"My dad actually really likes you. Hence the arguing," I said it like it was obvious because it was.

"And you?"

"I what?" I asked in confusion.

"Do you like me?" he smirked.

I stared at him, acting confused rather than nervous, which was how I was feeling. "Are you kidding?" I chuckled. He simply shrugged and I rolled my eyes before standing behind him and grabbing onto his shoulders.

He bent his knees and I hopped on, resting my chin on his shoulder. "I don't like you," I stated, "But you like me." I didn't know if he did, I didn't think so, but there's no harm in teasing him.

The least I could do for the sake of my satisfaction was act like he likes me back.

"Who says?" he chuckled.

"I do," I replied.

"I agree," he nodded.

We walked to his house but before we could go inside, he stopped and put me down while my eyes landed on some of the cars that were parked outside his place.

"You have guests?" I asked.

"We weren't supposed to," he said while taking my bag from me and grabbing my hand, leading me inside. I watched the cars in confusion, one of them seeming familiar. I faced forward when we stepped into his house.

He began heading to the staircase, stopping in the living room where Clark sat with a few other men.

"I didn't know we were having guests," Carter said, his grip on my hand tightening.

Why does he always do that when Clark is around?

"Last minute meeting," his dad replied.

"Meeting? Clark is in a completely different business," Carter scoffed.

"Carter, just go up to your room. And both of you can stay there," he said, glancing at me.

So we left as asked.

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