Aurora Book 1: Soitera

31. Drug Test

I watch from the overgrown yard beside the woods for a while. It seems to go fast. Fire is lighting up the backyard through my window.

It's already after midnight. I wish I could stay and watch. I'll come and see the aftermath tomorrow. I don't want to get caught here.

The bowls of fruit seem heavy now. Being late finally caught up with me. I pass a field and 14 dark houses, shoeless, and smelling like alcohol before I see anyone.

Everett's dad appears. "What are you doing?"

"Refilling the produce table. What are you doing?" It's not a complete lie. I have the bowls. But I know he sees right through it.

"Oh, I'm taking a walk." He crosses his arms and walks with me.

I would ask about it being so late. But that's stupid. "Yea, it's a nice night for that."

He's deep in thought. "Good weather. Dante asked me to check on the security system over an hour ago. Turns out it wasn't armed."

"I didn't think I should arm it since I was gardening."

"Smart thinking." He walks me up on the porch. Then he takes the bowls. "Put those clothes in the washer tonight. Add extra soap. Then take a shower and wash your hair twice. Where are your shoes?"

I stare at my feet. "I lost them."

"Are they anywhere that can be found?"

"No. I don't think they're coming back."

-KA BOOM-

We turn and watch a fireball shoot into the air.

He puts the bowls on the table and runs for me. "Go. Washing machine and shower now. Then get pajamas on and go to bed. I'm going to set the system and leave. Keep all the front lights off. Make sure the house looks like it's dark from the road."

"Ok."

He pushes me into the house. "Go. Now."

I run to the washing machine and strip. I put in extra soap like he said. Then I take a shower and wash everything twice. I get my alarm set, and I'm in bed by one.

Seven is not a happy time for me.

I turn the alarm off, and Nancy comes right into my room. "Nope. It's 7:30. You need to go to school. You can't miss driver's ed."

"Ugh." She's right. I have to do this.

I drag myself up and shower again. My hair dried weird as hell. After that, I pull it back and put on clothes that seem good enough.

Nancy hands me a paper plate with eggs and a piece of toast before she pushes me out the door.

I wake up on my walk to school. This is not that bad, I guess.

Mr. Walker stares at me over his laptop as I walk in three seconds before the bell rings. I drop my plate in the trash and sit down with my bookbag.

"You alright, baby?" Everett takes the desk beside me again.

"Nancy got me up late."

One of the girls asks, "What happened last night? There were so many sirens."

Brock answers, "Something was on fire. I don't know what it was."

Everett glances at me and I ignore him. I get my book out and pretend to study.

By the time lunch rolls around, I'm finally awake and everyone knows it was my old house that burnt down.

A couple of periods later, I'm super excited to start driver's ed. I drive Mrs. Young crazy in study hall. I sit by her desk and talk to her the entire time about driving.

I sneak out early to use the restroom. I think she was just happy she could get some quiet time.

The police are walking in the door.

"Mrs. Winslet, you're just who I wanted to see. I'm Officer Chester. Where were you last night?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Home."

"Was anyone with you?"

"Brock and Everett ate dinner with me. Nancy was there for a while."

"Nancy is?"

"She works for Armen. She cooks. She's teaching me how to cook for a couple of weeks."

"Did you make something new last night?"

"Yes. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn. It was good."

"What time did you eat?"

"I don't know. It was kind of late. Brock and Everett said they already ate, but they ate with me anyway."

"Like midnight?"

"Oh, no. Maybe seven or eight? Then they stayed for an hour."

The bell rings and people flood the hallway.

"MR. NELSON." Brock runs by us and into the office.

Mr. Nelson comes flying out. "What the hell are you doing?"

I shrug my shoulders. I don't know what to say. I didn't know I couldn't talk to him.

"Go to class, Aurora." Mr. Nelson points. "Don't say another word."

I run to class. That was weird and I forgot to pee.

After school, I go to the driver's ed class. I'm so excited I'm shaking. I sit in the middle of a bunch of sophomores and can't stop smiling. I don't even care that I'm older than everyone else.

"Welcome to the first day of driver's education. We're going over the requirements today." The teacher gives us each a little book. "Study this book. You must know the driving laws to pass the test. Once you pass the test, you can legally drive with a licensed driver. For this class, you will drive with me for 10 hours. After 30 days of having your permit, you can apply for your license. You will be required to take a drug test, and your vehicle is required to have a current safety sticker. You will ride around with a police officer in your car for the driving test. We will practice that in the 10 hours of driving time. Open your books to page one."

The book isn't that big. I know I can memorize the whole thing in three weeks. Being book smart does have its advantages. I'm scared about driving though. I hope I do ok, and I'm not sure about a drug test. I don't even know what that is.

I sit on my steps after class and stare at my phone. They said I can ask about anything. And somehow, I'm in a group chat with Dante, Armen, and Hugo. I think Armen did it the day I was sent the pictures of that girl.

This is the only thing I can do.

I text. - My teacher told me I have to do something, and I don't know about it. -

The replies are instant.

Dante: - What? -

Armen: - What? -

- A drug test. -

Armen: - If you have tried drugs, that is something we need to sit down and talk about. -

Me: - No. That's not it. I have a question. -

Armen: - What is it? -

Me: - What do I study for a drug test? -

It takes a full minute before I get a reply, and then it's just Hugo sending laughing faces.

Dante: - You don't study for a drug test. -

Armen: - You go to the doctor and pee in a cup. The doctor tests the pee for drugs. As long as you're not doing drugs, you will pass. -

Me: - Thank you. That was scary. I don't know anything about drugs. I've never done them. -

Armen: - Good. Stay away from them. They'll mess your life up. -

Nancy helps me up. "Let's get dinner started."

Dinner takes a while. I make a big pan of lasagna. Some green beans with some kind of cheese. A salad. Garlic bread.

Everett and Brock sit at the table before everything is done.

"Boys, find something to do. It still has half an hour."

"I guess I could have gone home and showered."

"Fine. Go shower. Just stop staring at me from the table. You're not making this go any faster."

"I'll run home. I need more clothes anyway. I'm staying here tonight, baby." Everett gives me a kiss and turns around. "What are you doing, Brock?"

"I'm not doing anything. I need whatever that smell is."

Nancy laughs. "Go take a shower. We do not need whatever smell is coming off you."

Brock looks at the ceiling. "Can I shower here? I have clothes."

"I don't care. Get out of my kitchen. Towels are in the cupboard by the sink."

"Sweet." He jumps up and runs away.

Everett turns and stares into my eyes. He doesn't say a word. I can tell he's pissed.

"It's just a shower and Nancy is here."

Nancy nods. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Go clean up and come back. It'll be done in 25 minutes."

"I'm not leaving him here."

I grab and kiss him. "Take a bath in my room. The second drawer in the dresser is your stuff. You can find something clean for now and get more later tonight. And I'm sorry. I didn't know it would make you mad."

He pulls me against him hard and gives me a deep kiss.

"Time to put the beans in. You better stop, or it'll all get done at different times."

I giggle and kiss him, then run to the beans.

He comes out all clean as I'm sitting the stuff down. "I should take baths more often."

"You weirdo." Brock shakes his head. "Did you put some bubbles in?"

"No. I'll have to get some of those."

Nancy laughs and puts the food on plates for us.

The boys bicker back and forth while we eat.

I love this. I love this more than anything. I've never had anything to share and suddenly I do. I want to share with everyone.

After we get done eating, the boys go over to Brock's house.

I know he was mad, but I thought he still wanted a night with me. That hurts, but I understand. Maybe he meant tomorrow night. I wait a couple of hours, then go to bed.