Chapter 21
Aubrey:
My heart was racing. My mind was doing summersaults. There was no way Alexis and I were coming out of this alive. I was sure of it.
Alexis begged me not to be so worried and to just let go for the next few days before our parents got back. We took trips to the amusement park, beach, the mall, and Alexis even treated us to the spa. The more time we spent together, the more I came to realize what was really going to happen. There was no way that this relationship would last with our parents about to get married.
This morning, I woke up with Alexis's arms wrapped around me. Since Thursday, we had missed a consecutive four days of school. Our little paradise had taken us out of reality and we needed to be snapped back into it... Immediately.
While she slept, I took my time getting ready. With our parents returning tomorrow, I wanted to think everything through. My mother was always super religious. My mother was a strong catholic woman. With my father being out of the picture, it took a toll on our relationship. She was super strict, constantly forced God on me, and made sure I attended Catholic school pretty much all my life. It wasn't until my grandmother intervened and my mother calmed her shenanigans down.
When I turned sixteen, she allowed me to have my girlfriends from school over. Mike came into the picture. My life had actually gotten better.
After my shower, I shook Alexis awake and demanded that she get dressed for school.
"Why can't we just sleep in? Just one more time?" she whined, throwing a pillow over her head.
"Because the school's already left eight voicemails about or unexcused absences!" I exclaimed, grabbing the pillow and hitting her with it. "Come on, Alexis. I'll make breakfast while you get ready." I offered. Those magic words instantly lifted her spirits and she went running to the bathroom to get ready.
I quickly dressed myself in a tie dye skater dress, white converse, and pulled my hair up in a messy bun. I grabbed our book bags and took them down with me to the kitchen before making breakfast.
As we ate in silence, I couldn't help but think of the consequences of our relationship. "For someone who just made the most amazing buttermilk pancakes, you don't seem so amazed," Alexis pointed out.
"It's just that I know this won't last," I admitted.
"What won't last?" she wondered. I could tell by her face that she wasn't fazed by any of this.
"What happened at the restaurant. You can't honestly think nothing's going to happen." I huffed, picking up my half eaten plate and glass of orange juice. I wasn't even hungry anymore.
A few minutes later, Alexis followed behind me. I figured she had sat longer at the table so she could finish her food before coming to comfort me. "If you're so worried about them knowing anything, why don't we just call our parents tonight? See how the tone is. Then we can know for sure." She suggested. Actually, it wasn't such a bad idea.
Alexis's friends were pretty upset about her absences and failure to communicate with them about our plans. "You take all these bomb ass trips with your girlfriend and we have to find out on Instagram? Not cool, bro." Jay fake sobbed. "Oh, relax." Alexis shushed him.
We were seated in the courtyard, talking and eating during our free period. "My pops won't be home until tomorrow. You and the guys should slide through. Aubrey and I are gonna have a little movie night." She said. I looked up at her. "We are?" I questioned. "Yes. It's our last free night. Why not?" I shrugged.
"I got the popcorn and candy. Stop freaking crying. You on your period or something?" Carl said, getting out of his car after he pulled in front of the house. Alexis had called him five times to make sure he was bringing the right stuff. Her other friend, Greg was in charge of pizza wings, while Jay was solely in charge of drinks. Which was just boxed wine and a bunch of beers for Alexis and the guys.
"Since we're gonna be drinking later, do you want to call them now or later?" I asked Alexis in the foyer. The guys were putting everything out in the kitchen. Alexis nodded and pulled out her cell phone, face timing Hank. He picked up on the second ring.
"Hey, dad!" Alexis greeted him excitedly. Hank was quiet for a moment before he cleared his threat and plastered on a fake smile.
"Hi, sweetheart. How's everything?" He choked out.
"Everything's good. I invited the guys over to hang out. How's the islannddddd treating you?" She inquired, referring to the tropical paradise he and my mother were currently on.
"It's...okay." He replied. Hank sighed heavily and buried his face in his hands.
Alexis slid the phone over to me and signaled for me to talk.
"Hi, Hank. Is my mom around?" I managed to get out.
"Um, I'll see if she wants to talk to you," he emphasized the last word. He called out my mother's name, and exactly two seconds later, I heard the phone being grabbed and my mother staring a burning whole through the screen. She shooed Hank away.
"Are you alone?" she asked, with attitude. I looked at Alexis, who motioned for me to go along with it. I nodded and greeted her.
"Hank and I got an email from that fancy Italian restaurant," she stated. On cue, my eyes started to water. "Don't cry now!" she yelled. "I won't have this conversation over the phone. I've arranged for an earlier flight. I'll be home at noon. Have your bags packed by the time I get there," she snapped, ending the call.
I burst into tears. Alexis wrapped her arms around me. "I knew they'd find out," I sobbed, burying my face in my hands.
"Just relax until tomorrow. Eat and drink with us. It'll take your mind off things. I'm sure your mom wouldn't just take you guys out of here," she said. I shrugged.
"I don't know what she'll do. But if we're leaving tomorrow, I want to do something," I told her.
"What," Alexis asked, confused.
"Let me make love to you. Tonight."