Fiction/Drama/High School
Assumptions — Senior Year — Chapter Thirty-Five
Reagan Alverez
Once again, my boyfriend couldn’t pick me up for school this morning. Football and his dad have put a strain on our relationship, but I kept telling myself, eight more months and we’d be out of here.
Josh couldn’t take his dad’s car today, something about a business deal was happening, so we were keeping each other company on our half-hour-long walk to school. Since Ash was super busy with extra training and quarterback meetings, Josh and I have spent a lot of time together.
“How come Ash isn’t picking you up?”
“He had to go in early, something for football.”
Josh chuckled and nudged me playfully. “So he says. He be goin to get what you ain’t givin’.”
I so didn’t want to hear this. “Shut up. You don’t know anything about love.”
Josh turned around and walked backward, laughing and grabbing at his crotch. “That boy be wanting love for only one thing.”
I shook my head. I wasn’t in the mood to get into some argument over something that wasn’t true. Ash wouldn’t cheat on me.
Right?
Josh’s whole demeanor changed. Once lighthearted, he was now ready to take on the world. “What the fuck?” he whispered under his breath.
I turned around to see what was wrong. Officer West was walking toward us.
“What are we all doing out here?” Officer West’s tone was rough, his hand on his side pistol showing us he was in control.
Both Josh and I said ‘going to school’ at the same time.
Officer West checked us out head-to-toe. It was a tense moment. “I had a report of some vandalism and an attempted break-in. You know anything about that?”
I just shook my head while Josh had to go and open his mouth. “We didn’t see or hear anything. We just came outside. If you’re done, we need to get going.”
Officer West stood in front of Josh. I stepped back from the situation. “I’ll tell you when you can go. You have any weapons or drugs on you?”
Josh shook his head.
“Really? Guess I’ll find out.” Officer West turned Josh around and patted him down. He didn’t find anything. Then, his penetrating stare focused on me. “You have anything?” I shook my head once again. Officer West pointed fingers at both me and Josh. “I’m gonna be watching you two.” Josh puffed his chest out even further, egging him on, while I tried to shrink and fade away behind him. “Get to school. NOW.” Officer West’s yell at us was booming.
Josh walked away, making sure to shoulder-check Officer West as he stepped around him. But I knew Ash’s dad wasn’t going to retaliate against Josh. It was me he wanted to harass. And as he took a step closer to me, I took a step back.
“Ms. Alverez.” Officer West’s whisper was almost creepy, like straight out of a horror movie. I met his eyes. “I’m giving you one week to get out of my son’s life. I don’t care if he gets his heart broken. Your family will NOT take another from me.
I knew not to say anything. In fact, I didn’t even know what to say about this insinuation that my family had something to do with Ash’s mother being murdered last year.
Officer West slowly backed away and held up one finger. Then he mouthed out, ‘One week,’ and walked back the way he came.
Josh was further down the sidewalk and yelled out to me to hurry up. I pulled myself together, shook off the encounter, and walked away, knowing full well that this wasn’t over.
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