Chapter14

Mad's POV

For the next few weeks, I toned it down keeping a low profile just so Bridget would back off. Tyler and I still skipped out on classes, but we did so under the guise of volunteering for the school play props team. So during study hall and other "pre-approved" classtimes we hung out down in the basement where we stashed snacks and a deck of cards. Our time was best spent listening to classic rock and munching out on goodies after sharing a bowl. I'd learned my lesson and kept a spare set of clothing in my locker so I could shower and change before heading anyone could notice. With the right combo of eyes drops and a specific cut of time I could still enjoy the escape undetected by my guardian. During these times, I felt free, freer than I'd ever felt before and Tyler was proving to be a trustworthy confidant. I'd shared my story piece by piece over the past month. He was really good in that he let me talk but didn't press or ask questions. I looked up to se him watching me carefully, a spark of interest in his eyes. Smiling, I crawled over to him and leaned down to press a kiss to his cheek. It was then he surprised me by pulling me down into his arms and rolling over so I was pinned beneath him.

"I've been dreaming about this for a long time," he smiled before taking my face into his hands and kissing me deeply. Sure, I'd been kissed before, but my brother's close proximity to every aspect of my life had really limited my experience with the opposite gender.

"Me too," I responded breathlessly, reaching up to wipe an eyelash from his cheek. "Make a wish," I said, bringing it to his lips.

"I don't need to," he whispered. "It already came true." Leaning down, he kissed me again and this time we took our time. I felt my body awakening like never before and I began to wonder if I had to hate it here afterall.

"Madison," Bridget's voice cut into my study time not that it'd been all that focused anyway. "Phone."

Sam attempted to call me every night around bedtime; he always tried my cell a few times first before calling the house. I missed him terribly, but I knew I'd break if I heard his voice. Last week he'd even knocked on the door while I was home alone. I hid in the bathroom til he left.

"Busy!" I yelled down over the stairs. "I have an exam tomorrow." That part wasn't a lie. I did have an yet another exam. Report cards would be out next month and if I knew my family, they weren't going to be happy.

"You can put up your homework for a minute to speak to your brother," Bridget's tone was frustrated and it didn't help that the baby was crying.

"If you're so concerned, why don't you talk to him?" I challenged, slamming my laptop closed and stuffing it into my backpack. "If you need me, I'll be studying at the library.'

Not pausing for permission, I slipped down the staircase and out the front door. It was there I looked up to see the Impala parked on the curb. Sam was walking down the center of the road straight toward me with a determined look on his face. "Damn it, Sammy, I don't want you here!"

"Mads, I just wanted to see my baby sister. I'm lost without you and I'm spending every waking minute worrying about you. Why don't we go take a ride and grab a milkshake or something?"

"Forget it," I spat. "Get in the car and leave."

"That's not happening," Sam tilted his head and reached out to place a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off. "Baby girl, you're scaring me. What's going on with you? Bridget said you've been isolating yourself and you came were out smoking weed when you were supposed to be at school. That's not you. I'm here. Talk to me."

With both hands, I shoved him backward, "You're wasting your time. Don't you get it? I'm done with you! Don't show up here again." With that, I turned and ran, tears flowing by the time I reached the next block.

The bell rang and I gathered my belongings, intent on catching some time with Tyler while the rest of the drama club and prep team met in the gym. He met me in the hall, pressing me against my locker and kissing me thoroughly before being interrupted.

"Madison Mae Winchester!"

""Fuck!" the word escaped my mouth before I had a chance to censor it. Looking up, I saw Bridget standing by the entrance, arms crossed in irritation.

"Office," she pointed, "Now!"

Tyler eyed her then before crossing the hall to extend his hand. "Hi, you must be Bridget. I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Tyler."

"Forgive me if I don't shake you hand. I assume you're the reson Madison's been missing so much class," the woman marched toward him shooting fire from her eyes. Like the rest of the family, she could be intimidating.

"Bridget, go home," I demanded, cutting her off before she could reach him. "What I do at school is none of your business."

"Isn't it though?" she challenged. "You are living under my roof afterall."

"Well, that can be remedied," I snapped.

Taking a deep breath, she lowered her tone so those watching the show wouldn't be able to hear.

"For your information, I'm here because the headmaster contacted me for a meeting concerning your grades and class absences. So the question you need to be prepared to answer is where you have been."

"Like it matters," I snorted.

"Actually, it does because the headmaster has already mentioned suspension."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, cuz that would make it my worst Wednesday."

From around the corner, I spotted campus police eyeing me warily.

"Is there a problem?" one asked.

I bit my lip not wishing to press my luck with the authorities not when my family situation could be on the line. While I'd continued to push my brothers away, my end goal was always to be back with them. "Nope," I huffed backing down. Bridget pasted on a smile and directed me to the office. Five minutes later we sat before the headmaster. I knew how to play my careds, this wasn't my first rodeo. Smiling evily at my guardian, I put on the waterworks. By the time the meeting began, I was already tugging at the heart strings of all in attendance, that is, except Bridget who eyed me angrily. I riddled off the tragic tale of my parent's death in a car accident on Christmas Eve followed by the harrowing tale of Bridget, my savior. I ended with how difficult it was starting over in a new place, kids that tease me and classes I don't understand. I could see every line was wrapping them tighter around my finger. By the end, the team backed down, promising to give me more time to adjust and offered an open door policy to support me in whatever way possible. Bridget was left flustered and I knew I was in for it this time.

Bridget's POV

I kept my mouth shut until we were in the SUV driving home.

"You never answered the question," I watched her carefully out of the corner of my eye.

"Well, they didn't really ask," she delivered, smartly.

"But I am. I'm asking. Where we you during all those supposed drama prep times? You have a good chunk of time you can't account for and I am not ok with that. You don't want to tell me, fine, but we are going to discuss what you're doing with Taylor."

"Like hell we are," she snapped.

Angrily, I pulled the car to the side of the road. "Madison, you can hate me all you want; however, I'll be damned if you're going to run around like you answer to no one. And what of all the lies? Are you really telling everyone your parents died in a car accident?"

"Well, I had to tell something, it might as well be that."

I tried so hard to keep my patience. I knew she was dealing with so much. Even though she liked to play it cool, I knew she missed her brothers and felt like her father abandoned her. I opted to change gears. "Do you really like him?"

My question took her off guard. It took her a moment to answer.

"Nope," she replied a bit too quickly.

"Ok, listen, we're only going to have this conversation once," I took a deep breath before continuing. "You're very young to be in high school and that means there's a huge discrepancy between you and your peers. That means many of them are going to be 'more experienced'."

Mad's POV

"Oh, geez, Bridget, stop talking," I held up my hands to stop her from continuing. "I know how sex works."

"That may be true; however, this needs to be said," she continued ignoring my protests. "You and Tyler are obviously very comfortable with each other and it makes sense that you may feel pressured to take things to the next level. Sex is great when it's with the right person in a safe environment, but that being said, there are a lot of risks to take into consideration."

I blocked out the laundry list of STD's before moving on to the next subject."

"No amount of birth control or condoms can ensure you don't get pregnant. It happens and it happens a lot more frequently than you'd think. Straight up, there are plenty of safe alternatives that will get the job done without risking an unwanted pregnancy. Personally, I think your freshman year is a bit too soon to explore your sexuality, and I'd like you to consider waiting a few years until you have a bit more life experience and are truly ready. That sort of intimacy can have more than just physical ramifications and I'd like to save you some of the heartache. You and Tyler are still getting to know each other. Don't complicate it with sex, not right now. If he cares for you, he'll wait." She paused and I released a frustrated sigh only to have her start up again. "However, when you think you're ready, I'd like you to talk to me so we can make sure you're ready."

I rolled my eyes, "I'm pretty sure I have everything I need."

"Mads, don't be a smart ass, just come talk to me, ok?"

My grunt was the only response, but she didn't push and we rode the rest of the way home in silence.