Sunlight wakes me and I crack open one eye. Chase is still asleep. It was warm last night and neither of us bothered with the blankets. I feel the hammering in my chest increase as I realize I slept in the same room as a guy I am not related to, let alone the same bed. But nothing happened and I trust Chase with my life. I calm down and relax until the phone alarm goes off.
He yawns and rolls onto his side. His voice is thickly coated with sleep. "Good morning. How'd you sleep?"
"Amazingly," I stretch, "they won't be worried about us, will they?"
"Nah." I gaze absently into his eyes. The pattern in his iris is so complex it would take years to sketch. He raises an eyebrow. I shrug and lean forward until our lips touch. His smile tickles and when I pull back he follows me, pouting when I place a finger against his to hold him back.
"Easy," I laugh, "I need to get ready for school." With another quick kiss he hops off the bed and leaves. I turn on the shower and wash away the pain from yesterday. That is all it is now: yesterday. A memory of the past.
By the time I straighten my hair there is barely enough time for a dash of makeup. I warm up a breakfast sandwich and eat it on the way to school, in the seats furthest back, beside Leo. Adam sits shotgun and Bree and Chase are in the middle. He glances back and grins. This language I have been quick to learn, unlike fourth period French. We all crawl out of the car and go our separate ways.
"See you later," I tell Chase with a peck on the cheek before following Bree.
"You are really good for him," she throws out casually, "he's not as uptight." We sit down in first and the teacher begins a dull lecture. The day goes by quickly. The basketball team is called out of third to return our jerseys and warm-up gear. This is more like a solemn procession as each girl hands over their items. Coach laughs when she sees my face.
"It's only for a few months, Audrey, not forever."
"It will feel like forever," I grumble dully.
That afternoon when we arrive back at the Davenports' I begin to gather my things and pack my suitcase. Bree lingers in my room to keep me company. The doorbell rings around seven and she helps me carry everything downstairs. I give my parents a hug and then turn to the assembled Davenports.
"Thank you," I hug each one of them and place a kiss on Chase's cheek. My dad's eyebrows rise but he does not mention it—yet. Not until our small family is settled back at home and we are all in the living room.
"Audrey, tell us what's been going on with you and the Davenports lately," he begins, the tone implying something else.
Sighing I set the book down and start, "well, Chase and I are dating…"
"You're dating the brother of your best friend, whom you spend almost as much time with as you do here? I don't think that's such a great—"
"No, Mom, it's not like that! Mr. Davenport and Tasha are okay with it. Please, I promise this is totally safe, if that's what you're worried about," I hurry to explain.
"We trust you. I want to make sure that this is what you want. After Jacob—" my mom forces the word out "—you haven't been on a date. But if you really want to, then it should be alright. Keep up with school and make smart decisions."
I nod vigorously. "Also, something else happened while I was there."
Dad sits up straighter. "You're pregnant?"
I stare at him. "No, Dad! I am bionic," I grimace. Then comes the long explanation of everything. They occasionally break through with questions that require another 10 minutes of explaining. I have to show them a little of what I can do to convince them. Mom leaps up and Dad curses in surprise. Then they get Mr. Davenport on the phone and share a heated discussion. I want to slip away but am afraid to.
After half an hour on the phone they return. "Why didn't you tell us sooner? Why didn't they call?"
"I begged them not to. I wanted to tell you face-to-face like this. Please don't be mad at them. Nobody knows how it happened."
"You're grounded for two weeks for not telling us and you are no longer allowed to go to the Davenport house," Dad announces.
I am on my feet in defiance. "What? You can't do that! And besides, how am I supposed to have any hope of controlling my bionics if I can't go to Mr. Davenport's lab? He can help me with this! I could lose control or slip up. Then the government would take me away. Do you really want that?"
They glance at each other and come to a silent conclusion the way parents do. "Fine. You're grounded for three weeks and can only go over there after school, then must come straight home."
I glare, hands shaking with anger. "Fine. Good night." I stomp down the hallway and close my door. In the comfort of my dark room I can let it all out and believe that everything is alright.
Who knows? Maybe it will be.
Hello! This is not the most exciting update-sorry about that-but I figured the parents should know that their daughter is bionic. After all, wouldn't most parents begin to wonder why their child is out all the time and about any change in their behavior? The next one is some fluff. Perhaps the one after that will have some action...or not.
Hope you enjoyed :) Please read and review!