Waiting for Mercy (Cambions) by Shannon Dermott Read Free Book Online

Day, right?” he asked.  I nodded.   “Second, Brent and Maggie have something planned and have asked, very kindly I might add, that I not be home tonight,” he said, enunciating his words so that we both understood what they were up to.  Brent was pretty well off too.  So his house was not small.  However, my guess was that Maggie didn’t like the idea of someone being in the house at all.
     
    I almost forgot my earlier conversation with her.  I needed to find out what she decided.  There was nothing to do about it now though.  The bell would be ringing soon.  The halls would be filled with students long before the warning bell.
     
    “Well, I guess you’re stuck with me then. How about we watch Star Wars?” I asked.
     
    He laughed again. “That sounds cool. We can go for ice cream after school, unless you have other plans.” He eyed my hand full of roses.  For a minute, I wanted to toss them in the trash.  The burden of not knowing who sent them made me tired of carrying them.  But what if one, if not all was from Luke, I thought.
     
    “No plans. I’ll meet you by your car straight after school,” I said. I hoped not to be seen by gossips if we left right away.
     
    Our conversation had me make a classic error in judgment.  We entered the front of the school building. I knew better and should have taken one of the circuitous entrances like the gym or cafeteria, but I wasn’t thinking.  Vice Principal Wright was at the door waiting, tapping her black lace up clad foot.  Her gray suit and nude stockings made her look old and mean.  Her graying hair was pulled back so tight she had no lines on her face other than the frown she bore.
     
    “Well, I’m shocked,” she said to us. “You are new,” she said pointing at Tom. “But you missy,” she said pointing at me with beady eyes, “you know better.”
     
    “I,” I stammered.  I’d never been caught doing anything wrong before. I had no practice on how to handle it.  I could see in the distance several students leaving the cafeteria early.  They darted down a different hallway to avoid the Vice Principal.  I sighed.  I’d been seen, so rumors would ensue.  I so didn’t want to be on display for anymore to see.
     
    Tom was quick on his feet though and helped me where I had failed. “We didn’t go out,” he said. “I walked her to her car to get Brent’s homework.”
     
    “When did you get a car?” she asked, focusing her dark eyes on me and I swear she could see the lie.  Even though our school in no way could be considered small, Principal Wright prided herself in knowing each and every one of us.  I don’t think however she remembered my name which is why she called me missy.
     
    “He means Flynn’s car,” I said thinking clearer and quicker now hoping to end this soon. I pulled out my key for Flynn’s car from my pocket.  David said I was welcome to drive it, but I hadn’t taken him up on that. But I kept the key so I didn’t have to stand by the car waiting for Flynn every day.
     
    Tom was muttering an explanation that I didn’t quite follow.  Halfway tuning them out, I had been eyeing the hallway knowing more people would be coming out at any moment before the bell signaled lunch was over.  I prayed we could get through this before anyone else saw.  My luck was on a dive southward, however.  I watch in horror as Flynn strode out of the lunchroom followed by Luke, Paul and Sebastian in that very order.  
     
    Vice Principal Wright couldn’t have picked worse words to say then. “We don’t allow students to go make-out in their cars at lunch.”  Her words were stern and clear.  Although she hadn’t yelled them, the empty hallway carried her voice all the way to the frozen faces of the guys that were now watching the exchange.  My face was horrified and I made the mistake of looking down at the floor like I was guilty. 
     
    Looking up, I was just in time to see Luke’s face sour.  My