Franko’s face would have to wait until tomorrow. I couldn’t stay out any later than what I already have. I snuck out and if my parents had to check on me, they’d know.
I could be doing with not getting grounded.
“Aubrey?”. Marko waved his hand in front of my face.
I blinked a few times. “No, it’s okay I really need to get home. Tell him I’ll see him tomorrow”. I couldn’t go inside because who knows when I’d get to leave.
“Suit yourself darling but I’m tailing you home”.
“No, it’s okay”. I frowned. “You don’t need to do that”.
“Ain’t taking no for an answer. You won’t even know I’m there”.
I rolled my eyes but didn’t have the time to stand and argue with him. If he wanted to follow me home, then fine. I walked to my car got inside and drove off.
Sure, as hell a few minutes later I heard the roar of his bike. A sigh fell from my lips as I continued my way home. Is this what they do? I wasn’t in any danger, and I didn’t need help getting home.
And why Marko? He put me in this situation with Franko and yet he was looking out for me. But then there was the whole seeing if I was the real deal. Was he testing me? And was Franko aware of that?
I couldn’t keep up with how they did things. We were all the same and yet our lives were lived so differently.
He didn’t follow me into my street and for that I was grateful. I parked in the drive and was glad to see my house still in darkness. I didn’t need to be caught for a second time.
I’m quite sure my dad wouldn’t let that one slide.
I made my way inside and as quietly as I could headed back upstairs and back to bed.
…
I had been awake for hours. I woke at 4 and couldn’t get back to sleep. As my alarm went off, I silenced it and got out of bed. School was the last place I wanted to go but I didn’t have a choice.
My parents weren’t leaving till late afternoon.
I looked out clothes for today before heading into the bathroom to get ready. I heard movement about an hour ago, so I knew my parents were up and ready to get started with their day.
I met my mom at the bottom of the stairs, she was holding a small suitcase.
“Morning honey did you sleep good?”. She asked.
No, no I didn’t. If anything, it was the worst sleep I’ve had in a long time. I’ve never had any issue with sleeping before but now, now I couldn’t seem to switch off at night.
“Yeah”. I shrugged. “Are you working today?”. I asked.
She shook her head. “Dad and I both took today as a holiday so we could get a start on packing for our trip. Are you still sure you’ll be okay by yourself?”.
Here it comes again. My mom was a worrier, worried about everything and anything. Me on the other hand I couldn’t wait to have the house to myself for the weekend.
No curfew, no rules, no worry.
“I’ll be fine mom besides you both deserve a break away together”.
“I just want to be sure. I’ll leave the number of where we’ll be staying just in case you need us. Call anytime okay”.
I rolled my eyes before making my way into the kitchen. I get that she worried about me but there was no need. I could look after myself and it’s not as if I was going to get into any trouble.
Good girl remember.
Dad was nowhere to be seen.
“He’s out picking you up some groceries to do you over the weekend”. My mom spoke.
“Okay”. I frowned.
I mean I could have done that. I was more than capable of feeding myself. It’s not as if I haven’t cooked dinner before. In fact, it was becoming a habit with how much my parents both worked.
“I’ll leave money on top of the fireplace just in case you need it. Try and only use it for emergencies okay”.
“I will”. I nodded. “What time are you leaving?”.
“Late afternoon but we’ll probably be away by the time you get home so don’t forget your housekey. Also, your work uniform is ironed and in the basket. Do they shorts have to be that short?”. She asked.
That was my question when I first started as well but I was used to them now. I still wasn’t comfortable with my ass cheeks hanging out, but I dealt with it.
I shrugged. “It’s my uniform mom I have to wear it”.
“I know, I know”. She sighed. “Now do you have everything sorted for school?”.
“I do”. I nodded. “I just need to brush my teeth and sort my bag then I’ll head out”.
“Okay sweetie and remember if you need us or if anything goes wrong, please call”.
“I know mom”.
..
Of course, it could only happen to me. I mean if I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any. I had a flat. I was stuck on the side of the road a few streets away from the clubhouse.
The funny thing is I never come this way. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry because someone out there was testing my patience, or they had it out for me but either way I was pretty much screwed.
I didn’t have a spare and even if I did, I didn’t know how to change it. I had no way to call for help. All I could do was abandon my car and walk to the nearest gas station.
Or I could walk to the clubhouse and ask for help? It was only a few streets away. Surely it wouldn’t be hard to find right?
I locked my car and took off on foot down the street.
I couldn’t find it. I had been walking for about 20 minutes and still hadn’t come across it. I was about to give up and turn around when I heard the roar of the motorcycle.
A sigh of relief fell from my lips when I saw it coming my way. I silently prayed whoever it was would stop. As it slowed down, I chewed the inside of my cheek as my mouth became dry.
But when the shades and the helmet came off my stomach dropped. I was really hoping it was Franko not Marko.
“Gotta stop meeting like this darling”.
“Yeah”. I don’t know why I felt so deflated.
“You alright?”. He asked. “Fact what you doing walking round bout here?”.
“I got a flat tire”. I sighed. “And I was coming to the clubhouse for help”.
“Where’s your car?”. He frowned.
“Back there”. I nodded.
“How bout I take you to the clubhouse and then I’ll come back and fix your tire?”.
I shook my head. There was no way in hell I was getting on the back of his bike. I had no other way of getting my tire fixed but still I wasn’t doing that. Could you imagine what me being on the back of his bike would start?
“Fuck darling you really do like him don’t you”. He laughed.
It was cut short when the sound of another motorcycle reached our ears.
“Ah”. He grinned. “That’ll be your knight in shining armor”. He winked.
My stomach tightened. I guess he wasn’t going to school today.
As he slowed down coming to a stop, I swallowed the lump that appeared in the back of my throat. I didn’t know what to say to him. Well, I did but at the same time I didn’t, and I wasn’t talking to him in front of Marko.
“I thought it was you”. He spoke.
“I’ll leave you two love birds to it”. Marko laughed as he walked back to his bike.
“What’s his deal?”. I asked.
“He’s a fucking idiot”. He sighed. “But he’s a good fucking idiot”.
“So, you two are good now?”. I frowned.
“Aye darling”.
I guess that was a good thing, right?
“What you doing walking round the streets?”. He asked.
“I got a flat tire”. I shrugged. “I don’t have a spare so-…”. I tailed off. I wasn’t in the mood for a lecture.
“So, you thought you’d come to the clubhouse for help?”.
I nodded chewing the inside of my cheek. Being honest I wasn’t even sure how I remembered where the clubhouse was. I’d only been a few times during the day, but I suppose it’s not a place you forget so easily.
“I’ll take you to the clubhouse. I’ll get someone to collect your car”.
“Could you take me to school?”. I asked.
A laugh fell from his lips. “How’d I get so fucking lucky?”.
“Lucky?”. I frowned.
“Aye darling fucking lucky. I fucked up Aubrey, but it won’t happen again”.
“And Marko?”. I asked.
“Like I said before darling he’s a fucking idiot”.
“I like you Franko, not Marko, not anyone else just you”.
“See lucky”. He winked.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my smile.
“You’re an idiot”. I laughed.