Distraction: The Distraction Trilogy #1 (36 page)

I laugh a little; it’s an angry laugh. “No. I’m legally an adult…”

“Then act like it!”

“I did! Last night.”

He goes pale and I cringe along with my mum at my outburst. “Until you leave for University, you’re to come home after work and school without delay.”

“No.” I shake my head, determined to make a stand for once. “I’ll go and hang out with my friends. I’ll stay at Hayley’s. I’ll enjoy my last few months that I have with everybody and you can’t stop me.”

“I didn’t raise you to be this way.”

“That’s because you raised me in a fucking box! I’m done!” I grab my bag and keys and then march to the door. “Call me when you’ve stepped into the twenty first century.”

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” My dad has now turned on my mum.

“I agree with her.” For the first time my mum actually defends me and my dad does not look happy about it. They start arguing about her undermining his authority and how it’s her fault I am this way. What way am I exactly? I don’t do anything wrong. Not really.

“This is your fault.” My dad spins and faces me, his face resembling that of Violet’s after she eats that bubble gum in the Willy Wonka movie.

“Don’t you dare blame her! I’m sick of you blaming her! You say you’re protecting her, but blaming her for your irrational behaviour is damaging her. It’s no wonder she wants to leave.” I watch my mum as she grabs her coat and car keys before marching to me the same way I marched to the door. “Let’s go for a drive.”

“Sure.” I blank my dad as we exit, relieved when he doesn’t follow us onto the street.

Mum unlocks the car and we climb in. “Are you being safe?”

Seriously? That’s the first thing she asks? “Umm… seriously?”

“I’m taking you to the doctors and then we’re going for coffee and we’re going to chat. Then we’ll see a movie or something and wait for your dad to call and apologise.”

I snort at the latter statement. “Dad won’t apologise.”

“He knows he’s wrong. He loves you; he’s just scared you’ll end up stuck here, working two jobs and struggling. He doesn’t want to lose you, but he doesn’t want you to do something stupid.” She smiles warmly at me and I realise just how much we look alike when we smile. “So, contraception, food, movie and then hopefully home.” She smiles wider. “Oh and I know you’ve been sneaking out.”

Blink. “I…”

Her hand covers mine on the console. “I get it. It’s hard being young. Just please don’t get pregnant and please, I’m begging you, don’t get stuck here.” I release the breath I was holding. “Do you want to tell me about him?”

“Who? Dad?”

“No.” She rolls her eyes. “The guy you’re sneaking out to see.”

I shake my head almost frantically. “No. It’s not serious. We know it’ll end soon, so we’re just… I don’t know… enjoying each other’s company for a while.”

“Well you know I’m here if you decide you want to share.”

For once I actually love my mum without a single ounce of resentment.

And then she adds, “And I’m here if it ends in heartbreak.”

If only she knew.

“Thanks, Mum.”

Isaac

I’m sat in class. It’s the first day back after the term break and I’m so tired. I remember this kind of tired though. It’s the same tired I got before when I was seeing Elle at night. I’ve missed this tired.

Eloise
:
Guess what I had fitted yesterday.

I look up and it genuinely looks like she’s focusing on her work. Her pen is moving across the paper in front of her. That girl has skill.

Isaac
:
A brain?

This time she does look up and she hits me with a look that could kill.

I chuckle discreetly and wait for her next message, taking a swig of my water.

Eloise
:
Let’s just say condoms are a thing of the past.

I really wish I wasn’t drinking when she said that because I just sprayed Shannon with the water in my mouth. I slam my hand against my chest as the class laughs at me.

Eloise winks, laughing with the rest of them, and gets back to work.

“Disgusting,” Shannon snaps and storms out of the room, no doubt to clean herself up.

“Don’t worry, Sir. She’s had worse in her face.” Wesley jokes and Hayley slaps him upside the head.

“Settle down.” I clear my sore throat and pick my phone back up.

“That’s so unfair,” Hayley snaps. “I almost got thrown out of class for using my phone last week.”

I give her a pointed look. “I think you’re forgetting who’s here to learn and who’s here to sit bored whilst you pretend to learn.”

Eloise
:
I thought it would be a nice surprise.

Isaac
:
I was worried about the accident we had on Valentine’s Day. I was going to discuss it with you but wasn’t sure how to bring it up.

Eloise
:
Oh don’t worry, I’m not pregnant. You should have just asked me… stupid.

I catch her eye and wink.

Isaac
:
Get back to work.

I finish classes with a warm feeling in my chest and a lump in my pants. I’m not complaining.

******

Okay, I take back everything I’ve said about not complaining and enjoying the warm feelings.

“Who are you texting?” I’m frowning, I know I am, but she’s been glued to her phone for the majority of this movie.

“It’s just about the building.”

“What about the building?”

“Umm…” She hesitates and locks her phone, trying to snuggle into my side. “I’m helping pick the colour scheme for the lobby.”

“It’s not even near ready yet. Why are you discussing it now?” She winces and my chest lets out an angry throb. “Elle?”

“It’s nothing, I promise.”

She just lied… she just fucking lied to me. I sit up straight and move away a little, pausing the movie so I can concentrate. “Who are you discussing it with?”

“Why does it matter? I never ask who you’re texting!”

Now I’m definitely concerned. “Elle, this is how trust issues start. Who are you texting?”

“Justin,” she blurts and holds her hands up defensively when my eyes narrow and my jaw clenches.

“Justin? The guy you said does not have your number?” She definitely said that.

“I did not say that! You know I gave it to him on Valentine’s Day!” And now she’s getting defensive.

“You said you’d stay away from him.”

“I have been staying away from him.” Her phone jingles. She winces and I make a grab for it. “What the hell are you doing?”

“I want to see!” She stuffs it in her bra before I can grab it. “Let me see!”

“No.” She shakes her head and folds her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe you don’t trust me.”

Fuck. “I do trust you.”

“Like hell you do, arsehole. I’m not showing you my phone. That’s my private conversation.”

“Why the hell not? If you have nothing to hide then what’s the big deal?”

Her face darkens and her voice lowers to a hiss. “You think I have something to hide?”

“Yes, because you’re fucking hiding it! Now show me your god damn phone!”

“Go fuck yourself. I’m leaving.” She snatches her bag from the ground, but I grab her arm before she can go anywhere. I know I’m probably being irrational, but I can’t help it. There’s too much of a green haze over my eyes and my chest is burning with pain and jealousy. “Isaac! I’m not showing you my phone!”

I release her and flop onto the couch. I can’t be arsed with this. “I hope he makes you happy!”

Eloise

I gape at him. “You are such a bloody child.”

“If you don’t give me your phone and let me see for myself, don’t bother coming back.” And then he adds. “For two weeks.” Relief floods through me.

“That’s fine… you’re taking up way too much of my Justin time anyway.” This is ridiculous. This is insane. What the hell are we doing?

I’m not doing anything wrong. The texts are genuinely platonic in every sense of the word. The problem is Isaac’s attitude; he’s so bloody bossy and controlling sometimes. I get enough of that shit at home from my dad and even he doesn’t look through my phone.

He grunts, still frowning at the TV as I collect my things. I think he genuinely thinks I won’t leave.

He’s wrong. “See you in two weeks.” I make sure to slam the door behind me.

I’m not surprised when I hear it open not long later and I’m even less surprised when he pulls me back into his apartment, slams me against the wall, rips off my clothes and sinks inside.

He really, really doesn’t like Justin. Not that I blame him. I’d be jealous if our situations were reversed, but I’d like to think I’d have faith in him.

I’m not sure why I felt the need to wind him up. He was grumpy with me all day yesterday.

I’m not looking forward to his lesson this morning. I hope we can make up during or afterwards.

I keep my head down when I walk into class, hoping he’ll see how miserable I am and take pity on me.

He doesn’t. He only glares, clearly still very pissed off.

Sighing, I take my seat and wait for class to begin, ignoring Hayley as she calls me PMS Princess and laughs at herself.

This is not PMS; this is boyfriend blues. I hate it when we fight.

I should have just given him my phone, but I hate people looking through my phone. It’s private. My conversations are private.

Isaac
:
Stop sulking. I forgive you.

Eloise
:
Really? You’ll drop it? :-D

Isaac
:
Of course.

“Eloise Blackburn,” he suddenly yells. Everybody turns to look at me. I go wide eyed, feeling horrified. “Bring me your phone.” Oh that clever bastard! I walked straight into that one. “You can have it back after class and that goes for the next person who even thinks of answering their phone. You’re here to learn. Text your friends in your own time, understand?”

I stay seated and in shock as Isaac snatches my phone from me and tucks it into his pocket. Hayley leans into me and whispers, “Okay, I take that back. He’s the PMS Princess.”

I want to laugh but I’m far too pissed off. What an arsehole!

It’s not until after lesson that he checks my phone and realises that he was wrong and I was right.

“I don’t accept your apology and nope, I’m not coming for two weeks.”

He pouts petulantly. “I’ve said sorry.”

I flip him off and saunter from the room with my phone in hand. No way am I putting up with that.

No way in hell.

“There’s a rumour,” Hayley whispers as we sit in the library catching up on our homework. “Do you want to hear it?”

I shrug. “Is it a good one?”

She glances around, looking for listeners before leaning in even closer. “Shannon’s pregnant.”

My stomach twists painfully and my eyes go wide. “No shit?”

Hayley nods, her face reflecting how I feel inside. “Yep. How bad is that?”

“Where did you hear this?”

“Apparently Gemma Allen was with her when she took the test.”

“Holy shit. For real?”

Hayley nods again and sits back. “I feel really bad for her. I wonder who the father is. She never mentioned that she was seeing someone.”

I only need one guess as to who it is. Holy fuck. This is so bad.

What do I do?

I don’t even like Shannon, but this must be awful and I feel so badly for Diplock’s wife.

I have no idea how I’m going to sit through his classes, no idea whatsoever. I want to bitch slap the fool. He should know better!

I really hope she’s not and I really hope it’s just a rumour. Come to think of it though, she has missed a few days over the past couple of weeks.

It’s not until I see her walking home looking extremely solemn that I realise that the rumours are true.

Eloise
:
Shannon’s pregnant according to school gossip.

Isaac
:
Fuck.

Eloise
:
Are you going to tell your dad?

Isaac
:
I don’t think I’ll have to.

Eloise
:
I’m still pissed off at you.

Isaac
:
I’ll make it up to you later.

Eloise
:
I can’t come tonight. I’m working and Dad gets back from York today.

He doesn’t respond and I don’t text him again for the rest of the day.

Isaac

It’s a dark day for everybody when the truth comes out in the middle of April. My dad had to sack one of his favourite members of staff and the entire faculty have been questioned by the police, myself included.

I was so paranoid but, then again, so were the rest of the staff. Nobody could believe it. The only reason they believe it now is because Shannon is definitely pregnant. Because of Diplock’s lack of support, she told the school board herself, showing evidence of their affair.

Our school has been all over the newspapers and Eloise isn’t herself. Neither am I.

This is awful.

The same thing will happen to us.

Shannon has been dubbed a home wrecking whore and Stuart has had his teaching license suspended as they finish their investigations. His wife has thrown him out and nobody will hire him in town because they’re all appalled at his behaviour.

I can’t stop running it through my mind as I eat my food in silence. It tastes like ashes. My dad and Elle do the same, all of us sat around the table. Mum is watching TV, having already eaten. It’s all she does at the moment. She gets frustrated with everything else.

Elle and I share the occasional look, her eyes full of worry for me and my dad, who looks exhausted.

We’ve had to reduce our sneaking time. She has her A Level exams next month and then she finishes school. Our time together is limited. So fucking limited. I don’t know what we’re going to do when she actually leaves.

I have to spend more and more time at home due to my mother’s fairly severe decline. I don’t want to miss her good days, even though it’s breaking my heart to see how much she’s changing on a daily basis.

Elle finishes her food and quickly drops her plate into the sink.

“I’ve got parents calling me every second of every day,” Dad says softly, his tone sad and tired. “They’re scared for their kids.”

I wince and look at Elle again. My dad doesn’t notice how longingly I stare at her. We’re going to have to really separate for a while. If the police continue investigating, they might look into the rest of us too. All it will take is one rumour and I’ll be joining Diplock.

Fortunately I think Elle understands. She’s as terrified as I am.

“I love you.” I mouth these words to her when she catches my eye again. She smiles and mouths them back.

Her fingertips gently graze my shoulder as she passes me and heads into the room to sit with my mum and Susanna, who she now hates but always acts pleasantly towards.