Play No More (Player Next Door sequel) ✓

101 | Stoke the fire

Thank you @ajenson08 for the poster! I love the aesthetic

Hey, it's Chapter 101... please vote! xx

Chapter 101: Stoke the fire

"We're suspended. That's a week of no school, staying at home with parents who hate each other and a drama that's consumed us," Luke said, as if I needed a refresher on my life situation.

We were sitting in his car with heavy rain pounding on the roof and windows. Two minutes ago, I thought he was breaking up with me. Now, I realized he wanted to elope.

Just kidding

"I think we need a break," Luke said and, when he saw my eyes widen at his last sentence, he quickly added, "Together. We need a break, together."

"Where would we even go?" I asked, hearing his optimism but living in reality, "When I said I don't have any money, I mean it. I have no money."

"You won't need it," he replied. "We can go to the lake house."

That sounded tempting; to escape into the wilderness, just the two of us.

But I had a nagging feeling that we were running away from our problems. I also know that we do need money and I really didn't have any. Nothing for gas, for food, for emergencies. It's a different mindset when there's no safety net and just a feeling of dependency. Spontaneity is expensive.

My original game plan was to ride out my suspension at home until my first tutoring gig with Lara. My mom was back so we at least had food in the house. And the moment I get paid for my first lesson, I'm going to splurge. That means three dozen coffees from the Bean.

I'm having withdrawal symptoms here

"I know it's not responsible," Luke said, watching my reaction. He knew I was talking myself out of coming with him, "Let me take the blame for it."

"It's not that," I said, not caring about who took the blame.

Luke wasn't joking. He's thought this through, and he wants us to leave. Did we really need a 'break together' or was there another reason he wanted us to get out of town?

"What about your parents?" I asked, knowing they wouldn't allow this.

"I'll ask for forgiveness, not permission."

I looked back at the gym bag with some of my clothes already packed. Were we really just going to run away?

So, I made my decision.

I said, "I won't go with you unless you do one thing."

He seemed surprised by that response. He glanced at me, "What is it?"

"Apologize to Kaden."

There was a long silence in the car.

"Are you serious?" he asked, almost sounding annoyed.

"Totally serious. You bullied another human being who, it turns out, was innocent. It will continue to affect us until you apologize," I insisted.

"I have apologized, Millie."

"You need to apologize to him," I said, "I'm sorry for asking this of you. I've tried to forget about it and see it from your perspective, but I can't just forgive it. You bullied him, you publicly humiliated him, and I know he sucks as a person, but he doesn't deserve to be treated like that," I paused as I reflected on my words, "You had good intentions but that doesn't excuse the actions."