Regret

Chapter Four- Isn't That Your Jacket?

A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter :)

"Boo."

I jumped.

Yes, the great Taylor Smith jumped because someone whispered "boo" into her ear while she was walking out of the dark cinema after just watching a horror film.

Caleb, Jake, and Chris were waiting in the car because I needed the toilet. Although, I thought Xander was also with them.

I turned around and slapped the culprit on the arm...hard.

"Ow, you've got a thing with hitting me today." Carter grunted as he rubbed his arm up and down while giving me a filthy look.

"Well, you shouldn't have scared me then." I shrugged as we continued to walk out of the cinema and towards the car. The cold air nipped at my skin, making the hairs on my arms stand up. It was at this point that I hated myself for wearing a dress. Thankfully, I was wearing a thin jacket which somewhat helped.

"I'm too warm in my hoodie and denim jacket." Carter states beside me, making me look towards him to notice that he was taking off his denim. "Here," he said, passing it towards me, "you take it."

I stared at his outstretched hand, reluctant to take it at first, but my freezing body was screaming at me to do so, so I sent him a small smile and took it from his hands.

The jacket warmed me up as soon as I put it over me. It was like a blanket over my upper body. It smelt amazing too, but I wasn't going to let him know that.

We made it to the car pretty quickly, and the heat of the car brought a smile to my face as I entered the vehicle.

I made Xander sit in the middle this time because I was getting out of the car first, but it now meant that I was squished against the car door due to his long legs taking up the space. I wanted to shove them away, but he legit didn't have anywhere else to put them because Chris was also taking up room.

Everyone sat in silence on the journey back home, either on their phones or just listening to the music playing through the speakers.

As we approached my house, I noticed that my dad's car was in the driveway, which gave me the indication that he was back from his trip. He always called me before heading back home, so I didn't think he'd be back so soon.

"You didn't tell me your dad was back?" Caleb said with question.

"He told me he'd be back at the end of the week." I wasn't sure why he was here, but it probably wasn't a good thing.

"I'm going to find out what's going on." I sighed as I got out of the car. I sent a wave to everyone in the car, and Caleb wound down his window.

"Tell him I said hi."

"Will do, see you guys." Turning on my heel, I made my way to the front door but not before hearing Caleb question his brother.

"Isn't that your jacket?"

~

I placed my things on the floor and slipped out of my shoes as I stepped into the living room. I could hear a shuffling sound upstairs, which made it clear where he was.

"Dad?" I called out loud enough for him to hear. He peeped his head around the corner as I made my way up the stairs.

"Hey, sweetheart. I'll only be back tonight before I head off again." The wrinkles by his eyes crinkled as he smiled, but I felt my own frown deepen. He hadn't even asked me how I was before telling me that he was going again.

The house was beginning to feel really empty, and I couldn't help but feel lonely. Hence, why I invited my friends over most nights.

"Can I come with you this time?" I questioned hopefully. I really wanted to go with him to Wisconsin to see my grandmother, but he was always adamant about me staying here, so I didn't miss school. She had an accident a month or so back, so now he had been going over to look after her.

I really wanted to help him, especially because I knew he had taken a lot of time off work and was stressing out.

My feet lead me further in the room as I took in all the mess he had created during the process of packing. His clothes were everywhere.

"I told you, you can't miss school." His voice was stern, so I just sent him a tight-lipped smile and started folding his clothes for him. It would take him forever if he had to do it.

"I heard there was a party the other day. You didn't get into trouble, did you?" Ah, of course, he wants to know if I'm behaving. I love my father, and I don't really have much to complain about in the sense of having everything I want. A roof over my head, college money saved up, but I can't remember the last time he asked how I was.

He didn't even ask me how I was when I got into my car accident. Of course, he knew that my injuries weren't severe because the doctor told him, but he still could have asked me. Instead, he was so worked on taking my car away from me, and even to this day, I don't have it back.

The accident wasn't even my fault.

"No, dad, I didn't get into trouble. I left the party after an hour and got pizza with Caleb." I lied, making sure that I didn't tell him I had a boy around the house.

He nodded his head in approval, causing some of his brown graying hair to fall into his eyes. He looked like he needed a bit of a haircut, but I guess he had more important things to think about. "Good, we can't have you getting in trouble while I'm away...or at any time for that matter."

"I know. I know. I can't do anything to jeopardise my education, or god forbid I become the talk of the town again." I never snapped back at my dad. I haven't seen him in two weeks, and we barely talked over the phone, and this is what's on his mind? It just irked me.

"Taylor, that's not what I meant, and you know it."

I nodded and passed him the pile of clothes. "I know, I'm sorry." Sometimes you just have to be the bigger person and bite your tongue to save an argument from happening. If only I could bite my tongue around Carter.

"I'm going to head to bed. I made lasagne yesterday, so there should be some leftover in the fridge if you haven't eaten." I'm tired, and it's already 10 pm, I hated getting less than 8 hours of sleep on a school night, and I had to wake up at 7.

"Okay, goodnight, sweetheart. I love you."

"Love you too, dad!" I shouted as I closed the door to my bedroom once I reached it.

I let out a deep breath as I rested my head against the door. Today had been a long ass day.

I realised that I still had Carter's jacket on and took it off as soon as I could, knowing that he's going to kill me tomorrow for taking it home. I quickly sent him a text apologising for taking it.

Placing my phone on charge, I decided to get changed for bed and wash my face. If there was one thing I hated more than anything, it was sleeping in my makeup. I've already had my acne stage, and I don't fancy going through that again.

Once I had cleaned my face, I quickly brushed my teeth before turning the light off and heading back into my room, only to see my phone light up, showing I had received a text.

Carter: Don't act like it was an accident, princess ;)

Ugh, he even managed to annoy me over text.

Me: It was! Do you want me to bring it to school tomorrow?

His reply was instant.

Carter: Whatever helps you sleep at night ;) and don't worry about it. Just give it back when you feel like it, no rush.

Me: you sure? If I forget it tomorrow, you won't kill me?

Carter: Yeah, but I'm sure you'll find another reason to make me want to kill you

Me: as if I'm the one that annoys you

I was surprised that he wasn't bothered about me giving him his jacket back straight away, but I guess he just didn't care. I texted Caleb explaining why my dad was back, and climbed into bed to finally let sleep consume me.