I'm grounded.
How come characters like Margo Roth Spiegelman don't get grounded? Or more importantly, why don't authors ever accurately portray parents and their reactions to things their teens do?
If I disappeared leaving nothing but a few clues for the boy next door, my Dad would probably lock me up forever once he found me again.
Anyway, I'm not disputing the reasons why I'm grounded. I get it. My Dad caught me sneaking back in to the house to get my car keys. I should have just walked to Calum's. Then I wouldn't be in this mess. Or maybe I could have been honest with Dad and told him my reasons for sneaking in to get the car keys and why I was so desperate to go to Calum's at almost midnight.
My Dad is a big softy, really. He might have let it go if I told him I was going to tell Calum that I'm in love with him - but can you imagine how embarrassing that would be? I'll take a few days of indefinite grounding.
Dad's on night shift tonight. What's stopping me from going over to Calum's tonight? I said at breakfast this morning. Nothing, he said, but I trust you to make the right choice. The most annoying thing is he's right. As much as I want to ignore said grounding and go over to Calum's anyway, I can't. I respect Dad too much. He just knows how to tap into that guilt and fear of disappointing him.
I considered just telling Calum today at school, but I've never said I love you to someone before. I'm not sure if it's something I want to blurt out between lunch and biology. I wonder if Calum's ever heard those words before. You know, properly. Not just pretty girls screaming I love you at soccer matches or parties or whatever.
To make me feel mildly less bothered by it all, I finish filling out the rest of my USU application. The books I bought from the library are still sitting on my desk and I promise myself that I won't waste being grounded. I'll get stuck into the first one right away. Or at least, right after I tell Calum that I've finished my application.
Me: My USU application is all done :)
Calum: Mine too :)
Me: Do you want to send them off together?
Me: Next week?
Calum: Sure :)
Calum: We could get dinner afterwards?
Me: I can't
Me: Maybe
Me: I'll let you know
Me: I'm grounded
Calum: Grounded?
Calum: What did you do?
Me: Got caught sneaking into the house
Calum: Don't people usually get caught sneaking out?
Me: It's a long story
Calum: How long are you grounded for?
Me: Until my Dad decides he's made his point
Calum: Hopefully that doesn't take too long
Calum: I miss you
Me: We were at school together just a few hours ago
Calum: I know
Calum: That's different though
Me: I know :(
Calum: Wait
Calum: I've got an idea
Me: What is it?
Calum: If you're grounded that means you're not allowed to go out. Right?
Me: Right
Calum: But technically that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to come over... right?
I sit up a little straighter on my bed and lean forward to peer down the hallway. Alfie's bedroom light is off. I send Calum another text: Can you come over tonight?
Calum: I'm already in my car
short chapter and cliffhanger i know. i'm sorry but i'll update again soon :))
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Hoodwinked | Calum Hood AU
Fanfiction"That's never going to work, you idiot." It's her senior year and Ruby has vowed to tell her long-term crush, Calum Hood, exactly how she feels. But when things don't go to plan, she skeptically takes on the help of Luke, the boy next door, who beli...
