Unbroken

Chapter 19A: Busted

A/N: Apologies for the long break. I have lots of exciting projects I'm working on right now, and I'm hoping y'all will love them as much as I do.

Confession time: I wrote an outline for this story. I swear on all that is holy that I did. I even know where to find that outline. However, I have deviated so far from it, I might as well just write a new one, because I don't even know what I'm doing anymore. :/

And to tide y'all over, here's part 1 of chapter 19. Part 2 will be up tomorrow night (in roughly 24 hours)

Also, please don't hate me (or the characters) too much after this chapter.

"Emma?"

Mom's voice floated up the stairs and I winced. I knew that tone, but I couldn't think of anything I could have done to deserve it.

"Yeah?" I stepped out of my room to look down the stairs.

"I want an explanation to this."

This? What was she talking about? With a sigh, I pocketed my phone and headed toward the sound of her voice.

"This" turned out to be the barely there swim suit I'd tossed in the laundry last night. Why did she automatically assume it was mine? Ari and I wore practically the same size.

"What sort of explanation would you like?" I asked.

I couldn't seem to keep the smart ass tone from my voice. Oh god, she was going to kill me.

"Emberlynne, I do not find this amusing. Yesterday you went and hung out with some guys. Today I realize you were barely dressed while doing so!" Mom ran a hand through her hair, obviously trying to cool her temper, but I already knew it wouldn't work.

One of these days, she'd have an aneurysm because she had a quick temper, but it would cool off almost as fast as it showed up. That couldn't be healthy.

Sighing, I grumbled, "I couldn't find my other suit."

I might be mad as hell at the stunt Ari pulled yesterday, but part of the twin code was no matter what, we wouldn't snitch on each other.

Mom scowled. "So you chose to go in this? Where did this even come from?"

"The store." My sarcastic side chose a horrible time to rear its ugly head. It was as if I couldn't control what came out of my mouth in that moment.

Her eyes flashed fire, and I'm pretty sure I saw snap shots of my entire life flash before my eyes. I was so dead.

"You are grounded, young lady. No more going out with these boys, no more—" she waved her hands in the air wildly, and the strings of my still-damp swim suit smacked her in the face— "whatever it is you do. I did not raise my child to show all the boys her—" she lowered her voice to a whisper— "hootchie."

I blinked. My what? It was like she was speaking another language entirely.

Shaking her head in exasperation, Mom announced, "You're grounded for a month. Now go do your homework."

I spun on my heel, intending to do just that, until she spoke again.

"I'm almost certain you've been spending so much time with those boys that it's only a matter of time before we start seeing your grades drop."

"My grades haven't dropped."

She simply pointed toward the stairs, obviously not wanting to hear any .

A few hours later, after taking a shower and making sure all my homework was done, I flopped onto my bed. Apparently Dad spoke with Mom about her harsh punishment, and during dinner, she'd reduced my grounding to just two days.

I could handle that.

I rolled to my stomach, contemplating what I should do now. My lights were off, but I wasn't really tired. My phone dinged, and I checked the screen.

Rook: What's everyone doing tomorrow? Anyone up for some horseback riding?

That sounded fun! Except for being grounded and unable to go.

Kacen: Sounds good. Right after school? Homework first, then riding?

Nix: I'll go. My old man gets paid tomorrow, so he'll more than likely be passed out drunk.

I bit my lip. Poor Nix. No one deserved to have a parent like that.

Me: I can't. Grounded.

A soft clinking at my window drew my attention, but then my phone rang. Glancing at the display to confirm it was one of the guys, I answered. "Hello?"

"Grounded for what?" Rook sounded genuinely puzzled, like he couldn't fathom me getting in that much trouble.

My face heated. I couldn't tell them why, could I?

Another plink sounded on the window, and I stood up.

"Emma?" Rook's voice brought me back to the conversation.

"Um, I'd rather not say," I muttered.

There was a brief lull, and then he asked, "Did I call at a bad time, Em? You seem distracted."

Two more clinks in rapid succession landed on my window.

"No, I'm here." My heart pounded so hard I was almost positive I could hear it. "I think someone's throwing rocks at my window, though..." I shivered. What if it wasn't Nix at all?

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling nauseated. My head seemed to pulse in time with my heart, and I contemplated passing out.

"Shit, Em. Stay put. I'll have Nix take a look."

He planned to speak with Nix about this? More than likely, it was nothing. "Don't bother him, Rook. He's more than likely busy doing something important." I didn't want to bother him.

Rook snorted. "Right. Important. Too late. I already sent the text."

My skin itched all over as I tried to take a deep breath. My lungs denied me, and I .

Oh god, please don't panic. Just take deep breaths. You're okay, Em. You've got this.

Rook's voice sounded like it was coming from a tunnel. "Dammit, Emma. Stay put!"

This felt like every horror movie ever written. I should have turned my bedroom light on. What the hell was wrong with me? Instead, I was walking toward my window like it was a bright light and I was a moth.

This wasn't going to end well, was it? Gasping in a shallow breath of air, I took the last step, forcing myself to see what was out there.

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