This, Home?

Cyrus First Person Point Of View

I caught his gaze for a moment before averting my eyes, too shy to maintain them for any longer.

He was going to continue when his phone buzzed. He took it out and glanced at the display.

"Yes, I'm coming," he said gruffly, his voice deepening

It was hard to make out Troy's voice via the speaker, asking where he was.

Derick slammed the receiver down and turned to me, something in his eyes.

He put his helmet on, and instead of starting to rev the bike, he gave me one final hard, long stare-as if he were figuring something out.

"Later, Cyrus," he told him, his deep voice a virtual guarantee.

I stood frozen, my heart thumping, watching him ride off into the distance.

My hands were shaking, but not out of fear this time.

When I returned to my house, I had an unusual sensation in my stomach.

Those butterflies. they seemed to sense something that I didn't.

The moment I entered, all that crossed my mind was Derick.

He had his arms around the bike and pressed his chest against mine.it was just too much.

I shook my head, attempting to get past it. Yet regardless of what I tried to do, that feeling just wouldn’t subside, and I absolutely detested myself for it.

I truly shouldn't have mounted that bicycle. What a stupid thing to do, and now all I can think about is him.

I was completely spaced out when suddenly I glanced over and saw my mom just standing there, arms crossed tightly around her chest.

"Who was that?" she asked, sort of sharply.

I just froze, and my heart pounded like crazy.

"Ah, it was. just a teacher," I replied, somewhat awkwardly.

She made a squinting effort, not believing any of it.

A teacher? Giving a student a ride on a motorbike? Seriously, you expect me to be that naive?

My stomach dropped. "Mom, it's not what you're imagining—"

She abruptly shut me out, raising her voice.

Wait, you mean it? Cyrus, your father almost flipped out when he saw you had a hickey, and you're now out biking with them?

She flung both hands into the air, utterly frustrated, pacing around in disbelief like she couldn’t comprehend what she had just heard.

"Mom, just listen to me for once," I attempted, but my voice cracked and it was clear that she wasn't interested in any excuses.

"Fine, I'll listen perfectly well when your father comes home," she retorted, visibly angry.

"Hey, you just need to make sure he knows you don't mind hanging out with those guys and what they are doing!"

I completely lost it. "Mom, come on! It's not what you're thinking, I swear—"

"Wait until your father gets home!" she bellowed, so loudly it echoed off the walls and made my skin crawl.

I just froze when what she said struck me. She was really angry—but sort of afraid.

I worried endlessly about how Dad would take it when he learned about it.

He had been blaming her for everything, accusing her of letting me run wild, and now she was caught in the middle.

I completely understand that she was so exhausted from all that pressure Dad put upon her. And now, she's taking out all that frustration on me.

My throat tightened as I stood there in disbelief.

I just wanted to clarify, you know, and let her understand it wasn’t quite like that; all I wanted to do is get home.

But I just couldn't quite put it into words. I mean, it made no difference what I said—she had already decided.

"Go to your room," she told him sharply, now sounding quite icy.

"And you'd better hope your dad's not going to freak out when he hears about this."

I nodded weakly, barely able to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over.

I said nothing else, I just turned and went upstairs feeling like my world was collapsing around me.

I was in bed, wishing that time would stop and I could simply disappear.

I had a knotted feeling in my stomach and was terribly apprehensive about what was going to occur next.

I had to stick it out.

I lay there staring at the ceiling, phone in my hand, texting Arzhel all the juicier details of what had just transpired.

He responded quickly, exhibiting that he was concerned but also added a few jokes to lighten the mood.

But nothing could hold back the fear growing within me.

I couldn't help but recall that day Derick dropped me off, completely remembering the feeling in his powerful arms when he asked me to look at him.

I just couldn't help but think of him.

I was completely exhausted and just collapsed into a fitful sleep.

BAM!