The Devil's Pawn

Friday came sooner than I had wanted.

I had called Sam and told her I couldn’t make it on Friday. She seemed upset, but
assured me it was understandable.

“I’ve done that to you before, baby,” She laughed into the phone, “Don’t feel bad.
Things happen. Next time we’ll plan this so it works out.”

“I’m really sorry, Sam.”

“Taylor, stop, you’re making me feel bad now!”

We laughed it off like normal.

Somehow, Trenton managed to get my mother to agree to let me go to Erica’s
again. I was impressed that he used the same lie twice, and got my mother to agree.

I didn’t question it though, keeping quiet around my mom. My father still hadn’t
returned, which worried me. This was the longest he’d been away after a fight. I shouldn’t
have been surprised. The tension in the house leading up to his departure had been thick.
But he hadn’t phoned once since the first night.

I found myself beginning to watch my phone constantly, hoping to see his number
pop up on the screen. His absence was leaving me anxious with worry. I had tried calling
once, but it went straight to voicemail.

I didn’t leave a message.

My mind was drifting in and out of possible situations that my father could be in as
the week progressed. My mother refused to speak about him whenever I probed, still very
angry.

I walked out of Spanish Friday afternoon, clutching my books to my chest. Trenton
trailed a few people behind me, talking with his friends. I stopped at my locker, twisting the
dial open. Trenton broke away from his group to lean against one of the lockers by mine,
watching.

“What’s up?” He frowned.

“Hmm?”

“You seem tense.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m fine.” I closed my lockers, stepping into the crowded hallways.
Trenton pushed himself off the lockers, following me out of the school.

I walked towards his car with him silently. He dug into his pocket, clicking the
automatic unlock button from his keys. I noticed how he didn’t bring any books with him
home this evening, but I wasn’t surprised. Trenton rarely did homework.

I dropped my bag in the backseat, climbing into the passenger seat. I pulled down
the mirror, running a hand through my curls.

“Seriously, Tay, what’s up?” He asked, not starting the car.

“It’s nothing.” I shook my head, “You really wouldn’t care, Trenton. It’s petty issues.”

He laughed, “If they’re so petty, why don’t you tell me?”

I glanced at him, meeting his eyes. He had his head angled towards me, a small
smile across his lips. I bit my lip.

“My dad left over a week ago and still isn’t back.”

Trenton raised an eyebrow, “Damn.”

“Yeah.” I felt my voice shake slightly. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I
continued. “He’s left before, but only ever for a day or two. Mom won’t talk about him and he
isn’t answering his phone.”

I stared forward, not meeting his eyes.

“That’s what my ma did.” Trenton empathized. “Before my parents split up.”

I blinked. “I… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, same thing is happening to you.” He shrugged, “It sucks. He’ll come
back though. Our dads talk, even if your mom doesn’t want them to.”

I felt my face heat up. I didn’t realize he could sense the malice from my mother
towards them, “Really?”

“Yeah, you could ask my dad about yours. He’d probably know what’s up with him.”
Trenton turned the car on, pulling out.

I smiled softly, “I might.”

“Good, but not tonight.” Trenton grinned, rolling down all the windows in the car.
“We’ve got a kick ass movie to watch.”

“What movie?”

“Hell if I know.”

I frowned, “Then how do you know if it’s going to be any good? What if it’s some
romantic comedy? I really can’t see you being into those kinds of movies, Trent.”

“Did you just call me ‘Trent’?”

I felt my face heat up, “Maybe…”

He laughed.

“Why?”

“Nothing, I think that’s cute.”

I held back a grin, looking out the window so that he couldn’t see my face, “Shut up,
Trenton.”

“No, call me Trent.”

“No.”

He chuckled, but kept silent.

Trenton dropped me off at the normal corner, driving to his house. I walked home
silently, noticing that my mother’s car was in the driveway.

I didn’t say anything as I entered the house, heading to my room. I could hear Mom
in the kitchen, the water running from the sink. She hummed a tune softly that I didn’t
recognize. I didn’t say anything to her, closing the door to my room.

My eyes glanced out the window to the window opposite my own.

Would I be sleeping over there tonight or would I actually go with Erica to her
house?

I grabbed a duffel bag from my closet, filling it with clothes I would wear. I took my
time, putting in PJ’s and clothes for tomorrow. I slipped in a few hair and personal hygiene
items, before zipping it up.

Dropping the bag by the door, I pulled out a text book and lost myself in the wonders
of History class, waiting for the clock to tick by.

~*~

“Do you need a ride over to your friend’s?” Mom asked as I walked down the stairs
a few hours later, the duffel bag over my shoulder. I clutched a textbook to my chest, so that
she assumed some studying would be going on.

“No thank you.” I called back, opening the door.

“How will you get over there then?”

I took a deep breath, trying to think of an excuse, “I… Trenton’s giving me a ride.
He’s heading that way anyways.”

“Why?”

“His…ah…photography club as something going on.” I lied.

“So?”

“Erica lives by the school. He’s going that way. It’s just easier if he gives me a ride
there also.” I crossed my fingers behind my back.

“Oh.” Her voice sounded sharp, annoyed. “Have fun then.”

I nodded, walking out of the door.

“What’s with the text book?” Trenton asked as I stepped inside of his household. I
turned slightly, my eyes trailing over to my own house across the street. Though I couldn’t
see from here, I knew my mom was watching through the curtains.

I shrugged, “I had to make it seem like I was going to Erica’s to study. I need to drop
my stuff off in your car.”

“Why?”

“Mom’s watching.”

His eyes flickered over to my house for a quick second. “No she isn’t. No one’s
there, Sweet Cheeks.”

I shook my head, “Look, I know she’s there. Are you ready?”

He nodded. Trenton ushered me out of his house, closing the door behind him. He
twisted his key in the lock, sealing it shut from the outsiders. I walked around to his car,
dropping my duffel bag in his back seat.

I ditched the text book there too.

Trenton pulled out of the neighborhood quickly.

“What are we seeing?” I asked.

He shrugged, “Erica mentioned something about this horror movie about an alien
invasion or some shit.”

“That’s what we’re seeing?”

“Probably.”

I nodded, “Oh.”

He glanced over at me quickly, a smirk on his lips, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like
horror movies? Or is it the alien part?”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m fine. I don’t see a whole lot of horror movies, that’s all.”

“You’ll like it.”

“How do you know?”

He smirked, flipping his hair, “Cause I’ll be there.”

I rolled my eyes. “Who is going?”

“You, me, Erica,” He ticked off the names on the hand that wasn’t gripping the
wheel, “Fits, Tanner, and some chick Tanner’s bringing.”

“Do you even know who she is?”

“Nah, and you probably won’t either.”

I didn’t argue that.

Trenton pulled up to the theater a few minutes later. He parked in the front,
managing to grab a good spot. We got out, walking silently up to the front where Erica stood
with Fits by her side. They were talking, Erica clearly trying to hold back her smile.

“Hey.” Trenton grunted as we approached.

“Tanner isn’t showing up anymore.” Fits mumbled

“Why?”

“Apparently his chick doesn’t want to go, so he’s bailing on us.” Erica’s voice clearly
expressed the low opinion she had of Tanner’s chick.

“That faggot.” Trenton muttered.

Fits nodded in agreement.

“Let’s just go get our tickets.” I said, trying to break them of their annoyed mood.

“Yeah,” Erica led the way to the ticket counter, the four of us trailing behind. She
walked up to the back of the short line, holding her hand out. I watched as Trenton and Fits
reached into their pockets, pulling out money for her. I grabbed a ten from my wallet.

Once she had gotten our tickets, we made our way into the actual lobby. It wasn’t
very crowded, but considering the time, that made sense.

Trenton and I walked to the end of the snack stand line “You want anything?”

I glanced up at him, “I was just going to get a soda or something. You?”

He nodded, “I’m hungry as a fucking hippo. Of course I’m getting food—and a shit
load of it too, mind you.”

I laughed. “Why didn’t you eat before we came here? We had plenty of time, you
know, Trenton.”

He shrugged, “Didn’t cross my mind.”

“You’d be saving a hell of a lot of money…”

“Whatever.”

“Can I help whoever’s next?” The small girl behind the register asked. Trenton
stepped forward, looking up at the screen as he spoke.

“Can I get a large popcorn, M&M’s, and two medium sodas?” He ordered.

“Why not just get a large soda?” I frowned.

He smirked, “I figured you wouldn’t want to share a soda.”

“What? No, no. You’re not buying me a soda, Trenton, that’s ridiculous.”

The girl looked between us, clearly confused, “So is that one large soda or two
medium one’s for you?”

“One large.” I said at the same time Trenton said, “Two medium.”

I shot him a look. He ignored me, handing over a twenty to the lady, “Two
mediums.”

She took his money before I had a chance to protest anymore. After handing him
the change, she went off to fetch our orders. I crossed my arms, glaring up at him.

“I didn’t ask you to buy me a soda.”

“I know.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “But I did anyways. Think of this
as you being in debt to me.”

“Fantastic.”

I held the sodas while he grabbed the food, walking over to the butter stand. I
watched as Trenton poured the butter on by the galloon, trying to get all the pieces in the
bag.

Erica and Fits stood by the entrance to the theater, food in each of their hands as
well. I took a sip out of the soda on the left, deeming it mine.

We made our way into the movie theater, chatting randomly.

Erica made her way up to the back row, Fits trailing behind automatically. I glanced
at Trenton. He nodded, motioning me up to where the other two sat.

~*~

The movie wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. I was expecting a horror movie,
but instead we were watching a comedy. I couldn’t deny that it was hilarious, but I found
myself a little upset that it wasn’t scary. I was looking forward to the fear.

This would have been my first horror movie in theaters.

The movie was wrapping up now, the character’s coming to the realization that they
had messed up and everything was starting to fall into the right place. It was a cliché ending,
but still a good one.

Erica nudged my arm, grabbing my attention.

“Come on. We’re going to the bathroom.” She hissed, standing up slightly.

I frowned, “The movie’s almost over. Can’t you wait a little bit?”

“Let’s go, Taylor.” She pulled me up slightly, moving past the people in the aisle. I
sighed, following her, glancing back at the boys. They seemed unfazed by our early
dismissal.

As soon as we were out of the theater, I let her have a piece of my mind.

“Erica, I really don’t appreciate you dragging me out of the theater when the movie
was almost over.” I said, annoyed, “People are probably going to be filing out any minute
now. You could’ve waited just a little—”

“Shut up, Taylor.” She grabbed my wrist, pulling me along, “Tangent’s about to
begin and there’s no fucking way I’m paying for another ticket.”

I frowned, “What’s Tangent?”

“That’s the horror movie. You honestly didn’t think we came here just to see that
lame chick flick?” She laughed.

I bit my lip, feeling my cheeks heat up. That’s exactly what I had thought we’d come
to the movies to watch, “I don’t have enough money to get another ticket.”

She turned on her heel, giving me a look, “Shh.”

I blinked, nodding.

Erica continued leading me across the theater to one opposite our original one.
“We’re not paying for another ticket. The price is expensive, and I want to see this movie.”

“Why didn’t we buy this originally then?”

“Because we’re making our money’s worth. Two movies seems like a good price
for ten bucks.” She laughed, opening the door to the theater. Erica walked in. I caught the
door before it hit me, slipping in after her.

The lights were up, dim previews playing on the screen. A few people were
scattered in random seats through-out the theater, but it was a surprisingly small amount.

Erica led us to the front section, slipping into the third back. I followed, taking a seat
next to her.

“What about the guys?” I asked, my voice soft now.

“They’re coming. We can’t all just walk into another theater after one’s cleared out
or it’ll look suspicious.”

I bit my lip, “What if we get caught? Our tickets won’t have the right movie title on
them. We can’t get out of this.”

Erica rolled her eyes, “They’ve never come in to check, and it’s not like they’re going
to start doing that today. You’re fine, Taylor, seriously. Just sit back and relax for as long as
you can.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s a horror movie, and we’ve got two guys with us.” She smirked, “I don’t know
about you, but it’s going to be a good night for me.”

I was about to question that statement also, when her eyes looked behind me.
Erica stood up slightly, waving to someone. I turned around to see Trenton and Fits walking
this way. Fits moved into the row behind us, walking to the other side of Erica. He jumped in
between the two chairs, landing on the one on Erica’s right.

Trenton took a seat on my left.

“This is so wrong.” I mumbled, my eyes straying to the screen as the previews
scrolled through. I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I wanted to see the movie, despite knowing
it was wrong to watch it this way.

Trenton chuckled, setting the half full box of popcorn on his lap. I was surprised
he’d managed to keep as much. “You’re so innocent, Sweet Cheeks. It’s cute.”

I bit my lip, staying silent.

“Erica, what time is this supposed to start?” Trenton leaned forward slightly so as to
see Erica better.

She shrugged, “Not sure. I think soon though.”

“Better be. I’m not in the mood to wait around for a while.” Trenton pushed the arm
rest between us up, leaving nothing to separate us.

He rested his hand in the space between our legs.

“That other movie was so gay.” He mumbled, leaning his head against the back of
the theater seat.

I sighed. Was I the only one who thought otherwise? “Why did we go and watch it
then?”

He shrugged, “It was something to do to kill time. We usually go and stay here until
closing, but there aren’t enough good movies out tonight.”

“Oh.” I blinked. They did something illegal every Friday?

“It’s not as bad as you’d think.” He smirked.

“Yeah, it is!”

Trenton only laughed.

The lights lowered as the volume in the theater turned up. I leaned back in my chair,
facing the screen as the previews for the new movies played at a frighteningly loud volume.

Trenton’s hand snaked around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

I bit my lip, keeping my attention on the screen.

He chuckled, moving his head closer to my ear. “If you get scared, Tay, I’ll protect
you from the big bad monsters.”

I made a face at his mocking tone, “I don’t scare easily.”

“We’ll see about that.”