Chapter Nine: Interruptions

Sunday had arrived. The day Jeremy and Lauren had agreed to meet once again and finish their American Government assignment. Lauren had just made it home in time from church. She was heading towards the living room as her father walked past her to use the bathroom. Her cell phone began to buzz in her hand. She almost jumped. She wasn't used to having a cell phone or using one. No one texted or called her besides family. 

She let out a small breath of air as she slide the button over to accept the call. 

"Hello?" She said. 

"Hey, just calling to let you know I'm on my way." Jeremy said. 

"Alright. See ya." She said. 

"See ya." He returned. They both hung up their phones. 

Lauren was making a U-turn to her room to grab her laptop when her Father blocked her way. 

"Dad." She said. 

"Who was that?" Her father asked out of curiosity. How was she going to tell him that a boy was on his way over to their home? She was honestly hoping Jeremy wouldn't come until her father had left for work. But she decided to be truthful with him.

"My partner, remember I said we had to finish our project?" She answered. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to leave his gender out of this Lauren thought.

"Uh huh. I remember. Why are you so jumpy?" He asked noting her sudden change in attitude. 

"Oh Dad. I'm just ready to get it over with." Lauren said. She made a dash around him and retrieved her laptop. She returned with her laptop in tow when she heard the doorbell ring. Oh no! She thought. She placed the laptop on the desk and turned to open the door, but her father was five steps ahead of her. He raised an eyebrow at her before he looked out the peephole. 

Mr. Gleason swung the door open and on the other side there stood a young man. It makes sense now he thought to himself regarding his daughter's behavior. 

"Hello." Jeremy said. "I'm Jeremy." Jeremy introduced himself. He extended his hand for a handshake. The older gentleman accepted and gave him a firm shake. 

"Nice to meet you." Mr. Gleason said. 

"Likewise sir." Jeremy replied. Mr. Gleason stepped aside to allow Jeremy to enter their home. Lauren had gotten over her horror and busied herself with a book or pretended to. 

"I have to go to work Lauren." Mr. Gleason said over his shoulder. "You two make sure to only do schoolwork understood?" He said. Lauren wanted to die. What exactly was he implying? Jeremy and Lauren thought. 

"Of course sir." Jeremy said. Mr. Gleason nodded his head before picking up his keys and going out the door.

"I'll he home early." He said before closing the door behind him. 

Lauren stood when Jeremy was making his way to the living room. 

"I am so sorry." Lauren said. "He uh..isn't really like that." She tried to explain her father's behavior. He never had to be she guessed. 

"Hey it's okay. I understand." Jeremy said. That still did nothing to ease Lauren's embarrassment. 

"He only has two daughters." Lauren joked. "He's protective I guess." 

"You guess?" Jeremy joked back. Lauren laughed softly. 

"Very Protective. Anyways let's get started." She said. 

Jeremy swung his book bag around and began to dig out his research and usb flash drive. 

"I need to change." Lauren said. She wanted to be in something other than her Sunday's best. It would make her feel more relaxed too hopefully. 

When Lauren returned she discovered Jeremy seated on the couch looking over his notes. She joined him and opened a book she picked up from the table. 

"I found something we could use in here." She explained. Jeremy lifted his head and watched as she flipped through the various pages. She looked so much more relaxed here he noted. Well anyone would feel comfortable at their own home, or at least they should. He continued to observe her as she flipped pages. She licked one of her fingers to help with the turning. It was then he noticed the hint of pink lipstick on her lips. His eyes traveled further up and he saw the hint of blush that was delicately spread across her cheekbones. His eyes continued their journey up to her eyes. Her eyes were lined with eyeliner, but it wasn't overly done like a lot of girls who looked like they were raccoons or had permanent black eyes. 

"Here it is!" She announced. He didn't say anything. She turned to face him and noticed he was staring at her. She felt a little uneasy. 

"Jeremy?" She called. 

Jeremy came to his senses. It was his turn to be embarrassed. 

"Sorry." He apologized. I hope she didn't notice me staring. He thought, I can hope at least. 

The duo continued to work to get their project finished. Lauren was putting the finishing touches on the power point and Jeremy was offering his input from beside her. 

"Done!" She said cheerfully. She played a preview of it and they both agreed they were pleased with the outcome.

"I can breathe now." Jeremy said.

"Me too." Lauren replied. 

Lauren saved the project to Jeremy's flash drive and shut her laptop down. Jeremy placed his papers and notebook back in his bag. 

"Here ya go." Lauren said and handed him his usb. 

"Thanks." He said and slide it into one of the pockets on his book bag.

"Don't lose it. It's our grade." Lauren teased. 

"I wouldn't dream of it." Jeremy said with a small smile. Lauren smiled too. She then went to sit down. Jeremy took the seat across from her. 

"You look really comfortable." He said. He realized how lame it sounded once the words left his mouth. He was mentally face palming himself for it. 

"Thank you." Lauren said confused.

"I meant you look so nervous at school." He said trying to save himself. Lauren nodded.

"Yeah. It's a new environment for me." She said. 

"Right. Do you like it here?" He said. Lauren shrugged. 

"Not really. It's really busy." She answered. It was quite the opposite of where she grew up. She was a country girl, born and raised on a farm. 

"It is." Jeremy agreed. "I hate it too. It's like sometimes I can't even hear myself think." Jeremy added. Lauren nodded. As if to prove a point, a car zoomed past from the street while blasting loud music. 

"See?" Jeremy said and laughed. Lauren joined him. 

"You sound tired of it." Lauren noted. 

"I'm tired of a lot. I want to just go somewhere, anywhere, and never look back." He replied. Lauren could hear the sadness in his voice. She could tell he meant every word. She wondered exactly what he wanted to run from or whom. The bravery bug had bitten her and she was about to ask when Jeremy's phone began to ring.

__________________ 90 minutes earlier________________________

Veronica was determined to get the Nina incident out of her head and have a good time. She deserved it. She remained sober that entire day, proving she can quit anytime she wanted to. But tonight she didn't want to be sober. She wanted to go out and live, have fun while she was still young. She scrunched her face up as she applied more blush to her cheek, trying to cover up the fading bruise. 

"That woman." She said to out loud to herself referring to Nina. She had some nerve slapping me she thought. 

"Much better." Veronica said to herself. She was happy with her appearance and exited the bathroom.

She was grateful that Malcolm was still at Daniel's place. At least she wouldn't have to call a babysitter. And besides she didn't know anyone else who would be willing to watch him 24/7. She had no intention on returning home tonight. Little did she know, she would get her wish. 

Veronica had decided to walk in true Bridgeport fashion. Why waste money on a cab when you have two feet? She was preparing to cross the street when she spotted a man sitting in an empty parking lot. Her curiosity got the best of her and she made her way to him. 

She sauntered over to the car and learned over. 

"You lost stranger?" She asked. The man looked to his left. She wasn't sure why, but she would find out later. 

"Who said I'm lost?" He replied coyly. Veronica smirked.

"Then why are you out here all alone?" She asked.

"I don't have to be alone." He said. That was music to her ears. The club could wait, she would just have a little fun before she got to her destination. 

"Can I come in?" She asked. He patted the leather seat next to him. She wasted no time letting herself in. 

"So what's your name?" He inquired. 

"You didn't invite me in here to talk." She said bluntly. 

"Oh?" He said and raised a brow.

"Oh nothing." She said. She lifted a finger and caressed his beard. "You are the sexiest guy I've ever seen." She said seductively. 

"I bet you tell all the guys that." The man said. Veronica shook her head. 

"How much?" The guy asked. Again Veronica was being mistaken for a lady of the night. She decided to go along with it.

"Uh..$50." She replied. 

"That's all?" He said. Veronica shrugged. He slipped her two twenty's and a ten. She placed them in her clutch and threw it on the floor. 

Veronica slipped back to the backseat of the car and her friend joined her. 

"You're not afraid of getting caught?" He asked hesitantly. 

"I'm not afraid of anything." She said. She brought his face closer to hers and was about to go in for the kiss when sirens were heard in the background. 

"Shit!" He swore and pulled away from her.

"What's wrong?" Veronica asked.

"Are you deaf?" He said in a panic. "The cops are coming!" He screamed. Veronica turned her head to look and spotted a policeman pulling up nearby.

"Just follow my lead." She said coolly. She thought she would have it under control but inside her heart was threatening to beat out of her chest.