8. Mistake

8.

My eyes began to open and I blinked a few times. I smile and I sit up.

Where am I?

What time is it?

I look at the alarm clock in the room 3:12 am.

Oh my god. I am going to die.

I'm alone in the room, only the Christmas lights are on.

I jolt up and head for the door and open it quietly.

I peek down the hall towards the kitchen and I see them.

"Hey sleepyhead!" said Luke. He spotted me.

I walk towards them and I am pretty distressed.

"You okay?" Luke puts his hand on my shoulder.

"It's really late, I'm going to be in so much trouble." I try to laugh, but my fear made it sound funny.

"Oh man! Alright, no problem!"

We head out the door and to the car. I sit in the back this time and I can't stop fiddling with my hands. It's a nervous habit.

Few things are spoken, other than to directions to my house. I live pretty close to James.

We pull up and I see a body on my lawn. 

By the tank top, and body shape, I could tell it was my father.

"Is that a dead body?!" asked James, clearly spooked.

Under my breathe I whispered, "I wish..."

They heard and laughed. I got out of the car, thanked them for everything, and didn't explain further.

They pull out.

It's January, my father is going to get sick. He has no sleeves, jacket, anything.

He probably passed out.

Should I walk past him or wake him up and deal with the consequences?

I might just have to deal with them tomorrow anyway.

I sigh. Walking up to him, I feel the fear rushing through me and I want to change my mind.

I nudge him with my foot on his shoulder.

"Dad?"

I nudge again. "Are you okay?"

What if he's dead? 

Then he began coughing and hacking away.

He looks up at me.

"Did you just get home?"

I swallow hard. I begin to walk into the house avoiding the question but he's already up.

Walking into the house my mother is sitting on the stairway clutching what looks to be some of my clothes.

"Baby! My baby boy!" she shouts running down the rest of the stairs.

I hear my father behind me.

I close my eyes, waiting for it.