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Your phone was obnoxiously loud. It did it’s job however, even if your head pounded like a hangover you didn’t even have. Your eyes snapped open and you rolled onto your side, freeing your arms from where they had been trapped under your chest.
They tingled and prickled and shook as your arm reached out to your phone, shutting the alarm off, cutting the noise for silence. Well, as silent as this apartment could get, you could hear doors open in the hallway, Lucy wandering around the apartment, you could even hear the cars on the street just on the other side of the building.
You had hoped that getting a bedroom that faced an alley would get some reprieve from the noise, apparently not. You sighed, but forced your eyes open knowing you would slip back into sleep otherwise.
The sun burned your eyes with a sharp ache and you really wished you had closed the curtains before bed, but you barely had the energy to get undressed before you passed out. You kicked off sheets you didn’t remember putting on and rolled out of bed, ignoring the slight dizzy spell that overcame you.
You looked around your room and spotted your uniform crumpled at the foot of your bed. You changed out of your pajamas and into the striped shirt and searched your room for a clean pair of jeans. You came across one that smelled a little weird, but didn’t have any stains and decided if anyone commented on the smell you could play dumb.
You left your room, still trying to shove on your socks and grabbed the cup of coffee Lucy left for you on the counter.
“Hey, look who’s up,” Lucy chuckled, lazing on the couch. You waved to her distractedly as you tried to fix the seam of your sock. “Hey, there’s some mail for you I think. It’s from another state.
You dropped your foot and turned to Lucy. She held a small white envelope, eyes glancing over the print. “What?”
“Yeah, it’s from like two states away.” You stepped to the couch and Lucy passed over the letter. You leaned against the armrest of the couch and read over the address.You sighed, but opened the envelope and pulled the letter out. You already knew what it was, having seen it a few times in the past already. “Is it like from family or something?”
You turned back to Lucy, light curiosity obvious in her eyes. You gave a short humorless chuckle and turned back to the letter, reading over it. “Um, kinda. My parents are trying to fight my emancipation again.”
“What?” You looked to Lucy again. She raised herself up onto her forearms and stared at you hard, her brows furrowed. You furrowed your own brows, confused at her reaction.
“Yeah, they’re trying to get me to come home. They’re trying to say that I can’t live on my own, which I don’t understand how they would know if they don’t know where I live.” You replied, trying to keep your voice light, but your guard was raising as Lucy’s brows only pushed together further.
“You’re a kid?!” You almost jumped at Lucy’s near shriek and stared at her bewildered.
“Yes. You know this, I told you when we agreed to be roommates?” You stood up and took a few steps away from Lucy, raising a brow. You knew she sometimes forgot things, usually things while she was drunk or high, but she seemed sober when you had met up for the roommate agreement.
“Uh, no you didn’t. How old are you?” Lucy was sitting up now and you stood by the counter.
“Sixteen. Yes, I did. I remember that it was one of the most important things I had to tell you and I wanted to tell you after we talked about…” You trailed off, your eyes dropping to the floor as you searched your memory.
“After what? You never told me you were a kid,” Slightly embarrassed now, you bit your lip and glanced back up to Lucy.
“I was supposed to tell you after we talked about rules, but we got off track and I forgot to tell you.” Your hands came up to your face and you groaned. “I am so sorry, Lucy. I was supposed to tell you in case you didn’t want to room with a kid and I forgot. I am so, so sorry.”
Lucy chuckled again, sounding a bit looser. She pulled her legs off the couch and sat all the way up. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to react like that, it just caught me off guard. You act really mature for your age.” She smiled blankly at the floor for a moment before meeting your eyes again. “Sixteen? Wow, I never would have guessed.”
It was an odd line, but it was a lifeline to remove the tension in the air and you took it. You smiled and laughed, crossing your arms playfully. “Is that a compliment or an insult?”
Lucy laughed and shrugged. “Compliment man. You rock.”
You snorted and shook your head, striding back to your room, opening the door to throw the letter onto your bed before closing it again. “Thanks. I’ll deal with that later, it’s really easy to prove that I’m living fine on my own.”
“Yeah, what do you even need?” Lucy was laying on the couch again, flicking on the TV. You sighed as you conjured a mental list of what you would need.
“Uh, just proof I work somewhere which is easy to get because my boss just has to sign something, my report card for school, and a copy of the lease from Don…” You groaned again and your hands returned to your face. “Oh no! If I didn’t tell you, I probably forgot to tell Don too and he’ll want to know why I need a copy of the lease.”
Somewhat dramatically you turned and dropped your head on the counter with a thunk !
“Does he have to know? Is that like required or something?” Lucy asked. You shook your head.
“Technically no, but I feel like he should know if there’s a kid on their own in his apartment building. Especially one with crazy parents.” You sighed and glanced at the clock on the stove. You arguably had enough time to ask for the lease, but a part of you wanted to save any confrontation with Don until the last minute.
However, you knew well enough that procrastination in these types of situations were not worth the risk of being sent back with them. Bad memories conjured at the forefront of your mind.
“Crazy how?” You wrinkled your nose. She had taken the surprise of your age kinda well, but this might scare her off simply knowing how flighty Lucy could be sometimes.
“Uh, crazy like the reason they don’t know where I live is because they would stalk me, or try to kidnap me, or try to threaten you, or they’d just straight up break in and hurt me. They’re a little unpredictable when they don’t get their way.” You tried to sound nonchalant, but the air of truth in your words was clear. Your parents were a danger to you and those around you.
“Good to know, I’ll look into a bat–ooh, or a taser!” You smiled at Lucy, laughing as she bounced her brows. Sometimes you weren’t quite sure where you stood with Lucy, but this conversation gave you the general sense that she would defend at least the apartment which was a small comfort.
“That’ll work. I have to go now if I want to get a copy of the lease and not be late to work.” You leaned over the counter and dropped your cup into the sink and walked to the floor mat where you left your shoes.
You shoved them on haphazardly and checked your shirt pocket for your keys. They jangled on the key ring as you waved bye to Lucy before leaving, locking the door behind you.
“Hey, kid.” You just about jumped out of your skin and spun around, unconsciously leaning closer to the door as Mr. Williams' tall form loomed over you.
“Hi Mr. Williams.” You said.
“Don.”
“Don. Right. Uh, it’s actually good I saw you. I actually needed to ask you if I could get a copy of the lease?” Don’s brow raised just as you expected and you gave your answer without the question without even being asked. “I, uh, I have a court thing coming up. I’m an emancipated minor which I, uh, I don’t remember if I actually told you or anything, but, um, I’m sixteen and my parents are trying to get me back so I need proof I’m living in an actual apartment which a, uh, actual lease.”
You took a deep breath. You had rambled that entire thing, words probably getting faster and more incoherent as you ran out of breath. It didn’t help how Don’s eyes widened with every word. You didn’t know enough about him to gauge his reaction beyond seeing it in real time.
“Sixteen?” You winced internally, there wasn’t a lot to gather from that. You nodded and more word vomit welled in your throat.
“Yeah, I’m sixteen and I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you, I was supposed to, but then I forgot which I know it’s like how could you forget, but–” Don raised his hand and your mouth snapped shut.
“Don’t worry about it, I know now and I can get a copy by the end of the week if that works for you.” You blinked and found yourself nodding.
“Yeah, that works, the hearing isn’t for until two weeks or something. Are you really not mad?” You toyed anxiously with your keys and dropped your gaze from Don’s. He was just a little too intimidating to look in the eyes right now.
“I’m not happy about it, but like I said I know now. Plus, my boy’s in law enforcement and I know just enough about your thing to know it doesn’t come easy and it’s not my business so I won’t ask.” Don shrugged like he didn’t care, but he stared at you with something unreadable in his eyes and you tried not to squirm. You weren’t sure whether to feel nervous or comforted by his nonchalance.
“Okay, thanks, I, uh, I have to get to work. I’ll come get the lease whenever it’s ready.” You waved to Don like you had Lucy and just about sprinted down the hallway.
You made it to work two minutes early, clocking in and ignoring TK’s crow for the kitchen. “Oh, has someone finally figured out the meaning of on time?”
Don showed up at the diner a week later with the lease copy. “Here’s your lease, I would have given it to you when you came back, but I won’t be here.”
You nodded and took the folded paper he offered you, stuffing it into your back pocket. A part of you didn’t believe what he said, having noticed him popping up a lot more as well as Lucy, but made no comment on it. He wasn’t in your business, you weren’t in his.
“Okay, thanks Don.” He left and you ducked into the kitchen where TK was cleaning dishes. It was a slow morning, but they felt the need to do something, even though you were sure you had already seen them clean that spatula.
“Who’s that?” They asked, glancing at you from the corner of their eye.
“Landlord. I needed a copy of my lease since I have a court thing.” TK didn’t know about your situation, you knew that for sure, but it was easy to be open with them. It felt safe.
“Court thing? When do you have time to break the law?” TK sounded a little incredulous and it made you smile. Considering Don and Lucy’s reaction, you felt a little bolder in revealing this secret and stepped up beside TK as they scrubbed a plate, jumping up onto the counter beside the sink.
“How old do you think I am?” TK’s glanced at you over the rim of their glasses.
“What?”
“No, it correlates, I promise. How old do you think I am?” TK let their plate slip back into the soapy water and turned their attention fully to you, planting their bubbly hands on the edge of the sink. They scrutinized you for a few moments, like they were looking for an ulterior motive in your question. Just a tad paranoid.
“Early twenties. If I have to be specific, twenty-three at most, but I think you’re younger, just going off of looks.” You nodded, mulling over their answer.
“Yeah, what if we went off mental age?”
“Well that could be six or thirty-two, you have a tendency to waffle.” TK smiled and you snorted at their tease.
“I am sixteen.” Their playful smile fell and their eyes widened. You swallowed. “I’m an emancipated minor so it’s all legal, but my court thing is that my parents are trying to get custody of me again. I need proof that I live somewhere and that I’m on the lease.”
“Sixteen?” You nodded. They stared. You chuckled nervously, maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea.
“Yeah. That’s a question I’ve been getting a lot lately.” You replied. TK stood straight, their arms dropping to their sides.
“Can they do that? Are you safe?” Their tone was dead serious, so you matched it, dropping any attempt of humor, they wouldn’t take it either way.
“They can’t. Not really since I do live somewhere legitimately and I have a steady job and I’m passing in school. As for safe, yeah I am. I’m safer where I am now than I ever was at their house.”
TK nodded slowly and put their arms back into the sink. The tension was thick and heavy on your shoulders. That reaction had been less than positive.
“Well,” TK started slowly, turning back to you with that familiar toothy smile you knew so well. “I guess I was really off with twenty-three.”
The knot of anxiety in your stomach loosened and you matched their smile. “Yeah, so rude of you.”
“Shut up, I said that was at most.” You laughed.
“Are you walking home?” TK locked the door to the diner and spun their keyring on their finger. You shook your head.
“No, Peter’s picking me up. We’re doing a horror movie marathon since I don’t have work tomorrow. Lucy got a job so I can start taking less shifts.”
“Well, I mean I’m glad you have less shifts, but him? Really?” TK kicked a rock with their shoe as you rounded the building back to the shitty parking in the back.
“Yeah, I noticed that only after she found out I was a kid she got a job, but she hasn’t had any “study sessions” so I’m not complaining. And, no, you don’t get to use my age just because you don’t like Peter.” You huffed, feigning irritation. TK nudged you with their elbow.
“I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to, I can see it in your eyes. Don’t parent me, I’ll kill you.” TK laughed and you ignored the feeling that they saw you to be as threatening as a puppy.
“Don’t worry, I won’t. I think trying to parent you would kill me anyways. Go, have fun with the kidnapper van man. I’ll see you on Wednesday?”
“Yep, Wednesday. Bye TK!” You waved to them and trotted up to Peter's van, popping your head in the open window.
“Heya.” Peter had his head leaned back against the headrest with his eyes closed, but he smiled gently and turned to you with half-open eyes.
“Hello darling. Ready to go?” He asked, sitting up in his seat. You laid your arms on the open window, and dropped your head onto them.
“I don’t know, got any candy? Or maybe a puppy? I’m more inclined to get in if that’s being offered.” Peter snickered and raised a to-go cup, magically appearing in his hand.
“I have coffee.”
“Good enough.” Peter laughed harder as you chose to jump into his car through the window rather than opening the unlocked door.
You got adjusted in your seat and took the cup Peter offered you and sipped it on the way back to the apartment. Peter filled the silence with how his day went after you asked. When he turned the conversation to your day, you thought about TK and the copy of your lease, still folded up in your pocket.
When you first met Peter, it was because he approached you in the park and awkwardly asked you out. You had turned him down with little grace, but managed to save your first impression when you saw him again later and your friendship started.
Having said that, you weren’t dumb, while Peter was content with being your friend, you could still see he had feelings for you and it made you feel bad knowing he had feelings for someone who could get him into serious trouble.
As Peter parked and you made your way up to your apartment, you decided that you had to tell him.
“Hey, uh, we do have to talk about something before we can start the movies.” You said as you unlocked the door. Lucy had a night shift today and you were thankful for the extra privacy if Peter reacted badly.
“About what?” Peter asked, concern shining bright in his eyes. He was also so thoughtful when it came to your emotions, if you were a mean person he probably would have been a doormat.
You opened the door and stepped in, holding it open for Peter. He followed you in and you closed the door, but left it unlocked if he wanted to leave.
“I have to tell you this because it isn’t fair if I don't, so just let me say it and we’ll go from there.” You stared at Peter’s shoes, unwilling to meet his eyes.
“Okay? You’re kinda freaking me out, y’know.” Peter murmured. You shifted your weight.
“Sorry. I, uh, I am an emancipated minor, I left my parents through the courts. I’m sixteen. I’ve told everyone in my life because I have a court hearing coming up soon. I figured you should know, considering how we met and in case you don’t want to be friends anymore.” You took a deep breath and held it.
“You’re sixteen?” You nodded, unable to decipher Peter’s tone. “Okay. Can we still be friends or are you telling me so we stop being friends?”
You lifted your gaze for a second before dropping it again. “If you want to, I still want to be friends. You’re a really cool guy.”
“Okay.” Peter paused. “I still want to be friends, I still want you in my life, even if I’m surprised.”
He paused again and you finally found the strength to look up at him. He smiled when you eyes met.
“I’m not leaving over something like that. Can we watch our movies now?” You smiled and nodded.
“Can I ask you something?” Peter asked about halfway through Jaws. You stole a piece of chocolate from the bowl between you.
“Sure.”
“What’s the court hearing about? Is that just something you have to do or?” You shook your head.
“No, my parents are trying to get custody again, but they don’t have a chance of getting it.” You chewed your chocolate.
“Can I ask why?”
You shrugged. “I have a steady job, legitimate housing, and I’m passing all of my classes. Plus, there was so much evidence that I wasn’t safe in their house. They'd have to try like hell to get me back to them and not a foster home.”
“Well that’s good. It’s a shame you had to tell everyone though.”
“Nah, it went a lot better than I ever expected.”
“How so?”
You thought for a moment. “Well, there weren’t any bad reactions per se. Lucy was a bit surprised, but since then she’s gotten a job and I’ll tell you the same thing I did TK: she hasn’t brought over anyone so I’m not complaining. Don has been pretty neutral, but he’s been checking up on me a little more. He’s not being overbearing though, I think it’s just parental instinct because he has a kid.”
You grabbed another chocolate. “And TK I told this morning, but so far there hasn’t been any changes. And then you were cool with it, so I’m happy.”
You smiled at Peter and he met you with his own gooey smile. “I’m glad you’re happy. Do you feel like this is your little family now?”
Your smile turned a little wistful. “Not to be super corny or anything, but I don’t think I ever want a family. What you’re part of is my pod, like dolphins, or like a murder of crows. You’re just in my group, a small group of people I probably trust too much, but I do anyway.”
Peter practically melted before your eyes. He was such a sap. You turned your attention back to the movie, echoing the actor. “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”