TRUTH(ish)

"...I may have had a few but nothing out of control."

"Then explain Jerry."

"I'm not really sure what happened, we kinda ran into him while me and the guys were out and he just seemed like he might be sick, so I watched over him all night. Honest."

"...I'm glad you were honest. Jerry lied so he's grounded." I nodded behind my glass. "And so are you."

"What?! Come on! You said if I told you it wouldn't be as bad!" Oh god, the steak knives in my skull were angry at me for yelling.

"It's not. He's grounded for two weeks. You're only grounded for one."

"...A week? But I have...I'm supposed to uh..."

"I'm sure whoever she is she'll understand."

"...Just...I have practice, and studying-"

"Don't tell me on top of everything you're failing a class?" Mom was always on all of us for our grades. Mine weren't the best, but by no means was I failing.

"No ma'am..." A thought struck me, "not yet...I mean to say. With the move and all, it's kinda hard to keep up and I asked someone to help me...like a tutor." I tried to sound ashamed but not ashamed enough it was obvious my shame came from my lying.

Mom stared me down for an agonizing amount of time. "When is your tutor expecting you?"

"I haven't set an exact time but he said Friday."

"He huh?" she thought for a moment and sighed. "Fine. You can go see your tutor but nothing else." I hid my happiness from my mother with a simple nod. "Get dressed. We have church."

"Yes, ma'am." I followed her out of the kitchen splitting off for my room.

Half an hour later I was ready, I managed to get dressed, I hoped my minimal shower and shave was enough to hide the events of last night. Coming into the living room I saw Jerry groaning on the couch in Michelle's lap. Something seemed off about Jerry, more so than a first-time hangover. He seemed more sad than in pain.

I sat next to Michelle, who was softly humming to him as she stroked his hair. "What happened to him last night?" she whispered.

"I'm not sure." Her eyes glared at me as she continued her gentle humming. It was very bizarre how she could do that. "I mean, I don't know what all happened to him exactly." Jerry groaned. "He drank too much that's for sure," I whispered softer.

"...Did anyone..."

"No. He was with Kyle apparently but...he seems like a good guy." Looking down at him, his soft and sad face resting on Michelle's lap, I could see a hint of mascara and sparkly blush. I was certain Jerry was gay from everything I had seen in the last 15 hours. I couldn't help but wonder if he thought the same of me. Mom called us to the car instead of dad like normal and we headed out the door.