“So, you guys expect me to change who I am around you?” I questioned with a glare.
“No, Shiloh. It’s not about changing who you are, it’s about being respectful,” Nox reasoned.
“Fuck this. I’m going home,” I stood up abruptly, almost knocking the stool over and rushed towards the front door.
“Shiloh!” Nox called out, following me. “Just wait.”
I ignored him grabbing my shoes and trying my best to put them on quickly.
“Shiloh, please. You don’t have to leave. Can we just talk about this?” Nox pleaded in a hushed tone behind me.
I didn’t want to stay and talk. I wanted to get the hell out of there before they insulted or embarrassed me even more. I knewI didn’t fit in with their group. Why couldn’t they just let it go, and we could all move on with our separate lives?
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I muttered as I stood up, clutching my aching ribs.
“Shiloh, look, I’m sorry if you got offended. It’s just, you’re a guest and that’s one of the rules my mom has,” Jae said.
I wasn’t in the mood to explain my feelings or argue. “I’m tired and I just want to go home.”
Jae nodded and took the slippers I handed to him.
“I’ll drive you,” Nox said, reaching for his shoes.
“No,” I shook my head. “I’ll walk.”
“Shiloh, come on. It’s late, let me just—”
Nox was cut off by the sound of a door opening and Mrs. Min-Baker’s approaching footsteps.
“What’s going on?” She asked, looking between us.
There was a moment of silence, neither boy looking me in the eyes. At least it had progressed from them staring at my eyes.
“No-nothing,” Jae shrugged, pausing to clear his throat. “Shiloh was just heading out.”
“Oh, okay. Are your parents here?” She asked, moving to switch what I assumed was the porch light on.
“No, I’m going to walk.”
“Jae!” She scolded, lightly slapping his arm.
“Ow.” He flinched unnecessarily, scowling at his mom.
“Let me go grab my purse. I’ll drive,” she said firmly, giving the boys a pointed stare.
“No, really,” I began before she put her hand on my shoulder.
“I’m not letting you walk home at this hour. Now give me two minutes and we’ll head out.”
She didn’t leave any room for discussion despite the kind expression she gave me. Something about her tone of voice made it obvious that there was no persuading her.
There was an awkward tension in the room when she left, and I picked up my backpack for something to do. They still weren’t looking at me. Nox attempted to speak, but I held up a hand and he went silent, sighing lightly. His shoulders were slumped like he was sad, but I had no idea why. Maybe he was disappointed that he wanted to be my friend in the first place after realizing I wasn’t good company.
Whatever.
Jae’s mom returned, her shiny black hair pulled back with a hair tie and her purse draped across her shoulder. I stepped out of the way while she slipped on a pair of shoes. She turned around expectantly towards the boys and must have given them some sort of look because they quickly said goodbye to me.
I rolled my eyes and followed her outside to the car that was parked in the driveway. I assumed we’d drive in awkward silence but as soon as we got in Mrs. Min-Baker started asking me questions. The first one being, ‘have you buckled your seat belt’. I guessed it was her polite way of telling me to do so, seeing as it was obvious I hadn’t when she was looking right at me.
