Locked In

September 29, 3030 6:33 P.M.         I slump onto my bed, flipping over to stare at my white ceiling. Should I go to the party in what I’m wearing now or should I change? My nerves prevent me from thinking clearly at the realization that Bennett is supposed to try to convince my parents to let me leave for the night. I can already hear what they’ll say.         “Absolutely not!” and “She doesn’t deserve to have fun.”         Some time passes as I lay, thoughts racing as I inspect the roof above. It doesn’t take long for me to memorize every imperfection in the white paint about my head.          I hear a knock at the door, dragging me back into reality. My pulse immediately begins to race. I slip out of bed and creep my way to my bedroom door. I open it as silently as possible, knowing if I made a noise I would be in trouble. I don’t dare to leave my room, for fear of repercussions. It’s been made clear that I am not allowed to leave unless it’s for school, food, or the bathroom.         "Who the hell is at the door?" my father demands. I hear the front door creak open.          "Bennett?" He sounds surprised. "Long time, no see. How are you?"         "I'm good, Mr. Anderson," Bennett replies. "I was wondering if Scarlett was home."         "Why are you looking for Scarlett?" my mother asks.           I imagine her standing beside my father, drying her hands with a rag after leaving the kitchen from washing dishes.         But that's not my reality.         I don’t need to see to know that my mother stands as far as she can from my father, who undoubtedly looks like a wasted piece of shit.          "I was hoping if Scarlett would be able to hang out with me tonight," Bennett responds.         "Absolutely not," Father says without hesitation. There’s the loving response I expected.          "It'll only be for a few hours. I promise I won't let her out of my sight."         "Scarlett doesn't deserve to have fun," Mother remarks. There it is, double jeopardy.          "Why? Tell me one thing she has done that deserves your hate."         My parents fall into silence, but I know they're gaping at Bennett in shock. Hell, even I’m in shock.          "Exactly," continues Bennett, "Scarlett has done nothing wrong. I'm sorry to speak this way to both of you, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, but it's about time someone stands up to you two."         Father sputters in anger but soon sighs in defeat. "I want her back by 9:00, no later."         My eyes widen. Did my father actually agree?         "But, Bentley--" Mother tries to protest.         "No, Victoria," Father interrupts. "Bennett is right. Scarlett hasn't done anything wrong recently. Let her go with the boy, I trust he'll bring her back by 9:00."         Mother scoffs. "She's upstairs in her room."         "Thank you, Mrs. Anderson." I hear footsteps on the staircase.         I shut my door as silently and as quickly as I can and sit on in my bed, praying no one heard me listening. I jolt as Bennett knocks on my door, peeking his head in.         "How did you do it?" I immediately ask, standing up as he walks in. "How did you persuade them? No one's ever been able to convince my parents."          I suddenly feel self-conscious. Why did he defend me? Is he just taking pity on me?         Bennett shrugs, distancing himself from me, hands tucked into his pockets. "I don’t know, I just did it."         I scoff. "Obviously."          I quickly scan the boy in my room, taking note of the navy button-up and rolled khakis he’s wearing. He cleans up nicely, even taking the time to tuck in his shirt and put on a belt.         Bennett looks at me up and down with a raised brow. "You're not wearing that to the party, are you?"         "Hmm?" I glance down at my plain t-shirt and grey sweatpants. I nervously laugh and look back up at Bennett. "I didn't think your plan would work."         Bennett chuckles. "Well, hurry up and change. I gotta bring you back by 9:00."         Nodding, I quickly grab something out of my closet and leave to change in the bathroom. I pull on a black blouse with bell sleeves. I also slip into a simple pair of skinny jeans and matching black ankle boots. I twist my hair up into a messy half-bun, adjust my glasses, and step out of the bathroom. Bennett glances up from my bed as I walk in, eyes widening.         "What?" I ask, feeling heat rush up to my cheeks.         "Nothing." Bennett clears his throat and stands up. "We should, uh, get going."         I follow him out of my bedroom and pass my parents, who don’t even bother wishing me goodbye. We walk down the street in silence. Every evening after 7:00 P.M., the streets are empty except for a few stragglers and the guards standing outside various buildings.         "Why did you offer to talk to my parents yesterday at lunch?" I finally ask, itching to know the answer.          "I thought it would be awkward if Penelope did," Bennett admits.         I peer up at him. "And because you're my neighbor?"         "That and because your parents already know me."         I nod. "Well, thank you."         Bennett shrugs it off. "Can I ask you something?"        "Sure."          "What happened to us? I mean, we used to be best friends and now we barely talk."         I stop in my tracks. Wasn’t he the one that threw away our friendship?          "You left me, for your new friends." My words come out harsher than anticipated, but I don’t apologize.         Bennett stops walking and turns to me, furrowing his brows. "I didn't leave you. You left me. You're the one that made new friends, then never spoke to me again."         "I made new friends because you made new friends."         Bennett chuckles. "Sounds like we both assumed something that wasn't right."         I burst into laughter, clutching my stomach. "I guess so."          Bennett joins me in laughter, and once we calm down, we continue to make our way to Hayden Avila's.         "So...can we be friends again?" Bennett asks.          I want to say no, because of my feelings for him, but I find myself nodding anyway. I guess I would rather be his friend than nothing at all. "Yeah. We can be friends again."         Bennett holds out his pinky, reminding me of our old childhood habits. I chuckle, linking our pinkies together to declare a truce or promises like we always had done.         "Now that we're best friends again, can I tell you something?" I ask.          "Of course." Bennett nods.         "Your girlfriend . . . it doesn't seem like you guys are meant for each other."         "Why do you say that?" His tone isn’t angry, more like…curious.          I shrug. "I don't know. I guess sometimes she can be a bitch? I mean, she smirks constantly. I honestly thought she was up to something when she offered to speak to my parents."         I couldn’t quite place Bennett’s expression. It was as if he knew something I didn’t. "Penelope just wants things to go her way."         I scoff. "If I knew any better, I would say you don't love her."        "What are you talking about? Of course I love her." I knew I was pushing his limits, I could hear it in his voice.         I don't dare back down. "Not the way you think you do. I've known you all my life. I know you hate admitting things because you're scared to hurt others. I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, but I never had the guts until now."         "Well, you're wrong. I do love Penelope and nothing or no one is going to change that."         I frown, turning on my heel and walking again. "Why are you always so stubborn?"          "I'm not being stubborn!" Bennett catches up to me. "I do love her. I think you're just jealous."         "Jealous? As if." Even as I say it, I can feel deep down it's a lie. "I just don't believe she makes you as happy as you deserve to be."         Bennett huffs in frustration but says nothing more. *** 7:20 P.M.         When we walk into Hayden's house, we're immediately overwhelmed by the loud music. I can feel the vibrations through the walls, bouncing through my body. Someone offers me a drink, and I kindly decline as I walk away, avoiding any potential peer pressure. One of my pet peeves is someone not taking no for an answer.          "Scarlett!" Madison rushes over to me, pulling Ashton along behind her with their hands interlocked. "Took you long enough!"          I take a moment to admire her style. She's totally pulling off her not-so-modest v-neck paired with a leather jacket. A pair of ripped jeans and white sneakers complete her outfit. I notice her long hair is down, nearly reaching her elbows.         "It took me a while to get her parents to agree," Bennett speaks from beside me. "I told you it wasn't going to be easy."         "Yeah, yeah." Madison waves her hand. "I know how your parents are."         "You do." I raise a brow. "Yet you still tried to convince me to come otherwise."         "Well, she couldn't let her best friend not have fun." Ashton slings his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders.           Like his girlfriend, Ashton has a great taste in clothing. With a denim jacket covering a white tee, black jeans, and converse, Ashton is the epitome of men’s fashion. He's even wearing a brown beanie to seal the deal.          "That's why I agreed to talk to her parents," Bennett pipes in, glancing down at me with a grin and causing my heart to skip a beat.         "Bennett!" Penelope hurries down with Chloe, both of them with a drink in hand. "I was wondering where you were." She kisses him on the lips and I quickly turn the other away.         "Hmm," Bennett groans in her mouth, pulling away from her. "Have you been drinking?"         "Yeah, it's no big deal."         "It's no big deal? You promised me you wouldn't drink tonight."         "I just had one drink." Penelope shrugs, holding up her cup. "And this is my second."         "You can't be serious, Penelope! You know what? Forget it." Bennett walks away, disappearing into the crowd.         "Bennett? Bennett come back!" Penelope follows after her boyfriend.         "Sounds like trouble in paradise," Chloe remarks, taking a sip of her beer.         I bite my tongue, stopping myself from telling Chloe off. The last time I spoke my mind, it didn’t end well. I turn to walk away and try to find Bennett before Penelope does.         "Hey, Scarlett!" Luna appears in front of me, shouting over the loud music.           She looks great in her long-sleeved black shirt tucked into a tan skirt. Knee-high boots adorned her long legs. I notice her hair is a bit tangled from all the partying.           "I'm so glad you were able to come!" She pulls me into a friendly embrace. "I love you so much, never let anyone tell you otherwise!"          "How much did you drink?" I chuckle at her slurred words as I pull away from her.         Luna begins to count with her fingers, eventually running out on both hands. "A lot."         "All right, you've had enough." I grab her wrist and start to lead her upstairs, finding the bathroom. "I'll find Karter."         "Karter isn't here. He told me he wasn't able to make it." Luna frowns. "I think he doesn't want to be with me anymore."         "What are you talking about? Of course Karter still wants to be with you. You guys are like Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen."         Luna stares at me curiously. "What?"         "Oh, sorry, I forgot you don't watch older Disney movies." I try to think of a way to explain the two characters. "Long story short, they were meant for each other. And that's you and Karter; you two are meant for each other."         Luna nods in understanding. "Thank you, Scarlett."         "Of course, Luna." I smile and hug her. "Now, let's get you cleaned up, then I'll find someone to take you home." *** 7:50 P.M.         After I clean up Luna, I find Ryker downstairs in the kitchen, drinking water. Riker was never one to drink, he always opted for water or a different non-alcoholic beverage.          "Ryker!" I call, catching his attention. "Could you take Luna home? She’s, uh, totally wasted."         "Yeah, sure." Ryker sets down his drink on the counter. "I've been itching to get out of here anyway."           My face warms up as I catch a glimpse of his bare chest. It’s hard not to get flustered when his shirt is nearly completely unbuttoned. He also cleans up nice, wearing navy pants to pair with his white shirt.          "Thank you!" I throw Ryker a grateful smile before I say my goodbyes and leave to find Bennett.         After searching inside for half an hour, I decide to check the backyard. I sigh as I immediately see Bennett sitting on the ground, facing the pool with his knees to his chest. I adjust my glasses out of habit, then quietly approach him.         "Are you okay?" I ask quietly.          Bennett nods his head, continuing to stare at the water. I bite my lower lip and sit beside him, mimicking his position. "You’re lying. I know you too well.”         Bennett scoffs, then rests his chin on his knees. "You were right."         "About what?" I say, even though I can guess what’s coming next.         "About Penelope. About loving her." Bennett wipes away a stray tear. "I don't even understand why I tried so hard to stay with her for so long." He shakes his head, scoffing again. "I guess I was just desperate."         "I get that. I get that more than anyone here in this world." I stare at the perfectly lit pool. "Do you ever wish things could be different here?"         "Yeah, I do. I wish I could leave this wretched town."         "You know we can’t leave. It's against the laws."         "But why?"         I shrug. "Good question. Personally, I think the government is hiding something. Maybe there's a force field outside this town, keeping us in."         Bennett snorts at my absurd remark. "That's crazy." He sobers up his laughter. "Hey, do you know what time it is?"         I flick my wrist, my hologram clock appearing in front of us. "Oh, no. It's 8:37." I swipe the hologram away and quickly stand up. "If we leave now, we'll get home just in time."         Bennett stands up. "Yeah, let's go." He grabs my hand, and we quickly walk back inside to leave.  *** 8:57 P.M.         I urge my guards to speed up the scanning, then bolt to my front door. I walk inside right when the time turns to 9:00. I sigh in relief and turn to Bennett on my front porch.         "Thanks again," I say sincerely. "I had fun."          Bennett smiles. "Of course. I'll see you Monday, Scarlett."           As he begins to leave, I get a sudden burst of confidence to finally ask the question that’s been gnawing at me.         "Bennett!" He turns around. "Why did you stick up for me in front of my parents?"         "That's easy." He pauses, flashing me a smile. "You're worth standing up for."         My heart flutters at his words, and I watch as he walks away.