Young Writers Society

September 28 • Saturday

5:32 pm

"I've never been one of the 'rule breakers', whether that's good or bad. I'm naturally inclined to fade into the shadows, and I guess that means following the rules. That's how you stay unnoticed.

"The thing that draws me from my hiding places and into open, rule-breaking territory is a good cause. I'm not fond of those who challenge rules just because they can; it's just a show of strength, or stupidity, and it doesn't matter much. But for truth, for the safety of others, for the preservation of good, I would do it. Maybe that's because my rule breaking is in the spirit of the rule itself, if that makes any sense.

"Whatever the reasons or the misgivings, here I go.

"-F-"

:1 New Comment:

"Take a chill pill. Relax. Would you rather face your mother if she found out or another one of those creatures in the woods? Honestly.

"~M"

:1 Reply:

"I'd take a monster any day.

"-F-"

:1 Reply:

"Shouldn't you already be over here?

"~M"

Finnley could practically hear the snarkiness in the reply. He smiled at that, though Mia was right. He was just adjusting his tie- matching red, of course- and picking up his keys. He and Mia had stocked up the trunk of his mom's car just that morning, filling it with any supplies they deemed necessary. This included, of course, Mia's softball bats and a bunch of food smuggled out of Finnley's pantry "just in case". They agreed that they would each put in a change of clothes as well, because dress clothes are rather noticeable, not to mention uncomfortable.

Deciding that he looked presentable enough, Finnley walked out to the car. His mother came running up behind him, camera clutched tight in her hands. She was beaming at him, which made him unsettled. He absolutely hated it when he had to lie to her, and knowing that she would be worried sick over him if she knew what he was doing made everything worse.

"Finnley! Hold on, I've got to come over with you for pictures!" she said. It was practically a squeal of happiness. The two got into the car and Finnley drove them to Mia's house. Mrs. Bale was chattering endlessly the whole way. When Finnley parked, the bats in the trunk shifted with a loud thunk! noise.

"What was that?" his mom asked, startled.

"Oh... just some books I had back there," Finnley said awkwardly, waving his hand as if it were truly no big deal. His mom seemed satisfied and they walked up to the front door. Finnley had barely touched his knuckles to the wood to knock when the door flew open.

Mia's dad was standing in the open entrance, staring down at him. "This is my daughter you're taking to the dance," he said ominously, and Finnley nearly squeaked. He swallowed down his fear and tried to stand up straight. "You'd better treat her proper, you hear me?"

"Uh," Finnley said in a tiny voice, then cleared his throat. "Uh, yes, y-yes of course." He laughed a bit nervously- this breaking the rules thing was getting to him, and he hadn't even broken any yet.

Mr. Hart burst out laughing. "That was great! Don't you worry, I trust you. You're practically all she talks about, and you're a nice kid. Actually, it was her idea to give you a little scare."

Finnley barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes- of course it was Mia's idea. Now if only he could get his heart rate back down to a normal range. "Ah, of course. Um, is Mia ready yet?"

"Of course I am!" a voice called from somewhere deep within the house. Her dad smiled behind him.

"Oh! I see you're mom's here to take pictures. Hello Mrs. Bale! Why don't you two come into the living room? A little plant-heavy, but a good place for pictures." The two of them stepped inside, and as soon as they were in, Mia dramatically descended the stairs, somehow retaining perfect gracefulness.

Finnley's jaw dropped. Whatever he had expected, it wasn't this. Mia was indeed dressed in red, a rich scarlet dress made of a flowing, shimmering material. Her hair fell about her shoulders like pure obsidian, and her wrists and neck glittered with jewelry. And somehow, miraculously, she was walking elegantly down those stairs in tall black heels.

"You look beautiful!" Finnley stammered as his mother and her father turned to go into the living room. Then he lowered his voice and hissed at her, "I thought we weren't going to the actual dance! You're so... so dressed up, but you didn't actually need to be!" Finnley was rather distraught- he didn't know what it was about her outfit, but there was something quite overwhelming about the whole ordeal.

"Yes, but THEY don't know that," Mia whispered back. "Besides, when I get the opportunity to dress up for once, why waste it on simplicity?" Typical Mia. Finnley almost sighed in relief. He had been worried that... well, worried about something. He couldn't put his finger on it.

Mia's mother joined them in the living room and Finnley endured far too many pictures from his perspective. He could've sworn that they could make a stop motion animation of the past twenty minutes. Finally, they send him off with Mia, the Harts helpfully offering to drive Mrs. Bale back home. Finnley couldn't have been more grateful.

He didn't stop panicking until he had gotten in the car alone with Mia, closed the doors, and driven a block away. Then he pulled over and glanced at Mia. "Thank goodness that's over," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You want to change into your other clothes?"

Mia shrugged. "Well, I took all this effort to wear this fancy dress, so I think I'm good." She adjusted the settings on the passenger seat so she could lean back, then whipped a pair of sunglasses from her purse and slipped them on. "Adventure! To Uncle Fred's!" she cried, pointing forward dramatically. "Forward!"

Finnley was happy to oblige, pulling into the street and working his way to the highway, where they were truly on their way. Finnley adjusted himself to the idea that they were breaking the rules, that they were driving an hour and a half away to meet Mia's crazy uncle and ditching the school dance they were supposed to be at.

He was finally getting comfortable, the tension in his shoulders just staring to ease- which was why he screamed when he looked into the rearview mirror only to see Monica sitting in the backseat.