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"Oh shit" Lyric flies into panic arettes, and ashtray are She tosses the bottle and cigarettes into the drawer then stares wide-eyed at the ashtray "What do I do with this?"

Part ofet in trouble So I rush over and grab the ashtray while Lyric turns off the music and stuffs the CD back into place I carefully open theand pour the ashes out onto the back lawn After closing the , I return the ashtray to the drahere I find a can of air freshener I douse the air with it and tell Lyric to flip on the ceiling fan We finish cleaning up the best we can, and then Lyric seizes my hand and jerks me out the door

"Just play it cool," she whispers loudly I can smell the scotch on her breath

This is a disaster in the ," I tell her as we creep up the hall toward the kitchen "And don’t breathe on anyone"

She gives an exaggerated nod I sigh

We are so going down

The situation only worsens e enter the kitchen There is cake, ice cream, and plates all over the countertops Not only are her parents there, but so is everyto look at us as we enter I swear to God it’s like they know Mr Gregory pauses the longest, his head cocking to the side as he searches both our faces

Fuck, he knows

I open , but Lyric beats ers slip from my hand as she bolts out of the kitchen toward the bathroolances at Mr Scott, and then she runs after Lyric Mrs Gregory looks atme want to sink into the earth and vanish into the dirt She sighs then whispers sohtly as she backs away and ushers the kids out of the kitchen with her

Then it’s just Mr Gregory, Mr Scott, and I, in an overly large kitchen that soly uncoory have to be the disciplinarian, but I have a feeling he’s about to

I want to run out the door Run away A year ago, I would have, but I don’t think I can do it now--go back in the syste them to let me stay here with them

"I’m sorry, we just …" I trail off, unsure of what to say The last thing I want to do is get Lyric in trouble, but I’m worried if I take the fall, I’ll be kicked out