A/N – This chapter is in the re-writing process from the original I had written ages ago

A/N – This chapter is in the re-writing process from the original I had written ages ago. Hopefully, it’s still enjoyable. After all, who doesn’t like breaking rules?

The Table

Part 1: Mary Anne

Chapter 3: Breaking Rules

The smell of salt was burning my cuts caused from the broken windshield. Once the car reached the beach, I put it in park and just laid back. I was exhausted. Joseph was out already; his cuts looked severe, but I couldn’t do anything. I was so tired as I quickly blacked out myself.

And then the sun began to rise. The sun was coming over the ocean. The light shined brightly on us. I looked at Joseph and was relieved to see him blink and slowly open his eyes. He looked at me and smiled. I couldn’t help but smile back. His hand went up and touched my cheek gently and my head automatically went towards his. As the sun began to rise to begin a new day, Joseph was kissing me and beginning something new.

He held my hand in his and I felt a strange feeling. Caring, compassion, and maybe even love. We watched the sun’s new light reflect off the rolling waves of the ocean, and suddenly I knew everything would be alright. I glanced at Joseph again, his dark red hair messy from the fight and the get-away. His bangs were falling over his forehead right above his eyes that seemed to be studying the ocean. Eyes that I seemed to get lost in. He looked at me then and our eyes studied each other coming to an understanding of our feelings for each other. He kissed me lightly on the forehead and opened his door.

We made our way along the beach, our injuries reminding us of the night before. We walked to the nearest road and Joseph found a blue mini van and went under the hood to get it started. Where did he pick that up from I wondered. We were on our way to my house and once we got there he walked me to my door. He placed his hands softly on my upper arms and kissed me lightly on the cheek.

“You know I like you, Mary Anne. I’d never treat you like Tyler did. Please be mine,” he whispered into my ear.

Once again I found myself lost in his grey eyes that were so convincing. I nodded, my eyes still lost in his. He smiled and started toward the car.

“See you Monday!” he called and I walked into the house.

My father was there waiting for me in the living room. His elbows were resting on his knees, his hands clasped, and his head bent down studying the ground. He seemed worried and then he looked at me. I could hear him trying to regulate his breathing, trying not to start yelling right away.

“Where were you?” he croaked out.

“Out,” I said simply.

Did I think he was worried? He was mad! Furious.

He growled and stood up raising his voice, “What do you think you were doing? I expected more out of you, Mary Anne. You know better! You’re grounded, do you hear me? No phone, T.V., friends. None of that. You’ll come home straight after school. Do I make myself clear?”

All I could do was nod.

“Go to your room.”

Trudging upstairs, making sure to stomp on each step in protest, I reached my door which I slammed and then flopped on my bed. The night before rushed through my head. I couldn’t believe Tyler was such a jerk. And I couldn’t believe how much I fell for Joseph. Now that was a problem. I dreaded Monday when I would have to see the familiar faces of the table.

I walked to school on Monday, not realizing the dark thundering clouds in the distant. It was very long until it started to rain. And then he rescued me again. Joseph, with a huge smile, pulled up in a little red Mazda. I accepted the offer and decided I needed to talk to him. After all, it was just not possible for us to be together at the moment. He was with Julie, and I, even I thought I hated to admit it, was still with Tyler according to the laws of the Table.

“Joseph, I’m afraid I’m going to have to take back what I said this weekend,” I said in a quiet voice.

“What?” he asked, the hurt and confusion clear in his voice and on his gorgeous face.

“I don’t want to. Believe me, I’d love to be with you right now. But it’s wrong. We’re breaking all the rules we made for ourselves. Rules that represent the friendship we all have with each other. Julie’s my best friend, I could never hurt her like that, even without the rules,” I explained.

“I understand, Mary Anne. It’s alright,” he said as he looked away. His voice was sad and distant.

“Thank you for understanding,” I tried to smile at him.

“No problem,” his eyes couldn’t meet mine and I felt guilty for leading him on in the first place, “are you sure you’ll be ok being with Tyler the rest of the month though?”

“I should be alright. Not much can happen; I’m grounded,” I stated.

“Grounded? Why?” finally he looked toward me.

Before I could answer we heard sirens. A cop car was behind us with lights flashing.

“Hang on!” Joseph said excitedly and sped up. Somehow he managed to lose him before reaching our school.

“I guess that was close,” Joseph grinned at me.

“Maybe you should be more careful,” I teased.

“Life’s no fun being careful. Besides, I have such a wonderful lucky charm: you,” he answered.

I blushed and turned away and started to get out of the car when Joseph stopped me by grabbing my arm.

“Mary Anne, please wait. Just listen for a second. What if we can make this work?”

“What?”

“What if we go behind the rules? I mean, as long as no one knows, the rules won’t be technically broken, right?” he asked with hope and determination.

“What if we’re caught?” I held my breath. Did I really want to do this?

“We won’t be. We’ll put on an act with whoever we’re with. We can make this work!” he was holding both my hands now.

“I don’t know,” was all I could answer. I wanted to give in desperately.

“Trust me,” he pleaded with his gorgeous storm-grey eyes. How could I refuse?

A kiss sealed the deal and both of us were grinning as we made our way into the cafeteria to face the others at the Table.

A/N – So I don’t think that was too horrible. Not as good as I’d like, but definitely better than the original that I have. I’ll most likely go back and rewrite a lot once I finish this story completely, but that’s a ways off I’m sure. Thank you My Chemical Music Box for your review on chapter 2! Thankfully I didn’t drink when I was 14, but only saw the effects it had on people. Then high school came. Hehe. That being said, don’t drink and drive! Ever. Please remember to review!