(I think someone else wanted to post in purple so I will post in this color.)

Shelby hung her head as low as she could while being escorted out of the local Wal-Mart, her hands where cuffed, and two armed police officers were escorting her out to their car. “Damn why did this have to happen the day before school?” she thought to herself. After getting into the police car the older cop began to question her. “Shelby, why did you do this? I know your parents, if you wanted something you could have asked.” Shelby glared at the man. “You don’t know my parents well enough if you thought they’d buy me something.”

“This is your second time being caught; did you not learn your lesson the last time? I mean for goodness sakes you tried to steal twenty dollars’ worth of stuff, and you had fifty dollars! What’s wrong with you?” The younger man said nothing just keeping his eyes on the road. He wasn’t going to interfere with a lecture he thought the young woman deserved. Once arriving at the police station Shelby’s parents were already in the parking lot waiting on their delinquent daughter.

“NO you didn’t! Really you called my parents! Can you even legally do that? I am eighteen.”

“I figured since you still live with your parents they should be notified.” said the cop. As soon as Shelby got out of the car her mother started crying. “That’s my baby take those hand cuffs off of her she’s not a criminal! What is going on with you Shelby, why would you do this to us again?”

“Shut up Celine she is a criminal, she’s a thief. Just take her inside we can continue this in the station.” Shelby reluctantly walked inside; she knew this conversation was going to be a bad one. After they took her fingerprints, and her picture they took her to interview room two. Her parents were already in the room by the time she arrived. “Shelby you are going to spend the night here in jail. We are not going to bail you out. You will also not be permitted home either.” spat her father angrily. “Jake don’t you think that’s a little too harsh?” cried her mother.

“Dad please don’t do this I am so sorry! I promise I will never steal again. Please give me a second chance.”

“This was your second chance have you forgotten this is our second time here?” Her father then rose up from the table, “Celine lets go home our son is probably wondering where we are.” Her mother rose from the table her hands trembling, it was obvious that she supported her husband’s decision but she did not agree with it.
Shelby spent the night in jail once she was released from custody; she went to her boyfriend’s house on the other side of town. “Damn it Brandon I told you I had money. Why would you stick that stuff in my purse? Do you know what you’ve done to me?”

“Shelby chill out it was just a joke.”

“Brandon I was kicked out of my house I have nowhere to go now. This was not a funny joke!”

“I bet if you went to your house they’d cave like they always do.”

“Not this time I think I’ll have to stay with you.” Brandon was not happy, his face told it all.

“Well if you don’t want me here then I guess I’ll just live on the streets.” shouted Shelby. “No, no its fine.” What that really meant was there goes all my freedom I’m stuck with you now. After sleeping her first night in Brandon’s apartment she decided to go get her things from her parents’ house. They were greeted in the driveway by Celine. “Oh honey I don’t know what has gotten into your father are you okay? I tried speaking to him but he won’t listen. It’s good you came while he was at work, I just wish you had come alone.” she said as she glared at Brandon. Celine then walked her daughter into the house. “You don’t care to stay out here do you?” Shelby’s things were already packed up and waiting by the stairs. Her mother grabbed her purse and gave her daughter a thousand dollars. “Shelby please be smart with this money. Also I talked to my friend Jeff who owns that restaurant on main street, you start work there on Monday as a waitress; don’t let me down. Your aunt has talked to your superintendent you can still go to school in this district as long as you are productive in the band.

Shelby grabbed her belongings that were all in trash bags and turned to walk out of the house she grew up in. When her mother grabbed her only daughter and said “I love you very much. I do not agree with your father on this at all, but I think it’s what you need. Every month with the allowance your father gives me I’ll put six hundred dollars in your account. Spend it wisely. Monday when you go back to school you can come by and pick up your car.” Shelby held back tears “Thank you mother. I love you too.” She held her head high as she walked out to Brandon’s car. Once they pulled out of the driveway Shelby looked at the man by her side and she realized that she was lucky to have him to lean on. A smile spread across her face.

Shelby was ready to start her senior year with Brandon and her best friends by her side.

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