I slow down when I get to the Flenory's residence. Their lights were still on and I wondered if she was awake. Pretty sure buzz head had already brought her back.
I grimace slightly when I remember how she wrapped her arms around him on the bike. I'm sure he felt like he had her already.. dumbass.
I drive home, I notice another car parked outside as I step out of mine. I walk in, knowing who's already behind the doors.
"Oh sweetie you're back", my mum chirps like she's been waiting for me all day.
"Yeah", I say searching the living room.
"He's upstairs", she says noticing my wandering eyes.
I nod then continue my walk but my mum stops me, "Dear?",
I sigh stopping, the alcohol was making me drowsy and I really don't want her to notice it. She hates when I drink.
"Did you stop by to see Abby?", she asks.
"No..", I trail watching her expression morph into disappointment.
"You know you're like her only friend, so it would be nice if you checked up on her. I'm sure she had a really hard time today..",
"What happened?", I ask getting concerned. If that buzz head kid had something to do with this then I'm turning him bald.
"While we were at the book club today her mum got a call saying she passed out so she left early", she explains.
"Why? What happened? Is she okay now?",
"I'm sure she's fine, her mum said it wasn't a big deal.. just wait for tomorrow, she might be sleeping already. She's had a long day", she says leaving me to the kitchen.
"And where are you coming from?", I look up to see Mr Kushner walking down the stairs.
"A friend's", I answer as fast as the question came in. The alcohol effect is getting stronger and I'm so not ready for any of his strictness right now.
I don't wait for him to speak again before I start rushing up the stairs.
"Goodnight", I yell as I turn into the hallway.
My dad isn't as easy going as my mum. She's more of the spare the rod and spoil the child kinda parent but my dad on the other hand is just so uptight.. seriously can't take a joke.
So that's why I'm so grateful his job takes him for weeks. His absence is my serenity. I love it when he's not around.
I take off my shirt once I get into my room. I slowly walk to my window.. I open it and take my head out. The wind instantly reaches me as I stare at her closed window. Her lights were turned off so it was impossible for me to see anything.
I sigh.. I don't know why she's so mad at me. Why do I always fuck things up with her? I never know what to do..
And she doesn't make things less difficult. It's like she thinks I can read minds or something.
Another sigh escapes my lips.. I'm just a boy, dang it.
**
Every time I have an intention to drive Abby to school I always wake up early. On other days that I don't, I go to school late or don't go at all.. just ditch and spend hours in Asher's until it's time for practice.
I walk downstairs swirling my keys in hand. A low rhythmic whistle plays out of my lips as I walk to the door but I stop when the sweet smell of muffins hit my nose.
I walk to the kitchen. My mum takes off her mittens and when she sees me she smiles. Always chirpy, I love it unlike Mr grumpy.. it's like he has no reason to smile even when there's a lot of it.. I mean, first off look at your wife. She's gorgeous.
"What have we got here?", she asks looking all surprised to see me up so early.
I move a hand to grab a muffin but she swats it away so I try again and she swats it again.. harder this time.
"Why so mean?", I ask and swiftly I collect a muffin from the tray but instantly regret cause it's freaking hot.
The muffin drops to the table and she scowls at me. I shrug.
"It's hot", I say and she rolls her eyes picking the muffin up with her index and thumb, ready to toss it in the trash.
I take it from her, "You clean this table everyday, chill", I say taking a bite out of the now so not very hot muffin.
She sighs muttering something to herself as she brings out a basket, a napkin and some fancy paper wraps.
I watch her, I wonder who she's displaying hospitality to now.. the woman across the street or..
"This is for Abby", she says answering my thoughts as she wraps the the top of the basket with the fancy paper wrap. She lifts it off the table then hands it to me.
"Be nice to her", she says walking out of the kitchen. I follow behind.
"What makes you think I'm not?", I ask.
"She'd rather get into a bike with some other guy than get into a car with you.. it's not misplaced priorities, it's how he treats her", she says then wipes off the muffin crumbs that got stuck on my chin.
"Have a nice day at school sweetie".
I place the muffin basket in the passenger seat before driving out of my porch and to the Flenory's. I park my car by the side walk then get down with the muffins.
I walk up to their house then ring the doorbell. It doesn't take up to a minute before the door's being flung open. Mrs Flenory comes in view and I hold a smile just as she does.
"Noah", she says cheerfully.
"Hi Mrs Flenory", I say.
"How are you doing?", she asks then steps aside, "Oh c'mon in".
I walk in and my eyes immediately lands on her. I notice her hair is all straight today, it suits her so well but I'd totally take her fizzy hair any other day. She's in her usual dress and jacket.. my eyes trail over here for a while until they meet hers again.
She looks away from my stare and I scold myself for looking at her for too long.
"My mum wanted you to have these", I say then hand her the muffin basket. She takes it and I notice a small curl on her lips at the sight of it.
"That's thoughtful of her", her mum says taking the basket from her then heading to the kitchen, "I'll keep them till you get back".
Now that it's just us, her gaze refuses to land on me she looks around trying her possible best not to meet my eyes.
I clear my throat to grab her attention, "I heard what happened.. are you okay?".
"Yeah I'm fine", she says holding on to the straps of her bag still not looking at me.
"Sorry I couldn't come yesterday-", she cuts me off.
"Doesn't matter",
I suck in my bottom lip at her quick comeback. Ouch.
"Okay well, uh.. can I.. take you to school?", I ask.
"Let's go", she sighs at her mum who was watching us by the kitchen window.
She walks pass me to the front door as her mum calls after her and she says bye before we step out.
We walk to my car and I open the car door for her. After she gets in, I turn around to get in as well.
I let out a breath, "I'm sorry".
Abby doesn't meet my eye when she says, "We're gonna be late".
I drive to school without another word. When we get there I want to park in my usual spot where my friends are but I notice Abby's tensed nature so I make a turn and park somewhere else.
I feel her hesitate but she eventually steps out of the car. I fall back on my seat taking my hand into my hair.
I get down after a while, getting into school. I take a turn to the left wanting to pass by Abby's locker but I immediately regret when I see buzz cut kid with her and the worst part is the flowers he has in his hands.
There's a sudden rage that comes but it subsides when my mum's earlier words settles in my thoughts.
It's not misplaced priorities.. it's how he treats her.
Abby's eyes meets mine and I look at the flowers, they're just random.. I would have gotten her roses.. But you didn't.. I curse under my breath before walking away.
Fuck.
**
The table was filled with preppies and it made my skin ick. I think I'm beginning to see how overrated everyone at this table is.
I look over to Asher, he's the most ordinary person ever.. well once you get to know him. He can seem a bit too classy for anyone but he's just Asher.
From the jocks to the cheerleaders it's all just overrated people. Some of them don't even know how they got here.. Connie for instance, her piglet was the class pet at 8th grade and when it died the preppies sympathized with her and got her into the table.
Finn at the opposite end was the first guy to ride a skateboard in the school's cafeteria and apparently they thought it was cool and he ended up here.
And then there's Henry, dude's just here cause he's name sounds like royalty.
I cross my arms, just pissed that I'm here. Or was it the flowers he gave her? Ugh!.
I see a guy with a buzz cut so I sit up straight watching him until he sits down at an empty table. He's probably waiting for Abby and their other friend. Precisely Abby if you ask me.
I don't lose, in fact I don't think I've lost anything well except for that one time at ping pong in junior high.. but other than that.. I don't.
So if he thinks he can just come from Mexico or wherever the hell he came from and win her over then he's a big fucking joker.
I'm unaware that I'm standing now and moving away from the table. Asher raises his brow at me but I ignore it walking to buzz cut boy.
He picks at his lunch texting on his phone but when he sees me he stops. Confusion emits from his face as I place both hands on the table In front of him.
"Don't remember calling you over", he says and I smirk. The attitude from this guy.
"I know what you want and trust me I'm not gonna let you get it", I say and he scoffs getting off his seat.
With a serious demeanor now he says, "Oh I will".