On My Own Time

Chapter 6

"Diego? Honey? It's time to eat dinner."

I groaned as I sat up, stretching my back and sighing when it cracked. I checked my phone to see it was already 7:15 and I had three new messages from Max and one from an unknown number. I threw my phone to the side and got up, yawning in the process as I left my room and went down to the dining room. Daniel was helping my mother set the table but there was no sign of Caden.

"Where's Caden?" Daniel asked.

My mother looked down and focused her attention on the food saying, "I called him."

In other words, he ignored my mother. Daniel seemed to understand as well because a second later he was on his way to his son's room. I felt bad for my mother and was angry at Caden for treating her so badly. You could hear Caden and Daniel argue until they both appeared and Caden rudely sat down on a seat. My mother glanced at me as to silently say 'please sit down and don't say anything.'

I took my seat beside Caden and Daniel happily took his seat beside my mother, serving them both some food as they chatted about their days. I noticed how Daniel was ignoring Caden and that Caden himself grew even more angry. I didn't want a scene to start so I mentally sighed before turning to him after I served my food.

"How was school, Caden?"

He looked at me, his face somewhere between shock and slight annoyance. He remained silent and I figured he just wasn't going to answer. So I let out a sigh and began to eat my food.

"It was alright," he finally said.

I looked at him and offered a small smile. He didn't return it but his face didn't look like he was annoyed anymore. Instead, he looked curious yet cautious. The rest of the dinner was quiet between us but Daniel seemed to loosen up as he talked to both of us, asking about our day and what we did. My mother seemed truly happy and I noticed she held Daniel's hand for most of the time.

"I have a project to go do, can I go now?"

I had to hold in my scoff because I knew for a fact he didn't. I didn't say anything though and instead focused on cleaning up the table. Daniel excused him and he left without placing his plate in the sink. I couldn't stop the eye roll even if I wanted to but I was glad Daniel and my mom didn't notice it. I didn't want my mom to worry about Caden and I not getting along. After I finished cleaning up the table, my mother and Daniel went to the living room while I went to my room. I finally responded back to Max, letting him know everything would be okay. Sara had also texted me as well as Charlie. Sara sent her usual goodnight text message and of course, she also wanted me to say goodnight to Caden for her. Charlie only texted to thank me for today and said how much fun she had. Finally, I opened the message from the unknown number.

From: unknown
Hey Diego, we still on for our deal?

My mind took a bit to think of who this could be but then it clicked, Victor. I'm sure he got my number from Caden and I wasn't sure how to feel about it. Victor now had my number and texted me first. I never thought this would actually happen.

To: Victor
Sure, just tell me when and where.

I didn't expect him to reply so soon but not even two minutes later I had a response.

From: Victor
My house so there won't be any interruptions. Start tomorrow ;)

I couldn't stop the small smile from forming on my face. I didn't know what to think about his text but I knew I wasn't going to reject. I also didn't know how to respond. Should I give him a wink back? Was it only cool if only he did it? Would he think I was hinting at something? I truly didn't know but I didn't think twice of my response and simply pressed send before I could change it over and over until it was too late.

To: Victor
As long as there's food :)

From: Victor
I definitely have something for you to eat ;)

My face turned red from his response. I wasn't even sure if he meant it in that way. It was most likely my mind playing tricks to make it sound like that. I didn't bother with a response and instead put my phone on my bed and focused on my homework. I thankfully didn't have a lot to do but by the time I was finished I definitely was ready for some sleep. I quickly got ready for bed and laid down, texting Max a goodnight message before falling asleep.

The next morning I woke up feeling better than the previous morning. I was in a good mood, which made me cautious at the same time. I tried to not think much of it and instead got changed and ready for the day. I was surprised when I walked into the kitchen and saw Daniel there with my mother. He was dressed for work though so perhaps he just didn't need to go in so early.

"Good morning, honey! Have some breakfast, sit down. You still have a good thirty minutes before you need to go," my mother said, pushing a plate of two pancakes towards me.

I smiled and thanked her, sitting down and beginning to eat. No less than two minutes later Caden came running in, grabbing Daniel's toast and running to make himself a smoothie. Daniel glared at his son while my mother giggled and gave him more toast. I wasn't sure why Caden was in a hurry but I assumed it had to do with his friends coming to pick him up.

"Son, what are you doing?"

"Gotta hurry, friends coming. Still need to shower."

"Oh Caden, I can finish up your smoothie while you take a shower."

He froze and looked at my mother. My mother's smile faltered a little but she still kept one up.

"I don't need help," he said and shoved past me, leaving the remains of what would have been his smoothie on the counter.

"Caden. Caden!"

He ignored his father's calls and slammed the bathroom door shut. Daniel sighed and hugged my mother who looked sad now. She got out of his arms and proceeded to finish making Caden's smoothie.

"Honey, you don't-"

"Just say you made it," my mother said, interrupting Daniel and gave him a small smile.

Ten minutes later Caden was out the shower and walked into the kitchen. Daniel pushed the smoothie over to him and Caden looked at it. He knew my mother made it and his face became sour. Quite frankly, he was now pissing me off. He grabbed the smoothie and pushed it back.

"I don't need anything from her," he stated and walked out the door with his stuff.

My mother's entire face dropped and Daniel simply hugged her. I could hear Caden talking to someone out the door and with the anger I was feeling, I knew I had to do something. He hurt my mother and he had to pay. I angrily grabbed the smoothie and opened the front door, slamming it shut catching Caden's attention and to my surprise, Victor's. However, at the moment I wasn't focused on Victor and my eyes only focused on Caden who saw the smoothie and became angry.

"Hey asshole! You forgot this!" I yelled and threw the smoothie at him, watching as the liquid drink splattered all over him.

Caden gasped and Victor's eyes widened, trying to contain his laughter. My mother and Daniel came out, probably hearing me shout. My mother gasped as she saw Caden and Daniel's eyes widen but he too was trying to hold in his laughter.

"Diego! Why would you-"

"You're dead!" Caden suddenly shouted and ran to me.

Victor grabbed him and Daniel shouted at Caden to stop. However, Caden was still out for blood, trying his best to get out of Victor's arms. I didn't run but simply glared at him. Realization was slowly creeping in that I threw a smoothie at Caden. Caden, the guy that probably has more experience in fighting than me.

Oh shit.