From Mystery to Romance

A Xander Chapter: Friends?

I shook my head into the phone, "No, Emily. I have nothing to do with her. But maybe you. Maybe you're the one North really needs."

I heard Emily's mom asking for help. Emily said, "I'll talk to you later." Then she hung up.

I sighed and gave the phone back to my dad, "Here you go."

My dad smiled, "I'm happy you and Emily talked for a while. She's a good girl."

"Yeah," I said, "Hey, dad? What do you know about North?"

My dad chuckled, "Well, one thing I know, is that you owe her a thank you."

I made a weird face, "What did she do?"

"Well, you hated going to the Sanders, right?" My dad began.

I nodded.

"Well, she's the reason you didn't go there for so long." My dad explained.

"Really?" I asked.

"Uh-huh. I thought it would be hard for you to understand why her biological parents-well-give her up, I guess. So, I thought that if you didn't go there, it would be easier than explaining why her parents had some trouble in the past." My dad explained.

"So, this whole time, I didn't go because of her?" I asked.

"Yeah," My dad smiled.

"Wow," I exclaimed. I didn't think a little girl make such a huge impact.

"But, why did you decide it was time for me to go back there?" I asked.

My dad shrugged, "You became older. And you know about adoption and things like that. So, I thought that you guys should meet each other."

I flopped on the couch, "But, dad! She's so mysterious! It's like no one knows anything about her."

"I know she a tough cookie. But maybe you two can be friends." Dad said.

I sat up, "Friends?"

"Yeah! That's the thing any parent wants the most. Maybe the two of you can actually have a good connection with each other. Just like you and your mother did!" Dad explained.

I stayed quiet.

Dad got up and sat next to me, "I know it's hard for you after your mother died. But you can't stay like this without anyone by your side. You're growing up! You need a buddy or two in life. That's what North needs, too."

I looked at my dad, "But, she's a kid. How am I supposed to be friends with her?"

My dad raised his eyebrows, "Take her out?"

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"Where are you taking me?" North put her seat belt on in the car.

I shrugged, "I'm not sure. Wherever you want to go." 

North glared at me, "So you're taking me somewhere, but you don't even know where you're taking me?"

"I already told you. Wherever you want." I repeated.

She stayed silent. Probably thinking about where to go.

"Do you want to go to Claire's?" I asked.

North glared at me, "I'm not a little girl."

"Fine! Fine. Well, where do you want to go then?" I asked.

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"An animal shelter?" I yelled. We've been driving for a while then North saw an animal shelter and said she wanted to go there.