From The Start

The Basket Case

I sat there again for the second time in one night speechless.  I could tell my mom knew why I didn't like what was going on but my dad on the other hand had no clue. 

"Look sweetie, I know Nikki isn't a friend of yours, actually the complete opposite but-” I held up my hand and he stopped talking.  I couldn't listen to him right now.  I felt like Nikki purposely went to my dad to be her lawyer in spite of me.

"Do you know the things she’s done dad?  She abandoned Lily and Zac!"  The anger I had wasn't meant for my dad it was meant for Nikki.  I was scared also.  Not of Nikki but of what Zac would think when he finds out.

"Kylie, I didn't recognize who she was until I studied that case farther and talked with your mother."

I waited a while.  We all sat in a dead silence waiting for the other to say something.  I wondered if there was any way that he could drop the case but knew he wouldn't even if he could.  I asked the question that had been bothering me the whole time.

"Is she going to win?"  I lowered my gaze not wanting to see my dad’s reaction.  Before he could answer I ran out of the living room.  I ran up the stairs to my room and slammed the door and locked it behind me. 

I walked into the bathroom and took a hot shower trying to relax.  I thought of everything that had begun from day one.  I was finally home after being away.  At boarding school the only real friend I had was Dean but he was at our brother school and I would only see him on weekends or special occasions.  He would help me when I couldn't talk to Dylan.

Dylan... He was who I needed to talk to right now.  He would take my mind off of everything and help me relax.  I finished showering and changed into sleeping clothes.  I walked out of the bathroom and to my bedroom window that looked into Dylan's.  His lights were off but his window was open.

I walked over to my bedside table and grabbed my bright LED flashlight and walked back over to the window.  I flashed it three times, which meant are you awake?  I waited by my window until I saw him come to it, flash light and cell phone in hand.  He flashed once meaning yes and then my cell phone began to ring.

"Everything okay Kylie bear?"  He stood at his window looking at me while I tried to say yes I couldn't.  I shook my head and he saw.

"I'll be right over."  Like that he was gone from the window and I hung up and sat on the edge of my bed watching my door waiting for him to come in.  I heard the knocks on the front door and my mothers voice welcoming Dylan in.  Footsteps’ coming up the stairs and then my door was opened.

I stood up and he waited no time coming over to me and hugging me tight.  He rubbed small circles on my back calming me down.  I wasn't sure why but tears started coming to my eyes.  There was no reason for them but they just started flowing out of my eyes like my tear ducts had broken. 

Dylan whispered soothing words to me and led me to my bed.  He laid me down and then went to his side and climbed in.  I turned to him and buried my face into his bare chest.  That’s when I noticed all he was wearing was a pair of sweatpants and no shirt.  He wrapped his arms around me and brought me impossibly closer.

"Go to sleep Kylie bear we can talk in the morning."  He continued rubbing small circles on my back as I drifted off to sleep.

~*~

The following morning Dylan woke me up early enough so I had time to get ready.  He didn't ask about the previous morning he just let me go.  I couldn't figure out why I was so hurt, Zac was the one that was going to get hurt in the end.

School seemed to drag on.  In first period I avoided both Blake and Zac by getting to class early and sitting in the back with my hood up.  They didn't seem to notice that I was in the back, which I was thankful for.  By fourth period Dylan had enough.

"Alright Kylie bear, I let it slide last night and this morning but I need to know what's bugging you."  Class had yet to start and we were sitting together at a lab table waiting for Mr. McCall to start class.

"Dylan, if I could tell you I would but, it's not something I can share because it’s not about me."  I placed my hand on his shoulder, as he looked me straight in the eyes.  I could tell he was a little hurt because I couldn't tell him but he nodded in understanding. 

"Promise me that when you can finally tell me that you will so I can help you."  I nodded in agreement and he gave me a reassuring smile.  Mr.McCall called the class to attention and we all turned our attention to him.

When lunchtime came I began to relax.  I had come to the conclusion that I would tell Zac everything after school.  Dylan and I walked to lunch together, he was telling me about his Sunday and how his parents made it a family day.  His enthusiasm made me laugh. 

We dropped our bag off at our usual lunch table and went to grab some food.  Getting back, everyone had already been seated and were all laughing and talking.  Emily and Rose separated in the middle so I could take a seat between them while Dylan sat next to Blake who was sitting next to Zac.

Zac seemed to be back to his old adorable self.  He laughed at what ever Blake said; I couldn't really hear him because my mind was somewhere else.  He caught my gaze and sent me a wink causing me to smile at turn my attention back to my chicken and apple salad.

"So what do you have planned for this weekend Kylie?"  Emily asked as I finished chewing my last piece of chicken. 

"Nothing really."  I shrugged my shoulders.  Blake began to burst out in laughter making everybody jump a little.

"I think you're leaving out a little bit of information little one."  I gave Blake a confused look not really knowing what he was talking about.  "How about the fact that you're my sister in law now!"  I heard both Emily and Rose gasp simultaneously.  I caught a glimpse of Zac from the corner of my eye, one eyebrow was raised.  I was unable to look at Dylan before I heard him.

He stood up quickly, grabbed his bag, and left the cafeteria before I could even blink.  "Tiger wait!"  I yelled after him but he was already out.  Everyone seemed stunned by both the news of Jayden and I and by Dylan’s reaction.

I grabbed my bag, leaving my tray at the table and chased after him.  I didn’t catch up with him until about half way down the hallway.  I reached out and grabbed him by the shoulder making him spin around and face me.

“What happened back there?”  I said motioning with my head towards the cafeteria.  He just stared at me, his face rigid with anger.

“Why didn’t you tell me.”  It was more of a statement and less of a question.  “Is he the reason why you were so upset last night?  Did he try something on you?”  With each question he would raise his voice.  I stood there quiet and let him go on.

“Tell me the truth Kylie bear, are you two serious?”  I couldn’t speak so I just nodded my head yes.  He turned and punched the locker closest to us.  I flinched unknowingly.

“He just asked me last night and then I got distracted because of my dad and I...” He held up his hand and I just stopped talking.

“I really thought you would have told me.”  He started to walk away.  I couldn’t move from where I was standing, it was like someone had played a practical joke on me and glued me down to the floor.  I called after him and he stopped.

I could see him his back flex as he took a deep breath in and turned back around and began walking back towards me.  He stood towering over me, his eyes searching mine like he was looking for something.  His gaze softened, I reached out and placed my hand softly on his arm.

“Tiger, I’m so sorry”  His eyes didn’t leave mine once as he lowered his face and leaned closer in.

“Kylie I…

A/N

Oh NO!  I left it there but as you can tell he's not yet done talking.  Sorry for the long wait on the update.  I promised to update quicker so I'm going to try my best. 

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SONG:  January Jones - Hoodie Allen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIg8MWcDQzw 

QUOTE:  Make a success of living by seeing the goal and aiming for it unswervingly.  Cecil B. De Mille