Boarding school

Chapter 23

AH ALL THESE READS ILY
*The Next Day*
(Dani.)
Gage and I were leaving tomorrow to go to Florida, so it was our last day. I still can't believe I had kissed him and then he asked me to the dance, this was a dream come true.
I've basically come to the conclusion that he likes me now. I mean none of it would make sense if he only saw me as a friend.
It was amazingly uplifting though. And I was so happy with all of this.
We were all sitting in his family's living room watching a movie while his parents were discussing dinner.
We were currently watching "Kung fu Panda" That was my movie, and it seemed to be Tyler and Gage's movie too. Of course Ava was also into it.
I already loved those kids, weather we were together or not I'd always like them.
Tyler was currently imitating to karate moves from the movie which was probably the cutest thing ever. Gage was egging him on. Another thing that made me happy was seeing them reunited.
"Hey, kids. I don't mean to bother you....could you guys run to the store and pick up something for dessert?" His mom, Jen, asked.
I quickly sat up "Yes, Ma'am. We can." I said looking at all of them.
Gage stood up "I can keep the kids here." Jen quickly offered. I shook my head "It's alright." I smiled to reassure her. She may need a break after watching a toddler all this time.
"Thank you." She smiled as we walked out. I pulled my keys from my back pocket and tossed them to Gage. "Will you drive? I'm tired of driving." I frowned showing Tyler where to sit and Ava had figured it out.
"Uh.." He trailed "You have a license right?" I asked him, a smile forming on my lips. He nodded "Yeah. I just haven't driven in ages." He said.
I shrugged "I hadn't driven in a while when my dad made me drive to Tennessee. Plus I'm gonna have to drive to Florida, and I don't know my way around." I said adding a lot of excuses.
He smiled "Only for you." He said, and I tried not to blush.
****
"What should we get?" Ava asked as we wandered down the aisle of the local grocery store. There were so many different options.
"Not that." Tyler said pointing to some package of oatmeal-nutty cookies. They looked gross on the cover.
I crinkled my face "No." I shook my head smiling at him. "Cupcakes." Gage said leaning over me on the cart. It was funny how he'd do these little things.
"Cupcakes!" Tyler nearly screamed making me laugh. "Yeah!" Ava agreed. She pulled on the end of her long ponytail.
We picked the most colorful icings, and decorations. "We also need ice cream." Gage said pulling a tub of vanilla from the freezer. I smiled and shook my head.
"What about another box? Let's make a ton of cupcakes." Gage grinned pulling another box into the cart. "Alright." I sighed, grabbing the handles of the shopping cart.
"Are we ready to pay?" I asked him. He nodded and started taking the money his mom gave him out of his pocket.
By the time we got back to his house and all had dinner, everyone including myself was eager to start cooking.
The whole beginning was basically me giving Gage a lesson on how to make cupcakes, Ava laughing at us, and Tyler eating batter.
At some point we were covered in cupcake mix and had the cupcakes in the oven.
The even messier part came, icing the cupcakes.
"So, take the knife and spread the frosting around like this." I told him, demonstrating. "Like this?" He asked rubbing icing on my face.
"Gage!" I exclaimed grabbing some and flinging it at him. Ava and Tyler did the same and we had icing in our hair and all over our clothes.
It gave me the same feeling as I did back home, cooking for everyone, making messes, and having fun. I had missed that.
But it didn't look like it was coming back soon.
****
We had breakfast with Gage's family and then it was off to Florida.
It was only a weekend trip but the one thing that mattered most had happened. Gage was happy with his family again.
I kind of longed that feeling but sort of pushed it away, as everyone talked about the next trip. I did enjoy this weekend with them, they welcomed me like a daughter.
I made sure to get Ava's number to keep in touch with them, even if things didn't work out with Gage and I... Whatever we were, I still liked the family.
"I hope to see y'all soon!, be safe." Jen smiled as we walked out to my car.
As soon as we had said our goodbyes we were on our way. I started down the road. Florida, we were going to Florida.
"Where's the nearest gas station?" I asked him narrowing my eyes on the road. "Take a left and its on this side of the road." He said pointing there where there was a big red gas station.
"Thanks for coming." He smiled weakly. "Thanks for bringing me, I wouldn't of done anything." I said laughing a little bit.
I pulled into the gas station and at a pump. "I'll pump if you pay." I said as we both got out of the car.
"Okay." He said going in. I started to pump the gas into the car and scanning around the parking lot to pass time.
Something caught my eye, a woman with light blonde hair and a small frame. She was with a family, and it looked familiar. It couldn't be.
My mom did live here, but this couldn't be her? But that did look like the family she married into.
She turned around and I saw her face, it was her. My mom was standing there. Gage walked up as soon as I put the gas thing away.
"What's wrong?" He asked coming up to me. "That's my mom." I said almost breathlessly.
His eyes widened, "No way...it is?" He asked staring at her. I cocked my head to the side. Just watching her...I don't know why. Just to see her going on and living. Without us.
"Are you going to say something?" He asked me crossing his arms. I still couldn't believe the fact that she was here. And for some reason I wanted to call my dad or Jack and tell them. Tell them I saw her.
And I couldn't even do that.
"No. I don't need to." I said turning to get in the car.
A/n what a sucky chapter. My bad. Thanks for reading!