Uncontrollable ~ Robby Keene

4. stay

"How did they even find us?" I laugh. We're both laying on the couch out of breath from biking so fast.

"I have absolutely no idea. Maybe they followed us. But they're probably gone by now," Robby says, walking over to the window. "Yea, I don't see them."

"Do you want something to drink," I ask. Walking over to the kitchen. "Or something to eat? We pretty much have everything. Also sorry for all the boxes." My mom and I are nowhere near done unpacking, and moving boxes are all over the floor.

"I'll take a glass of water, please." I hand him a glass of water and I get one for myself. "Gosh, it's going to take you guys years to unpack everything," he says, looking around my house.

"Yea, I know. My mom and I have so much stuff and we're too lazy to unpack everything," I say. "Oh! Let me show you upstairs." Robby and I walk up the stairs. There are boxes all over the floor. "My room is the only thing that is somewhat done," I say, walking into my bedroom. There are still some unopened boxes but compared to the rest of the house, my room is pretty organized. Robby sits on my bed and looks over at my nightstand. He picks up the picture frame that's on the table.

"Is this you and your mom?" he smiles. The picture is of a small toddler eating ice cream with a woman hugging her.

"Well, duh. You think I'd have a picture of a random toddler and adult on my nightstand?" I laugh.

"How old were you in this?" he asks, smiling.

"Maybe five or six. I'm not really sure but it was before my dad left us," I say. Robby looks up. "Oh, right, I didn't tell you. My dad left my mom for another woman when I was really young and he's pretty much been out of the picture my entire life."

"I know what you mean by that. My dad has been gone pretty much my entire life and my mom has probably spent more time at bars and than with me," he says.

"I'm sorry. That's messed up," I say. He stands up.

"Yea. But I honestly don't really care anymore. I kinda just learned to accept it," he says. Downstairs, I hear the front door open and slam shut.

"That's my mom," I say. "Cmon." We go downstairs to the kitchen, where my mom is.

"Hey!" I say.

"Hi, Alli! I assumed you were home since your bike's outside," she says, hugging me. "Do you have someone over cause there's a second bike out there too?"

"Yes. This is Robby. He goes my doj-," I start, but quickly catch myself. I forgot I haven't told my mom yet about me getting back into karate. "Um we met yesterday."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Robby," she says, shaking his hand. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Oh, thank you, but I should probably go home since it's getting kind of late. But another time, definitely."

"Sounds good."

I walk Robby outside to where the bikes lay. "Hey, before you go, I have a question. Um- Tory told me about the karate fight at school that caused you to get expelled-"

"Allison, it's kinda complicated," he says.

"I already know what happened. It's just. Is this rivalry between the dojo's really that serious? Why can't you guys just end it?"

"Look. I know it's kinda stupid, but even if our dojo wants to end this stupid fight, the other teams won't. They hate us with their lives."

"I see," I say, nodding my head slowly. "Also, have you tried talking to the school to let you go back? It's been like a year since the fight so maybe they'll be more open to you returning."

"Oh, uh- I don't know if Tory told you this, but um- I wasn't only expelled, I also ended up getting arrested," he says. "I went to juvie for three months." When he said this, I was absolutely shocked. Robby's face looks hurt, and I think I understand why. I think some part of him wishes he didn't just tell me that. I can tell he doesn't like talking about it. "Anyways, I should-," he starts, picking up his bike fast. I take his hand.

"I'm sorry. I can tell you don't like talking about it and we don't need to talk about it ever again." I say, and Robby looks into my eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow at practice."
I turn around and start walking away when Robby grabs my wrist and turns me around. He kisses me forcefully on the lips. It took me by surprise and it took me a second or two to kiss him back, but when I do, I kiss him forcefully, too. I run my hands through his hair as he cups my face. He then pulls away and smiles.

"Thank you for being understanding. It really means a lot," he smiles. "But um-, I'll see you tomorrow." He gets on his bike and peddles away. I stand there watching him bike away, smiling from what just happened. After, I bring my bike into the garage and go back into the house.

"It took quite a while just to walk him out and say bye, huh?" my mom says.

"Oh, stop," I say, laying down on the couch. I sigh softly. I touch my lips where his were just a minute ago and smile.

"So, Alli, how was school?" my mom asks, moving my legs so she has room to sit down next to me.

"It was good. There's this girl named Tory and we're already really good friends."

"That's great! And how's the school?"

"It's a pretty big campus. I had Calculus, Economics, and Spanish today, and the teachers are pretty nice." There's one question I really need to ask my mom, but I'm scared what her response will be. "Uh- mom, I know what happened in Chicago was bad, but is it okay if I start doing karate again?"

"Oh, Alli, you just healed! I don't want you getting hurt again." I sit up.

"I won't get hurt. It'll be different."

"Alli, I'm sorry, but for now no. Maybe in a few months once we're settled it, but not right now. There are plenty of other extracurricular activities you can do."

"But-"

"You heard me, Alli. Let's on argue," she interrupts. "For now, no karate. Understand?"

I scoff. "Yea, whatever."

My mom stands up. "Dinner will be ready in 20 minutes."