By the book....

ALL IN FAVOUR

"So Kelly huh?" I was just attempting to make him give me a reaction at this point. Kyle shredded the apron off himself and was making his way upstairs when Lory came by into the kitchen. I laughed at how indifferent and annoyed he was acting now that Kelly was gone. 

"Back already, you didn't bring my guest back I see," Lory smiled as she took a seat beside me. "I'm not really planning to explain anything to you yet." I specifically chose this response because I knew where the conversation was headed. Lory also defeated gave up sooner. "Alexa your dad wants you to get into the endorsement program for scholarships. I know you aren't very keen about him shoving ideas down your throat but he only means well." 

Now I wished I had let her go on with the conversation about Leon. Its not that I hated my dad but he just seemed to only want to live vicariously through me. Always demanding good grades, perfect scores, behaved etiquette and all that. "He doesn't have to always intervene you know Lory I am committed in my studies topping all classes but all I ask is for him to have a little faith in me and appreciation for my efforts." I sighed plopping my head on the table. " Well you have me to do that. I think you just need something more besides school work and competition with your life long menace." And there she goes again going off track with her suggestions. 

"Maybe you're right. But I don't see what this Tyler talk has to do with anything." I laughed at how she sort of promoted having me do the opposite of what my dad stood by. How had these two managed to attract each other, its still a question I'd often ponder over. " I just have a hunch that all these people coming into your life after years may help you live a little. And your little new found adventure will be our little secret," she winked at me as she began to prepare dinner hovering around the room. 

"I don't believe in hunches but I'll take the secret offer." 

She gave me an I know you get what I mean look and continued chopping carrots standing beside the stove. Eventually I helped her make her famous meatloaf and lasagna for dinner. For the record I'm not a bad cook myself. Well at least by the end of the weekend I looked absolutely fine again thanks to Lory's skincare remedies and routines although I usually wouldn't even give those the time of day. They did have their perks as well.

"Wake up ugly. Lory wants to leave home earlier."  I yawned sitting up in bed. "Why she would have said so yesterday. What are you doing in my room? Have you ever heard of the term privacy?" Kyle just rolled his eyes at me nudging me to get out of bed already. I groaned looking at the time 5AM on the dot, waking up at a different time from my usual routine always made me drowsy. 

"Isn't this just a bit too early. What is so important to wake us up now?" I yawned once again eating my cereal. Lory walked in all dressed up in a khaki suit and I would say she looked pretty professional unlike her usual creative and expressive dress code. "What's the occasion Lory? You look like one of those stern teachers from strict boarding schools." And yes you guessed it Kyle blurted that out with no trace of shame. Lory laughed as she approached him squashing him in her embrace as she gave him a hug. 

I laughed at Kyle's retaliation looking all embarrassed but seemingly happy too. Anyone who would see these two not knowing their relationship status would easily pass them for brother and sister. Lory was just cool that way. "Mom let me go I'm not a toddler who needs cuddles or something." "Honey you called me mom you haven't called me mom in a year. I love you. I'm applying for an executive job at a big company. So I will take that as a compliment ,the more professional looking the better." She kissed me on the cheek as he cringed and I was living for it.

"I think you look neat and regal in that." Lory gave me an approving smile and we squealed in unison with excitement."

"Alexa Ellard!" I looked up to see Mr Crowne facing me with an impatient expression. Kelly gave me the I tried look pointing at a sum in my math textbook. Trigonometry was the basis of the question and luckily I could cram that in my sleep. But ofcourse since I'd been dozing off it was taking longer for me to calculate the sum. 

Out of nowhere someone gave the answer getting Mr Crowne off my back. I looked back to see Tyler glaring at me with that victorious smirk i knew all too well. If I was going to one up this guy I needed to be on top of my game because he never slipped up .It always had me making assumptions about him all based on hypothetical ideas. 

As Mr Crowne left the room I could breathe a sigh of relief as he'd been glancing at me here and there throughout. "Woke up earlier? Lex is it me or Tyler was definitely giving you a smirk during the lesson. Did something happen whilst I was gone last week?" I coughed hanging on her last question. "What no absolutely not." It wasn't much anyway so I figured I'd tell a little white lie. But she knew better, "Alexa your facial expression says all. 

"Well I saw her out with Leon to begin with and they are supposedly dating . I looked up to see Tyler hovering over me with a smug look. Kelly laughed, "Is it me or the two of you have a thing that goes way back? At that we both said no frantically in unison. 

"We're enemies and competitors that is all." I had to clarify to not be misunderstood. Tyler chuckled ,"You're so cold still considering me an enemy even after I practically saved you from falling and drove you home." I grunted at his choice of words as Kelly giggled hanging on his every word. The last thing I'd want would be a boy crazed bestfriend.

"Fine I'm her resident bully. We learnt together in elementary school. So as your bully I demand you compete with me Thursday on a math quiz at Oakclan Hall." I scoffed, he still had the audacity to claim to be my bully. "You're not my bully. And we don't have a thing now will you both leave me to take a nap." Just then the door opened and Mr Ellard stepped in. "Alexa we're leaving." And of all places he had to come here I stood up collecting my things quickly leaving a few bulky books. But he stopped me to a halt seeing I'd left them.

"You're not coming back here. Its time you transferred." I heard some people gasp in the distance as I faced him. He couldn't be serious this was the school I wanted to attend until university. I stopped in my tracks ,"I can't leave everything is here. My friends my efforts and improvements all of it. Why?"

"Because I said so. Last week didn't go unnoticed Alexa you know that. Now don't make it harder for me and cause a scene. I was on the verge of crying as I looked pleadingly at Kelly and Tyler. Kelly walked to me and hugged me sobbing her eyes out but to my surprise Tyler called out," Sir she has the right to choose. I'd respectfully ask you to leave and finish your discussion in a disclosed spot." He stood beside me without a hint of hesitation in sight. 

I'd have to say for once I was glad he was there beside me. When it came to my so called father it was never easy to stand up to him. "I don't know who you think you are but you have no business in the matter." He said with a cold glare. All of a sudden Tyler held my hand and stood partly in front of me." I think you're the one who has to leave sir. Alexa isn't going anywhere without her consent." I knew this was only making him more agitated so i let go and told Kelly it was ok. 

"We can go I agree." And with that he left first. As I was about to follow Tyler pulled me back, "Lex you make your own choices not him. I promise I will get him to reconsider somehow. I'm in favour of you staying no matter what." He stood as my nemesis defending me with all his might I guess he did have a soft spot.

"Me too. I'm all in favour on your side all the way. And you're not leaving." I whispered a thank you to both of them before I hurried out into the hallway and left.