kilby girl [hs]

chapter 23

Levi Kilby

Sitting in the passenger seat of Tate's car as he drives me home my mind is still swirling with the painful reminder that this is my new reality, my dreaded new reality. Tate drives me everywhere, picks me up and drops me off for school and I'm constantly stuck hanging out at Emily's house again.

I'm aware my choice within this situation is strained but I can't help but force myself to believe it's all my fault. Everytime Tate's hand slithers between my own in the school hallways or he looks at me with this dead look in his eyes before he kisses me I find my eyes darting around in search of Harry in an attempt to prevent hurting him further than I already am.

Hearing Harry's voice today for the first time in a week was harder than I could've imagined. At first I couldn't picture myself getting emotional by just seeing Harry in the corner of the room, headphones in, ignoring the lesson as he stared at his desk, but I did. All I wanted to do was cry the guilt of hurting him out of me and apologise for all of this but I couldn't. I couldn't even look him in the eyes.

Instead, I stared at his reflection in the whiteboard, watching as he fiddled with the ring on his pinky. It's kinda creepy now that I'm thinking of my past actions, but with Tate sitting directly next to me it's seeming to be my only option.

As Tate turns into my driveway I let out a sigh of relief. "I'll see you tomorrow, same time alright?" Tate tells me as he parks. I nod my head, quickly slamming the door behind me in an attempt to get away from him as quickly as possible.

Closing the front door behind me I hear the light tread of paws patter along the hardwood floors before fur brushes up against my leg, August lets out a small meow before guiding me outside to the patio. Peering my head out the door I watch as he curls up on the hanging chair, leaving a spot beside him for me.

We've created this little routine recently, August greets me at the door, then we sit outside in the sunshine. It mainly started because of my ever growing loneliness due to no longer having any friends because of Tate and because August is needy.

I lay with August for what feels like hours, talking mindlessly to him about everything that's been on my mind as the sun sets before us. August has been my only friend recently. Ever since I had to cut Harry, Drew and Zayn out of my life I haven't been able to really talk to anyone about anything. I was thinking about going to the record store to see Stevie some time soon but I think that would be a little awkward. She did say we were friends but I don't know maybe she just felt guilt because Tate was going all psycho on me.

The hum of my parents' car pulling into the driveway fills my ears. I take a moment to bask in the silence of the house before my peace is disrupted as my Mother bursts through the front door.

"Tabitha, honey we're home!" Her voice rings out. "Come to the kitchen, your father and I want to talk to you!"

I groan as I stand up. Looking back at August I see he's still passed out and decide to let him be. Entering the kitchen I find my father going through the mail and my mother scribbling something down on her little notepad. "As you're aware, Thanksgiving is on  Thursday." She begins, quickly slamming the notebook closed and looking up at me with a smile, "And since you came to your senses and are now happily dating Tate I thought I'd invite the Fords over for Thanksgiving dinner." She announces, spinning around and making herself busy by unloading the dishwasher.

Both my father and I immediately snap our eyes to her. "What?" We both say in unison. "Is grandma not coming down this year?" I say.

"Sadly no, She's going to your uncles this year," She says, her voice full of disgust as she sorts the cutlery into the drawer, "So I figured it would be nice to have company rather than it be just the three of us." She explains.