Odd One Out

CHAPTER 21

Bailey
Friday, October 31

She wasn't mad, but she didn't look too happy, either. Usually I could pick out what emotion my mom was hiding beneath whatever expression she chose to go with, but when she saw Viktor walk in beside me, the only emotion I could decipher was shock, and a bit of confusion.

"We're just here to study," I started protesting once I saw her put down the book she was reading in the living room to walk over to us.

"And we will do it in the basement, and leave the door open," I immediately added just as she reached us.

"Study," she repeated, a small shift in her tone. Her gaze turned from me to Viktor as she crossed her arms, her eyes studying him.

"Hi ma'am, nice to meet you...officially meet you. Viktor Henderson."

Viktor extended his hand out politely, taking both my mother and I by complete surprise.

"Um..." she started, unknowing of what to do next before deciding on shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you too, Viktor. Officially meet you."

The way she said "Viktor" was emphasized a little, and I knew that was a shot at me. I had been keeping him not so much a secret, but definitely hidden. Viktor introducing himself with his full name was a huge win for my mom, considering she was dying to know about him ever since the night he came to apologize to me for our fight.

"If you don't want me to study with your daughter tonight, I understand completely. This is the first time I have been invited in and I wouldn't wanna make you uncomfortable in your own home."

Was this the same Viktor I had met? The one who sold drugs? The one who went at least twenty miles over the speed limit at any given moment?

It was so strange to see him acting so responsible and formal. It almost felt like I had brought Jake home instead of Vik.

My mom stuttered slightly before smiling and answering with, "Yeah, no I understand. You are welcome to stay and...study, with..."

She motioned over to me with her gaze before turning back to Viktor, narrowing her eyes though that smile never left her lips.

"You're the one who's been dropping her off?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Hm. What kind of car do you drive again?"

"We're going to go do our studying now, before it gets too late," I interrupted, widening my eyes slightly at her to subtly tell her to stop.

"I just wanted to ask, hon." She turned to Viktor before adding, "Making sure she's safe."

He let out a small chuckle, and it was the first time I had seen him really smile. Even though he looked a little nervous and somewhat taken aback by my mom's tone, his smile was still genuine. Not a smirk or a grin, but a smile. It made him look...

No.

He glanced back up at her before answering, "I understand, ma'am. And I appreciate how attentive you are of your daughter." He paused before adding, "A lot of parents don't care after their kids. I'm glad Bailey has a different kind of parenting in her life."

Viktor didn't know it, but he had gotten closer to winning my mom over than anyone else ever, with that comment alone. He had shown the perfect amount of respect and admiration that fueled her ego, so it managed to make her ease up on us.

Still, the tiny crack in his voice when he said the last part did not go unnoticed by me. I felt bad, for having brought him in here knowing my mom would interrogate him and bad for everything that he had to go through and continued to go through.