Twisted Protection

Chapter 8

I woke up early afternoon. At some point we must have drifted off to sleep during our 'My movie is worse than yours' competition. I have no idea who won. I was snuggled on Phelan's chest on the couch. I look up at his still sleeping face and find myself smiling. Even in his sleep he is holding me tightly. I rest my head back on his chest and enjoy the moment. It doesn't take long before his hand starts rubbing up and down my back. I look up to see him looking down at me smiling, his green eyes sparkling.

"Hi." I whisper to him.

"Hi back." He chuckles. "How are you feeling today?"

I smile at him, loving that his first thought is of me. "Better. I feel surprisingly refreshed, considering we slept on the couch."

We both laugh at this before we awkwardly sit up. I wander into the kitchen and refill the coffee pot. Even thought it is the afternoon, caffeine is still required. Phelan joins me, hugging me from behind.

"How weird is it that we are now done with high school?" he muses.

"I know, it is so strange." I turn in his arms. "What the hell do we do with our days now?" I laugh.

"I can think of a few things." He murmurs as he nips at my ear, making me giggle. "I suppose the responsible thing would be to prepare for college." He adds.

"Oh, yeah, that." I laugh. "I suppose there is the little question of accommodation to work out hey?"

"Mmhm," he hums as his nibbles move to my neck.

Before he can continue the coffee machine dings to let us know it is ready. I turn back around to pour us both a cup. We continue to talk in the kitchen as we drank. After we had finished, we decided to go out for something to eat. I had a quick shower and changed before we made our way to the diner. It was surprisingly quiet and almost sombre. I shot a look at Phelan to see if he had picked up on the atmosphere as well. He met my gaze and raised an eyebrow, he felt it too. We sat down in a booth to the back and placed our order.

"I wonder what is going on. I would have expected this place packed." I looked to Phelan.

"Yeah, it is odd. People almost seem sad about something. Its weird."

"I wonder if something happened." I pull out my phone and look at the local news site. "Nothing I can see. Nothing new anyway."

"Maybe one of the family of the staff is sick or something?" Phelan offered.

I shrugged. It felt like more to me, but before I could think anymore on it our food arrived. The next hour we sat eating our food and ordering desert. When we left, I felt so full I thought I was going to explode. Of course, Phelan thought this was hilarious. We returned home and spent the rest of the afternoon talking about college. Phelan left before dinner saying he had better show his face at home before they put in a missing person report. I walked around the house aimlessly for a bit before going over my requirements for college for the hundredth time before settling on the couch and reading one of the required books listed.

The next few days were pretty much the same. I spent the time I had alone reading and making notes on the books for my literature class. Phelan would come over every other day. He had told me his parents complained they never saw him and pulled the 'leaving for college' card on him. He also said it was probably a good thing as he could start organising his stuff for college. Neither of us had seen John since the party, but he had gone home to prepare as well. It was a couple of weeks before he contacted Phelan and asked to meet us to hang out saying he had something he wanted to discuss with us. We agreed to meet at a café in the town that Friday.

When we arrived, we could see John sitting at a table outside the café, enjoying the warmer weather. We walked over to him waving as we approached.

"Hi you two." He smiled at us.

"Hey man." Phelan and he did the bro handshake thing as I smiled my hello. "How you been, haven't seen you since the party."

"Yeah, not bad. Nothing really exciting has happened. Just spending time with the parentals."

"Yeah, mine are bugging me the same. But I know they are doing it just because they will miss me."

I sit back and watch the two chat for a bit as our coffee and snacks arrive.

"So," John starts looking at the both of us. "I have a proposal. I know you two still don't know what you are doing for accommodation, I may have a solution." He smiles.

Phelan and I look at each other. "Oh yeah? What's the idea man?" Phelan asks.

"Well, you know my folks live near the college, but I don't want to have to stay with my folks all the time. So, I was thinking that I could find an apartment that we could all stay in. I would only be there some of the time, but I am happy to take on the lease and rent. You guys can pay what you can and keep the place clean and shit."

"What? Really?" I ask shocked, causing John to smile at me and nod.

"Dude, this is..." Phelan seems lost for words. "I don't know what to say."

"Say yes, duh." John smirks. I can't hide my big smile.

"Thank you so much John!" I say as I launch myself at him, giving him a huge hug. "I really didn't want to stay in the dorm."

Phelan can't hide his joy or appreciation either. "Thanks man, seriously. I will find a way to pay you back, promise."

We spend the rest of the time chatting and planning out what we can of our college life. I can feel the excitement growing inside me.

It doesn't take long for John to find a suitable apartment for us. It is not far from where we stayed for the open day. John sent us both pictures of the place. My mom was happy about the level of security in the building. I was happy that it was only a short walk from the campus. Having our accommodation sorted and available took the pressure off packing and moving. We had decided to take a couple of weekends to move the majority of our things in, leaving only our smaller items for the final move. Mom helped to move the last of everything over, taking the opportunity to thoroughly check out where we will be staying. Her jaw dropped when she first opened the door taking in the open plan living, dining and kitchen area. She shamelessly poured over every detail of the apartment. It had 3 bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. John had really gone all out on the luxury. It is well above what Phelan, and I could ever really afford. I watch with amusement as mom comes back into the living room.

"Oh my god, Kasey!" she gushes. I laugh at her awe. "This place."

"I know." I reply with the same level of enthusiasm. "John found a real gem."

"Is it bad that I am jealous of my own daughter?" she laughs. "I am so glad this is where you will stay. The security downstairs has really put my mind to rest."

"Me too." I admit. "Plus it is so close to the campus."

Mom takes my hands. "My little girl is moving out and growing up." She says suddenly emotional.

"Mom." I whisper and hug her tightly. She has raised me alone since dad left. I know this is hard for her. "I will visit often. I am not that far away."

"I know." She sniffles. She pulls back wiping her eyes. "I am so happy for you."

"Thanks mom." I smile, trying to keep hold of my emotions too.

Mom stays for dinner. We order in from the same place that John recommended the last time we were here. The meal is full of chatting and laughter. Before long it is getting late, and Mom gets ready to leave. I walk her down to her car in the underground carpark. We share one last hug with a promise to have monthly meals together. I watch her drive out of the carpark before making my way back upstairs and to the new chapter of my lift. As the lift doors close, I feel a smile grow on my face.