How to Date Someone You Hate

Chapter 7: The worst night ever, Part 1(Warren)

Ever since I threw a party when my mom and stepdad were out of town, they've refused to let me stay home alone.

I'm 16, damn it. I was 14. They need to get over it. 

But they can't, and now I have to go to places with my mom all the time. If my parents are out for an extended period of time, I stay with my Nona. If mom is going out for a short period of time, I have to go to Mrs. Reeds house. 

I'm sitting at the kitchen table where mom's husband, Bob, is currently drinking some soda.

My dad left us for his 20-year-old secretary 3 years ago, and mom married Bob last year. Bob is a good guy, but a total dork. 

He also happens to be in on mom's whole "Date Mavis" scheme. 

"Maybe tonight you guys will get over whatever happened!" Mom puts on her lip-gloss in front of the mirror in the living room. "She's a nice kid, Warren. Don't let her pass you by."  Bob adjusts his shirt over his large figure. "It's too tight, hon." he grunts to mom. "You'll live babe." mom waves a dismissive hand.

"I have a girlfriend, guys." I ignore their current conversation. This whole thing is even more embarrassing because Mavis is on the couch right now, currently watching Titanic.

I don't know if she's oblivious or is just ignoring the conversation.

"I know, I know." I mom rolls her eyes. "Come on Bob, we need to meet the others in 30 minutes." Mom grabs Bob's hand and basically drags him out the door.

"Help yourself to anything in the fridge, kids!" Bob calls out as the door slams.

"I'm ordering Chinese food." I grumble to Mavis, who is currently drooling over Leonardo DiCaprio. 

"Whatever. Just remember I'm allergic to shellfish." She waves a dismissive hand. "Yeah yeah. Steak Lo mien and vegetable spring rolls, your usual." I put in the number to the local Chinese place.

~

"There was 100% room on that door." Mavis complains while stuffing noodles in her face. 

"Yes, I know. I've heard you say that 50 times today." I take a bite of one of my dumplings and scroll on social media. 

While Mavis drones on about all the titanic inconsistencies of Titanic, I stalk Allisons social media feed. 

When I told her I had to stay at home because my parents were assholes (technically the truth), she immediately went to plan B and her and her best friends decided to go out clubbing at the underage club. Yes, it exists. 

I look through her story and see that she's huddled up with this one guy I see around school, Andrew Amos. He's always hanging out with her and her friends. He's nice, sure. But I swear I see his hand on her ass in this photo.

"...And why is Leo so ugly now? He used to be hot as shit!" Mavis finishes her rant with her age-old complaint about Leonardo's aging. "Because he's a middle-aged man now." I say simply, chomping on an egg roll. 

"Whatever." She scoffs. "Anyway, I'm going to watch another movie." She gets out of her seat and starts to walk away when I remember.

"Are you going to Jason's party on Saturday?" I ask. "Yeah, he invited me." She shrugs. 

Great. Just great.

"Now if you don't mind, I'm going to watch Batman The Animated Series on your ridiculously large tv." She plops down on the couch as I get a text.

Allison: Hey baby

Ooh nice. A distraction. 

Me: Hey babe

Allison: I wish you were here :(

Me: Me too :(

Allison: I can't believe your mom made you stay at home again

Me: She sucks

Allison: Yeah lol

We text for a little bit while Mavis yells at the TV. "IT'S OBVIOUSLY A TRAP IDIOT!"

Allison: Ok, I gotta go, we're going to get some fro-yo

Me: Bye babe, love ya

Allison: <3

I huff in contentment, but soon that contentment is ruined by Mavis shouting at the TV again. 

~

"It's 11, when will they be back?" I groan. "Calm down drama queen. They'll be back before you know it." Mavis is still watching TV, but now with a huge ass bowl of popcorn.

I'm watching with her, and it's alright. Batman is a cool guy.

But before you know it, I get another text.

It's from Brian, who tells me to check one of Allison's friends, Mary's, latest post. 

I'm confused at first but go to look any way. And when I look...

My world fucking crashes.

The photo is of Mary and some other girls holding up drinks and dancing, but in the background is Allison and Andrew making out. It's not even subtle, they're right in frame. 

I'm starting to freak out internally, but I can't, because Mavis is right here, and I don't need her taunting.

"Warren, you ok?" I snap out of my stress to see Mavis looking down at me. "You fell off the couch looking at your phone." Jesus Christ, did I faint? "I didn't even notice." 

I move to a comfy position and try to look nonchalant. "Ok, what the hell is going on?" Mavis rolls her eyes. 

"Well, if you must know, my girlfriend of four years cheated on me." I scoff. Her eyes go wide. 

Fuck. Why did I tell her that?

"I'm... gonna call Brian." I grab my phone and go to the other room.