Nothing is picture perfect

Chapter 11

58

"Hi, Kylie." Sammi said, her voice cool and collected.

Kylie's heart raced. "Sammi." She moved along. She got several texts from her parents telling her to come home. 

Kim was furious when she showed up after nine. Kylie knew she was in trouble. "Where have you been?" She demanded.

"Studying at the library." Kylie said, her voice shaking slightly.

"Don't lie to me, young lady." Kim said, her eyes flashing. "Your father said you left to go to the library hours ago. I called and checked. You weren't there."

Kylie's heart sank. "I just needed some space."

"Shaun was sad that you weren't here." Kim said. "He was so upset that he cried himself to sleep about an hour ago. He kept asking why you were being so distant." 

"Bet he was." She said quietly to herself. 

Her parents were shaking their heads. They whispered between each other. Kylie couldn't hear anything they were saying. 

"What's going on now?" Ron said. "Are you stalking Sammi? Are you  . . . clubbing?" 

Kylie felt the weight of their disappointment. "No! I just had to get out of the house. I've been dealing with a lot."

"You're the one causing all the trouble!" Ron spat out.

Kylie rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I'm tired." She stormed to her room and secured it so no one could get in. 

59

The next day. 

Kylie saw Shaun on the couch with her father. "Damn it!"

Shaun looked over. "Hey, Kylie!" 

Kylie nodded. "Hi." She didn't know what to say to him. It was awkward to be near him.

Shaun got up and walked over to her. "You okay?"

Kylie nervously moved away. "Fine. Dad, I have a babysitting job. Gotta go."

Ron looked up. "Now?"

"It's an emergency." Kylie said, her voice tight.

Ron raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "Okay, but be careful." Since when was she babysitting? He wondered. 

Kylie nodded and dashed out the door, relieved to escape the house.

Monday, At school, the homecoming campaign was in full swing. Posters of smiling faces and glittery slogans plastered the walls, each one more over-the-top than the last. Kylie couldn't help but feel a pang of regret as she saw Sammi laughing with her friends, not bothering with the competition.

She was on edge because Shaun decided to stay another two weeks.

Kylie tried to ignore the knot in her stomach as she sat through class. All she could think about was Shaun and what he might say or do.

After school, she found herself in the hallway, face to face with Sammi again. She only looked at her with tired eyes and walked around her.

Sammi spun around. "What's wrong with her?"

60

Her friends exchanged glances, unsure of how to answer. "I think she's just stressed." Merit offered. 

"I've never seen her look so vulnerable before." Sammi said to Merit. 

Kylie even sat out of cheer practice cause she felt sick.