The Bite

Chapter 18: Better Than Ever

Saturday [10:00 am]

We had gotten dressed a few minutes ago and were now ready to head downstairs. And because I had torn her bra, I let her borrow one of mine as well as a pair of clean underwear.

"Let's hope this goes well." I breathed out, nerves filling my entire body. A wave of calm rushed over me when a cool, soft hand slid into mine, a pair of smaller fingers lacing with mine.

   I had ultimately come to the decision to just let my hickeys show. This isn't saying that I still wasn't going to be embarrassed, but I didn't want to disappoint Iris again.

   I looked toward the girl, giving her a smile. She returned it with a toothy grin. I opened my door and walked hand in hand with—with my girlfriend?

   I wasn't sure where our relationship truly lied as we hadn't actually taken time to talk about it. But then again, if I like her and she likes me, and she knows that I like her and I know that she likes me, I think the label of 'girlfriend' is appropriate.

   We made our way downstairs where the sound of voices could be heard. I could hear the TV in the living room with the smell of coffee wafting around.

   Ma and dad were somewhere in the kitchen while Mateo and my sisters all sat in the living room, and from the sound of Mia's giggling I'm guessing she was on her phone while Jordan and Mateo watched tv.

   "Morning ma." I greeted with a smile, reaching for a plate on the kitchen island. "Good morning. Hello Iris. You guys slept in late, huh?" She joked as she took a sip from her mug. "Morning Mr and Mrs Blaine." Iris spoke in a chirped voice. "And it's not that late." I butted in, handing a plate to Iris.

   I turned to dad, whose eyes had yet to leave my neck. I feel my heart skip a beat while my face burned a bright red. "Long night..?" He asked skeptically. I met Iris's eyes and she smirked, "you could say that." She shrugged, earning a raised eyebrow from Ma. "Long night? From what?" She asked.

   "Nothing!" I quickly replied, now piling my and Iris's plate with food, which had gone a bit cold. I handed Iris her food and ushered her to the dining room.

   We took a seat nodded one another and began eating, leaving the room in a comfortable silence. "I can walk you home if you want, or I can get my parents to drive you." I turned to her, my mouth half full of bacon.

   "First off, gross. Just because I like you, that does not give you a pass to be disgusting." She grimaced. "Secondly," she sighed, "I would like you to walk me, I want to talk. About us." She smiled, her elbow now placed on the table as she leaned her cheek against her hand.

   "I...ok." I nodded with a smile, placing my fork down to take her hand in mine. She returned the action before turning back to her food. I did the same and we ate in silence.

   "I'm going to walk Iris home." I announced to ma. The woman turned from her spot on the couch, "alright. Be careful." Ma smiled sweetly, sending an unnerving sense of caution through my body. "Let's go Cammy." Iris smirked playfully.

   I just shook my head and tugged her toward the door. "Bye Mr and Mrs Blaine!" She exclaimed before stepping out the door. They sent her a wave before turning back to the television.