The Love House

The Love House: Chapter 21

It was awkward for the next few days. The confusing thing is neither of us know where we stand. Are we friends? Are we more? He kissed me in the zoo. And then he told me he was just my friend, but we've been connecting more...haven't we?

The truth is, I don't know.

Aaron starts up school today and that means I do too, well go back anyway. To be honest I'm kind of nervous. He is like my son, since mom isn't here much. Poor thing. He hasn't even met her yet.

Speaking of mom. She left me an email yesterday. Saying she gets to come home early. It made me smile. She gets home in a week and honestly that week can't get here fast enough. She's Practically became my best friend. Well, a best friend that you don't see around a lot. The closest thing I've had to a friend since Dad left at least.

Dad...

I get Aaron dressed and him, Damen, and I load up in my car to go drop him off. He gives me a tight hug goodbye and a fist bump to Damen before going in his classroom. Gosh. They grow up so fast. I giggle slightly to myself.

There is a nervous tension in the car on the way to school. We barely say a word to each other. At one point when I went to go get my coffee, he went to grab his water from out the cup holder too. We happened to slightly touch each other, and we both pulled back, neither of us drinking what we went for in the first place. Yes. Awkward and nervous atmosphere definitely.

First period was different. Damen didn't really flirt around the girls like usual. He stuck with three of the guys and looked at me every so often. I tried to focus on taking my notes.

Lunch was a relief from Damen for a little while, he and Derek sat with the football/cheerleader/dance team table. I don't blame Damen. I would have sat there too. Plus he's been practically living with me. He probably has had enough me to last a life time. It was a good break from the tension.

I didn't get food because I wasn't very hungry and to be honest, it didn't look too yummy either.

Sophie came with Josh and Josey close behind messing around. Sophie sat next to me eating her apple and Josey and josh took the seats across from us.

"Thank God you're back El. I missed you so much." Says Sophie sounding relieved. I smile. I never noticed how much I missed the three of them until I felt the pressure off my shoulders when they sat down.

"I missed you too Soaps."

"You missed it Ellie," says Josh as he shoves his role in his mouth, "Brandon and Derek almost got in a fight Friday."

What? When did this happen? How come no one has told me?

"Wait? Why? And who is Brandon?"

"Defensive back. Anyway. I don't know exactly. We just walked in the cafeteria and they were about to tear each other's throats out, but Levi convinced them not to because season is coming up and they wouldn't be able to play."

Dang. Why would Derek get in a fight?

Fifth period was a lot less...tense than all the rest of my classes since that was the only one without Damen. Me and Derek sat by one another and he kept pelting little balls of paper at me whenever Mrs. Raven wasn't looking.

"So little Aaron is finally starting school?" He asked when Mrs. Raven said we could work in pairs for our book work.

"Sad isn't it?" I say, scribbling the answer to number 2 down.

"Not as sad as that handwriting." He says jokingly.

"I may be a girl who is scared of ghosts, but I never claimed to dot my I's with hearts." I say shrugging into him.

He laughs.

It was silent while we did questions 3 and 4. Should I ask him?

"So Damen has been staying with you?" He asks nonchalantly writing "5.)" outside the red line on the paper.

"Yeah. He's told you I suppose."

"Mmhmm. Probably should have warned you about the whole haunted house situation."

I roll my eyes playfully. "Probably."

"People usually move out after about a month or two. That's why so many people have lived there." He shrugs.

"Well I can't wait until Mom gets back Saturday. She's never really been scared of anything."

He writes the answer to number five and slides me the paper. After we were done the bell had rang and me and Derek almost parted ways. That is, until on a whim I pulled him by the arm so I could ask.

"People are saying you almost got in a fight Friday." I say. I don't want to make his anger come back up again or something.

"Yeah I almost did." He says looking at his hands as he fiddles with them.

"Why didn't you tell me? Seems like something you would tell me." I say, shrugging.

"Just didn't pop in my head." He says causally, but he is still looking at his hands.

"What happened? Why did you almost fight him?"

"I'd rather not talk about it Ellie Boo. Gotta go though. See ya?"

"Yeah." I say, but I just can't help but wonder what is wrong with him. Derek in a fight? I honestly couldn't picture it.

After school I have to go get Aaron. Damen rides in the passenger seat. On the way I ask him.

"Why did Derek almost get in a fight with..uh.. that guy."

"Brandon. Our defensive back." He looks at me like anyone would know that. Whoops. "Anyway. I'm not getting all into that El. I would strangle the guy if I could."

"Why?!" Can't SOMEONE answer the simple question?!

"Ellie." He says warningly. I put my curiosity aside, for now anyway. Damen seems pretty mad about whatever went on.

I switch my thoughts to Aaron and my mom, and for the first time I realize I'll never have to live alone again. And despite the tiring day I had, I smile. Who knew?