*Austen*
I pulled the keys from the ignition and looked over at Devyn. She sat in silence, staring out the windshield at the marble and stone mansion that sat before us. We were home.
Devyn's been my best friend for years, ever since I attacked a boy that pushed her over in our 5th grade year. We tell each other everything, and we've always been close; therefore, what's mine is hers. Like my house. She stays over a lot now; apparently things are getting worse at her place. She turns eighteen soon, but I know she won't leave home, though I've begged her to constantly. I think she's just scared to move on to a different life, one she's never lived before, but she says it's because of her younger sisters.
I sigh, shaking my head as I open my door and walk around to get Devyn's.
"Thanks," She mumbles, and I watch her relax a little as she takes in the comfort of her real home. My home. OUR home.
"Mommmmmmmmmmmmyyyyy!!!!" I yell as we step inside. I sprint across the family room and into the conservatory, where my mom is sipping green tea and reading her latest romance novel. Hopping onto her lap, she sets her cup down quickly and catches me before we tumble.
"Austen Lucifer Khrome, get off me you hog. You weigh too much!" My mother squeals, trying to push me off of her; yes, she seriously squealed. O.o
Devyn laughs as I get up, a look of mock hurt splattered across my face. HOW DARE SHE?!
"Rosie Lynn Quinn-Khrome, I am NOT fat! I'm just buff!" I smirk and wag my eyebrows at my mother, flexing my muscles.
My mom looks over at Devyn, rolling her eyes. "And you're friends with him?!"
Giggling, Devyn nods, biting her lip. "I honestly don't know how I do it...it's such torture!"
"Hey now!" I remark, throwing Devyn over my shoulder as I dash out of the kitchen and up the stairs to my room. "How do you like me now, girl?!" I shout, throwing her on my bed.
"Can't...breathe...." She manages to get out between her fit of giggles.
I step back and nod, crossing my arms. "Now make my bed! You messed it up!"
"What?! No way!" Devyn gasps, jumping off of my bed and rushing to the bathroom to fix her hair.
"You're such a freak!" I yell, rolling my eyes.
The ring of my cell phone distracts me, and from the tone I know it's my girlfriend, Erin.
"Hey handsome, we're still on for tonight right? Right?" Erin and I have been together for three months now, and sometimes it gets old. People expect us to be together because I'm the captain of the football team, and she's head cheerleader. Erin is very impatient, and needy. What Erin wants, Erin gets. That's just how it is.
"Hey! Yeah, about that....See, Devyn had--" I begin, but I'm not able to finish.
Erin interrupts. "That girl again?! What the fuck, Austen! Seriously, she needs to get a life. You promised we would have a night to ourselves. TONIGHT."
I sigh, growing irritated by Erin's persistence. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But listen, you could come over...."
"No! No effing way Austen. Just me and you. TONIGHT. Pick me up at seven."
"I--" The dial tone cuts me off, and I realize she's hung up. I throw my phone on the other side of my California King bed.
"Trouble in paradise?" Devyn asks, appearing in my doorway.
I chuckle, hopping up and meeting her at the door. "Yeah, kinda."
"Ah..." Is her only response.
I clear my throat and nod, thankful to hear my mom call my name from downstairs.
"Make yourself at home. Mom's gonna make an early dinner I bet." I say as I head out the door.
***
"Dinner was great. thanks so much Mr. and Mrs. Khrome." Devyn says, reluctantly handing her dishes over to the maid.
"Oh, of course dear, anytime, anytime. It's great to have you around. You keep our Austen out of touble." My mom smiles at me, and I stick my tongue out, stubborn as hell.
I give my dishes to the maid as well, pushing my chair back and standing up.
"Going somewhere son?" My dad, the mayor, asks.
I feel three pairs of eyes on me as I jiggle the car keys in my pocket. "Uh, yeah...Erin's waiting for me."
"What about Devyn, Austen?" Mr. Mayor asks me.
I look away, uncomfortable, not sure what to say.
"Oh, I know my way around, Mr. Khrome. Really, it's fine. Let him go." Devyn comes to my rescue, and I mouth a thank you to her.
My dad nods, and I take off to the safety of my car with a feeling in my gut that everything's about to change.
