The Bad Boy Returns

Chapter 28: Old Habits Die Hard

KAT'S POV
Sometimes when you are so consumed with something in your life you don't even realize what's going on around you. You don't notice how the people closest to you are changing or how they are acting differently. You don't notice when they are going through something big because all you can think about is what you are going through. Everybody internalizes their feelings in order to stay sane, bit wanting to burden other with their issues.
Once you do realize what's happening you feel like a horrible person. You wonder how you didn't see what was happening right in front of you and in certain situations you become angry with yourself because you made it harder on those people and you were to oblivious to even see it.

"What's going on? Dad?" I scan the living room, finding my dads eyes. He's got an unreadable expression on his face.
"What are you doing here mom?" I continue questioning them, feeling angry and confused.
She steps closer to me, stumbling on her way. She's wearing day old clothes and her hair looks like she's slept on it for three straight days. Her eyes are blood shot and her makeup is smeared across her once soft features. I get a strong whiff of alcohol on her breath as she moves closer to where I am standing.
"I am moving back home sweetie." She says, putting her hand out towards my face. I push her hand away and groan at her words.
"What are you even talking about? Dad seriously what is going on?" I pause waiting for an answer but it never comes. "Austin... Anybody?" I scrunch my face up in major confusion.
I don't understand what is happening. "Why are you moving back in?!" I ask incredulously.
"I wanted to spend time with you kids, you know maybe we can try again...all of us." She looks around, her eyes unfocused.
I also look to my dad as he finally decided to speak up. "Maybe we can give her a chance." He shrugs and I immediately scoff at him. "Are you kidding! She had an affair behind your back! And...and she became this person." I motion to her, shaking my head.
"Kat people deserve second chances." He simply states, the words not sounding like his own.
My mom steps closer to me, only a couple inches away and that's when I feel a strong hand grab my wrist from behind me. I turn my head quickly and remember that Shane was here with me. He gives me an uneasy look, clenching his jaw. He continually scans the room with cautious eyes.
"Also." My mom speaks up making me turn my attention back to her. "Everyone's noticed a change in your behavior and the people you hang out with and I want to help you change that." She explains and I stare at her with a disgruntled expression.
"You've got to be kidding me. Who is everyone who's saying this to you?" I ask her.
"Your father had noticed a difference although he hasn't spoken up about it, but that nice boy Alex and your teacher are worried about you." She says as she looks behind me to where Shane was standing. "He is the root of your problems it seems." She says, rudely. "Every bad thing that's happened to you is because of him. When you came home crying it was always his fault. He's bringing you into his reckless situations and I don't understand why you let him." She says and I back up involuntarily feeling surprised.
My mom had never been Shane's biggest fan, even before she changed.  In fact she never liked him once he grew up. She always told me that she wishes I had never met him and at that time so did I, sadly. But things have changed and she has no place to talk about bad lifestyle choices.
"Excuse me. I make my own choices no one forced me to hang out with him." I start but she continues scrutinizing him, ignoring me.
He pulls me to him and whispers, his hot breath fanning my face.
"Maybe I should go." He says, hesitantly looking around.
I shake my head lightly, looking up at him. "No, don't go." I plead but it doesn't work.
"You know what, that's a great idea why don't you go and get away from my daughter." My mom yells over me, narrowing her eyes at me.
He makes eye contact with her as she motions to the front door.
He decides to do what she says and opens the door. He grabs my hand and squeezes it, mouthing 'sorry' at me before exiting the house.
My shoulders droop as he leaves and I sigh exasperatedly.
I turn and stare at my mom who is now next to my dad. I shake my head, anger surging through my body.
"He's been trying so hard to be a better person and you just put him down like that?" I snap at her.
"He has not been a good influence on you. That Shane is nothing but a no good rat and I don't understand how you chose him over Alex, and what ever happened to that nice boy Nate? I mean you chose Shane over that guy?" She says calmly, giving me a skeptical look. I see Austin giving me a sympathetic look.
"Because he chose me, over everybody else." I reply before stalking off into my room.
I snatch a pillow from on top of my bed and put it up to my face. I let out my frustration on it, screaming into the middle of it.
Austin walks in without knocking at stares at me.
"Can you just give it a shot Kat, I know you feel horrible but maybe we can fix our family." He says in a childlike tone.
I sigh.
"It's not like I have a choice." I mumble.

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Later that day I walk back into my room after being forced to have dinner with our perfect little family. I see my mom around rearranging my things and mumbling to herself.
"What are you doing?" I ask, irritated.
"I want everything to go back to normal and your room is very different." She says. I try to keep my composure as I speaking her.
"Please don't touch my stuff okay? Things are different, deal with it." I snap at her. She sighs and I open my door. She walks out accepting my wishes.
I slump on my bed.
One day and she is already driving me crazy. How am I going to deal with this?
I look around my room and notice one of Shane's boxing gloves from one day when he came over claiming he was going to show me his moves for his next match. I suddenly start thinking about how he's feeling. The things my mom said to him must have hurt, even a little. I stand up and pause for a second before I decide to leave the house. I rush down stairs and exit the door.
"I'm going to sleep at Nikki's house bye!" I say ignoring their protests.
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I make it to my destination and do things Shane style. I go over to his bedroom window and knock on it lightly. It takes a while but eventually it swings open revealing a freshly showered Shane. He raises an eyebrow at me with questioning.
"Hey, can I stay here for the night? I also need to talk to you, by the way." I ask, shyly.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
"You saw what went down. I don't think I have the patience to deal with that right now." I try to explain and he nods letting me in.
Once I'm in his room he turns around pulling the towel tighter around his waist. I try to not stare but he doesn't make it exactly easy not to. His back muscles flex as he walk over to his closest grabbing what I assume are his pajamas, not that I was necessarily paying attention.
He turns back around and catches me before I can look away. He smirks, walking closer to me.
"Whatcha looking at Kitty?" He chuckles, teasing me.
I smile inwardly at the nickname I've grown to love. With all the drama that's been going on I feel like I haven't heard him call me that in a long time.
I blush, looking away.
"I'm looking at an idiot." I joke trying to change the conversation.
He laughs at my feeble attempt at an insult.
"I thought we got past calling me names." He slides closer, giving me a fake pout.
"Well, old habits die hard I guess." I say, breathlessly, trying not to look anywhere but his face, which has a giant smirk plastered on it.
He's now inches from my face and I can smell his addictive body wash.
"Uh huh, I guess they do." He says in a low voice. My breath hitches as he puts his index finger under my chin making me look him in the eye, before placing his entire palm against my cheek.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" He says lowly, against my ear.
"Uh...I-uh...I don't remember." I admit, breathlessly.
Our noses are practically touching at this point. My heart is beating out of my chest.
Suddenly I hear his thundering laugh, bursting throughout the room, as he lets go of me and turns around.
He grabs his clothes and looks back at me with a sparkle in his eyes.
"You are too fun to mess with kitty." He chuckles before heading to the bathroom to put his clothes on. As soon as he shuts the door, I released the breath that I was holding in. I look around trying to calm myself.
What the hell was he even doing?
He walks back out wearing sweat pants and still has no shirt on, which was so unfortunate.
He continues chuckling before standing across from me, chucking a pair of clothes at me.
"You want to talk about it kitty?"
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