The Perfect Half

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

"Dad." I repeated. Kendall stood there just as surprised as I was.

"Why were you chasing us?" I demanded. Anger swelled in my chest. I wanted answers.

"You ran away from me." He said.  His eyes looked earnest.

"Because you were dressed in a black hoddie and you were watching us." I said back.

"I'm sorry I scared you. I need to tell you something. Where's your mother?"

"She's at work." I replied. He nodded his eyes fell on Kendall. He was still in front of me.

"Young man, I would like to get to know you, but can I see my daughter first?"

"Sorry sir." Kendall stepped out of the way. I looked at my dad. His hair was cut short, just above his ears. He still wore the black hoodie and a pair of black pants.

"Where's Landon?" I asked.

"He lives by himself now." He replied. I forgot my brother was three years older than me. I haven't seen him since I was eleven. It's been about five years. I was happy to hear about him, even if it was very little.

"My daughter must have forgetting her manners. I'm Aaron Donaldson. And you are?" My dad introduced himself to Kendall.

"I'm Kendall Sparks." He shook my dad's hand.

"It’s nice to meet you, son."

"You too, sir," Kendall looked slightly nervous about meeting my dad the first time, especially since he didn't have time to prepare.

"Why don't we all go get something to eat? And you two can explain why you're not in school." We looked at each other, trying to think of an excuse. My dad put up his hand." Wait until I've had a cup of coffee." We nodded and trailed behind him. 

When we got to the cafe, a pretty waitress came to seat us. She winked at Kendall. I felt my face heat up. Kendall took my hand to show he was taken. The waitress shrugged. While my dad was looking at the menu, I gave her a death glare. She walked away. I turned to Kendall.

"You didn't have to be so rood." He said.

"You're mine." I replied. But then I wished I could take it back. Guys hated clingy girls. Kendall only laughed. My dad looked up from his menu. "What'd I miss?" I glanced at Kendall and shrugged.

"Nothing much." I lied. My dad went back to the menu. And we looked at ours.

"Pick anything you want, you guys." My dad offered generously. I smiled at that and ordered chocolate chip pancakes and a coke. Kendall ordered eggs with bacon and coffee. And my dad ordered waffles and coffee. The waitress went to get our food. I excused myself to the bathroom. When I got there, I started fixing my hair and stared at myself in the mirror. Kendall popped in my mind and a smile spread across my face. I really liked him. I hoped we could still be together after this.

Back at the table, Aaron and Kendall were making small talk.

"What are your future plans?" Aaron asked.

"I haven't decided yet, sir." Kendall replied. They sat across from each other, both hoping Vivian would return soon.

"Well, you’re only in 11th grade." He mused. Kendall forced a smile. Aaron made him very nervous. Silence fell upon them.

"I really like you daughter, sir." Kendall stated.

"I can tell by what you were doing on the bench." Aaron said ending any conversation they could have. After that they sat there in silence.

I walked back to the table. Based on their facial expressions, I could tell things had not gone well. They were doing their best not to look at each other.

"What'd I miss?" I asked with fake cheeriness. My dad turned his attention away from the napkin he was holding and Kendall looked away from the picture covered wall.

"Not too much." My dad responded. Kendall nodded in agreement. We waited until our food came and started eating. After we ate, we stood to leave. 

"Let's go find your mother. I'd love to see her again." He grabbed his hoodie. I nodded and started walking towards the door. I stopped when I noticed they weren't behind me. I looked back to see they hadn't moved. They just stared at each other. My dad looked intimidating and Kendall looked nervous. I walked back and took Kendall's hand. And we went to find my mom.