The G(r)ay Area

Part Fifteen

Part Fifteen.

"Aiden? I have super good news for you."

I lifted my head and saw Lucas standing just inside the front door. He was still in his school uniform, his backpack over his shoulder.

"Hey, what are you doing up here?"

I sighed. "My mom and I got into it last night and I wanted to apologize once she got home from work."

He walked over to me and sat down on the couch beside me. "She's lucky to have you."

"Not after that fight. I said some stuff I really shouldn't have."

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me against his side. "Believe me, it's happened to everyone."

"I yelled at her for still being upset over dad."

Lucas didn't say anything for a few minutes. Then, when he was about to, he moved so he could face me. "Are you upset? I know we promise to tell each other everything but..."

I shrugged. "I don't know. I'm kind of always upset about everything."

"Aiden, I'm serious."

I looked up at him. "Sometimes. But I never get to the point where I can't function like my mom does."

"It's okay to do that, Aiden. It's okay to be sad."

"It's practically been a year, Lucas. It's getting a bit ridiculous."

"I know everyone grieves differently but you were hardly upset. Like you cried maybe three times."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Lucas sighed. "Look, I just hate seeing you and your mom fighting. Especially over something like this."

I shrugged. "We fight all the time, it seems."

"Maybe I can fix that."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Really? How?"

He smiled. "Welcome to Braddock Mills."

"What are you talking about?"

"We got you in."

My eyes widened. "How?"

"The school has a scholarship program for people that transferred from another school. Doesn't really matter the situation. Plus, the principle felt bad that you got expelled."

"You're kidding."

He laughed. "Nope."

"You're amazing." I said, hugging him.

"Only stipulation is you have to wear a skirt with your uniform."

I punched his arm. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"It'd turn me off, to be honest."

I moved into his lap and kissed him.

"I'm glad I came home when I did." Mom said, putting her key on the table just inside the door.

"Mom, you'll never believe it."

She raised her eyebrows. "Don't tell me you're pregnant."

Lucas slid one hand up my side, under my shirt.

I laughed. "No, no babies."

"Alright, what's going on?"

"Lucas got me into his school."

Mom looked between the two of us. "Is this a prank?"

I shook my head. "Nope."

"The school has scholarships and such and I found one for Aiden. He can start on Monday."

"Aiden-"

"Mom, I know what you're going to say. Washington is a good school and I can't stay out of school for the rest of my life. Do you know how screwed up I'd be?"

She sighed. "I need to think about it first."

"Please, mom? Lucas and I can go to school together and study together and-"

"Maybe that isn't such a good idea."

I rolled my eyes.

"Are you staying for dinner tonight?"

"Can mom come too?"

"Sure, sweetie." She headed up the steps and Lucas pinched my nipple.

I jumped and pulled on his arm. "Luc, don't. I really don't want my mom seeing us do anything..."

He laughed and kissed me. "Relax. She already knows we're having sex."

I groaned and hid my face in his shoulder. "How did she find out?"

"Well I didn't tell her."

"How am I supposed to look at her now?"

"How do you think she feels when she sees you? She probably pictures the two of us-"

"Shut up, Lucas."

He slid his hands around to my back. "I'll make it up to you tonight."

I got to my feet, his arms falling away from me. "Don't even think about it."