Invisible

Chapter 11

I got out of detention at 4:30. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be I guess because I had someone nice to talk to. Ricky was officially my friend after we found out how much we had in common. We both like video games, we're both the same age... That was pretty much it. But we talked so long on such a little subject! I just hoped he wasn't trying to make a move. I think I made it clear that I wasn't available by always finding a way to squeeze Matt into the subject. I guess it didn't really matter, because Matt was leaving soon anyway, but I just wanted to make it last as long as possible.

I called Mom to pick me up. "Where on Earth are you?!' was her answering the telephone.

"Mom, didn't you get my text? I got detention for supposedly talking back to my teacher.  So can you come pick me up?"

"Sure, then you can tell me all about what you said to make your teacher upset."

"I'll walk."

"Too late, I'm already getting my shoes on. I'll be there in forty-five minutes."

"Fine, bye."

"Love you too. Bye."

So I waited, and waited, and waited. Finally the black minivan rolled into the school parking lot. I picked up my bag and got in the passenger seat. I told Mom everything. She just nodded and kept her eyes on the road, not saying a thing. When we pulled into our driveway, she said, "I'll have a talk with your principal, maybe that'll help."

"Maybe. Thanks, Mom."

When I walked inside I was greeted by Asher, then a big bear hug from behind and got lifted over a broad shoulder. "Matt!!" I screamed. "Put me down!" I was laughing, but I was also terrified that he was going to drop me on my head. He put me down gently and I kissed him. "I thought you had hockey today."

"Nope, I quit so we could have more time together."

"Oh, Matt, you didn't."

"I did. We only have a few weeks left together and I want to spend it with you, not getting sweaty with a bunch of guys on ice."

I hugged him and he hugged me. "Maybe you should let me try to talk your dad out of making you guys move. I'm good at persuading people, I mean, I got you, didn't I?"

He laughed. "That's why I'm here. He's here, too. I thought maybe if he saw how much we love each other, he'd change his mind about taking me and Addison away." He led me to the kitchen, where his dad was waiting.

"Hi, I'm Kathryn," I said, extending my hand.

He took it and said, "Rob Greene. So I hear you're Matt's girlfriend."

"Yeah. Listen, I wanted to ask you if you'd reconsider taking Matt and Addison back to England."

"Sorry, Sugarplum. It's too dangerous here."

"It can be dangerous anywhere, though, even in England, depending on the other drivers."

"I'm not talking about just driving. The murder rate here is five times higher than in London, and I just wanted my babies to be safe."

"Oh, really? Then why did you leave them when they were seven without saying goodbye?"

"That's different. I left them because I was the danger."

"What?" Matt cut in. "You were the danger? How?"

"Matt, I had a drinking problem. I had to leave you guys to go to rehab. I didn't want to leave, but your mother made me."

"Yeah, right, and I'm guessing you don't drink at all anymore?"

"I still do."

"Then why do you want Matt and Addison to go with you if you're not sober?" I questioned.

"I-I don't know."

"Then let them stay here. Plus, Matt and Addison are my only friends besides one other person. They give me the strength I need to get out of bed in the morning. They're my soul, my life. I don't know what would happen if they went away, It was scary for me too when Addison was in the hospital. Please let them stay. Please."

Matt's dad stood there with his finger in his chin, thinking. Eventually, he sighed. "Oh, well, all right. They can stay, but only because you convinced me. Matt, don't tell your mother that this... little girl convinced me, though."

"Whoa, 'little girl'? Dad, she's a year older than me."

"Oh what does it matter? I'm letting you stay, aren't I?"

"Yes, and thank you for that. Thank you so much."

Matt and I thanked Mr. Greene once again before he left. As we watched his car disappear through the trees at the end of the driveway, Matt slipped something in my pocket. Curious, I turned away from the window and pulled a little black box out of my pocket and opened it. Inside there was a piece of paper with the words I promise... printed on it. Then I looked back in the box and saw another box in it. I pulled it out and opened it up. Then I gasped. Inside, there was a gold band with diamonds forming two hearts in the center. Matt took it out of the box and slipped it on my finger, with the one Dad gave me. "Matt... I... I don't know what to say..."

"That's okay. I'm just saying that I promise to you that you have my heart, and that I will only love you forever." I smiled up at him, and he kissed me. A tear trickled down my face.

"I promise to you too, Matt. I love you, and I will only love you." I said, then hugged him tighter. "I'm so glad you can stay."

"Me too, Kathryn. I love you, too."