Sophomore Year || Parenthood Series, Book One || WATTYS 2018

Chapter Nineteen

SOUNDTRACK: "Chasing Marrakech" - ZHU

MONDAY

"Thanks for the ride," Kate told Samir as he dropped her off at Jared's house. "See you tomorrow."

The man nodded and waved as she closed the passenger door. He waited until she was inside the side door before backing down the driveway. Kate closed the door after herself and locked it. The driveway was empty, signalling that everyone had left for the day. That was one good thing about her schedule: her day was so long, she didn't have time to sit around the house and force herself to interact with Jared's employees.

"Jared! I'm home!" she called through the house.

She walked to her room and got changed from her uniform immediately, glad to be free of it. She could hear Vedder walk through the house and come to a stop on the other side of her closed door. There was still no sign of Jared. In her tank top and sweatpants she padded down the stairs to the studio, thinking he might be in the soundproofed recording area. The lights were off and the door was locked, so she assumed he wasn't inside.

"I guess it's just you and me," Kate said to the dog.

She went back upstairs and spread her books out across the dining table. Without a desk in her room, she had to take the space where she could get it. It wasn't the first time she'd been left alone in her life. There would be times when her mother had a gallery opening or event and Ryan was working. They had trusted her on her own since she was eleven. Halfway through her Chemistry assignment, she heard the garage door open and then a car door slammed.

Jared walked into the kitchen and tossed his keys onto the counter. He looked through the archway and saw her at the table.

"Damn. I meant to be home before you," he apologized. He set a carry out bag on the counter next to his keys. "Did you eat yet?" he asked, tossing his wallet next to the bag.

Kate shook her head, suddenly aware of how empty her stomach was.

"Remember that Mexican place I took you to the first time I had you in LA?" he asked opening the bag. "I thought you might want some tacos."

Kate watched in silence as Jared put two takeout containers on the counter.

"Okay really I just wanted tacos," he finally admitted. "But I got you the same thing you had last time."

"Thanks," she replied standing.

She walked in the kitchen and opened one of the containers as Jared got plates for the two of them.

"This one's yours I think," he said, handing her the other container. He took a big bite of his own taco before putting it onto a plate with the rest of his food. He sighed happily. "I haven't eaten since breakfast," he mumbled around his food.

Kate took a bite and smiled in spite of herself. "Thanks," she said again.

He picked up his plate and walked over to the dining table. "Homework?"

She nodded and followed him. "I have a quiz tomorrow and another paper due on Friday. Plus practice problems to work through," she explained.

Jared looked at her French textbook. "Tu apprends le français?" he asked.

Kate blinked, surprised. "Uh...oui."