Woke

6.)

Chris:

Opposite to Kiara, the week went by very slowly for me. Friday was the worst. I was too excited for school to be over. When the bell rang, I practically sprinted to my car.

"Don't come over until 5:00." Kiara had instructed me. "I need time to mentally prepare myself for your shit."

I groaned. "But it's only a little after 3:00! I have to wait two whole hours before I get to see you again?"

"The others are coming at 7:00, so that means I get a whole two hours to deal with you alone." She grumbled.

"Alone? I like the sound of that." I grinned cheekily. She rolled her eyes but said nothing and got in her car as I got in mine.

It'd only been a week, but Kiara had clearly already grown used to my obnoxious and corny flirting. She was still irritated by my very presence, but it wasn't as bad as when we'd first met. I was starting to get the sense that she low-key found me funny and almost charming, which only encouraged me to continue with my antics.

I didn't understand my feelings for her. I'd known her for a week, of which the entire time she'd treated me terribly. You'd think it'd been a turn off, but my interest was official and committed. Sometimes I hated that about myself; when I was for something or somebody, it took a lot to make me lose that. I didn't know how, but I could sense Kiara didn't hate me as much as she tried to claim. I'd never developed interest in somebody so fast before, so I took it as a sign. I had every intention of pursuing that girl until our month was up, and she told me to fuck off.

I was hungry and wanted to kill time, so I decided to stop on the way home at a local Zaxby's. I chose to wait until I was settled in my house to open up my food, enjoying the rich flavors of my wings and fries. After eating, I took a hot shower. By the time I'd thrown on a pair of basketball shorts, it was just after 4:00. I groaned, just as I heard the front door shut.

"Chris?" I rose my eyebrows at the voice.

"Mom? You're home early." Neither of my parents ever got home so early. They were very inconsistent with what times they got back from work, but it was never before the sun went down. It had always been that way. Back when we lived in Philadelphia, there were days when I would go out and still get back before they did.

My mom reached my room, still dressed in her business attire.

"I wasn't feeling well, so I canceled all my meetings and decided to get some rest before tonight. Your father's still at work. What're you up to?"

I looked down at my feet to hide the sudden blush I was working. "I'm going over to a friend's place."

"Oh, that's nice. Do you need any gas money or anything?"

"No, I'm good. She doesn't live far from here."

"She?" I bit back a swear at how my mom smirked. Did I seriously slip like that? "What's her name?"

"Um, Kiara Washington."

"Oh, our neighbor? I actually met her mother earlier this week. She seems very sweet. Have fun."

"Also, I'll be home really late, and I'm bringing a different friend over to spend the night. Don't wait up for us." I added.

"That's perfect, because your father and I are going to Charlotte tonight for a last minute conference. We won't be back until Sunday night. I hate to be leaving you alone again at the last minute, so invite him to stay as long as he wants. I'm gonna get some rest, then start packing. Be safe."

Of course they were leaving unexpectedly again. "Will do... love you."

"Love you, too." She left my room, and I flopped back onto my bed and dozed off.