The New Kid

Chapter 39

After I had dinner with my familyl, it was about 7pm.

I'm worried sick about Christian so I'm thrilled when he shows up at my door.

I throw my arms around him, "I was so worried about you!" He gives me a one-armed tight squeeze back.

I invite him to come in. He's handsome as ever, and pulls out a bouquet of white daisies from behind his back. 

"For you," he says. 

I hug him again  immediately, trying not to squish the fresh flowers. "What are these for?"

"What happened today, it was awful. Just wanted you to know I care." I nod and kiss him, knowing that will tell him what I feel more than in words I could say right now.

We plop down on the coach. Mom calls out, "Hi Chris!" from the kitchen. 

I turn cross-legged to face him. "So, what did Coach say? Are you guys getting another week of detention?"

He looks at me sheepishly, "No, that would have been the mild end of it. We all got suspended for a few days and can't play any football games or practices for awhile."

"Ugh, I feel so bad about that," I say.

"Don't," he says. 

"It was my choice, Avalon, all of our choices, to choose to fight. We did it for you but you didn't force us to. I'm not saying it's right. But I'm so fed up."

I listen, motionless. 

"By the way," he adds, "Brock got expelled. I told Coach how he had harassed you several times and the principal made the call. You're not the only one who's been harassed. Brock's been accused of worse things than I knew. There running a police report on him." 

Mom comes into the livingroom, "Why don't you grab a snack from the kitchen? We had a lot of leftovers at dinner, including pie too!" 

Christian chimes, "Sounds great Mrs. Mercier, thanks!"

We sit around pie and coffee in the kitchen like an older couple might, and I smile at how glad I am and how right this feels, to be with Christian. His black eye is totally healed now, but I caress his temple, remembering where it was.

"I'm going to miss you all week at school," I say. 

"I'll be swinging by your place and the café so you don't have to miss me too much," he winks. 

........................

We're outside now, sitting on my front steps. Christian will have to be going soon, and so will I. Too much English homework.

"I like your parents," Christian says kindly. I smile in his direction, then lean myself into his shoulder. He pulls me closer into his chest and I snuggle in. This is my new favorite place to be.

It's romantic here, being in the crisp air under the moon and stars.

"Think you and Monty will make amends?" I ask.

"I think today reminded us we're on the same team," Christian said, beaming. "It's all going to work out." I nod.

"But I don't want to talk about that right now," he says. 

He tilts my chin upward so he can kiss me, softly.