Caught in Between

-11-

Debby and I ended up staying up all night watching movies and talking and laughing. My mother got home late, and asked us what was going on, so I explained to her privately about what was happening with Debby.

The next day, Debby and I decided to skip school and stay home. My phone rang and I noticed that it was Kaleb. I answered it. "Hello?"

"Hey, where are you?"

"At home."

"On my way."

"Wait!—"

Kaleb hung up the call and I sighed as I glanced over to Debby who had an eyebrow raised at me. I huddled up on the couch. My mother came down the stairs in her pajamas and her hair up in a messy bun. She didn't have to go into work until a little later.

"Since we're all awake, how about I make us some breakfast?" My mother suggested, and Debby and I both agreed to that. My mother gave us a smile before walking into the kitchen.

"Was that one of your boyfriends?" Debby asked with a grin as she pointed to my phone.

"Yes. Yes it was," I answered her and she wiggled her eyebrows at me in a playful way. I grabbed a pillow and tossed it at her and she let out a squeal. I laughed out loud as she tried to throw it back at me, but I caught it in my arms. "He's actually on his way right now."

"Really?!" Her eyes widened and then she gave me another grin. She was somehow amused by all of this

"Yeah.. I don't know how I'm going to explain this to my mom."

As if on cue, the doorbell rang and I groaned as I got up. I went to answer the door and Kaleb stood there with a smile. He let himself in and I just stood back as I watched him wander into my living room. He greeted Debby who had glanced over at me and I shook my head at her.

"Who could that be—oh. Who are you?" My mother asked as she stepped out of the kitchen with a spatula in her hand.

"That's Becky's boy—" I shot Debby look and she smirked at me. She just enjoyed teasing me. "—friend.. as in a boy that's a friend." Debby stated as she kept her eyes on me the whole time. My mother nodded slowly and stepped forward, holding out her hand.

"Hi, I'm Rebecca's mother. Just call me Kelly," my mother introduced herself with a smile and Kaleb returned her smile as he shook her hand.

"I'm Kaleb," Kaleb said in return.

"Well, since you're here, you can have some breakfast with us. I'm almost done cooking it," my mother said and he nodded in agreement. I wanted him to leave, but I don't think he was going to go anywhere soon. I probably was the only one who felt awkward.

My mother went back into the kitchen and I glanced at Debby before I grabbed Kaleb's arm, pulling him with me as we walked a few steps into the hallway. "Why did you come to my house?" I whispered to him.

He gave me a smirk as he placed his hands on my waist and I shoved them away. "I was being serious when I said that Diana won't leave you alone after that. I'm here to make sure you're safe," he answered me and I rolled my eyes at him. I didn't really believe that Diana would come back anymore, and I just wanted to spend a day without any of the Korren brothers by my side.

"Debby is going through a tough time right now, and I don't want you to be around. I want it to be just me and her," I explained to him, but it seemed like it went directly over his head. He blinked a few times and then shook his head.

"You're missing my point. Diana WILL come back, and she'll make sure that this time you're dead."

"You're also missing my point. I said I don't want you around."