You're it (SEQUEL OUT)

Chapter 16- mistakes can be fixed. sometimes.

I dream of my parents, sitting happily eating their dinner and drinking wine. I'm watching them. Suddenly Sam appears with a torch and sets the floor on fire. Marcus appears too and sets the other corner on fire. Its like a picture being burned out.

I wake with a start. The room is starting to fill with light as the sun rises. Someone is knocking on the door downstairs.

Luke wakes up too, his arm still across my waist. He groans, rolling over as I get up and go to the window. It's Darren.

"Stay here, okay?"

I head downstairs, preparing for the adult attack of 'how stupid can you be?', 'its illegal!', 'dangerous!' and of course 'you are so grounded.'

But I don't get any of that.

After I let him into the kitchen and make us both coffee, he begins to talk.

"I'm sorry." He says. We're sitting at the kitchen island, both sipping coffee. "I better explain."

"Look. I can't sugar coat it, we both know that. They both had affairs, but I didn't know how to tell you. One affair was bad enough. I thought two would really hurt you, to breaking point. I wanted to protect you but look what happened. We fell out."

"Darren, I'm not falling apart. I fixed myself and I can handle some bad news." I say, leaning on the table. "I also have some pretty great friends. Ones who love me. They help."

"I know. So I'm sorry for hiding it." He replies.

"I'm sorry for going out to the bar. I didn't even have that much." I say, running my neck. He chuckles.

"It's ok. I understand. You don't think I did a similar thing after I figured out what was going on? I just hid it from everyone." He shakes his head.

"Well, we've all made mistakes. We'll start again." I say and he breaths out loudly. "All mistakes are fixable. Most of the time." I add and he smiles.

"When did you get so wise, huh?" He replies.

(**)

"This is Riley, right?" The text pops up on my phone the next Friday after fifth period. I frown, noticing the number is unknown.

"Yep. Who is this?"

I walk into the cafeteria, making my way to our usual table. Everyone is already there, chatting to each other. I sit down next to Luke, my phone beeping again.

"It's Maria! Diego got your number off someone and gave it to me."

"Oh! Hey. How are you?"

Luke pokes my side, looking expectantly at me.

"What?" I say, looking at them all.

"Plans for this weekend. We're trying to make some." Ashley informs me, picking at her food.

"Give me a second." I say, looking back down at my phone.

"Not bad. I really want to catch up with you. Want to come to the club this weekend?"

"Is it an open party?"

"You bet. So, I can put your name on the list?"

"Hey guys." I say, looking up. "What about a club this weekend?"