Hey There, Delilah

Chapter 15

A couple weeks later.

"Hey there, Delilah," Dylan smiled. "It's good to finally see your face again. It's been ages since we've been able to video chat."

"I know, love, I'm sorry," Delilah sighed. "Things have been so crazy with school and work. But how are things down there? Are you getting excited for Alastor's business trip to Los Angeles?"

"Very," Dylan nodded eagerly. "Two weeks of not being told to 'do my homework and stop playing guitar'."

"That sounds wonderful. I'm so glad Alastor is letting you go," Delilah smiled.

"Yeah, well," Dylan sighed, rolling his eyes, "he wouldn't have agreed to it if my mother didn't suggest that we make it a 'family trip'. But I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth."

"I'm with you. Just enjoy the trip," Delilah nodded, chucking at the expression on her friend's face.

"I will, thanks," Dylan nodded. "I only wish you could come with me. It would make it so much more enjoyable."

"Just go out and explore on your own," Delilah shrugged. "Simple. You can have some fun by yourself."

"Alastor wouldn't allow it. If I get hurt, then he has to pay the hospital bills, and I'd never hear the end of it," Dylan sighed. "Well, mother's calling me down for dinner. I have to go. See you later, love."

"Alright. Bye," Delilah smiled.

Dylan quickly hung up the call and went down the two flights of stairs to the kitchen. "Hi, Mom. Alastor."

Alastor gave his stepson a curt nod before sitting across from Leigha at the table. "Dylan, did you get your history test scores back?"

"Yes," Dylan nodded, serving himself a large piece of the lasagna that his mother had made. "I did, in fact."

"And what did you receive?" Alastor asked as he stared intently at the boy.

"Ninety percent," Dylan replied, not bothering to look him in the eye.

"Only ninety percent?" Alastor frowned.

"It was a hard test," Dylan shrugged. "But I got the highest score in the class."

Alastor rolled his eyes. "I think you need to stay home and study."

"What?" Dylan frowned.

"Darling, don't you think that's a little-" Leigha began, but was quickly cut off by her husband.

"No. He must stay home and study. Would you rather him fail and get a job as a cashier at some fast food chain?" Alastor frowned. "Is that really what you want for your son?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Good. Then he will stay here and study instead of going to Los Angeles."

"But-"

"My decision is final."

—————

A few days later.

Leigha kissed Dylan's forehead. "We'll see you soon, alright, dear? I'm sorry," she whispered. "I tried to change his mind, but he was having none of it."

"Why can't you just put your foot down?" Dylan whispered back. "After all, he's not even my father."

"But he's my husband, and I have to respect his decision, even if I don't agree with it. That's just the way it is," Leigha sighed. "You'll understand when you're married someday."

Dylan nodded with disappointment. "I suppose so. Have fun."

"You too," Leigha smiled. "And you don't have to study the whole time. Go out and have some fun. You deserve it."

Dylan nodded again, giving her a small, weak smile. "Thanks, Mom."

After Leigha departed, Dylan flopped down onto the couch and grabbed his laptop. Before he knew what he was doing, he found himself looking up flights to New York City. "Looks like there's one for tomorrow morning," he mumbled to himself with a nod. "I'd better pack my bag."

Dylan ran upstairs and grabbed his duffel bag, quickly stuffing in a few outfits, a couple pairs of adidas sneakers, and three of his favorite sweatshirts. "There. That should be good enough," he sighed, zipping his bag and tossing it in front of his door. After flopping down on his bed and trying to figure out what to do for what seemed like hours, he sat up and took out his guitar, picking at the strings. "Hey...that doesn't sound too bad," he said thoughtfully, writing the notes down on a sheet of fresh paper. "This can be how I open the song I've been writing."

Just then, Dylan's phone began to ring and he immediately discarded his guitar to answer the video call. "Hey there, Delilah," he grinned.

"Hi," she smiled. "How's life?

"It's alright," Dylan shrugged. "Mom and Alastor left for their trip."

Delilah nodded, adjusting her seating position on the bed. "How about we watch a movie on my laptop?"

"Sure," Dylan smiled.