Possession

Chapter 6: Fighting

Chapter 6
Fighting

Andre was released from the hospital with a clean bill of health. He seems to be getting back to normal anyways. However Robert is still sulking and blaming himself for almost killing his best friend.

Andre invited us over to his house to meet his parents. "I told them about you Dyllan. They're kind of wondering why you're hanging out with Robert and I." He walks with his arm wrapped around his ribs because they're still broken and still hurt.

"Robert, what are Andre's parents like?" I hiss to him.

He looks at me surprised, "Huh?" He asks. So I'm not the only one that does that. "They're a little stuck up and want to talk more about school, politics, stocks and family. We usually avoid coming over here." He says trying not to look at Andre standing beside me.

"If they start talking about something that confuses you just ask about the tea set on the fireplace mantle. Then just act impressed. My mother is so proud of that tea set." He rolls his eyes. "She loves that tea set more than she loves me and my brother."

"I thought you had issues with your family anyways." I reply dryly.

"What teenager doesn't resent their parents." He laughs. He was right though. His parents did end up being the driest most boring people I had ever met.

I was pretty glad when Andre's brother saved us, "Mom! No one cares about our great great great grandmother's tea set!" He snaps from upstairs. Andre and his younger brother look nothing alike. Andre has dark brown hair and dark brown eyes while his younger brother has light brown hair and blue eyes.

"Tory! How could you say something so mean?" Mrs. Robertson asked him a little tearfully.

"Quick run!" Andre whisper yelled to us and we got up and ran up the stairs. As we passed Tory, Andre ruffled his hair, "Thanks little bro."

Tory smacked his hand away and fixed his hair, "Aghh! Why are you being so weird!" He yelled before stomping off.

In Andre's room we all plopped down on the ground relieved to have escaped Andre's parents. I took the opportunity to look around. His room certainly isn't something I would have expected. It's clean. Spotless even. The books on his shelves are organized alphabetically. His bed is made and his shelves dusted. There's even a few framed amateur paintings up. His closet door is ajar and I can see piles of art stuff crammed in see through storage tubs. I also noticed everything has been recently dusted and wiped down.

"Wow, Andre, I would never have pegged you for a clean freak." I tell him while looking around.

"Well I got home and noticed my room needed a little cleaning but once I got started I couldn't stop. So I cleaned my whole room." He laughs a little embarrassed.

Robert looks around a little surprised, "Where's the Xbox?"

Andre looks at him, "I don't really like games so I packed it away." He says.

Robert looked hurt, "Oh, that's okay." He says quietly. I feel like Andre packing away those games really hurt his feelings. Maybe Andre really is mad at Robert but why?

"If any of the games are yours you can always get them back. They're in my closet." He tells him. He comes off as a bit cold. So he is mad.

I get a sudden cold chill down my back and shiver violently.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Andre asks.

"Nothing. Just a cold chill." I wave it off, "Someone walking on my grave."

Andre smiles, "Creepy isn't it?"

"Yeah," I nod.

Andre glances at the clock, "I don't mean to kick you out but I have to catch up on my school work. I'll be seeing you in school tomorrow." He sighs getting up, "I trust you can let yourself out?" He asks sitting down at his work desk.

"Yeah, of course." I say getting up. Robert follows me out and we walk down the hallway to the stairs. Tory stands outside his bedroom door brushing his teeth. He looks surprised to see us.

"Are you leaving already?" He asks.

"Yeah, Andre has to do his homework." I reply.

Tory looks confused then grumbles something under his breath before slamming his door shut.

"What was that about?" I ask Robert.

"Tory's just moody. Ignore him." Robert snaps at me.

I flinch, "Okay, sorry I asked." I say feeling wounded. Why is he angry? It's like both of my friends are mad at each other and I'm getting caught in the middle.

The next day in French class Andre and Robert sit across from me. I sigh exasperatedly, I do not want to get caught up in their fighting.

The teacher comes in and tells us to get our notebooks out. When she sees Andre is back and sitting with Robert she sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose.

Andre and Robert get their notebooks out. Robert begins to doodle and Andre starts taking notes. Something's bothering me.

"Andre, aren't you left handed?" I ask uncertainly as I watch him write with his right hand.

He looks startled for a second as I break his concentration, "Oh, my left ribs are still broken so it hurts to write with my left hand." He smiles.

That explains it. I guess. "Okay. I was just worried for a moment." I laugh nervously.

"Hey I was thinking we could go over to my house after school. Want to come over?" Robert asks kind of sheepishly. Robert has seemed really down lately. He must still be blaming himself.

"Sure, that sounds like fun." I reply and Andre agrees. Maybe after tonight they'll make up.

At Robert's house we stop by the kitchen where we run into Robert's grandmother.

She squinted at Andre, "Look what the cat dragged in. Feeling better?" She asked.

"Yes, thank you. How are you?" He asks politely.

The old woman scowls, "I'm old how do you think I feel?" She snaps. "Get out of the kitchen. I'm baking. Shoo! Shoo!" Robert looks surprised by his grandmother's outburst and I am too.

Andre smiles, "Sure. No problem." Robert grabs beer as we leave the kitchen as well as a plate of cookies.

"Sorry about my grandmother. The crazy old bat must be off her medication again." Robert apologizes.