Crash

5: Home Sweet... Potatoes

thanks for introducing me to everyone today :)

I show James first, and then Harry in the backseat of my car. My mouth stretched across my cheeks on both sides, which hurt. I had this feeling in my stomach that felt like I was being tickled as a kid.
"Cas. You finally have game!" Harry jumped excitingly, patting the shoulders of the driver's seat.
Blushing, I looked at James who had taken my phone. But before I could say "BRO STOP" he already sent a message. Grabbing my phone away from him Harry and I look to see what disaster could come from it. James leaned back towards the passenger door, watching us as we read:

having a bonfire later, wanna show up around 6? 6007 Acorn Ave. pleaseeeeeee <3

That was it. The text wasn't making me nervous, but the thought of having to contain myself from a possible "piss my pants" scenario was itching at my stomach.
I felt a pat on my shoulder, "don't drop us off bro, we're coming over to help you with this."
Harry pulled back from his lean, and we became one of the last cars in the student parking lot to leave.

***

The drive home was uneasy and slow. I was unsure of why I got nervous, but James always said that "her head must be on fire by how much your eyes stare at the back of it in History." I didn't have to worry about the back of a head anymore. That might be why I'm so nervous. The way she looked, the way she spoke, and even the outfit she was wearing at school today made me nervous.
We drove through the tunnel of trees on my gravel road. The sun was beaming perfectly down on the ground between the leaves of the trees. The color green illuminated my eyes and reminded me of April.
I snapped out of my trance and pulled into the driveway, finally tuning in to James and Harry as they spoke about getting "their guy" to bring us "giggle juice" to our "special occasion."
I put the car in park and finally speak.
"Guys, we have plenty of Mike's here and I'm sure my dad would be able to share."
"Dude he's actually here," James said, pointing out my dad's Jaguar.
"Let's just go inside and see what he says," I broke the silence.

Getting out of the cruiser I noticed something weird about my dad's interior of his car. A purse in the passenger seat. That must mean he's seeing someone again.

The boys and I approached the side door and opened it up to a silent, but cleaned up house. Rudy was laying in front of the window next to the door, flicking his bushy tail as we walked in. "Hiiii Rudy!!" Harry jeered.
"Dude that cat is getting soo fat!" James blurted out.

"He's not fat James, he's fluffy,"
a voice came from approaching footsteps.

My dad walked in the kitchen with arms wide open to me, but I noticed a petite woman behind him as he wrapped me in his extended arms. My dad continued to greet the rest of my friends, but I could not stop myself from noticing how awkward this woman looked from across the room.

"Guys, this is Christy," my dad boomed with an arm stretched out to the short woman. She looked around 30, but nothing more than 40.
"Hello! Nice to meet you guys!" Christy approached us with hugs. With me in her arms first I reacted with one arm around her, and nothing more.
Her head of black hair brushed my chin as she pulled away. As she went to hug my two friends, my phone vibrated.
I realized April hadn't even said "yes" to the exclusive bonfire tonight. I forgot everything about my dad's new relationship and pulled my phone out of my pocket.

sure :) ill bring some proper pb&j's so your friends know how it's done xox

Xox? Kiss hug kiss?

"Cas, what were you going to ask your dad?" James spoke over everyone's conversations that have been happening for the past minute.
Realizing that I was under pressure tonight I quickly held up my finger at everyone and sent a message to April.

:) cya then

"Dad," I say while setting my phone on the dining room table.
"We need to raid some of your Mike's supply."
My dad scoffed as if he wasn't used to this question.
"Sure son," he said, putting an arm around Christy.
"Thank you dad," James says squeezing my dad.

***

We walked into the garage filled with carts and boxes of every Mike's flavor. Something I wish my dad would find a better place for because of winter being so extreme. James and Harry look at me as I shut the door behind me. Their mouths are wide open.

"What?!" I ask walking passed them to grab some boxes.
"Christy bro, she's totally hot!" James whisper yelled.
I made a face and couldn't believe what my friend said. Though, he wasn't wrong, she was one of the better looking ones.
"Cut it out man, she'll be gone in a week tops," I joke. I'm not sure if that's the truth. My dad hasn't looked at anyone like that since he and my mom were happy.