Xander

Altercation (19)

It was the following Monday. Believe it or not, I had woken up with a bright smile on my face and motivation to get out of bed. As I had brushed my hair that morning, I had sung one of my favorite songs as the events of my weekend replayed in my mind. Making up with Kyle, my first day at Reed's, meeting Jay, reconciling with my parents. It seemed everything was finally coming together for me.

"Abby! Kyle is outside waiting and if you don't tell that boy to quit honking his horn every five seconds-"

I rushed into the living room to see my frustrated mother standing at the front door, probably ready to attack my best friend.

As I threw on my jacket, I sent her a modest smile and softly said, "I'll make sure to check him, mom." I thought it would've been uncomfortable to call her that again, as sad as it sounded, but it was the most natural thing in the world.

Her face beamed in response and she stepped aside as I adjusted my backpack and reached for the door.

"Abigail." I turned to the sound of my dad's voice and raised my eyebrows in silent question. Only slightly surprising me, he stepped forward and hugged me in the unique way fathers did. I hugged him just as tightly, and I silently sighed in ecstasy.

"Have a good day at school," my dad said as my mom gave me a quick hug, "I actually have something to discuss with you, so if you could try and come home early..."

It was as if they were both waiting for me to explode, deny them any chance of redemption. Instead, I smiled at both of them.

"Of course. I'll ask Kyle if he could give me a ride."

"If he's busy, I'll pick you up. Just call me," my dad eagerly responded. I nodded my head just as we heard the blaring horn of Kyle's car once again.

"That boy drives me crazy," my mother said, but not with any hint of animosity. She actually had a smile of admiration plastered on her face.

And as I headed to the car, my memories returned of the first official meeting between Kyle and my parents.

He had looked surprised when he had actually faced my parents and shook their hands, but he was his usual confident self. He was polite, and as comfortable as he usually is. My dad took a liking to him, though he didn't like the idea of us dating. My mom was more polite than their first encounters, and actually apologized, but that certainly didn't faze her annoyance towards his antics.

"Finally you come out, McCrae. I was beginning to think you had somehow disappeared under my watch," Kyle's signature smirk was plastered across his face as I took the passenger seat. His black sunglasses were shielding his eyes from view, but I was positive they glinted with mischief.

"I think my mom was close to chasing you down the street for honking that damn horn too many times to count."

His smirk widened as he pulled out of the driveway. "Sorry, but you know how much my patience wears thin on Mondays."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't refrain from smiling as I unconsciously checked to make sure Kyle was wearing his seatbelt. "I have a feeling today is going to be a good day." Boy, was I wrong.

"This tastes like shit."

"And how would you know how shit tastes?" I grinned evilly at him as I opened my chocolate milk.

"Smart ass," Kyle grumbled, and it took a lot not to burst out laughing. Mondays were definitely not Kyle James' day. He may have been the most upbeat and energized person I know, but his usual demeanor did a complete 180 on Mondays.