Saving Athena ✓

20) Almost

A c e

"Darnell?" I call out. "Darnell, did you take my watch?"

His head pops us behind the door, he runs in and throws himself on my bed, knowing that I hate it when he does that. All those creases I just flattened out are now wrinkled. I scowl at him and he laughs, chucking the pillow back at the bed. "Nope," he says. "I have better things to steal from you than your watch."

"Then where-" I catch sight of the silver band on the top of my dresser. I go over and grab it as I clip it on. I groan at Darnell. "Dude, get up."

"Why?" He kicks his feet on the covers. "You don't sleep here anymore, I could take this room if I wanted." I roll my eyes and go to the mirror, I make sure the rings on my fingers are aligned and fix the belt on my pants before rubbing my eyes.

"Darnell, get up," I say. "You're messing up the Goddamn bed."

"No, I'm comfortable," he knows what he's doing. I run my hand through my hair and let out an aggravated breath. I ignore it and grab my coat before slipping it on. "Where are you going?" He calls out.

"Out," I answer.

"Well no duh, where?"

"Athena's."

He rolls his eyes, grimaces, and gets off the bed with a kick. "Her?" He says this in a disgusted tone.

"Yes, her," I mock him. "What's your problem?"

"I don't like her."

This pisses me off for some reason. I turn to him as a scowl taunts my lips. "Watch your mouth."

"I have an idea," he jumps up and goes over to me, I turn to him and raise an eyebrow. "Invite her for dinner."

"No." I shut that down immediately. I walk out of the bedroom and down the set of stairs only for him to run past me and yell, "Mom!"

"Darnell- don't you dare-" I run after him and jump down the set of stairs, I catch up with him just in time as mom turns and raises an eyebrow.

"What's wrong honey?" She asks Darnell before looking between the both of us.

"I would like to invite Athena over for dinner, tonight." He states and I rub my eyes. I go to open my mouth but he stops me by saying, "She's a really good friend, you've met her right?"

"Of course, that would be lovely."

"Mom-"

"She said lovely, Ace. Don't be a buzzkill." Darnell says, coming to pat my shoulder but I jerk away. Mom tilts her head and sighs.

"Honey," she says to me. "Have you seen the doctor yet?"

"About?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Your ticks-"

"They're not ticks, mom," I explain softly. "I just like everything to be organized."

"Sweetie, you refuse to eat sometimes because you're afraid of messing up the plate, that isn't normal." I grimace and purse my lips. "You need to book an appointment with a specialist."

I nod, even though I won't, and say, "Please don't invite Athena over."

She tilts her head. "Why not?"

"You know Darnell," I gesture to him. He rolls his eyes.

"I just want to get to know the girl." He claims, mom excuses herself and goes to the phone, I turn to face Darnell and clench my jaw.