Obsessed

Chapter 23

I look between Toby and Kyle. Kyle glares straight at Toby who in turn doesn't drop his eyes from me. Toby and Kyle don't look really similar. I mean, apart from the matching dazzling green eyes. Toby's hair is a much darker brown and he has gruff facial hair. A sleeve of tattoos cover his left arm and right forearm. Their faces are almost entirely different. Similar colouring, but different shape and sharpness. Obviously Toby has a more mature frame. They are both equally toned and tall. "Ummm... Nice to meet you Toby."

"So this is who you always talk about." Toby says, lingering on me and then turning to face Kyle. Kyle's cheeks burn red. Toby lets out a deep chuckle. "I'll be in my room if you need anything." With that, he swiftly jumps up the stairs. Kyle sighs in relief.

"I thought you said you like your cousin." I say. Kyle looks up the stairs as if checking to see he's really gone.

"I do. He's just... ugh... don't listen to anything he says."

"Ok. The brand Lemon Fresh is probably going to have the most. The reaction will be instant. That's what you have right?"

"Yup. Umm... I'd love to give you a tour, but the house is really a mess. Maybe another time?"

"Sure."

We go straight through the blue hallway into the blue kitchen. His place reminds me, frustratingly, of school. "So you moved in with your cousin when you were how old?"

"Almost sixteen."

"You were so young."

"Yeah... but I had a job, and enough money to convince Toby to let me stay with him."

"Did he make you pay him?"

"No. He refused the money. But it meant that I was serious to leave home. With or without the cash, I know he would've let me stay." He says and pauses, then bends down and looks under the sink cabinet. A green bottle of Lemon Fresh comes out and he stands up again.

"They only need 60ml. How much is left?"

"None. Dammit." Kyle mutters under his breath. "Toby!? Do we have any more Lemon Fresh?" He calls up.

"What the hell is Lemon Fresh?" Toby yells back.

"The detergent we use." Kyle replied.

"Why would I know?"

"I don't know, because you bought it?"

"Oh yeah. It's in the cupboard."

"Which one?"

"Ugh, I'm coming down. Just wait a sec." We hear heavy footsteps as Toby makes his way downstairs and into the kitchen. He stalls for a moment and then heads straight to a cabinet above the sink. He hands me the unopened bottle of Lemon Fresh. "You know, Kyle said you were beautiful." He turns and then walks back through the hallway adding, "What an understatement."

***

On the way to school, Kyle didn't say anything to me. I think it's because of what Toby said. I don't know if he's mad or annoyed or upset. Sierra and Josh are already at the drop off zone when we arrive. "Did you bring it?" Sierra says with a suspicious voice.

"Did you bring the money?" I reply with equal suspiciousness.

"Just like you asked." Then we both break out in giggles. Josh and Kyle look between each other nervously. "We're just kidding." She says and punches Kyle lightly on the shoulder. I pass her the Lemon Fresh and she hugs me. I'm a bit taken aback but nevertheless return the hug. "I knew you would pull through. Such a shame you guys can't watch the explosion. It's gonna be priceless seeing Loreen's face."

"What could Loreen have possibly done to deserve this?" Kyle asks with a soft laugh.

"Trust me, she deserves this. And worse."

"She put green hair dye in Sierra's shampoo at camp. I saw her though and told Sierra before she showered." Josh says.

"My hero." Sierra sighs and hugs him tightly. "But that's not it, she's had it out for me since grade nine. It's not my fault her crush never liked her."

"How could I? She pales in comparison to you." Josh says to Sierra. Oh, Loreen must have liked Josh but then Josh and Sierra ended up together. Awe. Poor thing.

"Anyways, when green goo splatters all over her, she'll be sorry."

"I'm just in this because I think seeing Mr. Brior covered in green will be hilarious." Josh says and chuckles.

"We could come watch... just hide in the science cupboard or something." I suggest.

"If you guys get caught you'll be in more than trouble." Josh says, with wide eyes.

"Yeah, especially since you guys weren't here today. We're recording it, don't worry. We'll forward it to you guys." Sierra adds.

"Sounds good." Kyle and I nod.

Kyle and I ride back to the diner for lunch. We both agreed we like the food there and no one from school will see us. It's sad thinking that school is almost over for good. No more returning. The last day is less than three weeks away... After that I'll be spending years at Lingard. I still need to decide whether I'm going to have the boring life of a mathematician or have a music career.

Kyle and I take our seats in the same booth as last time and our smoothies come. I take a big sip out of the refreshing mango drink. Kyle sips his blueberry smoothie slowly and peaks up at me from behind it. "Are you ok? You've been acting weird ever since we left your house." I stutter.

"I'm fine." He mumbles.

"Everyone knows the scale goes; awesome, great, good, ok, bad, very bad, I hate you, fine."

"I don't know... You meeting Toby..."

"Yeah?"

"It's just... I don't have the perfect family."

"Do you think I do?"

"I'm not saying that, Kristen. I'm saying... I don't know. I really, really want to impress you but..."

"But what?"

"I don't know kiddo."

"Kyle, it's ok." I grab his hand on the table. "It's ok. You can tell me anything, and I don't mind waiting till you're ready. Wow, that sounds super cheesy."

"I liked it. I like you."

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Whoop there's another chapter. Hope you liked it! Please comment any suggestions!

Thanks babes :*

xxx Aurora