You, Me, and All The Spaces In-between

Bonus Chapter 2

KY

In my seventeen years of living, I can't say I've mastered many things. I can cook a decent meal. Ride a bike pretty well. Balance, like, three books on my head.

But one of the things I have mastered is sneaking out of the house.

...Or so I'd thought.

I was halfway to the front door that morning, casting furtive glances over my shoulder, when my mother stepped into the hall. She was wearing a fluffy pink robe, a plastic hair wrap, and an irritable scowl.

I froze mid-step as those cold, unforgiving eyes settled onto me.

"Kylie," she drawled, pacing forward, "where do you think you're going?"

God, I hated the condensation in her tone. It was enough to set me on edge.

"I'm going to Alyx's," I replied evenly, which wasn't a lie. "We're having a Christmas party. And if you're nice," I added slyly, "I might bring you a piece of cake."

Mum's lips curled into a sneer. She hated condensation, too; we were similar in that regard, although I hated to admit it.

"By 'we'" she mused, "I suppose you mean those boys you hang out with."

I rolled my eyes. "Mum-"

"I don't like them," she snapped, shaking her head. "I think they're a bad influence on you."

I stifled a laugh. If only you knew.

"I'll be fine," I insisted, stalking past.

I was almost to the door when she grabbed my arm.

"Kylie," she hissed, "I've had enough of this. Enough of the sneaking out. Enough of the rebellion. It's about time you started taking things more seriously...about time you started thinking of your future."

I wrestled my arm from her grip, shooting her a glare. Mum was a tiny woman, and I towered over her, but she didn't shrink from my anger.

"I do think of my future," I said tightly, opening the front door. "In fifteen minutes, I'll be at Alyx's, having my first shot."

"Kylie-"

Mum began to shout as I walked from the house; I could hear her as I walked to the driveway and climbed into my car.

"Don't you dare get drunk!"

- - - -

"Guys," I said, sinking into the couch, "I think I want to get drunk."

Robert regarded me with a frown. "Don't you get drunk enough?"

"So what?" I retorted. "It's nearly Christmas, Robert. Where your spirit?"

He sighed wearily and switched on the TV. "Left it at home, I'm afraid."

"Hey, Alyx," Martin interjected, "when's Cash getting here?" He was standing on a step-ladder, trying to wind a string of fairy lights around the top of a window.

Alyx pulled his phone from his pocket and peered into the screen. Today he was wearing a grey beanie and a denim jacket, looking as adorably small and nerdy as usual. "He's coming a bit later. He's got football practice until four."

"And Lucy?" Robert prompted, not taking his eyes off the TV. He was also looking as irrevocably Robert as possible, stoic and disapproving in a crisp white shirt and grey crew-neck sweater.

"She'll be here soon," Martin promised, smiling faintly. "Said she's bringing ugly sweaters for all of us."

"Brilliant," I announced, clapping my hands together. "I knew I liked that girl for a reason."