by C. P. Watson
He tried to make conversation as I walked up to Ava and kissed her cheek before heading over to the fridge.
“Yea, it was great,” I said as I opened the fridge and took out a bottle of water. “Amazing.” I bit down on my bottom lip and turned before I winked at Ava.
Obviously feeling like a third wheel, Grandpa closed his newspaper and got up from his seat. “I have some important stuff to do today, I’ll see you, girls, later.”
“Okay,” Ava said and I just nodded at him before he exited the kitchen.
“What do you want for breakfast baby girl?” Ava asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Baby girl?” I furrowed my brows and walked over to her. “I am not a baby,” I said pressing the front of my body against her back.
She hummed before her hand reached up and trailed up my jawline. “You are my baby girl.” She whispered making me bite down on my bottom lip trying to suppress a smile.
“If you say so Bunny.” I pulled away from her and walked over to the pantry.
“That sounds quite sexy through your lips.” I picked up an apple and looked back at her.
“Obviously. I’m not a sexy beast for nothing.” I grinned as I rinsed the apple by the sink.
I heard the door open and shut and figured it was Grandpa. “You are my sexy beast.” She smirked before taking a sip of her coffee.
“Possessive much.” I rolled my eyes and took a bite of my apple. As I chewed, I turned the cap for the water bottle to open it.
“Would you like me to make you some pancakes?” I shook my head as I swallowed.
“I’m not hungry,” I said before taking another bite of my apple.
“Okay sweetcakes, I’m going to check on Midnight.”
“Where is he?”
“Probably curled up under the dining table, can you open a can of cat food for him?” I nodded and she exited the kitchen.
I opened the cupboard that I saw her store Midnight’s things and grabbed a can. Opening it and throwing the lid in the garbage bin, I proceeded to empty the can’s contents into Midnight’s bowl.
Ava then walked back in with Midnight in her arms. “Awe isn’t he adorable.” She cooed before kissing his forehead.
I threw the empty can into the garbage as she placed Midnight in front of his bowl. “I’ll be back to feed you again later, okay?” She rubbed his head with the tips of her fingers as he munched on his food.
“Okay baby, I’m heading out now.” She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
I bit down on my bottom lip as she kissed my forehead. “You’re not going to kiss me with kitty lips, are you?”
She grinned and pecked the tip of my nose. “Maybe, but only if you’re a good girl.”
“Let me rephrase that, don’t kiss me with kitty lips.” She frowned and dropped her arms from being wrapped around my neck.
Turning, she headed over to the sink and turned the knob to allow the water to flow. She then cupped her hands together under the running water, before bringing the captured water up to her face and washing her mouth.
After she was finished, she grabbed a paper towel and wiped her face before walking back over to me. “Can I kiss you now?” She grinned as she ran her tongue along the pinkness of her bottom lip.
“Of course.” I placed my hands on her hips and leaned in, allowing our lips to brush against each other before pressing firmly against the softness of her mouth. Her lips formed a smile against mine before we parted and she kissed my forehead.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” I released my grip on her hips and stepped back.
“We better head out now before we are late for school.” She said before I checked the time on my watch. “I’ll go first.” I nodded before she pecked my lips one last time.
“See you in class sweet cheeks.”
“Are you going to call me by random nicknames now?” I giggled making her glare at me.
“I can call you whatever I want sugar buns.” She blew me a kiss before heading out of the kitchen.
I shook my head and smiled as I took another sip of water before resting it back down on the kitchen counter. Discarding the remainder of the apple, I grabbed my phone from my backpack, and checked if I received any messages.
After wasting some time scrolling through my phone, and sending a text to my mother, in which she said she was busy and would contact me later, I headed out of the kitchen and towards the front door to leave.
As I opened the door and closed it behind me, I spotted Ava through the bars of the estate gate, with her back facing me. She seemed to be talking to someone, though the person was not in visible sight.
I walked closer and the guard opened the gate for me which made Ava turn her attention behind her, giving me clear view to the person she was talking to.
“Good morning Mr. Reese.” I said as I clutched the strap of my backpack and swallowed.
“Dad I just want space, I want to live my life as I please. Don’t you think it’s time that I take charge of my life?”
“Kylie, don’t you think that it’s time Ava came home?” Mr. Reese asked me making me bite down on the inside of my cheek.
“Don’t involve her in this dad, this is my life and I am capable of making my own choices.”
He sighed and rubbed his temples with the pads of his fingers, “Ava I don’t care if you’re gay or straight, I just want you to come home. Your mother might be shocked and against it at the moment but she will settle down in time. Are you willing to leave Natalie for the sake of proving some point to us?”
“This has nothing to do with Natalie, she is getting older and will understand what I am doing, and if she does not she is going to have to accept it, just like you have to accept it.”
“So, you’re going to live with your godfather forever?”
Ava took a deep breath, “not forever dad, just until I find an apartment.” I pressed my lips together and looked at her, not wanting her to go anywhere.
“Fine then, but I’m here Ava. If you ever want to move back home, the option is always there.”
“I know dad but I need to gain some independence.” He nodded and closed his eyes for a few seconds before reopening them.
“Do what you will, I have to get to work.” He rubbed the back of his neck and turned to his car that was parked on the side of the road. “If you need anything you know where I am.”
“I just need some space for now dad.” He nodded and walked over to his car before getting in and driving off.
“Are you okay?” I asked as I grazed the palm of my hand against hers.
“Yes baby, let’s get to school before we are late.” She said smiling at me. I smiled back as we began our journey through the town.
“We’ve never done this before.”
“Walk to school together?” I nodded as she looked ahead.
“Yea, it’s nice, though I wish I could hold your hand.”
“Use that beautiful mind of yours and image it.” She whispered as she brushed her shoulder against mine.
I hummed and smiled widely, “we’ve never discussed the future.” I pressed my lips together and sighed, my mind suddenly having thoughts about our life together.
“You’re going off the college soon, and for me I don’t know as yet.” I stuffed my hands into the back pockets of my shorts and cleared my throat.
“So how are we going to make this work?” We looked at each other, and I saw that her eyes were suddenly glossed with sadness.
“I don’t know.”
“There must be a community college somewhere around so that I could stay close.” She abruptly stopped walking and turned to face me, making me stop as well.
“You’re not going to give up your future to be with me.” I swallowed and felt my heart clenching in my chest.
“Community college isn’t that bad.” She slowly shook her head and lowered her gaze to the ground.
“You can’t, we’ll
find another way.”
“How?”
“I don’t know.” She let out a deep breath and turned so that we could continue walking.
“We’ll figure it out, right?” She nodded and rubbed the back of her neck.
“Why were you going to law school if it was not what you wanted?” She questioned, catching me off guard.
“My mom, she doesn’t think a Bachelor’s English is good enough.”
“Is it good enough for you?” I shrugged and gripped the edges of my back pocket. “Do what makes you happy baby girl, and I don’t want to get in the way of that either.”
“What are you trying to say?” She sighed and popped her lips.
“I’m not going anywhere, and you need to think about your future first.” I pressed my lips together and ran my tongue between them.
“You are more important than anything else.” She turned her face to me and smiled.
“School should be your number one priority, I can come a solid second.” She sank her teeth into her bottom lip and shook her head, “I want you to follow your dreams, and I’ll be by your side and in your heart as you fulfil them.”
“That’s sweet, but I don’t know if I can go a day without you.”
“Is Kylie Blanckaert getting clingy?” I shoved her shoulder which made her laughter increase.
“Shut up.” I groaned and crossed my arms over my chest.
“You’re such a cutie, anyway baby girl stop flirting with me, we are at school now.”
“I’m not flirting with you.”
“Like if.” She scoffed and walked ahead of me. “I’ll see you in class Miss Blanckaert.” She winked at me before heading up the steps and through the school doors.
I shook my head and smiled. “Damn that teacher is hot.” I turned my head to see Emily’s brother walking towards me. Tension rose to the pit of my stomach as he stepped closer.
“I thought you said that you are gay.” I looked at him in disbelief.
“I am, but that’s what all of my friends say all the time.” I frowned and gritted my teeth. “I didn’t see you in the library.” He said making me sigh.
“Sorry I got caught up with something else.” He nodded seeming not too fazed about it.
“I’m having a party tonight, would you like to come?” I shook my head.
“Your sister and I are not on the best of terms, and I don’t like parties.”
“Yeah, she was bitching how you got her suspended. Be careful, she is one for revenge.”
“I’m leaving soon so that does not bother me much.”
“Transferring?” He furrowed his brows in question.
“Early graduation.”
“Oh ok, sucks that you won’t be here for prom.” I placed the palm of my hand over my mouth to cover a yawn.
“As I said I don’t like parties.” He gripped the strap of his backpack and nodded. “Anyway I’ll see you around I guess.” I said knowing the bell would ring anytime soon.
“Okay.” I turned and walked up the concrete steps and into the school building.
The hallway was flooded with students, who were by their lockers chatting or hurrying to their classes.
As I entered Ava’s class, a few students were already seated. I did not acknowledge her presence in front of the class and just headed to my seat. The less eye contact was better to keep suspicions away.
◆◆◆
AFTER CLASS, I WENT into the library to waste some time until my next period, which was till after lunch. I placed my backpack on the floor next to where I sat and leaned back before closing my eyes.
The veins in my head were pounding vigorously and I had an uneasy feeling inside of my stomach. The thought of leaving for college was suddenly not such a great feeling anymore, being that I had to leave Ava behind.
I could have visited her on the weekends but being away from her on weekdays was far too much to handle. Our new found love made me unable to be away from her for more than a few hours and at that moment I was already missing her.
My mind pondered on how I was going to make our relationship work. I had no problems with attending community college, but that seemed impossible given my mother’s expectations and Ava’s persistence that I should not give up anything for her.
If I was to attend Princeton, I would be a little distance away in New Jersey, but that was not too far away and was manageable. I did not want to attend Yale given the circumstance that it was the college my father attended, and Harvard was still yet to respond.
The chime of my ringtone interrupted my thoughts, and I grabbed it from my back pocket before immediately answering. “Hey mom.”
“Hi baby, sorry about earlier, but I have great news.”
“If this is about me being your maid of honour, I will repeat this in case it slipped your mind, I am not wearing anything with lace frills.”
“Oh yes dear, you have to wear the dress of my choice.” She chuckled making me frown.
“Mom…” I groaned and rubbed my temples.
“I am pulling your strings baby, it actually has to do with Oxford.”
“Oh, they sent a reply?” I inhaled deeply.
“You got in.” She said nonchalantly, making me press my lips together.
“Really?” I mumbled not too sure how to react to the news.
“Yes, but not on a scholarship like you wanted.”
“Oh…” That did not bother me as I thought it would.
“I’m willing to pay your tuition baby, but I still don’t think you should go.” She said in a sad tone of voice making a tinge of guilt rise in the pit of my stomach. I knew she had a problem with me moving so far away.
“I…”
“I know you must be thinking about Ava and I agree with your doubts, you shouldn’t go.”
“Mom…”
“I just don’t think you should go so far away, you might go and never come back.” Her voice broke making me groan and squeeze my eyes shut.
“Mom, if I do go, it won’t be forever.”
“I don’t know Kylie, just think about your options before making a big step, you do have a girlfriend now too.” I sighed and tapped my fingers against the hardwood of the desk in front of me.
“I know, but she is adamant about me not giving up my future for her.”
“She’s good for you, I just don’t want you to lose something special just for a chance at an experience on another continent.”
“Yea, you mean you don’t want me to go far away from you.” I said emphasizing the last word.
“Maybe.” She mumbled then covered it with a small laugh. “But seriously honey, sleep on it and explore your options.”
“Okay mom, but I’m not going to. I could never put you in such a great expense.”
“You are my only child, and your happiness means the world to me. I don’t want you to go but if you do want to, you have my support.” I pressed my lips together and nodded, not that she could see. “Anyway I have to go, my ten minute lunch break is almost over and the boss is busting my ass on this case.”
“Yea, I bet he is.”
“Oh shut up.” She chuckled. “Talk sometime soon?”
“Yea, bye.”
“Bye.”
◆◆◆
I WAS WALKING TOWARDS my next class when I realized I still had about twenty minutes to spare, so I took a detour to the principal’s office.
I rapped on the door and waited for his response to go in. “Come in.”
“Sir…” I opened the door and walked in before closing it behind me.
“Kylie, it’s a pleasure. You were just on my mind.” I nodded and took a seat. “I spoke with the Board and you’ll be all set by the beginning of the year.”
“Aren’t there any formalities I need to partake in?” He shook his head.
“It’s a small town, I’m already convinced that you can handle this, and the technicalities, well, I rather handle that on my own.” I pressed my lips together and nodded. �
��It’s a shame that you won’t be eligible for Valedictorian though, being that you just started attending this school and you are graduating early as well, but in your mind know that you earned that title.” I smiled and took a deep breath.
“That doesn’t really matter to me. It’s our experiences that define who we are not a piece of paper that states what we can do.”
“I see, so which college are you going to attend? Harvard? Yale? Dartmouth?” I shook my head and sighed.
“I just got accepted into Oxford, but I might go for something more affordable.” I knew that was not the only reason I was hesitant.
“Live your dreams Kylie, you can do great things.” I nodded and stood. “Do what is best for you.” I bit down on my bottom lip and nodded. “Okay then, make the best of the little time you have left at this school and also Emily will not be a problem anymore.”
“Emily?” I pondered for a few seconds before realizing what he meant.
“Yes, she has been suspended until Tuesday, and has been given a warning.” I furrowed my brows wondering why he thought that would end the way she treated people, but thought it useless to voice my opinion.
“Okay, I have to get to class.”
◆◆◆
LEAVING THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE, my mind was racing and my heart was jumping in my chest. The thought of seeing Ava made my blood rush with excitement. I missed her and I really wanted to feel her lips against mine, but I knew I could not. I had to wait until we were home.
Standing in front of the classroom’s door, my heart pace increased rapidly. “Kylie?” I heard Ava’s voice as she opened the door slightly. “Kylie.” She snapped her fingers in front of my face. I gulped and stood frozen. Her glasses made her look so sexy that it was hard to control myself.
“I… uh…” I swallowed and gripped my back pockets with the tips of my fingers.
She opened the door wider and stepped aside so that I could enter. “Did something happen?” She questioned as she closed the door.
“No.” I mumbled before standing awkwardly next to her desk. Checking the time on my wrist watch, there was eleven more minutes before the period would start.