Chapter Eleven

"How am I supposed to choose between my parents? Yeah, my mom's horrible, but she's still my mom," I explain to Evan, over coffee.

Ditching school right before lunch seemed like a good at the time, but Van's already text messaged me twice asking me if I was kidnapped. The only time I ever really ditch school, is because Van has some stupid idea in his head and I'm dragged into it. I should probably reply to one of the texts, but a little worry won't hurt him. Here we are, finally on great terms and I'm adding fuel to the fire.

"Abby, you're eighteen, legally you could live on your own," Evan points out.

I set my coffee on the small table we're at. "Oh, yeah, I'll just take money out of my bank account in Switzerland," I say sarcastically. "And what about school, I still have about five months left..." I add. "Not to mention that whoever I do stay with, until its over, will leave the other one hating me. Which is why I figured that the court could just choose for me."

"Why? You're old enough choose."

I sigh. "I know, but that's besides the point."

"Who do you like more?"

"My dad, duh..." I answer.

"Then stay with him."

But that means switching schools and not living across the street from Van, I respond in my head. I can't tell Evan that, it'll break his heart. Even if I put my feelings for Van aside, he's still my best friend. Even if I weren't emotionally attached to him, I would still need his friendship.

"Okay, enough about me, what's new with you?" I ask, forcing myself to take a sip of my coffee. I hate coffee, but Evan suggested it because he pulled an all-nighter last night for his exams. I just went along with it.

"Not much, I finally got the last of my crap unpacked in my apartment. You'll have to come over and check it out," Evan smiles.

I nod. "You know, I'm liking this whole dating older guys thing. I might have to take advantage of you having your own place." I joke.

Evan chuckles. "Feel free to take advantage of me all you want," he says, quickly realizing how it actually came out. "I didn't mean it like that," he corrects as we both laugh.

"I know what you meant," I giggle.

"But for real, I don't want you to think that's the only reason I'm with you," he tells me.

"But that is one of the reasons, isn't it?" I tease. He dug himself in this hole, he's going to have to climb out all on his own.

His cheeks redden as his lips curl into a smile. "You're twisting my words around."

I smile. "So I'm wrong, you don't want to sleep with me?" I question.

"Of course I do, I'm a guy, but there's no rush, Abby. If I just wanted to get it in, I would be with somebody easier," he explains.

"Like Kendall?" I say, prying. "The guys told me she was trying to slut-it-up with you. I had a feeling she would."

Evan shivers at the thought of Kendall. "She rubs me the wrong way. How long did her and Vance date?"

I shrug. "Who knows. They've been off and on so many times, I lost count. She has some major commitment issues," I explain. "It's sad because she was, pretty much, the only girl that Van committed to and she completely screwed it up, but I guess it was for the better because she didn't deserve him anyway," I add.

Evan stares at me for a couple seconds, like he's trying to put together a puzzle, or something. "You really care about him, don't you?"

I shrug. "It's whatever," I reply, downing more coffee. "I grew up with him, he's my neighbor, his dad banged my mom, and he likes everything I hate. In a messed up way, we just... understand each other."

I'm supposed to meet my mom at this restaurant called, Donatell's at six because there's some important dinner, but where am I instead? My work, being forced to buy a dress for tonight. My mom said that if I don't like how a woman is "supposed" to look, she's going to take destroy the fort that is still in my room. That's exactly what she said too. I'm definitely not a normal teenager. That fort will come down, when I say it comes down. I figured that since my work has other dresses too, I might as well get one here and get a discount.

She told me to invite Van to come, which was weird. I mean, is this her idea of making sure I have a date to this little dinner thing? Because if that's the case, I could've just brought Evan. But, with Van, I'm guaranteed to piss off my mom. Him and I together call for a very crazy dinner.

"So let me get this straight, your mom wants me and you to meet her for dinner?" Van questions sounding confused. I'm sure that if I were in the middle of trying on these stupid dresses, I would see his eyebrows furrowing in that cute little way they do when something puzzles him.

"It's pretty sketchy, I know, but you'll come right?" I check.

"What's in it for me? I mean, if I go and help you tick her off, what do I get out of that?"

I sigh, trying to zip up the back of my dress and think of a response to get him to come. "Pause for a sec," I tell him, opening the door. "Can you zip this for me?" I ask, turning around for him to zip it. "Stupid dresses. I hate my mom, why couldn't I have like, a serial killer for my mom..." I slowly trail off into my thoughts, as I feel the fabric cling closer to my skin as Van pulls up the zipper until it stops on it's tack.

I turn around and look in the mirror. The red dress starts at my boobs, showing just a little, falling flat over my stomach, and flowing down to my knees. It's a really pretty dress, but every time I see myself in a dress, I want to barf. I hate dresses.

"You know," Van starts, picking up a dress off of one of the racks. "If you really want to piss off your mom, you could wear this," he chuckles, holding up a black piece of fabric. The front of it is so low that it would go down to my belly button and leave about two inches until the crotch and then another inch and a half after.

"You'd get more out of that dress than I would," I point out, laughing. "No thanks."

"Yeah, you probably couldn't pull it off," he says.

I laugh even harder. "Nice try, but reverse-psychology doesn't work on me."

Van smiles sheepishly. "It was worth a shot."

I take a deep breath. "So do you think this dress is okay? We should probably hurry up."

"It kind of makes your boobs look small," Van comments.

"They are small, jerk," I smirk. "Sorry, but the only plastic I can afford is a Barbie, so they aren't getting any bigger," I joke.

He laughs. "Looks okay."

"That's sweet and all, but I didn't ask you about my boobs."

"I meant the dress," he informs me. "But those are nice too."

I hit him on the shoulder and bring my attention back the mirror. I have no make up on, my hair is in a messy bun, but I hope my mom doesn't expect me to look like a runway model. I guess I'll just have to fix myself up in the car.

"I just...don't like you in dresses," Van says, standing next to me in front of the mirror, draping his harm over my shoulders. "It's not Abbyish, you know."

I smile. "I hate dresses."

"You know what?"

"What?"

"We look pretty damn sexy together, if I do say so myself," Van says seriously, staring at our reflection.

I laugh. "Oh yeah, adorable, now lets pay for this and get out of here." I move out from under his arm and grab my other clothes. Van follows me up to the counter, where Kim is unhappily, checking out other peoples items.

"I'll be with you in just a second," Kim assures me.

"What would you say if I suggested that we just blow off this little dinner thing?" Van asks.

"I'd say that I've been pretty crappy to my mom the last couple of months and I don't want her to hate me even more," I answer. "Especially when I tell her that I'm going to move in with my dad in Riverport," I add.

I'm bluffing, but I want an honest reaction out of him, if I did decide to move with my dad. I honestly have no clue what to do. Obviously, Van wants me to stay, but when I was having coffee with Evan today, he said that I should do whatever feels right.

"Wait, you're doing what? Moving? Why?"

"Van, let's face it, there's nothing my mom has that I want and we fight way too much," I explain.

"So, you're leaving? Just like that, you're going to switch schools? Leave the guys?"

I shrug. "I'll come back on the weekends," I tell him.

"You can't do that," Van says, raising his voice a little.

I stare at his eyes and they look sad, worse than I could've imagined. Should I tell him that I'm just joking, or see how it plays out in the long run?

"Van, you've seen it, every time I'm around my mom, we get into it about something," I remind him.

"Yeah, but I'm there after the fight. I listen when you have to gripe and complain about everything she does," he says.

"I know and I appreciate that, but what am I supposed to do, be miserable just so you can be happy?" I demand.

"Why the hell do you think I stayed with my dad, Abby?" Van snaps. "I don't know if you're aware of this, but we don't exactly have the 'father and son let's go fishing' relationship."

"You told me you stayed because you're mom wanted you too..."

"Seriously? You know my mom, she didn't want me to stay with him. I stayed because of you."

"Me?"

"Well, and the guys. But who else knows the situation I'm in, better than you?" Van states, making a very good point.

I take a deep breath as we approach the check out counter. "Hey, Kimmy," I smile, putting Van and mines conversation to a halt.

"Can you take the tag off for me," Kim asks.

Van yanks something off the back of the dress and hands Kim the tag, barely acknowledging her.

"Where are you two going?" Kim asks.

"My mom is making me go to this dinner thing with her," I tell her. "Since Van's practically family, he's tagging along."

I pull out the cash that was in the back pocket of my jeans and hand it to Kim.

"Do you need shoes?" Kim checks.

I look down at my black converse and shake my head. "I can't walk in heals to save my life."

"Abby, you cannot wear those," Kim giggles.

"They're perfect," Van cuts in.

Kim rolls her eyes and hands me my change and receipt. "Have fun, Cinderella," she teases.

"You see? That's exactly why I'm rockin' the converse, so I can make a clean getaway," I laugh, getting a smile out of Van.

Van follows me outside to my car. "We're not done talking about this, Abby," he tells me.

I toss him my keys. "Will you drive? I have to apply harsh chemicals to my face that have probably been tested on animals," I say, walking around to the passengers side.

Van chuckles. "Fine, but this conversation will be continued later."

"Deal."

Van pulls into the parking lot of Donatelli's and parks in an empty spot in the front. I finish brushing the mascara through my eyelashes and pull the ponytail out of my hair.

"Is there a bump in my hair?" I ask Van, running my fingers through my hair, brushing out the occasional tangle.

"You look fine," Van states. "Can we please just get this over with now?"

We both get out of the car and I'm forced to turn around when I see that Van's not following. I fold my arms over my chest.

"What's the problem now?"

Van's eyes trail over me, then shakes his head. "Nothing, you just look really beautiful on such short notice," he says quietly, barely loud enough to make out each word.

I walk towards him and hook my arms around him. "Thanks. Now c'mon, we're already late," I giggle.

We both take a deep breath as we walk through the doors and into the fancy restaurant. The sound of a violin and piano fill the silent room. I look around for my mom's face and suddenly my eyes stop on Mr. Taylor, then I see my mom sitting right next to him.

I immediately turn to Van. "What is your dad doing here?" I demand. "Did you know about this?"

"What? You're the one that told me about this stupid dinner," Van reminds me

"So why is your dad here?" I question, pointing out the table him and my mom are at.

"I don't know," he replies, innocently.

"You really don't know anything?" I check.

"Abby, come on, you really think that after everything, I would keep something like this from you?" he throws back. "You know everything I know. I promise."

I sigh. "Come on, let's go," I say, pulling on Van's shirt to get him towards the door.

"Don't you want to find out what's going on?" Van asks.

"No, let's go," I reply.

Right when I turn towards the door, I bump into a guy. It takes me a couple seconds to realize that I've seen the guy before. It's Carlos, the Scottish-Brazillian guy that came by my house, like a week ago. What is he doing here?

"Abby," Carlos smiles. "It's nice to see you again."

I smile. "What are you doing here, Carlos?"

"My daughter and I are here for dinner," Carlos explains. "She went to the ladies room."

"Daughter?" Van cuts in.

"Keep it in your pants, Van," I smirk.

Carlos puts his attention on Van. "She's fifteen, I'm sure you're too old for her," he says, then looking back at me. "I'll see you around," he smiles, walking around me.

"His voice is like butter," I sigh.

Van laughs. "He's like fifty, Abbs, keep dreaming..."

"He is not," I smile. When I notice where Carlos sits down, I freak out even more. "Wait, maybe we're just here about you and your dad moving," I suggest.

"And your mom is here because...?" Van prompts. "If we're moving out, and Carlos is moving in, and your mom is here, then are we moving...?"

I quickly catch on. "NO!" I gasp.

"Why would you care, you're moving in with your dad," Van throws at me.

"I was bluffing, I wanted to see what you would say," I tell him. "I don't know what I'm going to do, but this doesn't make it any better."

A grin dances onto Van's lips. "I knew you couldn't leave me."

I hit him on the arm. "Oh my gosh, Van, that's not the point. What are we going to do about that?" I demand, pointing at our parents.

Van's grin goes from happy to mischievous within seconds. "Maybe we should make sure that this dinner doesn't go over so well," he offers.

I smile along with him. "Should we?"

He nods. "We should."

We both walk passed a couple of couple at dinner and up to where our parents are, finally letting them know that we're here.

"Abby, you look lovely-" My mom stops herself when she sees the shoes.

"Please sit," Mr. Taylor says, motioning to two of the empty chairs.

I go to sit next to Carlos, but Van stops me. "I don't think so, next seat," he says. Just as we sit down, Van whispers the plan in my ear. I rest my hands on the table and take a deep breath.

I stare at him for a couple of seconds after comprehending what he just said. He can see the shock in my face, but he just nods, assuring me that the plan is solid.

How does he expect me to do this? If it doesn't work to get us out of this situation, it's guaranteed to screw up all of the progress that we've already made as friends.

"Van, Abby, we're glad that you could make it," Mr. Taylor says, smiling like the conniving jerk he is.

I feel Van's hand slip into mine on top of the table. "This is convenient because we actually have something to tell you," Van tells them.

I just watch as all eyes at the table burn into Van and I. It's not too late to back out of this. Who's to say that it will even work? Van and I have fooled a lot of people, numerous times, but is this really enough to break whatever is going on between my mom and his dad?

I'm almost certain that they're going to tell us that they've started seeing each other again, if they're dating, it can't be too permanent. I mean; two people who were in committed marriages, trying to start a relationship after they previously cheated? I'm a little confused, how is that supposed to work? Once a cheater, you're almost always a cheater, whether it's cheating yourself, or others.

Mr. Taylor narrow's his eyes down at us, making his wrinkles more visible. "When did the two of you start seeing each other?" he questions.

I glance at Van, awaiting an answer, but when he doesn't, I jump in. "About three weeks ago," I inform them confidently.

"But I thought you two hated each other?" My mom inquires.

"Yes, I saw the two of you fighting just the other day," Carlos adds.

"Dude, in a relationship you fight, the making up is the best part, isn't that right, babe? That was some great make-up se-"

I stop him before he can finish his sentence because I know what he was going to say. Leave it to Van to take it too far. "Mom, you know that I've liked Van since I was like two, you can't really be that surprised," I say off the tip of my tongue. That may not have been the best thing to say, hopefully it doesn't seem too believable.

"You have?" Van asks me, putting his attention on me.

I run my hand through his hair, pretending to fix it while locking eyes with him. "Of course I have, baby, you knew that," I respond, trying not to laugh. We're pretty good at this whole acting thing, we should get an Oscar.

"I didn't know you've liked me that long," he replies.

Before I can react, Van leans in, pulling my face closer to his, letting our lips touch, just for a second. Though, it's long enough for me to taste the sweet cinnamon on his breath and the warmth of his lips.

When he breaks away, it takes me a minute to remind myself to start breathing again. I can't help but concentrate on his blushing cheeks, most likely arising some pink on mine as well.

I thought I was doing okay, moving passed this, but when his lips touch mine; I'm better than okay.

I completely forget about everybody at the table, until Mr. Taylor clears his throat, getting our attention. I think I'm going to pass out because of how light headed that kiss made me.

I grab one of the wine glasses of water off of the table and gulp some down in attempt to distract me from what just happened.

When Carlos' daughter finally makes an appearance, Van is pretty much drooling over her. Her beauty makes me automatically hate her. We go around the table, introducing ourselves to Maya.

"So, Maya, will you be going to school with Van and Abby," Mr. Taylor asks, avoiding the real reason why we're here.

"It's Vance," Van corrects, but his dad ignores the interruption.

"Yeah, I'm a Sophomore," Maya replies.

Van listens, as if he's interested in what she has to say. "So you're almost sixteen?" he asks.

Maya's cheeks blush as she gives a simple nod.

For a fifteen year old, she sure does look womanly. When I was fifteen, I was still on the lanky side and I sure as hell didn't really fill out until about mid-junior year. But, Maya; she's about my height, long black hair, with that glowing caramel skin. And of course, she has to show as much of her natural tan as possible by wearing a very short pair of shorts and a tube top. No wonder why Van's practically drooling over her. I hate to remind him, but he kissed me just ten minutes ago...

Oh shit, Evan. What if he finds out that Van kissed me. I didn't really get a chance to not kiss him back because it caught me off guard, I just went with it. Oh my gosh, it will break his heart if he finds out. How could Van not realize that kissing me was going to put more of a gap between us?

Now I really feel like I'm going to pass out.

"Excuse me, I have to go to the restroom," I say, abruptly standing up from the table.

Van catches my wrist and locks eyes with me. "Are you okay?"

"Never better," I lie.

*******

<3JustKaylay.