As Kylie sat at the lunch table, Angie clasped her hands together dramatically, pleading, "Kylie, please, please, please, pleassssse."
"No," Kylie replied flatly, not even sparing her a glance.
Angie groaned, throwing her hands up in exaggerated frustration. "Ugh! You are no fun."
"It's the first party of the school year," she continued, undeterred. "And it's Ryan's party," she emphasized, eyes widening as if that fact alone should sway Kylie's decision.
Marie, sitting across from them, hummed in thought. "I mean… it is Ryan's party."
Kylie shot her a look. "Not you too."
Marie shrugged. "Everyone knows Ryan's parties are the best. We could go, relax, and have fun."
Kylie scoffed. "Who goes to a party to relax?"
Before anyone could respond, a familiar presence approached their table. Light brown hair, easy-going smile, and an effortless charm—Ryan.
"Hey, guys," he greeted, flashing his signature grin.
Kylie barely suppressed a sigh. She already knew what was coming.
"I'm throwing a party this Saturday at my place," Ryan announced, resting his arms on the table. "Hoping to see you all there."
Ryan was one of the most well-known guys on campus—not just because of his wealthy background, but also because of his ability to make everyone feel like they belonged. People naturally gravitated toward him.
Kylie hesitated. It wasn't that she disliked Ryan. In fact, he was actually a decent guy. But the idea of another one of his over-the-top parties wasn't appealing. It could get real crazy according to some videos that Angie showed her from the last school year.
The problem? Her friends clearly wanted to go but not without her.
With a deep sigh, she gave in. "Fine. We'll be there."
"Yes!" Angie and Marie fist-bumped, victorious.
Ryan grinned, standing up. "Awesome. I'm holding you to that, Kylie." With that, he walked off, easily slipping back into the crowd.
"You guys could just go without Cole and me," Kylie pointed out, crossing her arms.
Marie shook her head. "You're our designated driver."
Cole, who had been silent until now, groaned. "Do I have to go?"
"Yes," Kylie answered immediately. "You're my backup in case these two get too drunk."
Cole sighed. "There's always people puking everywhere."
"We'll just avoid them," Kylie replied, attempting to reassure him. Some sacrifices have to be made.
Their conversation was cut short when Romaine finally took his usual seat at the table. He said nothing, just started eating his sandwich like he hadn't been missing in action for days.
The group fell silent, all eyes on him.
It took two bites before he finally noticed. He paused mid-chew, looking up to see them all staring. An awkward tension settled over the table.
"What?" he asked, clearly uncomfortable under their collective gaze.
Marie was the first to speak. "What do you mean what? You've been ditching us."
Romaine exhaled, placing his sandwich down. "Look, I know I've been distant lately, I've been busy—"
Marie scoffed, cutting him off. "Busy with who? Those druggies?"
Romaine tensed. "They're not druggies," he defended, his voice sharpening.
"So, you're defending them now?" Cole chimed in.
Romaine's jaw tightened, his frustration evident. His hands curled into fists on the table.
"We're worried about you, Romaine," Kylie said, her voice softer than the others. She wasn't trying to start a fight—she just wanted to understand.
Romaine's tense posture eased slightly at her tone, but the irritation didn't completely fade. He let out a heavy sigh.
"I've got things to deal with," he muttered. "I don't need this shit right now. I just wanted to sit and eat with my friends, and this is what I get?" His eyes flickered to Marie, then to Cole.
Cole, ever the composed one, leaned forward. "Don't act like we're being irrational. We're not oblivious, Romaine. Don't try to use your amateur manipulation techniques here, especially on people I'm close to."
Romaine stiffened, his back now to them as he prepared to leave. He hesitated for a brief second before speaking.
"So, I'm not close anymore?"
Cole's voice was flat. "You were."
Romaine didn't respond. Instead, he glanced at Kylie.
"See ya, Kyl."
And just like that, he was gone.
A beat of silence passed.
"Maybe we were a bit harsh," Kylie admitted, her gaze lingering in the direction Romaine had left.
Marie countered. "Honestly, we should've been harsher to get some real answers out of him."
Kylie soon realized that whenever Angie and Romaine sat at the table together, one of them ended up silent.
They couldn't have fallen out that bad.
---
Dressed in black shorts and a white tank top, Kylie stood in the kitchen peeling potatoes. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, strands falling framing her face as she worked.
She checked on the chicken baking in the oven before hearing a knock at the door.
That must be Mike.
She grinned, excited at the possibility of him bringing something delicious home.
But when she opened the door, her smile faltered, turning into a more reserved expression.
Alec stood on the other side, his eyes immediately sweeping over her before stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
Kylie instinctively backed up, watching as he shut the door behind him—without breaking eye contact.
His gaze softened. "You're cooking?"
She nodded.
His eyes did the yoyo thing, taking in the figure of this beautiful girl.
Before she could react, his large hands cupped her face, tilting it upward and the nervousness she felt disappear leaving a fluttering feeling.
He pressed a soft kiss against her forehead, then another on her nose, then her cheek—each touch lingering a little longer than the last.
Kylie felt herself melt into his gentle touch. Without thinking, her arms wrapped around his waist.
"Hi," he murmured, his voice deeper than usual.
"Hey" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
She felt him putting something in her hand, it was a small white box."Check it later"
His hands moved to her wrists as he led her back into the kitchen.
She slip the small box into her pocket quenching her curiosty. He settled at the counter, watching her pull the potatoes from the pot before stepping in to help.
As they worked, he spoke casually. "I was thinking we could go out tomorrow after school."
Kylie looked up at him.
"Don't worry," he continued, his hands briefly gripping her waist from behind, his lips close to her ear. "I'll only steal you away for a few hours."
She nodded.
"Words, Kyl."
"Yes," she said quickly.
Before anything else could be said, loud knocking echoed through the house.
"I got it," Alec said, heading for the door.
From the hallway, she heard Michael's confused voice.
"You're here already?"
When Alec and Michael entered the dining area, Alec had one of Michael's bags in hand while Michael held a small, delicate cake.
Kylie's eyes lit up at the sight of it.
Without hesitation, she ran over, snatching it from Michael's hands and planting a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Dinner's ready!" she chirped, in an excellent mood.
Michael frowned. "What are you wearing?" He side-eyed Alec.
Kylie rolled her eyes. "What I usually wear at home."
"We have a guest," Michael emphasized.
She scoffed. "We've known Alec since diapers."
Michael's frown deepened. "Do we need to have the birds and the bees talk?"
Alec chuckled.
Kylie groaned. "Let's just eat."
She turned on her heel and headed upstairs to grab a pair of pajama bottoms.
---
Alec took a deep breath, locking eyes with Michael. "I asked your sister out on a date," he confessed, his voice steady but laced with underlying tension.
Michael's reaction was immediate and visceral. His head snapped toward Alec, jaw tightening as his hands clenched into fists. "The fuck," he spat, anger seeping into his words.
"I told you a long time ago to stay the fuck away from Kyl; she ain't one of your fucking groupies."
Alec raised his hands in a placating gesture. "It's not like that, Michael."
But how could Michael remain calm when the notorious womanizer was finally acting on his interest in his sister?
Michael had known for a long time that his friend harbored feelings for Kylie. But since Alec never acted on them and instead dated other girls, Michael had stopped keeping tabs on him and his sister.
Alec had a reputation for discarding girls when he grew bored. Michael had witnessed the emotional wreckage left in Alec's wake, knowing all too well the kind of damage he could inflict. He himself wasn't much different.
"Damn, Mike, you think I'd want to ruin our friendship?" Alec's voice dropped, deep with sincerity.
"No, you tell me," Michael shot back.
Alec sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've liked your sister for a long, long time now."
Their heated exchange continued as Kylie, oblivious to the full extent of the conversation, headed toward the dining room. As soon as she heard her brother's angry voice, followed by Alec's calm but firm response, she realized something was amiss. She paused at the stairs, her heart pounding as she overheard the escalating argument.
"Look, I really, really like your sister. How could I play with her feelings? Do you think my relationship with you means nothing to me?" Alec's voice was full of frustration.
"If it means so much to you, stay the fuck away from my sister," Michael retorted, his tone dripping with disdain.
Alec's response was almost immediate. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor followed, indicating Alec's rising frustration. The two men were locked in a silent battle of wills, neither willing to yield, until the argument reached a breaking point.
Kylie hurried into the room.
Michael's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "The girls you've been fucking aren't good enough for you; don't put my sister in that same bracket."
"I told you, it isn't like that," Alec said, his voice rising with frustration.
Kylie could feel the knot in her chest tightening as her brother's words hit a nerve. She was jealous.
"Get the fuck out," Michael seethed, his voice low and threatening. He gripped the fork in his hand, knuckles white as if he were ready to snap it in half.
Alec, realizing that further conversation wouldn't do any good, backed down. "See you tomorrow, Kylie," he said, his voice softening slightly as he turned to leave.
Throughout the whole ordeal, Kylie wasn't able to get a word out. She just watched as Alec left.
He had told her he was going to tell her brother about them going out, but she didn't expect it to be now.
Michael's face was flushed with anger. But the fierce glare he received from his sister put back every word he was about to say to her.
She simply turned on her heel and left.
---
Michael waited in his car, the tension palpable as he anticipated his sister's arrival. The cold aura she emitted upon entering could have frozen the sun.
Kylie slid into the passenger seat, her mood still soured by argument the night before. Michael, however, seemed more determined than ever to make his point clear. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, until Michael finally broke it.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice laced with regret. "But I'm not sorry about what I said to him."
Kylie turned toward him, frustration flaring in her eyes. "I never said anything when you brought your partners home and I covered for you. But now that I want to see someone, you have a problem?"
"I wouldn't have a problem if it was somebody else, but I don't trust him with you," Michael replied, his tone firm yet tinged with concern.
The words stung. "So, anybody but him? Maybe I should go out with Orion then."
"Fuck no," Michael snapped, his voice sharp.
Orion, notorious at school, was the last person Michael wanted near his sister.
"I just don't want to see you get hurt. I'd kill anybody who hurts you. Even Alec," Michael added, his voice low and dangerous, protective instincts flaring.
"You can't keep me away from the world, Michael," Kylie retorted, irritation mounting.
"I know, but I'll keep you away as long as possible," Michael replied, resolute.
Kylie couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. "You're worse than Dad," she muttered under her breath.
The car fell into a heavy silence, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on both siblings as they grappled with the chasm widening between them.