Chapter 10

It took everything in me not to turn and run for the hills at that moment and the silence that stretched on for what seemed like hours was not helping my train of thoughts.

I mentally berated myself for being too impulsive offering to babysit his brother. I didn't even think his parents would be around. To be honest I didn't think at all. It was just one of those times when your mouth worked faster than your brain. Fortunately, Dustin decided to introduce me to his parents before it got more awkward.

"Mum. Dad. This is Lyra, a friend from school." He said looking back and forth between me and his parents.

It was like his words broke them out of a spell because not long after smiles took over their faces but his dad's smile was more of a reserved one, barely there even. I didn't know what to do so I smiled back at them, or at least I thought I did.

Dustin's mum walked over to me. I held out my hand and manage to genuinely smile at her but before I could register what she was doing she gave me hug. It wasn't a bone crushing one or anything close to that, it was more of a motherly hug. I didn't know how else to react so I wrapped my hands around her loosely and pat her back, afraid to wrinkle her perfectly ironed blouse.

"Hi honey. It's so nice to meet you," she said then let go of me and held me at arms length with her megawatt smile still on her face.

I was about to respond with 'it's nice to meet you too' but her husband spoke up. He put his hands on her shoulders, "Okay. I think your frightening the poor girl. Sorry," he said facing me, "my wife can be quite the chatter box sometimes." To that he received a glare from her.

After the introduction, Dustin's parents rushed off saying that they would have stayed longer if it hadn't been for something urgent.

"Your parents are nice."

"Yeah I guess." He said scratching the back of his neck. He was about to say something but his mouth shut immediately as he got hit with a ball to the head. I stood for a while trying to fight a smile on my face when I saw who was responsible.

It was the cutest little cherub I had ever seen.

He had his little hand over his mouth, cheeks flushed. The sight of him almost made me coo.

"Andy," Dustin started, now facing the little boy, "how many times have I warned you not to play ball in the house?"

Andy shook his head vigorously with his hand still covering his mouth. Instead of saying anything more Dustin sighed loudly and went to pick up his brother whose eyes were now filled with tears.

"Ok little man. I won't tell mum anything concerning this if you promise not to cry," he said in the softest voice I'd ever heard him use. "Can you do that?" Andy nodded twice and sniffled a little.

Andy looked over at me and his eyes widened a little as though he had only noticed my presence. His cheeks were now filled with more blush than before and he ducked his head which made his curls drop over his face. Dustin chuckled at this and introduced me to his brother.

Although Andy was initially shy, we did manage to get along over the ice cream and a few cartoons later. I wasn't really good with children so I was more than happy when he actually opened up a little.

**********

"Were you avoiding me on purpose?"

"For the last time Kate. My phone was on silent," I said trying to keep my voice levelled.

"And you couldn't call after seeing my calls and messages?" She asked.

I had just gotten back home from Dustins when I saw the missed calls on my phone. I was about to give her a call before mum came into my room.

I thought we were going to have a civil conversation but as soon as she told me that she hadn't changed her mind about me staying over at Ms. James'. I tried pointing out the fact that Owen lived in the same house as her but she wouldn't hear any of it.

Now there I was trying to talk to Kate without letting the talk I just had with mum take control of my feelings. I would be lying if I said it wasn't.

"It's a long story," I breathed, rubbing my temples to somewhat relieve myself of the headache that was now forming.

"Ok. I'll let you off this time." I heard some rustling on the other end of the call before she spoke up. "So you and my brother..."

She trailed off as if asking me to finish off her sentence. Truth be told, I didn't have anything going for Abel. He was a good guy but I didn't feel any attraction towards him. If anything I could see him and I as friends in the future but that's just it. Nothing more.

"Look Kate. Your brother is a nice guy but I assure you that I don't have any feelings for him. At least not the ones you're thinking of."

I heard her sigh then as if nothing had happened, she changed the topic and started talking about something along the lines of swimming. I barely had half the mind to listen to what she was saying. All I could think about was my own mother leaving me with people she barely knew.

I tried my best to chirp in when I thought it necessary but apart from that I didn't say much.

I was more than happy when Kate said she had to go. It wasn't that I didn't like her or anything--because I did. She was the only friend I'd had in a while and it felt a little unreal that she actually wanted to be found around someone like me. But thinking of spending, Lord knows how long, with Owen just made me feel as though life was about to take a sudden turn and I was afraid it wasn't for the best.