Outcasts

by B. D. Fresquez

  Chapter 33

  Ryan

  I walk through the front doors of the school and make my way towards my locker. I had asked Riley if she needed a ride to school this morning, but she turned down my offer. So I’m at school a little earlier than usual.

  I greet a few people who are in the halls. Once I’m at my locker, I open it and prepare for the day.

  “Hey, Ryan.” I feel someone put their hand on my arm.

  I sigh when I hear the voice. “Nicole, what are you doing?” I stare at her hand on my arm still. I didn’t sleep well last night and I’m tired and don’t want to deal with people today. Especially people like Nicole.

  “What? I can’t say hi to an old ex-boyfriend?” She smiles. I can’t see the bruises on her face from her fight with Riley, but that’s probably because she’s packed on the makeup to cover it up.

  I pull my arm away from her. “Nicole, I told you, things aren’t going back to the way they were.” I really wish she will just get the hint.

  “Why not? Things were fun.” She tries slipping her arms around me. I slightly push her away and shut my locker. She instantly frowns. “It’s because of that nerd girl, isn’t it? You like her don’t you?” she demands from me.

  My eyebrows knit together. “We’re friends, Nicole. And it’s because of how you were treating her, along with everyone else,” I tell her. “Don’t you ever get tired of being a bitch to everyone?”

  She scowls at me as soon as I say it. “You’re an asshole, Ryan.”

  “Then why do you keep coming back?” I question.

  She flicks her hair over her shoulder, turns around, and walks away. I sigh in relief.

  Thank God that’s over.

  I walk in the opposite direction of Nicole and head for Riley’s locker. As soon as her locker comes into view, I notice her standing in front of it, with Aiden next to her. He says something, making her smile and laugh a little. He then leans down and kisses her cheek, and I notice her cheeks turn a bright pink.

  I walk up to them and grin. “Well, look at the happy couple,” I comment.

  Riley looks at me and smiles. “Hey, Ryan.”

  “Dixon.” Aiden nods. I know Aiden still doesn’t like me, but he’ll just have to get over it since we are stepbrothers.

  “So, your face looks healed up,” I tell Riley. “How badly did you get punished for fighting Nicole?” I ask curiously.

  “They reviewed the tapes and decided she would get a bigger punishment that I would. I just have after school detention for three days.” She shrugs. “I don’t know what her punishment was though.”

  I kind of feel proud of Riley for defending herself against Nicole. “Good for you then,” I tell her. “And just so you know, most people are saying you won that fight.”

  She grins from ear to ear and looks up at Aiden. He smiles down at her, and I notice something different about him. It isn’t appearance-wise, but something is definitely different.

  He’s completely in love with her. Sure, he’s liked her for a while, but now you can see that this is something more.

  Alex

  “Come have some drinks with us tonight! It's guy’s night!” Isaiah exclaims through the phone.

  I chuckle at him. “Dude, I have work tomorrow—”

  “Fuck work! Come hang out with us.” I hear Jake yell in the background.

  I look at the time and shake my head even though they can’t see me. “You guys have fun. I’m staying in,” I say, resuming flipping through the channels on TV.

  My conversation ends with Isaiah right when I hear the front door open. Aiden comes into view and throws his backpack onto the floor. He jumps onto the couch and sighs in a good way.

  “I guess you had a good day?” I raise my eyebrow. Riley has had a really positive effect on Aiden. I definitely approve of her for Aiden.

  “You could say that.” He smirks.

  Who would have thought Aiden would like a girl like Riley. It surprised me when he brought her over the first time. But I’m glad he’s found a girl like her. “You really like her, don’t you?”

  I notice him frown. “Obviously, I do. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be my girlfriend.”

  I shake my head. “You don’t understand what I’m saying. You really like her.” It’s so noticeable.

  He raises his eyebrows. “Are you asking if I’m in love with her?”

  I nod slowly.

  He sits up on the couch and shrug. “I don’t know.”

  He is. I know he’s in love with her. But I don’t think him nor Riley realizes it yet.

  Aiden pulls out his phone suddenly and holds it up. “The girlfriend calls.” He walks out of the living room and down the hall to his room.

  I got him to confess his feelings for her. I’m pretty sure I can get him to admit he’s in love with this girl.

  Aiden

  “I don’t know, Riley…” I scratch the back of my head nervously. “What if she doesn’t think I’m good enough for you?”

  Riley is calling me to tell me that I still have to go over to her house for dinner some time to meet her mom. I tell her I will eventually, but I will admit that it is a little nerve-racking. I mean, I’ve met her mom before, but I didn’t actually have a conversation with her. And not to mention that it was my fault that we got thrown in a holding cell after spray painting the wall.

  “Oh please.” I can imagine her rolling her eyes. “I’m sure she’ll like you.”

  “What if I say something stupid and she doesn’t want you with me anymore?” I question. We just got together; I don’t want anything threatening our relationship. Especially since I really, really like Riley.

  I hear her sigh. “She can’t drive us apart you know.”

  I lay back on my bed and stare at the ceiling. “Okay. What day should I go over?” I find myself asking.

  “Is Thursday okay?”

  “Sounds good,” I confirm. So it’s done. I will be going over for dinner at the Summers’ house Thursday night.

  My phone beeps in my hand and I glance at the screen. “Seriously?”

  “What?” Riley ask.

  “My dad is calling me,” I say shaking my head.

  “Talk to him.” She urges me. “I’m sure he’d be glad that you actually answered.”

  I sit up again. “I’m going to ignore the call.”

  “No, you’re not.” There’s a click after she says that. I look at my phone and realize she hung up on me.

  Of course, she will make me talk to him.

  I groan and answer the call from my dad.

  “Hello?” I ask slowly.

  I hear him clear his throat. “Aiden.”

  “Dad.”

  “Uh, Anna and I were talking, and we want you to come over for dinner sometime this week.”

  My eyebrows shoot up upon hearing this. They actually want me to go over? “Um, what day were you guys planning this?” I ask curiously. I pace around my room as I speak with him.

  “We were thinking Thursday or Friday.”

  “I can’t do Thursday. I have plans,” I say. I’m not going to blow off Riley and her mom.

  “Then Friday?” he asks.

  I purse my lips and sigh. “Can I bring a friend?” I’m not going without Riley.

  “Sure.”

  After an awkward goodbye, I hang up with him. I think about the rest of the week, and I’m sure it will be interesting. Hopefully, things will turn out well when I meet Riley’s mom. I wring my hands together nervously.

  I’ve never met a girl’s parents before. Will her mom like me? Will Riley tell her dad about us?

  I rub my face and take a deep breath. I’m genuinely anxious about all of this. But I know it will be worth it.

  Because I really, really like Riley.

  Chapter 34

  Riley

  I’m actually excited for dinner tonight. I know my mom will like Aiden when she really gets to know him. I also know that Aiden is nervous about this evening. He doesn
’t say it out loud, but I can tell.

  My mom is in the kitchen preparing a meal. She said dinner is a surprise, so I’m banned from the kitchen this evening. The aroma of food floats through the house and it smells delicious.

  I’m sitting on the couch watching TV when the doorbell rings. I make my way to the front door and open it.

  Standing there is Aiden, of course. He’s wearing dark jeans with a black button down shirt. I smile when I see him.

  “Hi.” I grin.

  He walks up to me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Led Zeppelin Girl.” There’s a small hint of cologne emitting from him. He smells heavenly.

  “Is that Aiden?” I hear my mom ask from inside the house. I pull away from Aiden and pull him inside. My mom comes out from the kitchen and smiles when she sees Aiden and me. “Hello, Aiden,” she greets. “I’m Carol, but we’ve met before, right?”

  He nods slowly. “Yes, we have.”

  I’m not sure if she’s referring to when he took me home that day after we spray painted our names on the library wall, or when we got put in a holding cell.

  My mom smiles either way though. “Well, dinner is just about done. If you guys don’t mind, can you set the table?”

  “Sure.” I nod. I grab Aiden’s hand and pull him into the kitchen. We take out the napkins and the silverware then make our way back to the dining room. My mom stays in the kitchen to make sure everything is perfect.

  “It’s going pretty well so far, don’t you think?” I ask as I lay out three napkins on the table.

  He nods. “I think so. Do you think she’ll grill me with questions though?” he asks as he puts the silverware on the table.

  I don’t think my mom will be too tough on him. “I think you’ll survive.”

  Aiden walks around the table and stands in front of me. I look up at him. “I should’ve asked this yesterday,” he says. “But I forgot, so I’m going to ask you now.”

  “What’s wrong?” I ask, frowning a bit.

  “Do you want to have dinner with me, my dad, and Anna tomorrow night?” he asks me.

  I smile. “Sure.” I feel happy for Aiden. I’m glad he decided to actually meet up with his dad. “Will Kelly and Ryan be there also?” I ask curiously.

  He shrugs. “I don’t know.”

  “Who’s hungry?” my mom asks as she enters the dining room from the kitchen. She has a big plate in her hands. She sets it gently on the table and smiles to herself.

  So the mystery dinner is chicken and rice. Simple but delicious.

  “I am,” Aiden answers her.

  “Good.” She grins. “I made plenty. Now, go wash up and I’ll serve us.”

  We walk into the kitchen and wash our hands together. Aiden decides to be funny and put bubbles on my nose, so I put bubbles on his cheek too while we laugh at each other. We clean up and go back to the dining room.

  Dinner turns out really well. My mom asks him a few questions about school and such. It turns slightly awkward when she asks about his family.

  He visibly swallows and looks at her. “What would you like to know?” he asks politely.

  “I know your father is married to Anna now, but what about your mom? If you don’t mind me asking, of course,” she adds in when I slightly glare at her.

  “Mom, I don’t—” I start to say but Aiden interrupts me.

  “It’s fine.” He squeezes my hand then looks back at my mom. “She, um, she died of cancer when I was seven,” he says.

  I can see her shoulders slump slightly. “Oh, Aiden honey, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have asked if I had known…”

  “It’s fine.” He shrugs.

  “Well,” my mom says, “I’m going to be honest with you, Aiden. I didn’t like the idea of Riley hanging around you at first. But I understand why now. I didn’t know your mom but I know every mom loves to see her child grow and find someone who makes them happy.”

  He grins. “Thank you. And I know for a fact that she would have loved Riley.” He glances at me and winks. I smile and look away.

  After saying goodbye to my mom, Aiden walks out to the car. I walk alongside him.

  “I wish I still lived down the road.” Aiden sighs. “Then you could walk me to my house instead of just walking me to the car.”

  I smile. “You make it sound as if this is the last time I’ll see you.”

  “It will be the last time I see you today.” He points out.

  I chuckle. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Aiden. Everything will be all right.”

  He slips his arms around my waist and pulls me closer to himself. “So you think your mom liked me?” he asks as he looks into my eyes.

  Of course, she liked him. “I think she loved you.” I grin. “Do you think your dad will like me?”

  “Haven’t you met him before?”

  I shrug. “Kind of. But I’ve only had one conversation with him that time we took wedding pictures.”

  “Well, I don’t care if he likes you or not,” he says, squeezing me tighter against him. “I’m crazy about you and that’s all that matters.”

  My heart flutters upon hearing those words leave his mouth. I wrap my own arms around him and hug him. “Can I tell you something?” I ask him.

  “Go ahead.”

  “I think my mom is watching us through the kitchen window,” I say as I pull away from him. He smiles and laughs slightly.

  “Until tomorrow,” he says as he opens the car door. After I wave to him, he drives off and disappears down the road.

  When I enter the house again, I find my mom washing dishes in the kitchen.

  “Need help?” I offer.

  “Sure,” my mom says.

  I grab a towel and start to dry and put away the dishes she already washed and rinsed. We stay quiet until she breaks the silence.

  “He’s a nice boy,” she comments. “I approve, Riley.”

  I smile as I dry a plate. “Thanks. But do you really have to be that nosy?” I ask, giving her an accusing look.

  She holds her hands up. “I was not being nosy. I thought I saw a dog in the road.”

  She can’t make it any more obvious.

  ***

  “So I hear you’re joining us for dinner tonight.”

  I turn and look at Ryan, who is standing next to me. I nod. “I am. Are you and Kelly going to be there?”

  “Of course, we are. We live there too you know.” He teases.

  I roll my eyes. “I was just asking, jeez.”

  “You know,” he says, “I’m surprised that Aiden agreed to go over tonight. I have the strong feeling that if you hadn’t been able to come, he wouldn’t be going over tonight.”

  I feel a pair of arms wrap themselves around me. “Talking about me?” Aiden’s voice rings through my ears.

  “Always,” Ryan smirks. “I’ll see you guys later.” He then walks off in a different direction.

  I spot Nicole walking down the hall with two of her friends. She glances at me for a split second then looks away and scowls. I take that as a sign that she’s done bullying me around.

  “Are you excited for tonight?” I turn and face Aiden.

  “I’m excited that you’re going with me.” He steps closer to me and plants a kiss on my forehead. He then grabs my hand and holds it.

  “I’m sure tonight will go fine,” I assure him. I know he’s a little uneasy about it.

  He pulls me closer to himself, and his hands rest on my waist. He stares directly into my eyes and smiles slightly. “You know that I am crazy about you, right?”

  I shrug. “I guess.”

  “Are you crazy about me also?”

  I frown. “Of course, I am. Where is this coming from?” I question.

  “I just want to make sure your feelings haven’t changed.” He looks to the side.

  I go on my tiptoes and peck his lips. “I really, really like you Aiden,” I tell him.

  His eyes brighten up and he releases me. I shut my locker, and he wraps his arm around me as h
e walks me to class.

  ***

  Aiden had picked me up at my house, and we’re currently heading to Anna and Robert’s house. Aiden grips the steering wheel a little tightly so I can tell he’s anxious about tonight.

  “You should calm down,” I comment.

  He visibly exhales. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize,” I tell him. “You have every right to be nervous. I’m just saying, you shouldn’t be as anxious as you are.”

  Aiden sighs. “I just want this night to go by as quickly as possible.”

  A few minutes later, he parks in the driveway, and we both get out at the same time. He holds my hand as we walk up to the front door.

  Before Aiden can reach out to ring the doorbell, the door swings open, revealing a smiling Kelly.

  “Look at the cute couple.” She gushes. “I knew you two would end up together eventually. Team Raiden!” she exclaims.

  I look at her like she’s a lunatic. When I look at Aiden, he’s giving her the same look I am. “Kelly,” he says, “this isn’t one of your cheesy teen novels. There are no teams. And what is Raiden?”

  “Your couple name.” She grins. “Come inside.” She holds the door wider for us to enter the house.

  When Kelly is out of hearing range, I lean over and whisper to Aiden, “We have a couple name?”

  He looks at me and smirks. “I guess so.”

  We follow Kelly into the living room, where Ryan is sprawled out on the couch watching TV. He glances at us and smiles. “You guys made it,” he says.

  “Yes, we did.” I nod. “No interferences.”

  “Unfortunately.” Aiden coughs.

  “Well, my mom and Robert are in the kitchen cooking still,” Ryan says.

  I pull Aiden in the direction of the kitchen. “Let’s go say hi.”

  He groans slightly, but he complies. “I want to leave already.”

  “We’re not going to leave just yet,” I tell him. “Let’s just see how things start off.”

  We continue towards the kitchen. And when we enter, someone runs right smack into us, sending whatever they’re holding onto our shirts.

  I gasp at the sudden sticky feeling. I look down and see that half my shirt is covered in spaghetti sauce. Aiden also has sauce on him; it looks like he got most of it.