H E' S M I N E

C H A P T E R – T W E N T Y - T W O

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My mother is sat on the couch with her laptop in hand. These days she's been home a lot. I'm happy she's home. We get to talk about Spencer when he isn't here. My mum is cool that way. Though I think Spence started doing that also and is now exposing some of my secrets to mum. I have an issue with that...

The first place I go when I get home is usually the kitchen. My stomach comes before anything, but after that I go to my mum. I drop down on the couch next to her. She smiled as she greeted me then she closed down her laptop. "Hello, mother."

"Where's Spence?" I ask her and begin to eat. I face the television, but immediately changed it when I realized it was something stupid.

"He's out with his friends. I think he's going to purchase a suit..."

"Aww," I grin blushingly, "He's buying a suit."

"What's so special about that?" she laughed.

"He's going with me, mum!" I exclaimed, "He bought a suit for me!" I feel so special. My brother loves me. I vow to never forget this. He could never ever say he doesn't love me because I have proof! He went out and bought a suit. That's epic.

"Oh yeah. I'm sorry. I wasn't really paying attention when he was speaking," she rolled her eyes and laughed softly. No one pays attention when Spence is speaking, but this is totally an exception. I just can't get over this. I mean, I would totally expect him to wear like a stupid white shirt with jeans and a fucked up tie, but proved me wrong and he's buying a suit. Or renting... I don't know.

"I have to get a dress," I tell her, hoping she picks up my very small hint. I NEED MONEY.

"Of course you do. When are you going to buy it? Today is Monday and your prom is on Friday!" she panicked. I still have time...

"yeah, there's like this huge, like major reason I haven't bought it yet..." I flashed a creepy grin and mum furrowed her eyebrows. I laughed softly, "I'm broke. You're my mum. Do something!"

"Uh there's a lady down the street who'd pay you to babysit her son," she grinned, knowing fully well that I am not going to get a job. Who the fuck does that? I mean, I know there are people who do, but that's not me. I can't babysit children; they are way too annoying.

"Mum! Please!" I let out a long cry and pout. She laughed, "Shae, relax. I was always going to sponsor your dress. I mean, you have to look your best and buying a dress on your own won't have you looking your best."

"What's that supposed to mean!?" I exclaim, holding back a laugh.

"When are you purchasing it?" she asked me. I shrug my shoulders, "Uh Wednesday probably. I'm going with Jay and Troy."

"Oh okay, honey," she nodded. I smiled and turned to the television. After a while, I glance over at her. In about two months' time, I won't have her. I would actually have to get a job and I won't be able to come back to my mum to ask for money. I'll be across the country. It won't be just a walk down the hallway to see her anymore, and I seriously can't take the thought of that. I've lived my entire life with my mum, am I supposed to just leave her now? Gosh, I really hate college sometimes.

"I'm going to miss you so much," I tell her.

"I know, sweetie," she flashed a sad smile then nodded her head, "but it'll be okay..."

"No, mum, I know it won't be okay. I'll miss you too much," I mumble.

"Think of the greater good. You'll-"

"Mum, you are the greater good," I shake my head and pulled her in. Why did I even apply for a college so far away? I could have stayed here with her. I mean, what if something happens when we're gone. Spencer is a little closer to home but he still has to travel a great distance to get back here.
Of course I would love the independence, but I would really miss my mum. Like I'm not even joking, I need her with me. Sometimes I fuck up so much and she's like the only person who makes me feel better.

"Sweetie, your education is important too. Plus, we can always uh facetime I think..." she sounds so confused and old. I laughed, "I love you, so much."

"I love you more, honey," she squeezed me and I laughed.

About five minutes later, I hear the front door open and I immediately turn to it. I couldn't exactly see it, because there was a wall blocking, but I knew it was Spencer. I wonder if he knows I'm home. I jump up and run to the door and got happier. For two reasons, Spence had a suit bag in his hand and Xander was stepping in behind him. Of course I run to my brother and engulf him in a hug. He raises his suit over my head so I wouldn't crumple it I guess.

"Aww, Spence! You love me!" I gleefully grin and jump up and down. I think maybe I am too happy for this...

"I just want to look good," he lies.

"Ha! Lies! You love me Spence! You bought a suit to go to prom with me!" I triumphantly grin.

"Whatever, Shae!" he walked passed me. I turned and followed him. "You will never ever live this down. I need pictures!"

"I'll totally change my mind about going to prom with you if you don't stop."

"That's a lie. You love me too much, plus, no one else looks good with you besides me," I tell him. Spencer mumbled something I didn't quite catch then walked into the living room to my mother. I turned back to Xander as he pulled my arm. He stepped back against the door and I was pressed against him.

"Hello," I peck his lips.

"Hey, baby," he says and kisses me again.

"I have something to talk to you about..." I mumble and move away. I turned so I didn't get to see the look on his face, which I'm guessing was worried. I smiled to myself. He probably thinks it's something completely horrible. I'm not exactly upset with him, I'm sort of impressed.

"Mum, I'm going upstairs," I call as I walk passed the living room with Xander. I hear my mum ask Spence, "Is that her boyfriend?"

"Don't ask me, ask her," Spence replied. I hope she doesn't decide to ask me now, because I won't answer shit. I quickly run up the stairs just in case she does decide to fuck me up right now. Xander took his time and met me in the halls some seconds after.

"Should I be worried?" he asked me.

"Ask yourself that. You know what you did," I say to him as we walked into my room. He closed the door behind him and stood at the door, like he always does when we aren't on speaking terms or fighting. I roll my eyes. Guys are so stupid. He thinks I'm angry with him. How could I be angry when I fucking kissed him some minutes ago? Gosh, the male species...

"I know you went to Jake," I decide to make it worthwhile. If he wants to get worried and shit, I'm gonna play the part. I'll be a bitchy girlfriend. Although I am a bitchy girlfriend half the time...

"Did he tell you? I-"

"What did you do? Did you threaten him? God dammit, Xander, what if the fucking guy press charges!"

"I didn't do anything, I swear. "

"Such a fucking liar," I roll my eyes. Xander stepped closer to me, and cupped my cheeks. But I don't look up at him; I know I would laugh and he would figure it out. I felt his gaze on me for a while, then he dropped his hands and moved back. "Why do you even care about him?"

"I-I don't. I care for you. I don't want to see you behind bars!" I'm lame. I should stop while I can. I can't do this without laughing. I glance up Xander who didn't look convinced at all. I think he just figured it out. Xander glared at me and shook his head slightly. A silly grin begins to form on my lips and Xander began to laugh. He picked me up in his arms and spun me around.

"You little liar," he kissed my lips. I hopped down, laughing loudly. After I finally sobered up, I take a seat on my bed. "Okay, why did you talk to Jake? I would have liked to do this on my own," I roll my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I just don't think he's deserving of you," he smirks at me. Xander stepped between my legs. I bit my lip and look up at him, hoping he'd just kiss me or something. I don't want to talk. I'm finally free and able to be with him.

"Okay, well who would you think is deserving of me?" I raise my eyebrows.

"I don't know, honestly. You're amazing, I don't think there's anything or anyone that is deserving of you," he ran his thumb finger along my cheek. I sheepishly smile and blink down at the ground. I'm never this so fricking awkward.

"I love you."

"You know I love you," he leaned down and kissed my lips. Xander took a sat next to me on the bed and our fingers were entwined. I sigh softly as a pregnant silence entered the room. Xander played with my fingers for a while. I glanced up at him and notice he seems like he's in deep thought. I don't want to talk to disturb him. I just hope he voices his thoughts and we don't just sit here in silence.

I decided I should just talk, but as I opened my mouth to say what I was going to say (which was going to be really stupid) Xander spoke, "You know we can go public if you want?"

I look up at him, "What?"

"We don't have to hide. You're out of that shitty fling you had with that loser, and I'm not with Chelsea anymore." I nod my head slowly and bite my bottom lip. I look to the carpeted floor. It doesn't feel right. I get that he's no longer with her, but I feel like I need to tell her. I need to be honest with her, and then maybe I might feel better.

"What's wrong?" he notices my change in behavior.

"Uh I want to talk to Chelsea..." I nod my head and stand up from my bed. Xander scoffed and shook his head, "No."

"Why not?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"It will be dark pretty soon. You can go tomorrow," he smiles. I roll my eyes as I look outside, noticing he was right. It is getting late...

And he's still here, in my room, with my mum in the fricking house!

"Go to Spence," I grab his hand and walked him out my room. I peck his lips then closed the door. I know in some minutes my mother will be at my door, quizzing me about Xander. I am one hundred percent sure. If I didn't get Xander out she would have done it with him in the room, because that's just how she is.

I sit on my bed and wait for her to barge into my room. I took out my phone and waited for her. But about a minute passed and I got impatient so I walked out of my room and went to the kitchen. I began to text Jay and he immediately began to rant about his time with Troy. The guy texts so fricking quickly it's like unbelievable. I barely get to reply with 'cool' before he's texting another paragraph. I give up and just read through his texts. Eventually he would stop and I would finally get to reply.

"Hey, mum," I grin at her. She's preparing dinner. That's probably why she didn't come upstairs. But bet your bottom dollar she's going to interrogate.

"Hello," she glanced back at me, and smiled then turned back to the stove top. I continue reading Jay's texts. Mum spoke, "So uh, is he your boyfriend?" There it is. I don't even have an answer for that. I mean, privately we are together, and Xander wants us to be public but I don't know. I just would feel much more comfortable discussing this, after I've had a conversation with Chelsea. I feel like I need to know that's she's okay before everyone knows Xander and I are a thing.

So.... "Uh yeah..." I mumble and furrow my eyebrows. She forgot the food on the stove top and faced me, "What does that mean? Are you uncomfortable in the relationship?"

"No, mum, it's nothing like that," I groan. See why these conversations aren't supposed to happen? Parents are too old and they don't know how to talk to teens. They still live in their olden days.

"Oh well sorry. What is the problem then?" she asked me.

"Nothing, mum. What's for dinner?" I try to change the subject. I really don't want to talk about this.

"Come on, Shae, tell me what he's like."

"He's cool. Can you please prepare dinner?" I drawl and look down at my phone.

"Honey, are sexually active? And if you are, are you using-"

"Oh my god mum, I'm going back upstairs!" I roll my eyes and slide off the stool.

"No, sweetie, come on, dinner is almost ready," she begins to laugh. Why is she laughing? This is so horrible. As I was going to exit the kitchen, I walked right into Spencer's chest. He held my arms and turned me around, "Dinner's ready, sis."

"Oh my god, Spence, let me go," I lean my head back and looked up at him. Xander was walking behind him and I wish he would leave because my mum would use dinner to talk about us and question him. I'm totally not sitting next to him. My mother will give me the hardest time possible.

"You don't know what she was telling me some seconds ago," I mumble to my brother. He took a seat on the kitchen stool at the island and I sat next to him. Xander was next to me and we all watched my mum as she cooked. I don't know why I'm being forced to sit here. They are on either sides of me and I know if I leave, they will hold me back.

"Hello, Xander," mum smiled back at him. It's not like she hasn't met him before. Xander has been Spence's friend as long as Jay and Troy has been mine. He's come here so many times its uncountable. They've even sat and had a conversation together. I really hope she doesn't make this awkward.

_________ 

AN: OKAY MY CHILDS THIS BOOK ONLY HAS ABOUT SIX MORE CHAPTERS, SO ENJOY!