Kathy walked inside her house and kicked her boots off in the hallway. A breath of relief escaped her as her bare feet hit the cold floor. It was finally over and she could go to bed. Maybe she'd wake up tomorrow and realize this entire day had been nothing by a nightmare.

"Who was that?"

William's voice made her jump. He sat in an armchair in the living room which looked into the hallway, a frown on his face. Apparently, it wasn't over.

"You scared me. It was, um... just my ride home." She gave him a small smile, trying not to think about what she'd done when he'd warned her against being reckless mere hours ago. 

He didn't seem fooled and stood. That's when Kathy noticed the suitcase by his feet. 

"Going somewhere?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"You said you were going out with Donnie," he said instead, obviously not fooled.

Guilt and embarrassment once against twisted in her gut, but she still tried to smile. "Yeah, I did go out with him, but he couldn't take me home."

William's frown deepened. "Why not?"

She was not getting into a discussion about Donnie's faults with her brother. "He just couldn't."

"So you decided to hitch a ride with the first stranger that crossed your path instead," William concluded.

Kathy opened her mouth, but closed it and shrugged instead. It was better that William just thought stranger danger instead of her having to explain that Kyle had a bad history. She'd never hear the end of that.

"You promised me you'd stay safe," William said, his tone laced with disappointment.

"Come on, William. The guy just gave me a lift home. It wasn't that bad." It was fast, effective and anti-climatic.

"I beg to differ," her mother said from behind her.

Kathy turned to see her in her dressing gown, her arms folded over her chest, her pale faced blotched and her teeth gritted together. She'd never seen her mother so angry. A strange sense of fear overcame her.

"Mom..."

"You said you were going out with Donnie, and yet some hoodlum on a motorcycle brings you home," her mother said, her voice shaking with anger. "Care to explain that?"

As a matter of fact, she did not, so she tried for a change of tactics. "I know motorcycles are dangerous, but I didn't have much of a choice."

"Where's Donnie?"

The guilt and anger were at it again. "Hopefully home."

"Hopefully home?" The words sounded so vile coming off her mother's tongue. "You left with him. Where did you leave him?"

Kathy pursed her lips, tears stinging her eyes.

"I'm still waiting for an answer," Cassandra said. "An answer as to where you left your boyfriend and why you decided to come home on a motorcycle with a stranger."

Kathy didn't have an answer that didn't imply spilling every dirty secret Donnie had to her mother. And she wouldn't do that. They would make up, but her mother might never forgive Donnie for this. But with the truth unavailable, she had nothing else to say. Catching a lift with a guy she didn't know now sounded crazy dangerous.

"What has gotten into you?" Cassandra asked once she stayed silent. "You're grounded!" 

Kathy winced, but took the punishment, as much as it stung. She hadn't been grounded in ages. But this time, she felt like she deserved it. As angry as she was at Donnie, she shouldn't have left him there. She should've called a cab or something.

Her mother threw her one last disappointed look and marched back up the stairs, towards her bedroom.

"I'm sorry, kiddo," William said quietly, and Kathy realized he never meant to rat her out to their parents.

"That's okay," she found herself saying, though it wasn't. Nothing was okay on that dreadful day.

William walked to her, suitcase in hand, and kissed her forehead. "Stay safe, Kathy." And with a final smile, he was out the door.

Kathy shut her eyes and remained in the salient hall. The clock in the living room chimed twelve times, announcing the day had finally ended.

🧩🧩🧩

Kyle pulled into the garage and cut off the engine of his bike. For a few moments, he just breathed. His heart rate was through the roof, and he really needed to relieve the tension so he knocked his head back and laughed. God, concerts always gave him such a high and he could finally release the adrenaline without embarrassing himself.

He hopped off the motorcycle and hurried through the door that lead inside his uncle's house, more likely skipping than walking. The adrenaline was still pumping, making him want to run, climb something, go for a ride. But it was dark and Storm might break his legs.

After all the concerts they'd had in Asia, he was still as giddy as the first time. Because playing at home was something else, something special. Finally, people understood when Joey introduced the band and they could sing along. It warmed him up, made him happy.

The house was empty and silent, but it didn't put a damper on his mood. He reached his room and plunged on the bed. The map of the solar system glued on his ceiling was a reminder of home. The ecstatic grin was still on his face. This was his after party. Letting his feelings loose, enjoying the rush a concert gave him, not staying cooped up with a bunch of strangers who drank themselves under the table.

"Already back, kiddo?"

Max, his uncle, stopped in the doorway and leaned his shoulder against the jamb, a proud smile on his face. He looked so young with his blonde hair and boyish face that people often thought they were brothers. Which wasn't too far from the truth. Max had never acted like a father towards him, more like a cool older brother Kyle could always trust and confide in.

He sat up. "Yeah, it was great. You should've been there."

"I'm planning to be there next time. I'm sorry I had to miss it now, but you know how these video conferences go." Max stepped into the room and sat on the revolving chair at Kyle's desk. "I should have you sit in next time just so you can speak to all the Japanese people I have to deal with."

"You do know I'll probably mess with you, tell them ridiculous things and ruin everything."

Max grinned. "Yeah, I know. You're bad for business. How was the crowd?"

"Awesome. Playing at home is way better."

"And I hope you'll stick to that. I really missed you while you were away. I felt I lacked my purpose in life." He hesitated a little and the smile slipped off his face. "Your mom called. She said she'll talk to you in the next few days."

Kyle nodded. He hadn't spoken to his mother since before he left on tour. The time zone difference was a bitch and his family never went the extra mile to see him. Hell, he couldn't remember when he'd actually last seen his mother in person. Not that he minded. He was too used to chatting with her and his little brother via Skype. Maybe it was weird, but that was his normal.

Present uncle, absent parents and estranged brothers.

"So," Max said shrewdly. "No after party?"

"Nope. You know how I feel about drinking."

"Alrighty then." Max spun on the chair to face the desk and opened Kyle's laptop. "Let's scour the internet for pictures and videos of the concert. I want to see what it was like."

Kyle stood and walked to his uncle, trying to hold back hysterical laughter. Max was such a fangirl. And it only made Kyle love him more.

🧩🧩🧩

Kathy slammed her locker door, fighting the impulse to punch it as well. What a crappy beginning to what appeared to be another crappy day. She hadn't seen Donnie or spoken to him since the concert. She'd sent him a text, asking how he was, but he hadn't answered, the doofus. She decided she was too pissed at him to call, and he hadn't contacted her either.

The concert was so not worth all this hassle. And now, she had a weird paranoid feeling that people were whispering behind her back. Maybe everyone had seen her drench Darla in soda. The last thing she needed was open war with one of Cecily Howard's friends.

"Hi, Kathy," Kelly said, bouncing into view, a wide smile on her face.

Kathy grumbled in response. She knew it wasn't Kelly's fault, but a lot of yesterday's crap could've been avoided if her friend hadn't asked her to the concert.

"Why didn't you answer your phone or texts?"

"Because I got grounded," Kathy mumbled, tightening her grip on her history books before she tore them to pieces.

Kelly's eyes widened. "You got grounded? Why?"

"My mother saw Kyle driving me home, and she doesn't approve of motorcycles or strangers. Plus, I haven't heard from Donnie either."

Kelly bit her lip, obviously feeling guilty. Kathy sighed, calming down a little. Poor Kelly had never meant to get her in trouble and it most definitely wasn't her fault that Donnie was an idiot.

"I'm really sorry. Want to talk about the Donnie thing?"

"No, it's okay. We'll sort it out eventually. We always do. Wanna talk about Joey?"

"Oh, God, yes!" Kelly squeezed Kathy's hands. "We totally hit it off last night. He really seemed to like me."

"Hit it off?" Kathy frowned. "Please don't tell me you did the deed."

"Of course not! We just talked and laughed and danced. It was awesome."

Kathy couldn't help but smile at Kelly's excitement. She was happy for her best friend. "So when are you seeing him again?"

"I don't know. He asked for my number, so I'm waiting for him to call me."

"At least that went well." And if Joey wouldn't call, Kathy would hunt him down and murder him. At least that way she'd blow off some steam.

"Oh, Kathy, I'm so sorry about last night." Kelly pursed her lips. "I know you had a rough one and I was so distracted by Joey. Maybe you should talk to Donnie about his drinking. I've seen him tipsy a lot lately. And those friends of his aren't any better."

"I've talked to him about it already. He says he's just having a bit of fun," Kathy answered.

She hated that excuse, but Donnie only laughed when she brought it up and claimed he was enjoying life and that he didn't drink more than the average senior. Which was actually true. Most of their mates were drunk at some point in the week. But Kathy had wanted better for him. For them. She hated having to see him like that and being forced to make excuses.

"Yeah, I don't know about that," Kelly said, still seeming worried.

"Hey!"

Kelly and Kathy both jumped and turned to look towards the end of the corridor. People moved out of the way as Donnie marched towards them, a scowl on his face. His friends trailed behind him like bumbling bodyguards, Pete as impassive as ever and Jackson with a sickly sense of satisfaction on his face.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Donnie yelled the moment he was a foot away them.

Kathy flinched. He'd better be kidding. "Stop yelling. What are you even talking about?" He went into radio silence and this was what came out of his mouth first?

"Now everyone's making fun of me," Donnie raged on, completely ignoring her demand for a calm tone.

Pete and Jackson nodded behind him and Kathy felt like kicking them both. Come to think about it, she felt like kicking Donnie too, because if he hadn't flirted with Darla in the first place and then gotten drunk like an idiot, none of this would've happened. But she didn't want to fight in public, so she took a deep breath and regained her composure.

"If you want to talk, Donnie, we can go somewhere private." There was no way she was discussing Darla in front of Kelly.

"To hell with private! Did you care about private when you drove off with him?"

Kathy did a double take. She'd been convinced this was about Darla again or even leaving him alone at the bar. "Wait, what are you talking about?"

"Told you she'd play little miss prim and proper," Jackson muttered.

"Hey, you, shut up and mind your own business," Kelly snapped at him.

"Now the whole school is laughing at me. I couldn't get with you in six years and he drops your panties in one night."

Kathy's mouth fell open. He. This he... And it finally clicked. "Are you talking about Kyle?"

Donnie looked to his friends as if his greatest fears had been confirmed. "Oh, look, they're on first name basis."

For a fraction of a second, she was tempted to nod and tell him that yes, Kyle had finally popped her cherry, just to teach him a lesson. But it was petty and stupid and Donnie would probably have a fit. Not to mention that if something like that got around, Cecily Howard would murder her.

"He just drove me home, Donnie," she said instead. "And it wouldn't have happened if you hadn't gotten too drunk to stand and gave your keys to Pete."

"Keep me out of this," Pete mumbled.

"Oh, so it's my fault now?" Donnie asked, outraged.

"It's no one's fault because nothing happened. You can ask him!" Kathy shouted. For a moment, she regretted saying that. She didn't know Kyle and his reputation did not paint him as the best reference. Maybe he'd actually been the one who started the rumor just to amuse himself.

Donnie huffed in a way that made it obvious Kyle hadn't bragged to him about it. "Let's say I believe you."

"Let's say?" Kathy asked, seething. A few people were already lingering around for the drama and she'd had it with this. "I'm your girlfriend and you choose to believe stupid high school rumors over me?"

"Someone saw you leaving with him. On that damn motorcycle. "

"I did leave with him. Didn't I just tell you he gave me a ride home? I got grounded for it. Isn't that enough? Why do you have to give me a hard time, too?"

Donnie deflated completely, a confused look on his face. "I... I'm sorry, sugar. I just got so jealous. Please promise me you won't hang around him anymore."

Really? "I don't have to promise you anything." Even if there was no way she was hanging out with someone like him. But Donnie's attitude only made her want to spite him. How could he come and yell at her, embarrass her in front of everyone like that?

"Please, Kathy! I can't bear the thought of you anywhere near him." He looked at her with hopeful eyes.

She let out a sigh. That made two of them. Except the snarky thought came with a wave of guilt. If she were completely honest with herself, the thought of seeing Kyle again didn't scare her. Quite the contrary. She actually liked looking at him. Even if from afar.

But he was too complicated, and there was no way she was getting into that. Not that he'd want to hang out with her in the first place. She must've made a terrible impression. And why did she care anyway?

"Fine," she finally said. "I promise. But if you ever jump the gun and embarrass me like that again... You're not going to like the consequences."

"Of course. I'm so sorry." Donnie closed the space between them, took her in his arms, and kissed her hair. "I love you, Kathy. And I'm sorry I got sloshed and left you without a ride."

Kathy hugged him back, basking in the familiarity of his warmth and his smell. That pathetic apology was hardly enough, but after the horrible day she'd had, she deserved a bit of comfort.

The bell rang and Donnie let her go. A soft smile brightened his features and he ran his thumb along her jaw line. "I'll see you later, sugar."

Kathy nodded, let him kiss her, and turned to walk away with Kelly towards History.

"What?" she asked, noticing how uncomfortable Kelly looked.

"I don't know, Kath. It's just... Well, nothing I guess." She shrugged.

Kathy frowned and tilted her head, but before she could open her mouth to ask, someone grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. Her back hit the row of lockers.

"Hey, what gives?" Kathy froze under Cecily Howard's dark brown gaze.

She was smiling, but it was poisonous. "Had a nice evening? I heard you made a new friend."

"No, not--"

Cecily's grip on her shoulder tightened. "No? Strange how you just said you did. Didn't you?" she said between her teeth.

"He just gave me a ride home," Kathy stuttered.

"Just a ride? I see. Well, Kyle is a gentleman, I'll give you that." She leaned in closer and the light in her eyes looked slightly mad. "If you touch him again, you'll be sorry."  She let Kathy go and pulled away, an icy smile on her lips. "Now get to class. You don't want to be late." And with a wave of her hair, she was out of sight.

Kathy stood in the middle of the hallway, her heart thumping, praying to God that she hadn't just made it on Cecily's hit list. She should've just walked home.

🧩🧩🧩

Things are getting a bit dicey and A LOT of people are overreacting.

Poor Kathy, getting in trouble like that, huh? Also... what do you think about Donnie? And all the other characters?

And now that you got a glimpse inside Kyle's head, what do you think? How shocked were you, actually? But yes, he has PoVs in this book. A lot of them, actually.

Thanks for reading and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote and comment.