Kyle had been right, but Kay was already used to that. She'd been fake angry at him and managed to avoid getting grounded. Unfortunately, Kyle's word held little weight with her mother, so the embarrassing doctor's appointment still happened. It had been the most mortifying moment of her life. She couldn't wait to turn eighteen in a couple of months. Then maybe she could run away from home all together.

She and Kyle had agreed not to speak for a while to make sure her parents weren't listening in, so they stuck to texting over winter break. Kay hated it because she really missed hearing his voice, but it was better than nothing. He even managed to sneak her a Christmas present using Kelly, namely his iPod filled with music. He'd pointed out that the present was the music. He actually wanted the iPod back.

So over the course of two weeks, Kay spent most of her time in her room, listening to the playlists he'd made for her and thinking about who she was.

After two days and probably thousands of texts between her and Kyle and sometimes Kelly, Kay finally convinced herself that her mother was wrong. Who she was now felt too real, too genuine to be a mask or a coping mechanism. If anything, she felt like she broke the walls around her and was finally free to fly and reach her dreams. So, in the end, who cared if it was real or not? It felt real and that was all that counted.

Plus, there was the matter of Kyle saying he wanted to be with her. She still had no idea what he'd meant and hadn't dared ask, but the thought that he might have meant it another way fueled her in unexpected ways.

With her confidence back and hopefully there to stay, she focused on the one thing she'd been avoiding for months. Donnie. She was finally recovered enough to try and look at her relationship with an objective eye. So she did. She unlocked the door which held all their memories and started dissecting everything.

Their friendship had been genuine and fun, their puppy love cute and warm, but the more they grew, the more they fell apart. They'd never had common interests.

Donnie was all about sports, parties, dares and games. Kay liked to read and watch movies that weren't necessarily action blockbusters. They didn't like the same music, same food or had the same opinion about politics, art and religion. The more she thought about it, the more Kay wondered how they'd lasted so long.

Donnie was fun. Yes, before the whole drug thing, he used to take her to the strangest places for dates. Like ranches, to help out, amusement parks where he'd win her stuffed toys, go-karting, rock climbing... She had fun with him.

Her chest tightened at the memories, as she pictured Donnie's face and how he'd hold her hand and talk about their future. Business school, good jobs, two kids and a house in the suburbs.

She's not made for this suburban bullshit.

What had Kyle seen in her that made him think she was destined for greatness? And the thought of Kyle pulled her out from her melancholy-filled bucket. She no longer wanted that. Business school sounded like hell on earth. She liked chemistry and English, mechanics and music, fighting and shooting.

Her future with Donnie had changed dramatically. It no longer existed. It had died the moment he'd cheated on her a year ago. She should've seen the signs then and prevented another year filled with resent, nagging, fights and public embarrassment. Their relationship had been doomed before Donnie started doing drugs.

She'd never actually felt attracted to him, hadn't really wanted to get intimate, finding excuses to get away from him. Kyle had been right. That wasn't normal.

And finally, she had her answer. They were done and there was no going back. The thought made her feel strangely free. She could now be the bigger person and actually call to see how he was. Because now that her love for him had morphed into general compassion, she realized she didn't want him out of her life. He was her oldest friend and they shared a lifetime of memories. She wanted to stay friends.

So, after months of radio silence, she picked up the phone and called him. It wasn't hard to get hold of him, and he sounded rightfully surprised that she'd called.

"Kathy?"

"Hi, Donnie. I actually go by Kay now. How are you?"

This felt strangely awkward, but she had to at least make an effort. She was strong, and independent and brave and will not freak out upon hearing his voice and hang up.

"So I've heard. I'm pretty good I guess." He sounded hesitant, not exactly glad to hear her, but wasn't hanging up which was a good thing.

"That's great," she answered. Please say something, because that's it from me.

"Yeah, the first month was a nightmare, but I'm pretty stable now." His voice picked up and actually sounded joyful. "They're letting Pete and Jackson out by the end of the week."

Oh, the joy. She fought the impulse to gag. "How about you? Why aren't they letting you out?"

"Oh, they offered to, but I don't feel ready. I don't think I could face school. Or you."

Yeah, she'd stay there longer if she were him, too. As much as she hated Pete and Jackson, at least they hadn't punched anyone.

"I'm happy to hear that you're well enough that they'd let you out. I'm also glad you know yourself well enough to decide to stay a while longer. And don't worry about me."

"Really?" he asked, his tone hopeful.

"Yup. I'm okay now. All better." She took in a deep breath. "Would you like me to come visit?" She held the air in her lungs, knowing it was the right thing to ask, but still praying he'd say no.

"Um, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think it's such a good idea. I really want to see you, because I miss you like crazy, but I don't want you to see me like this. Not until I'm all better."

Kay exhaled in relief. She wasn't exactly sure she was that healed yet. "No, it's okay. I totally understand and I miss you, too. But..." Okay, it's not mean, you can say this. "Donnie, what I said before still stands. I broke up with you. But that doesn't mean I don't want to stay friends. We've known each other our whole lives."

The pause on the other end of the line seemed to last forever.

"Yes, of course," he finally answered.

Awkward pause, but at least everything was on the table now. "So, I hope you get better soon. Call me when you get out."

"Of course. It was nice to hear from you, Kathy. Sorry, Kay. And Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too, Donnie."

And that was that.

        🧩🧩🧩

Kyle sat at the bar in the café, staring from his phone to a piece of cheesecake. Somewhere behind him, Joey and Kelly were in the process of making up for the two weeks in which they couldn't see each other. Kyle didn't mind, he could totally get that it sucked for them, always having to sneak around and have a chaperone, but it was weird, because it was the first time he was babysitting them without Kay. How much he missed her jarred him a little.

Not talking or seeing each other was a wise decision, no doubt about it. Kay had informed him that her parents seemed to have bought that they now hated each other and eased off her. But not talking to her, hearing her voice, seeing her smile for two whole weeks was torture.

Then there was him blurting out that he wanted to be with her. She probably forgot all about it, but it still haunted him. He wasn't even sure why he'd said it. But in the moment, the anger flushed his filter down the toilet.

You, my boy, are losing your mind. In his quest to make her independent, he'd apparently become addicted to her. At least he'd be seeing her tomorrow in school.

"Hmm, didn't expect to see you in a place like this."

Cecily dropped on a stool next to him, scaring him half to death.

"Why not?" he asked, his voice cool and collected.

But he was confused as hell. Ever since they broke up, he hadn't spoken to Cecily. He wasn't mad at her and he wasn't sure she was mad at him, but it felt more natural to just coexist without interacting. He'd never in a million years expected her to walk up to him and talk. She was proud and cared way too much about appearances.

"Cozy little café." She looked around with an over-critical air. "I'd picture you in a bar, with a studded leather jacket on."

"I have a studded leather jacket, but I left it at home. Plus, the cheesecake is really good here."

"You're babysitting Joey and Kelly, aren't you?" she asked bluntly.

"Yup."

Cecily raised an eyebrow. "Where's your friend?"

"She's at home. Why are you talking to me?"

Cecily caught the barista's eye and ordered a latte macchiato for herself before turning to him. "Why shouldn't I be talking to you?"

Kyle gave her a sideways glance. "Because we broke up and you've been aggressively ignoring me ever since."

"I wouldn't say it was aggressive. It's just..." She paused and gracefully received her drink. "I guess I miss talking to you."

He raised his eyebrows. "You miss talking to me? Huh, I remember you complaining that I talk too much."

"I know, but I couldn't exactly walk up to you and say that I miss getting down and dirty with you."

Kyle couldn't keep in the laughter even if he didn't want to get all cozy with her.

She smirked and cupped her glass. "That's kinda the point, actually. You were right. Maybe if we would've talked more, the relationship would've been different."

"It probably would have." Where the hell was she going with this?

Cecily stirred her drink absently. "I think I'm going to start dating Malcom."

Was she seriously trying to make him jealous? That didn't work even when they were dating. "Pierce really cares about you, you know?"

"Pierce is a dork. He's all lovey dovey and tender and I just want to barf." She grinned at him and Kyle fought the impulse to smile back because this wasn't funny. It was mean.

"It's weird, because I thought me being a distant ass drove you to cheat on me in the first place," he said instead.

"Nah, I told you we were drunk and I was having a pity party because I missed you. And Pierce was having his own pity party because he's sooo in love with me but he's supposed to be your friend. So we just had some awkward drunken sex that I for one regretted the next morning."

He stared at her trying to wrap his mind around what Cecily was saying. "Have you always been this mean?" And why did he find that slightly attractive?

"Yes, I just toned it down a lot for you because after Chloe, I guessed you were into nice girls." She shrugged and took a sip of Latte.

He obviously wasn't into nice girls. Chloe had a wicked mouth and a critical eye. Cecily was queen bitch with a fairy mask. And Kay... Okay, why was he thinking about Kay? They were just friends. But she wasn't a nice girl either. She was a badass one.

"See, I miss this. You're so easy to talk to." Cecily sighed. "And I hoped you'd get jealous that I want to start dating again."

"Sorry, nope. Go ahead and date the whole school if you feel like it."

"I don't." She heaved another sigh. "I want to go out with you."

"Not gonna happen."

"Why not? The Pierce thing?"

"I strangely don't give a shit about that. I just don't think we'd be any good together. I'd constantly try to change you and you'd constantly try to lie to me. Neither would work."

"It doesn't have to be like that. We could be honest," she said.

"We were supposed to be honest the first time around. We suck as a couple."

"Didn't you care for me at least a little?"

"Of course I did, I wouldn't have gone out with you otherwise, but I'm done with this." He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder at Joey and Kelly. "It's time I got into something like that."

Cecily peered over her shoulder and huffed, but he could tell it came with a hint of sadness. And even if he didn't really want to know, he felt it was about time he asked.

"Were you in love with me? Honestly."

Cecily looked at him with wide eyes, but then relaxed into her seat and seemed to be thinking it over. "You know what? I thought I was. I'm not going to lie, if you ever give me a sign that you want me back, I'm yours, even if just for one wild night... Well, especially for one wild night. But after we broke up, sure, it hurt, but not as much as I thought it would. I guess we're more alike than I thought. I guess I can't love anyone but myself either."

Kyle kept his face a blank mask, but her words came like arrows, sinking into his flesh. Did she know their impact or did she truly believe he was doomed to a life of selfishness? Because he sure as hell didn't want that.

Cecily downed her drink and stood. "Nice catching up with you. Don't worry, I'll be completely ignoring you at school. But I might want to talk from time to time. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, fellow heartless person."

She smiled at him and headed for the door. Kyle rolled his eyes and refocused on the cheesecake. At least they both got proper closure and Cecily didn't hate his guts. Because, even if she was mean, he still cared about her and strangely liked her. Ugh, he was messed up.

And back to being alone with Jelly. He grabbed his phone and sent a text to Kay.

I'm babysitting Jelly without you. It's awful.

Kay: I'm really sorry. Wish I could be there. Home alone is boring af

Kyle: I wish you could be here, too.

I miss you.

He looked at the three little words staring at him from the screen. What was the matter with him? He couldn't send her something like that. He deleted the message and wrote They have killer cheesecake, though, instead.

Kay: Damn, now I want cheesecake. You're evil.

Kyle: Yes, I am. And I want my iPod back. Can't even listen to some decent music. Have to do with this mushy crap

Kay: You totally deserve that for dissing love

Kyle: Oh yeah? You listen to the Pretenders while Joey and Kelly make out in the background. It makes me wanna puke.

Kay: Or be really, really jealous that we're cold and lonely people

He actually chuckled out loud because he could imagine the seriousness in her tone before she broke into a fit of giggles.

I really miss you.

Yeah, he should stop typing things he'd never send. He pressed the delete button, only that the offending letters didn't disappear. Instead, the text appeared as sent. Oh shit! He'd hit the wrong button. Who the hell designed that damn cell phone keyboard and put delete and send next to each other?

The next fifteen seconds seemed like an eternity. Maybe Kay's phone exploded or fell out the window or died in a car crash or...

Kay: I really miss you, too. Can't wait to see you tomorrow

Kyle stared at his screen, unable to believe it. He read the words again and again, but every time, he understood the exact same thing.

Kay: And don't get mad, but I sorta got you a late Christmas present too

Kyle: I told you not to get me anything

Kay: I thought it wouldn't count because I made it myself

Okay, now he was really curious. And relieved. And happy. And not bored anymore. Joey and Kelly could have all the time in the world.

🧩🧩🧩

Yay, we have an update!

So, this is a bit of a filler chapter, but I think it's important for the future evolution of everyone's favorite ship. Do you see anymore drama coming from Donnie and Cecily?

I can safely say now that we're way past the halfway point and I can actually see the end. It's not coming very soon because I still have a few scenes to throw at you, but I can actually see it.

Next chapter title: Mrs. Robinson

Thanks so much for sticking with me. Don't forget to vote and leave me a comment with your thoughts.