Chapter 5: "You're a dirty girl."

I walked home with my hands hugging my body, trying to blow off the steam that'd built up while Luke was pestering me.

I didn't understand what was up with that boy, but he made me feel very, very violent things constantly. But at least he was consistent and not all hot-and-cold like Ryan used to be. Sometimes Ryan would make me feel like a princess, and sometimes he'd make me feel like absolute crap.

Lucas, however, consistently made me feel like caving his head in with a rock, so at least I could rely on him to stay the same. It was a little comforting, honestly, even though he annoyed me to the ends of the earth.

When I reached my modest little house, I stopped in my tracks, my eyes zeroing in on the unfamiliar black jeep casually blocking my whole driveway. What the hell? Wait, Randy said she was going to be over...

Wait.

That couldn't be Randy's car. Randy sucked at driving, and I'm not even exaggerating when I say that she was a danger to any and everyone on the road and kerb. She was a loony nutcase and had been banned from the DMV because she'd wrecked too many of the practise vehicles.

So no, it was pretty safe to say that this gorgeous hunk of pristine metal hadn't ever been entrusted to Miranda Hawthorne's reckless driving (lack-thereof) skills.

Then if so, what the hell was it doing parked in my driveway like it owned my house? I was pretty sure the owner of the car doesn't pay the bills. They didn't deserve to take up all that space.

I stalked to the front door and fumbled with the lock. What was going on and who the crap thought they could take up my driveway?

"Hello!" I hollered, slamming the door shut behind me as I entered. "Randy! Where the hell is your pretty ass?"

"I'm in the kitchen, Danny!" she called, albeit a little nervously. I furrowed my eyebrows.

I sauntered into the kitchen, dropping my bag onto the floor and loosening my tie. "Okay, Randy, but what have I told you about going into the kitchen without me? You know how you get around food-"

I paused abruptly, my eyes bugging out comically as they came in contact with the light-haired male standing close to Randy. He was tall and looked like he was taking a small amount of steroids. There was no way a teenager could naturally have such hefty muscles. She looked at me sheepishly, her expression screaming 'Surprise!'

I took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Who are you?" I asked tightly in the most polite way I could manage. I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to recall where I'd seen him before. What was his name again? Kyle? Kris? Kevin?

"I'm Leo," he said in a deep voice, not looking affected by my piercing stare. Whoa, okay, so I was way off.

"You're on the rugby team, aren't you?" I asked, telling myself to stop clenching my fists.

"Yeah." His short answers pissed me off and I swivelled my gaze to Randy, who looked a little embarrassed.

"Why is he in my house?" I demanded lightly, forcing myself to stay cool and calm. It wouldn't do to blow up like I really wanted to. I needed to find out what was going on.

Randy cleared her throat, her eyes darting to Leo's quickly, almost as if for reassurance. My jaw set at how scared she looked. She was my best friend, so why didn't she trust me? "I brought him here to meet you," she began softly, running a hand through her blonde locks.

I raised an eyebrow, showing my disbelief. "For what reason?"

"I'm dating her," Leo interrupted, his eyes narrowing challengingly.

I returned his glare coolly. "And how long has this been going on?" I asked icily.

Randy almost flinched, making me soften a little. "For two weeks," she answered, almost silently.

I sighed heavily and pressed my palm to my forehead. "Why didn't you tell me?" I seethed. Was she seriously that scared of how I'd react? Shit, just because I had a crappy relationship didn't mean I'd screw with hers.

"I thought you'd be mad." She cringed at my disappointed look and curled instinctively into Leo's side. He wrapped an arm around her and glared straight at me.

I flipped him off. How dare he come into my house and then disrespect me? "I'm not mad," I began, making them relax, "I'm livid," I continued, letting the fury seep into my face as I yanked off my tie angrily and threw it on the ground.

I stomped away, muttering horrible vulgarities under my breath. How could she keep such a big secret from me? Wasn't I her best friend? Wasn't I supposed to be there for anything she went through? Wasn't I supposed to listen to her blather on and on about people she liked?

I was so pissed that she didn't think she could do that. What did they take me for? A jealous dick who wouldn't allow her best friend to date when I couldn't? For Chrissakes, I wasn't a crabby old bitch!

"Wait, Danny," Randy begged, grabbing my elbow.

I pulled away and tried to mask the hurt that was beginning to grow inside. "Why would you keep something like this from me?" I asked, keeping my voice devoid of emotion.

But Randy, being Randy, saw right through that, and her eyes crinkled with guilt. "Danny, please, I'm sorry!" she pleaded. "I just didn't want to bother you. You were going through such a tough time, I thought it would've been selfish to bring something like this up when you'd just had a bad breakup!"

"Miranda," I stopped her. She froze, knowing that I meant business when I called her by her first name. "I always thought we'd experience this thing together. I wanted to be there for you when this sort of thing happened! I don't want you to think I'm fragile or shit because I'm not. I can handle stuff like this!"

She reached out for me, and this time, I let her hug me because I needed it too. I breathed deeply while she muttered apologies into my neck, trying to calm down my urges to laugh. I hated it when people touched my neck, because I got so stupidly ticklish that it was horribly embarrassing.

And Randy knew that, that devious bitch.

I shoved her away when a giggle escaped my throat. Randy looked strangely triumphant, but still guilty. "I'm sorry, Danny," she repeated softly.

"I forgive you," I say solemnly. "But don't ever keep something like this from me again!"

She nodded her head frantically. "Yes madam."

I rolled my eyes and turned to Leo, who was standing stock-still as he observed our exchange in apprehension. "You," I said with a mock-furious tone in my voice, but he fell for it.

"What?" he asked anxiously, shuffling closer to Randy, who looked like she was about to burst out laughing.





"I swear to god, if you ever hurt her in any way, shape, or form, I am going to cut off your head, eat it, and then puke it back out because it's so disgusting."

The nervous gleam in his eye flashed with anger and he took a step toward me, hands clenched angrily. "I'd never hurt her," he snarled, trying to frighten me.

I blew on my nails disinterestedly. "Move, Neanderthal, can't have your girlfriend thinking things, yeah?"





He blushed in anger and moved back to his very amused girlfriend.

"He treats you well, right?" I asked her.

She nodded earnestly. "He's really sweet to me, Danny, he really is."





I pursed my lips, cocking my head at Leo. His body was angled towards Randy, as though he couldn't bear to be away from her. When he looked at her, his eyes flashed with warmth. Randy was leaning towards him almost subconsciously, as though he was drawing her in.

I sighed in disappointment. I must've been a horrible friend if I hadn't noticed this kind of sweet relationship. It made me wish I'd seen the beginning of it, because they seemed so happy.

"I approve," I said finally, making relief wash over their faces. It was a little gratifying that they needed my approval so much, but it didn't erase the fact that I hadn't been present to watch them in the awkward stages before they started dating. "But you're telling me everything!" I warned Randy, pointing at her accusingly.





She smiled a patronising smile and nodded. "We'll have a girls' night Friday?"

I bit my lip, not sure if I was busy. "Okay, I'm cool with that."

"What am I going to do on Friday, then?" Leo asked with a pout, widening his eyes at her.

I rolled my eyes when Randy wavered. "Do whatever it is you do when she hangs out with me," I told him unsympathetically.

He glared at me, but it was a little softer than before, as though he was happy that I approved. "Randy," he pleaded, pouting at her. I could literally see her crumble at his look.

"She might be privy to your nonsense, but I'm not," I say, raising my eyebrows. "She's hanging out with me, okay Neanderthal?"

He scoffed at my name for him. "Whatever," he uttered, crossing his arms.

Randy giggled, tugging on his arms. His eyes softened as he looked at her, causing me to fake-gag. "Cuteness overload, nausea occurring," I said, smiling apologetically when they glared at me. I'd seen enough mushiness for the day, thank you very much.

"You're just jealous."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever," I mocked, pushing past them to get back to the kitchen.

As I grabbed a bottle of chocolate milk, I realised that no one in my family was home. That wouldn't have usually been weird, since Dad is always away and Mum is always at her friends' houses, but since Seth and Marie were visiting, I expected them to be here, at least.

I chugged down the milk and dialed Seth's number. "Hey, kiddo," he replied cheerfully. "What's up?"

"Hey, Seth. Where are you guys?"

"Marie dragged me shopping because she's starting to get those weird pregnancy urges," he replied, and I heard Marie yell something incoherent at him.

I laughed at his grunt of pain as Marie slapped his head. "Bring me hot Cheetos," I ordered. I usually ate healthily because of cross country, but hot Cheetos were my guilty pleasure. I could never eat just one. Or two. Or twenty.

"Eurgh," he groaned. "You make me sick with how many of those you can eat."

"Just bring them! Please, bro?"

I could practically hear him roll his eyes. "Whatever, Jordan. We'll be home as soon as Marie figures out what crap she wants."

I stifled my laugh as I heard Marie bellow something that sounded suspiciously like, "Piss off, you overgrown tree frog!"

"Bye, Seth," I chuckled.

He was complaining to Marie as he hung up, leaving me alone again with the two lovebirds. I strolled back to the living room, where I'd left them, and as soon as my eyes came in contact with them, I let out a shriek.

"Holy shit!" I squeaked, instantly covering my eyes with my hands.

Because, as if superglued together, were Leo and Randy, who were making out like there was no tomorrow left in which to snog. At my words, they sprang apart and blushed, looking up at my cowering figure.

"Sorry," I apologised, realising a beat too late that I probably shouldn't have screamed. "That was tactless."

I heard a beep and Leo took out his phone, frowning a little at it. "Baby, I've got to go, want a ride home?"

Randy smiled cheerily. "Sure thing, sweetie."

Aw, they called each other endearing pet names! How cute! Just kidding.

Randy grabbed Leo's hand and pulled him to stand in front of me. "So do you forgive us now, Danny?" she asked hopefully.

I shuddered as I remembered the PG-13 scene I'd come across a few moments ago. "Only if you stop kissing in my house!" I ordered. "And never when I'm in the room or paying attention, got it?"

They nodded obediently, and Randy gave me a hug. Leo patted my shoulder awkwardly, earning an amused smile from me. "Bye," I chuckled to them as he shrugged.

"Bye!" Randy cried. "See you tomorrow, Danny!"

I waved at her and shut the door, feeling a little worn out. I knew that they would end up snogging in front of me again, and the thought made me slightly nauseous.

Didn't I get that enough from Seth and Marie?

This was probably God's way of telling me, 'Hell no.'

***

I sauntered into the kitchen as Seth and Marie entered with grocery bags in their hands. "Did you bring back everything?" I asked nonchalantly.

He nodded and started placing things on the counter as he spoke. "Yup. We got...milk. Eggs. Cucumbers..."

I started to tune him out, preferring to pour myself a bowl of chocolate rice krispies.

As I began eating, he continued. "Pickles, canned ham-and-cheese, marshmallow cream, and Spam," he concluded with a wave of his arms.

I raised my eyebrows, glancing over at Marie's guilty expression. "What in the absolute fuck, Marie?" I asked in relation to the weird foods they'd brought home.

"Jordan!" Seth scolded.

I ignored him, looking at my sister-in-law expectantly. She twitched under my gaze. "I was hungry and those looked good!" she defended.

I laughed incredulously. "Canned ham-and-cheese? Spam? Marie, you hate Spam."

"No I don't," she denied hotly. "Spam happens to be very delicious with marshmallow cream and sprinkles."

I gagged on my cereal. I guess this was the point where Marie's pregnancy would make her hormones go out of whack, making her as horny as a rabbit, hissy as a girl on her period, and as hungry as a fat kid.

"Marie," Seth sighed, shaking his head. "Dammit, since you're pregnant, you can't pretend you're a virgin anymore. You've got to stop telling people I'm sterile."

My head snapped up, mouth a little open. "I'm hoping I heard that wrong."





"Are you listening into our private conversation?" he asked sternly, wagging a mocking finger. I would have bitten it off if I wasn't already content with my cereal.

"Private?" I questioned uncertainly. "You're standing in the kitchen with me."

"You're a dirty girl," he snorted, pushing my head down into my cereal.

"Shit!" I gasped, wiping milk off my face. I glared at a chuffed looking Seth and spun to face Marie. "Marie, your husband is an idiot!" I complained.

She shrugged, picking up the can of Spam and jar of marshmallow cream in order to shove them in her coat pocket. "We're all different, honey."





I gaped as she popped open the ham-and-cheese and started eating it straight out of the can. "Yeah. Seems like we are."


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Hallo everybody, I hope you liked that chapter! In case some of my old fans are confused, Leo is Kyle :)